The Fraternity Debate — 1868 to 1968! by John Dirlam Fraternities began to take root at Williams in 1833 with the arrival of Kappa Alpha, followed one year later by Sigma Phi. By the time of the Civil War, four more fraternities had joined them in competing for students—-Chi Psi, Alpha Delta Phi, Delta Psi, and Delta […]
Read article
The Bittersweet History of Black Students in the Purple Valley
Black students at Williams refused to let their geographic isolation inure them to the historical changes taking place in the greater society. Instead, students of the classes of 1967-1970 sparked revolutions at Williams that changed the college forever.
Read article
Silk Road Incident (Willie Williams)
One thing I’ve discovered while writing these recollection pieces is that my memory has gaping holes. I’ve mentioned that I don’t remember whose idea the Comiskey Park incident was. And later, you’ll find I don’t remember whose idea the bus trip was. But here the hole is that I don’t remember going to college. Not being in college. I’ll write some about that. I don’t remember getting to college. I’m pretty sure my dad drove me. But I remember nothing about the drive, which must have taken two days. Is this from a faulty memory, or the wondrous subconscious? Did we discuss my future? Did Pop reminisce about his college days? I don’t remember.
Read article
Commencement 1968—“God Save the Commonwealth of Masschusetts!”
At our commencement, we were amused by the local custom of following the High Sheriff of Berkshire County in the procession. He was none other than John Courtney, Jr. (1922-2001), Class of 1970, who served in the position from 1963 to 1978. He wore the traditional attire: top hat, cutaway coat, vest and bow tie. […]
Read article
Brooks House on Fraternity Row: Mystery Solved?
When we arrived on campus in 1964, Belvidere Brooks House was only three years old. It was the 1961 replacement structure for the classic DKE fraternity house, which had burned down in 1959. Understandably, it would have been prohibitively costly to replicate the DKE house, but it seemed surprising that the new residential house was […]
Read article
Winter Carnival redux
For many of us Winter Carnival made it worth putting up with the harsh New England winter and served as a welcome interlude. March vacation (somehow called Spring Break) seemed closer after the last round of ski jump competition. Think about it: not just two games (soccer and football) but three days of competition, featuring […]
Read article
the babbel
“On Friday, February 11, 1966, ‛the babbel,’ Williams’ answer to a Greenwich Village espresso house, opened to a large and enthusiastic clientele…in the basement of Brainerd Mears House.” — Williams Record, Feb 15, 1966 Brainerd Mears had formerly been the ϴΔX Fraternity House, and the babbel was part of an effort symbolically to re-purpose the […]
Read article