Chapter II:

Reactivation and the Fabulous Fifties

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Fall 1946 brought new life to Transylvania College. The was was over and colleges all over the country were crammed with former servicemen eager to complete their degrees. Transylvania was no different.

The Beta Mu Chapter of Delta Sigma Phi, inactive during the war, was reactivated in the Fall of 1946. After passing through a trying period od reorganization, the chapter slowly regained strength. Spring 1947 found Beta Mu gaining momentum. The chapter pledged and initiated one member and, when school ended started planning for the Fall. 

One big undertaking was securing a chapter room. Luckily, the men found a five room cottage just around the corner from campus. Three of the rooms were sub-leased to a married student couple while the other two rooms were used as a club and chapter room. Occasionally both served as gathering places for social events. The fall quarter, Beta Mu also contacted the University of Kentucky Interfraternity Council about starting a Delta Sig chapter on the campus. Reportedly, officials at UK were very cooperative and welcome the idea. In the end, however, plans fell through. 

By fat the most noteworthy event of 1947 was the presentation of the first Insalutatus Award. James Denman, chapter president, presented the plaque to Dr. Raymond F.G. McLain, president of TU. Brother Denman, upon presenting the award, stated, "the Fraternity feels that this award is one which has a necessary place in the recognition program of the school and sets aside a niche in the hall of fame for the unsung hero." 

In the 1948-49 school year, Beta Mu doubled its membership and began the 1949-50 school year with great enthusiasm. The chapter acquired and redecorated a new chapter room, this time across the street from the campus. Alumnus Ed Henry led a group of alumni in presenting the chapter with a new neon sign. Later that year, "Pharaoh I" the chapter's goat mascot began sporting a new beard, and chapter president Charles Honeycutt, Mrs. Honeycutt, Sgt. At Arms Bill Michael, and Pledge Educator Stevens attended the National Convention in Columbus, Ohio. 

In Fall, 1950, Beta Mu formed its first Alumni Control Board. Brother John Long was very instrumental in his efforts to organize the alumni group. Soon, however, setbacks struck Beta Mu again. The chapter started the 1952-53 school year with a new group of officers because the Korean War draft had taken the previous Executive Board. Regardless of the trouble, the chapter pulled together, and with only 14 members, completed the year in high fashion by placing second in "All Campus Sing." 

Over the next two years Beta Mu saw many of its members honored by election to campus leadership positions: Brother Charles Traugett, Student Council Secretary and President of the Sophomore class; Bullitt Lowry, editor of The Transylvanian; John Crowden, President of Men's Lampus; James McClure, IFC President; Harold Tackett, Head of the Pre Ministerial Association; and Ronald LeBleu, Student Council Treasurer and Vice President of the Sophomore Class. And finally, Transylvania's highest honor came home to a Beta Mu brother in 1955, when Robert Wayne Cook was named Mr. Pioneer, the first Delta Sig to earn the title. 

The mid-1950's saw Beta Mu continue its tradition of campus leadership. Many brothers were elected to campus leadership positions and the chapter grew to about 30 men. Some noteworthy events of this era included "Swans Pons Ballet," Bet Mu's act for Fun and Frolic which featured the men of the chapter as ballerinas and earned first place; the presentation of new furniture to the chapter by Brother David Lucas in memory of Brother David Norwood who was killed in a car accident; and the calypso fad hit Transylvania, started by a group of musical Delta Sigs including Bill Bruce, David Lucas, Bob Humbert, Wade Wampler, John Tackett, Jim Smyth, Charlie Flynn, Ron LeBleu, and Bernell Wingfield. 

Success at Beta Mu continued until around 1959. At this time, membership began to shrink until, in the early 1960's only a few men remained. However, the 1950's had been a marvelous decade of growth and prosperity for Beta Mu. With a lot of hard work and dedication on the part of the members, the 1960's looked even more promising.

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