The Farmville herald and farmer-leader. (Farmville, Va.) 1934-1957, 1957-04-19
fraternity Head is Investment Banker
Old Dominion Visit Brings Sigma Chi
National President To Hampden Sydney

One might expect an active
fraternity man to guard his po-
sition and that of his fire. ternity
against possible encroachment by
other fraternities. Not so.
Expanding college enrollments
have challenged the fraternity
system to further expansion, the
national president Of one of the
nations best known fraterritieo
said at Hampden-Sydney Thurs
day.
j. Dwight Peterson. grand con-
sui of Sigma Chi, noted that no
national fraternities have been
organized since 1925. These are
now 81 national fraterl.jties with
a membership of 100000.
AS Peterson sees it, fraternities
are faced with several alterna-
tives. With the first, there would
be increased numbers Of men in
each chapter.
Size Important
Most of the chapters are al
ready as large as they should be
to fulfil the purposes Of good
small group living, Peterson said
IN deploring such a possibility.
A second possibility is further
expansion Of existing fraternities
having existing fraternlttcs es-
tablish new chapters on other
campuses.
This Is really no pat answer To
the problem, according to Peter
son. for when a fraternity reaches
the size Of Si9ma Chi. with its
127 chapters, there are few COL
leges left where the fraternity
could establish new chapters.
Peterson's Virginia trip includ-
ed visit to such college, the
University of Richmond. where
Chi Sigma has petitioned Sigma
Chi for membership. Peterson
quotes projected college enroll
ment figures to support this stand
for establishment Of new fratern-
tiles.
During the week Peterson visit
ed each Of the Sigma Chi chap
tiers in the state. Since his cleo
ton at the fraternity's centennial
grand chapter in 1855 in Cincin-
natl, Peterson has visited 80 Sig
ma Chi chapters,
His trips have taken him from
coast to coast and into Canada.
where Sigma Chi has four chap
tiers.
Home base is indianapolis, Ind.
where Peterson is president of
City Securities corporation, an
Indiana investment banking serv-
ice.
His interest in education is
widespread, for he Is a trustee of
Indiana University ana Hanover
College, as well as president Of
the Indianapolis school board
commission.
In the fraternity, Peterson has
served as grand trustee and as
treasurer of Sigma Chi Founda-
lowing accomplishments: conducted
l6 farm enterprises, earning $1460;
conducted 10 Improvement projects
applied 697 self hours: applied 81
improved practices, has So 900 in
vested in farming; treasurer of
Piedmont FLA Federation: member
of crops. livestock and forestry
judging teams; and maintains a 80
scholastic average.
(. Lee took the livestock farming
award for the following reasons
owns six purebred Angus cows;
three Angus heifers, one purebrec
Angus bull; one brood SOW; five
pigs: seeded ten acres of pasture,
constructed 280 rods Of fence, anc
took several prizes at the various
local fairs.
Billy Lee also took the public
/ speaking award since he won ovel
10 other members in the chapter
and placed third in the Federation
contest
Harry Bryan was awarded thu
farm mechanics award for the fol
lowing accomplishments: owns one
third interest in tractor, combine
corn picker, pillow, truck and mower
helped construct trailer; recon
u.t.oned a mower; serviced and or
Grated tractor and combine; helpet
] construct broiler house and tW
sheds; assisted in putting moder
plumbing fixtures in home; and cor
structed SIS rods of hog fence.