The installation of the local fraternity, ISWZA, as the Omicron Zeta… took place at their chapter house on October 10 and 11. The ceremonies were well attended by the alumni of the local chapter and also by representatives from Penn. State, Mass. Institute of Technology, Boston University, and Massachusetts Agricultural College [1].

This being the first installation of a chapter under the revised ritual, it gave the old L.C.A. men and the ritual committee an excellent opportunity to see the new ritual in practice. And as was clearly shown at the time the revision was a great improvement on the old ritual, being a great credit to the work of Brothers Cole and Mason, instrumental in perfecting it.

Since Cornell University is one of the largest institutions of learning in the eastern part of the United States, it is particularly fitting that we should have a chapter established there as early as possible…..

The chapter house, situated on one of the principal streets of the campus, to the westward of the university itself, is practically a new one, modern in construction and admirably suited to the needs of a fraternity. As is customary at Cornell, the men have their meals served in their own house, a practice which cannot but help to strengthen the fraternal bonds and fellowship of the members. Another excellent custom is observed, namely that before almost every meal one or more of the college songs is sung— which goes to show that even in fraternal surroundings loyalty to the college is not forgotten.

On October eleventh and twelfth, nineteen hundred and thirteen, occurred the installation of Omicron Zeta chapter of LCA under the most favorable auspices. Immediately following the "Crew Celebration" which took place on the Library Slope, but a stone's throw from the house, Brother Warren A. Cole gave the alumni who were present, the oath and ritual of LCA. On the following day the entire bunch of forty-five attended the Cornell-Carlisle football game at Percy Field That night immediately after the banquet, Brother Cole, with the aid of brothers from Amherst, Penn. State, and M.I.T. initiated and gave the ritual to four pledges in the most impressive manner, at the same time initiating us into the mysteries of LCA. It was in the wee hours of Sunday morning before his work was completed….

Notes

1. At the time, the membership of most chapters was quite small, complicating the issue of who would conduct the installation. Warren A. Cole led the degree team, which was assembled from volunteers from the closest existing chapters. Note also that Massachusetts Agricultural College is now the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. [back]