Ohio Eta Chartering
December 4, 1948, celebrated the addition of the Ohio Eta Chapter to Sigma Phi Epsilon at Miami University. Initiating teams and assisting members came from Ohio Northern University, Ohio State University, Ohio Wesleyan University, Baldwin-Wallace College, Purdue University, and Indiana University. It was the second SigEp chapter to be installed in the state in 1948, Ohio Zeta having been established at Baldwin-Wallace College, Berea, on March 13.
The formal ceremonies began at nine o'clock in the morning at McGuffy High School, lasting until six o'clock that evening, and saw the proud display of 47 "hearts," with the initiation of 31 active members and 16 Theta Upsilon Omega alumni. It was not an installation, truly. Rather it was re-establishment of Beta Beta Chapter of Theta Upsilon Omega, which small national fraternity was merged with Sigma Phi Epsilon in 1938. The chapter had suspended operation in 1933.
At the banquet that evening, Dr. Robert F. Almy, chapter faculty adviser and chairman of the English department, as toastmaster, introduced a number of speakers. Heading the list were Grand Chapter representatives William L. "Uncle Billy" Phillips and William W. Hindman, Jr., Grand Secretary, who presented the charter to Raymond F. Link, Jr., the president of the Ohio Eta Chapter. William L. Phillips, one of the twelve Sigma Phi Epsilon Founders, impressed on the gathered members the value and necessity of contributing to a chapter library; each member, as he left the chapter, was recommended to leave an autographed book by which his name ". . . might be perpetuated in the chapter house."
Dr. Robert J. Miner, Director of Student Affairs and a "helping hand" during the formation of Ohio Eta, expressed his surprise and delight at the rapid growth of the group, cautioning the members that an equally difficult task lay ahead in developing a flourishing chapter.
Other speakers included George S. Veil, who extended the welcome of the Miami Interfraternity council; Harry D. Kurtz, Sigma Phi Epsilon Governor of District IX, comprising Ohio and Michigan, who welcomed the chapter to his district; former Theta Upsilon Omega member Myron T. Potter, who presented a gavel from the Theta Upsilon Omega alumni to President Raymond F. Link, Jr.; and John W. McFall, the president of the alumni group.
Grand Secretary William W. Hindman, Jr., presented the charter to President Link at the conclusion of the foregoing speeches. A short speech was given by honored initiate, Hugh A. Whitesell, through whose zealous efforts the formation of the chapter was made possible.
The assembly then adjourned to Miami's Municipal Auditorium for the Installation Ball, where dancing was enjoyed to the music of Eddie Roe's Orchestra.
The Ohio Eta House Corporation
Since alumni from the Beta Beta chapter of Theta Upsilon Omega were initiated into Sigma Phi Epsilon upon chartering, the chapter already had an established and functioning alumni association. These alumni had maintained their group status together even as their now dormant Beta Beta chapter had closed during the Great Depression. They were enthusiastic their chapter was now revived and their legacy could continue as Sigma Phi Epsilon - OH Eta.
Because of this alumni support, in a very short period of time OH Eta had a fraternity house located at 224 E. Church St; another ideal location for a fraternity house, just several blocks from uptown and very close to campus as their Theta Upsilon Omega house had been at 122 S. Campus Ave. This area was becoming known as 'Little Fraternity Row' as several Greek houses began expanding into this area of town. Upon acquiring a house, the alumni organized a not-for-profit corporation to hold title to the property and called it 'Ohio Eta House Corporation of Sigma Phi Epsilon' - established June 22, 1949; Incorporators: Myron T. Potter, Robert F. Almy, and John W. McFall. Click here to view original documents and letters from the formation of the House Corp and Alumni who made it possible
A brother recounted: "Without the help of our alumni, we would not be living in the fine house in which we are now located. The 'Ohio Eta House Corporation of Sigma Phi Epsilon,' organized by and consisting of our active alumni, was solely responsible for the purchase of the house. Under the leadership of three very fine officers, President John McFall (Theta Upsilon Omega alumni), Secretary Dr. Robert F. Almy (who also acts as our chapter adviser), and Treasurer Myron T. Potter (also Theta Upsilon Omega alumni), the House Corporation devised and carried out methods of raising money and financing the purchase of the house. This group will continue their work along this line in making additions or improvements to the house."
This did continue throughout the years as additions were made to the house, additional property was acquired, and eventually in the 1990's, plans were made to build a new chapter house that now sits on the same property. However, make no mistake that the alumni responsible for establishing the house and property at 224 E. Church St. had their roots on Miami's campus back in the 1920's and 1930's as members of the Beta Beta chapter of Theta Upsilon Omega.
Prior to acquiring the house on Church Street, in 1949 the chapter rented an apartment on the 2nd floor of 21 East High Street in front of Mac and Joe's. One of the original founders of Mac and Joe's was John McFall who was president of the Alumni Board in this time period. Mac and Joe's is known as the being the longest continually running restaurant in Oxford, having opened initially in 1946. John McFall (Mac) and Joe Beinford (Joe) were the original owners and despite ownership changing over the years, the restaurant has remained opened continuously.
A Thriving Chapter
In just a year and a half, OH Eta had made great 
strides in building up to the point where the chapter was one of the better regarded fraternities on Miami's campus. The early chapter always acknowledged the alumni were the guiding lights, which helped the chapter grow and prosper in such a short period of time.
In May 1950, the chapter won its first major campus event when the Delta Upsilon Tug O' War trophy came into their possession. Ten of the chapter's strongest combined their efforts to pull the DU's into the Tallawanda River in the final round of the competition. The fraternity brothers celebrated the victory later with their dates following the contest.
Today, Delta Upsilon puts on the Puddle Pull competition annually during Greek Week. Instead of pulling the other team into a river, the goal is to take a shorter length of rope over a timed period while seated in pits dug for feet in the ground. This event has been the featured event of Greek Week for many years and is a great Miami tradition.
By 1952, OH Eta had 106 active brothers and was one of the largest fraternities on campus. This growth prompted the Alumni Board to start planning for a 50x25 addition which would feature two-story, modern architecture sleeping/study quarters for 20 men, and a new dining/recreation room and kitchen. In 1953, 224 E. Church St. got the signature SigEp red door and by 1954, the alumni board had liquidated the original mortgage on the house in five short years and completed the addition of a kitchen, dining and chapter room. The chapter was the first to receive the Grand Chapter trophy in 1954 for five years of 100% donation to the Camp Fund.
OH Eta was honored with the Benjamin Hobson 
Frayser Award in November 1957 for a successful alumni-active newsletter called 'Teepee Talk.' This did much to keep the alumni group active in the fraternity. It worked so well that on December 6, 1958 more than 250 alumni and guests came to Oxford to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of OH Eta. A new building program was a main topic of discussion for a still growing and very successful Miami chapter.
A 1956 recording of OH Eta brothers singing songs such as the Anthem, Wonderful Sigep Girl, Oh, Here's to the Brothers, and others was discovered and digitized and is now on Youtube for all to enjoy. Click here to go to the Album recording on Youtube