18 Consecutive Years of Excellence
This period in OH Eta history was one of the most prolific for the chapter. In these 18 years, the chapter would win consecutive Buchanan Cups at each Grand Chapter Conclave held by SigEp National, amounting to 9 total. The Buchanan Outstanding Chapter Award, named in honor of past Grand President Edwin Buchanan, represents superior and sustained achievement in our Fraternity.
Started in 1961, the Buchanan Cup recognizes the best-of-the-best Sigma Phi Epsilon chapters. Chapters are measured in relation to the accomplishments of their peers on campuses across the country. Only the chapters that excel in every area of operations and further the Grand Chapter's strategic plan qualify for this high honor. An engraved silver bowl is presented to Buchanan Cup winners at the Grand Chapter Conclave.
In the 2000's, SigEp started awarding golden Buchanan Cups to chapters that have received 5 consecutive awards, representing a continuous decade of chapter excellence. If golden Buc Cups were awarded in the 1970's and 1980's, OH Eta would have 4 silver and 5 golden Cups from that period, and an additional 3 silver Buc Cups from 2007, 2009, and 2011.
Continued Expansion and An Extraordinary Advisor: 'Doc' Gordon
During this time, OH Eta would average roughly 130 brothers 
every year and easily fill the house and new addition at 224 E. Church St. As the Pikes had now moved down the road having built their new fraternity house, The Ohio Eta House Corporation was able to purchase the second chapter house on the adjoining corner property at 230 E. Church St. in 1974. Between the two houses combined, 75 brothers lived-in and the chapter was stronger than ever before.
In 1973, The Eta News was established as the new OH Eta alumni newsletter by chapter Alumni Chair Rick Wolf '74. Rick understood the importance of continuously engaging alumni with the active chapter. The Eta News is still in publication today and is mailed, emailed, and posted to other forms of alumni communication such as this website and the OH Eta Alumni Facebook Group.
Much of the success during this time period, aside from the brothers, is attributed to the strong Alumni Board and Chapter Advisor, Dr. William "Doc" Gordon who graduated from Miami in 1957 and was a Professor of Education on campus. Doc would stop by the chapter house at least once daily and was the link between the undergraduates and alumni.
Towards the end of the 1970's OH Eta would see its first District Governor, Keith Ruffner '74, appointed first to District 1 (New England) and then District 9 (Ohio). The District Governor works with each Chapter Counselor in his district. He provides assistance in all areas of chapter operations, and helps the Chapter Counselors effectively work with undergraduates.
Keith had previously served on Regional Leadership Academy faculties and as Alumni Board President for the Villanova University (Pennsylvania Rho) Chapter during its colony phase. After graduating from Miami, Ruffner served as a Regional Director on the Fraternity's professional staff. "I see the Fraternity as a place to grow and acquire some valuable skills for living in the 'real world.'"
Joined At-The-Hip
The chapter and Alumni Board were featured in an article in 1976 as a stand-out combination that worked together and allowed the chapter to be one of the top in the country:
'Illustrating this effort is the 15-man Alumni Board, or Board of Trustees, of the Ohio Eta House Corporation, Miami University of Ohio. Edward C. Kimball, Miami '54, president of the board, involved himself after returning to the Oxford, Ohio area from New Orleans. "It's kind of contagious," he said. "Once you get over to the house and see how well the kids are doing and how warmly they treat alumni, you can't help but want to support them." Ohio Eta is a chapter of 130 men, 75 of whom live in one of the two houses owned by the Corporation (the second house was purchased in 1974).
Kimball says that Ohio Eta Alumni Board meetings are almost considered social events for the members. "If it can be a pleasant experience, you look forward to it. The guys at the house appreciate the fact that alumni come the distance (some of the members drive 100 miles); they show it in several ways, like when they gave all the alumni T-shirts with Sig Ep Sam on the front. If all you have are insolvable problems, you won't get the alumni around," he said. "Ten men from the chapter attend all our meetings and make us feel at home. That's what makes alumni drive long distances once a month."
Dr. William M. Gordon, Miami '57, Chapter Advisor (Counselor) and a Professor of Education at Miami, is hailed by his fellow alumni and undergraduates alike as having inspired the Board and the chapter to current positions of strength. Gordon makes at least one stop at the house daily. He explained that the Board "is very supportive of all chapter activities. They provide financial advice, own both houses, take responsibility for the physical structure and major expenses, and participate in most major social functions."
"The key to our thing," said Kimball, "is Doc Gordon. He can relate to the undergraduate problems and he can relate to alumni problems because he is one."
The Ohio Eta Alumni Board's current projects now are the purchase of a walk-in freezer, a new dishwasher, and a new furnace and hot water heater. The Board makes recommendations on rush (they feel they must maintain manpower at 100 men or more), and they work with the undergraduate chapter controller in collecting outstanding bills. "We're a recommending body," said Gordon, "but our whole objective is for the chapter to remain fiscally sound."
Kimball attributes the success of both the chapter and the Board to "the General chemistry of the men and enthusiastic officers." Gordon agrees. "The quality of the men is what makes the thing go," he said.
Gordon believes in an age representation on the Board, and explained that officers serve two years; it takes eight years to "move through the chairs. We start men out on the Board at 25 to 27 years of age," he said. This means two things . . . continuity, and a diversity of viewpoints.
Another primary consideration for Board members is their field of work. Richard S. McAdams, '54, is an insurance agent familar with the chapter's particular insurance needs, and carries the policies and advises the board on other insurance questions. "But we're also interested in the chapter's scholarship and pledge education programs," he said, explaining that the officers present the programs to Board members for their advice. "We're trying to stimulate diversed interest in the Fraternity for the actives and alumni," McAdams said, adding that some alumni usually take part in the chapter initiations.
Michael Macechko, '65, got involved two years ago because the chapter's alumni relations program needed improvement. Mike is Assistant Alumni Director for Miami University. He believes in alumni guidance because the undergraduates in the chapter are impressed by the efforts they see alumni putting forth to the chapter's benefit ... it gives them the "lifetime" dimension. He also explained that the Board can be "the bad guy in sticky situations to lay down the law to the chapter" when it's needed ... a real service to the officers. "It keeps them from getting caught in the middle by being able to say that the Alumni Board determined such and such," he said.
Thomas A. Rodgers, '67, is a lawyer and enjoys what he calls the "looseness" of the meetings. "It's a lot of informality with a certain amount of responsibility," he said. Rodgers feels that the chapter has benefited from being able to take advantage of the Board's expertise ... to use their talents and "connections."
He credits Rick Wolf, '74, for having originated a dynamic alumni relations program consisting of several chapter/alumni newsletters each year, and the chapter's first annual Homecoming extravaganza which was held last school year. "Since Rick, there have been some dynamic guys in the chapter serving as alumni relations chairman, like Larry Kohn this past year," Rodgers said.
Rodgers explained that he was able to involve Richard H. Burk, '65, a doctor who lives behind him in Troy, Ohio, on the Alumni Board. "It was nice to have someone to make the 100 mile trip once a month with me," Rodgers said. Burk is now the Corporation's Vice President.
Other Board members include a contractor, an accountant, a banker, and several salesmen. Michael E. Brown, '75, said "The undergraduates would sometimes rather see new furniture than a freezer. The Board must sit back and be more objective. As the undergraduates see this over their first couple of years in the chapter, it acts as a maturing process." Brown, the Board's Secretary, explained that the chapter made a commitment to maintain top levels of manpower before the second chapter house was purchased in 1974. They agree to a minimum of 30 men pledged following each winter rush. "It couldn't have worked better," Brown said.'