Gamma Upsilon, Illinois Alpha , 1968-01-14

"Illinois Alpha chapter of Gamma Upsilon, honorary student publications fraternity was installed at Wesleyan last Friday, December 13, at 3:30 p. m. in the old Sigma Chi room in Hedding Hall. The installation was conducted by Dr. W. E. Schultz, one of the founders of the fraternity, who initiated the five charter members. The charter members are Harlan Stanger, Everett Melby, Ben Arnold, Mary McDorman and John Morris. The formation of the fraternity was the outgrowth of a movement started last year by Harlan Stanger, then editor of the Argus. Last May a petition, with the founding of Gamma Upsilon on this campus as an objective, was presented by the founding five to the Administration committee. The petition was granted, but for several reasons, action was delayed until this fall. The purpose of Gamma Upsilon is “to foster an interest in college student publications, and to stimulate interest in all phases of undergraduate literary work that finds its way into print.” It is honorary in nature, not professional, dealing with amateur effort of a high grade in college. Gamma Upsilon offers a triple innovation in honorary fraternities: it is co-educational, unlike several organizations of a similar type, being open on equal terms to men and women who have achieved success in their chosen student activity; it is co-publication, electing students from any publication properly approved (newspaper, annual, literary monthly, or comic magazine); and its co-staff, being open to editorial members and business representatives alike. When Dr. Schultz came to Wesleyan as the head of the English department, there was a need and a demand for an honorary society of this kind on the campus. After examining many organizations, it was decided the Gamma Upsilon would best fill the needs of campus. Dr. Schultz obtained permission from the Missouri chapter to install a chapter at Wesleyan, and Illinois Alpha was founded…Dr. Schultz, in addition to his promotional work, also wrote the ritual of the fraternity." -The Argus, (1935-12-18), pg. 1, 3