“I joined Phi Sig, influenced by a recommendation from Tom Campbell ’57, a friend from my hometown of Butler, Pa,” says McLure. “Tom was a Kappa a few years before me. I shopped other fraternities at Penn State but Phi Sig was my first choice because of the people I met during rush, both those who were rushing at the time and pledges of Kappa.”

As McLure recollects, the Brothers shared similar interests and backgrounds both academically and socially. Those backgrounds let to a treasure bank full of memories, of those; McLure is hard-pressed to pick just one.

“In a flood of memories, It is hard to pick a favorite,” he recalls. “I was at the first Grave Digger’s Ball, my pledge trip to West Virginia, road trips to football games, the weekend festivities of all types from formal attire to different attire.”

“I am still Damn Proud because of the people I met, the traditions I helped maintain, the lasting friendships gained,” he recalls. “It is the people at Kappa I recall most fondly. I was there to hear many of Bear Kohler’s dissertations on life, he made us appreciate gourmet dining, martinis and wing tips. He was truly one of the greatest people I ever met.

He was Phi Sig!”

“Mrs. G. Haven Dawson, our house mother, and her attempts to teach table manners to the “barbarians,” were good memories as well,” recalls McLure. “The ‘D,’ taught us to respect the social amenities. The Bove in the kitchen “Eggs Today?

As a testament to the importance of keeping in touch, McLure shares that he lost a roommate without knowing because he did not keep in touch.

“I have so many great memories of the Brotherhood, I might be able to write a book about them,” he says.

McLure went on to add that Brothers should give back in appreciation for their experiences at Kappa, the Brotherhood and social and scholarship experiences that could not be found in any other setting.

“Phi Sig gave me three years of wonderful experiences,” he says proudly. “I owe them financially and in any other way that I can possibly support the group.”

“I retired last year after a 35-year career in professional baseball,” he says. “I have two children. My daughter Jill is a Buckeye and following in my father’s footsteps and my son Michael is a PSU alum as is my “honey and my sweetie,” Susan, a PSU Delta Gamma, and has tolerated my efforts, travels, etc. for the last 27 years.”

“I have been truly blessed by them,” says the former scout. “I encouraged my children to join a fraternity/sorority, but neither chose that path for various reasons.”

According to Ben, Phi Sig taught him to lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way. He cites Phi Sig as his teacher of learning to read people and develop relationships accordingly.

“I have no use for the pretentious, self-important people created by today’s climate,” says Ben. “As a Phi Sig, I was one of a group, my opinions mattered, whether people agreed or not. I learned to listen to both sides even if I knew I was right and at times changed my opinion. I learned to understand that not all people are of the same mind and when to speak up or shut up.”