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Triniteers.Net Triniteers History |
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“The Triniteers were formed from an idea; from this idea came our purpose; and beneath both of these was my belief and faith in those people who came to accept the ideals upon which Triniteers were founded.” Albert Herff-BezeIt is only fair to say that this accounting is a brief one. There have been hundreds of Triniteers, each of which has left his mark. Every Triniteer has lived, loved, and learned in Triniteers. It would be impossible to do justice to a complete Triniteer history. The history of the Triniteers is not an old or antiquated one by any means. Although the development has been a relatively recent one, the years are filled with many outstanding people and events that have contributed to the unique and exciting history that has characterized the growth of Triniteers. Although the name, “Triniteers,” was not originated until 1945, the actual founding of the club came in 1936, with the organization of a small group of students known as the “Engineers.” A young, handsome and popular teacher by the name of Albert Herff-Beze, better known as “Beezie,” enthusiastically accepted an invitation to become the first sponsor of the organization. Thus, more than sixty years ago on the old Woodlawn Campus in San Antonio, which Trinity University formerly occupied, the roots of Triniteers were planted. Three students: King, Reinhart, and Taylor (who became the second president of the Triniteers later in 1946) approached Beezie with the idea of forming a social and service organization. Actually, Beezie was not at first overly enthusiastic about the proposal, for it had proved to be unsuccessful many times before. However, as fate would have it, Beezie was duly influenced to accept the sponsorship by another member of the faculty, whom he was dating at the time. A student by the name of Jimmy Wyatt was also instrumental in getting Beezie to become the first sponsor. In 1936, under the guidance of Beezie, the Engineers were founded, and in the Constitution it was explicitly stated that the semester dues were “not to exceed fifty cents” per member. There were twenty-five members in this first year of the Engineers existence. In 1939, the President of Trinity University, Dr. Jackson, was made the first Honorary Member of the Engineers. Tommy Cannon was elected as the first President and Jimmy Wyatt became Vice-President of the Engineers. Beezie and Wynne Brown, who both professed a great interest in music, worked together to write the words and compose the music for the Club song. Several years later Beezie revised the song with slight modifications, but it is virtually the same today as when it was first originated. Beezie and the members of the Engineers took great efforts to compose a Preamble to the Constitution of the club, which would be representative of the purposes and principles that were indicative of the ideals beneath the foundation of the organization. In this effort, they were successful beyond all hopes. Although various parts of the Constitutions articles have been changed and modified over the years, the words to the Preamble beginning with, “In order to foster brotherhood,” have not changed in over forty years. It is the same Preamble that introduces the Constitution of the Triniteer organization today. After only a short time in existence, the declaration of World War II was felt, and the Engineers unofficially disbanded as Beezie and a large majority of the University students entered the Armed Forces. During the next few years, there was a lapse of activity on campus, as most of the student population was composed of women. In the absence of the Engineers, the Spurs, founded in 1932 by Dr. Hendricks, became a well-known service club on campus, taking the initiative first established by the Engineers. Following the War Years from 1944-1945, hundreds of male students returned to Trinity, swelling its total enrollment to more than 900, and with them came Albert Herff-Beze. Beze returned from the war with the intention of leaving Trinity as soon as he could get some personal matters settled. Considering the fact that he found only eight students in his first class, Beze was not too optimistic about his future as a Trinity University instructor. However, several students who had previously been Engineers, realized the plight Beze was in; moreover, wanting him to remain as the sponsor of their club, these students decided among themselves on a plan to recruit students for Beze’s language classes in the hope that this would induce him to remain at the University. By the time the second semester arrived, Beze was astonished to walk into his first class of the new term and find that he had over 200 students in the class! This was almost entirely the work of the Engineers; and, their devoted efforts on Beze’s behalf reflected their great respect and liking for this man who had provided the strength and the feeling of the nine original charter members explains best the meaning of Beze to Triniteers. IN the design on the pin for this organization, the word Triniteers, which appears vertically down the center, stands for and symbolizes in every way the character and person of Albert Herff-Beze. Resuming where they had begun, Beze and several of the outstanding student leaders on the campus felt a strong need for the creation of a new organization which would have purpose and be of value to the University in a two-fold way: to be of service to the school, and to bring together in a select association those students who held similar interests and ideals. Thus in 1945 nine students, who became known as the Nine Charter Members (the symbol of the nine rays on the pin)—Reinhart, Silber, Ollif, Taylor, King, Hershey, Jackson, Magans, Young, and Beze got together to draft the first Constitution for an organization that was to be known from that time on as Triniteers. Dr. Schwabb, who was President of Trinity University, established a precedent at the University as he enthusiastically welcomed the Triniteers organization as a “much needed and outstanding association of young scholars, leaders, athletes and gentlemen.” Consequently, in 1945, the Triniteers officially separated themselves from the Engineers organization by electing John Silber as the first president. They also wrote a new, but informal constitution based upon Robert’s Rules of Order, brought into existence the Triniteer pin, and adopted a design of the Triniteer emblem by Bob Farber. Farber, incidentally, was also the President of the Student body in the period following the war. With the Triniteers firmly established as Trinity University first active male social and service club, a new and exciting aspect was added to college life. It should be noted that the Spurs preceded the Triniteers by one year as a social and service club. Beze was in addition to a language, music teacher and club sponsor, the Dean of Men then known as “Counselor for Men Students.” Of course the IFC, now known as the Greek Council, had not come into existence, and there were no other competing clubs or organizations on campus during this period. The only other organization existing on the campus was a large, non-selective, all-school cheerleader and pep squad that went by the name of Lancerettes. So, being the first club on campus, and with the Dean of Men as the sponsor, the Triniteers had very definite advantages. The President of the University occupied a large twenty room home on the Woodlawn campus, in which Beze also lived. With Beze’s influence and the excellent reputation of the club, the President granted the Triniteers permission to use the entire fourth floor of this mansion as a club room. Triniteers held meetings, conducted informal get-togethers, and installed such indoor recreational facilities as pool and ping-pong tables for their use any time. During this period, the amount of dues was still fifty cents a semester. These facilities provided a means whereby members of the Triniteers were better able to develop a closeness, congeniality, and a sincere feeling of brotherhood and respect for the organization to which they belonged. And these same qualities are characteristic of Triniteers today. In the late 1940’s, the basic function of the Triniteers were first, as a service organization and, secondly, as a social group. As part of their service responsibilities to the community and to the University, Triniteers published the Student Directories (this service was started by M. Crites, the third President of Triniteers), taking baskets of groceries to orphans in the city, promoted fund-raising intramural games with other schools, and acted as ushers for the Baccalaureate and Graduation Commencement exercises starting in 1950. These service projects were initiated with a definite purpose in mind, and proved themselves to be of good value and help to other people. “Unselfish service for the good of other: is a specific part of the original founding principle behind Triniteers. Every one of these programs was beneficial and testified to the true meaning of the word service to every Triniteer. Of course, there is also an eventful and colorful history of social functions associated with Triniteers. However, it is important that one realize that today, even as it was in 1950, the social activities of Triniteers have always been characterized by an attitude and philosophy for upholding the esteem and reputation of the organization as a hole and of its founder, Beezie, at all times. But Triniteers have shown themselves to be as fun loving and as adventuresome as any other group in any other college or university. In fact, some of Triniteers’ social endeavors have been quite unique in flavor as well as in lace. In 1949, Beze began what was known as Teer-Spur picnic on his ranch near Boerne. Actually, Beze’s family ranch played an important part in the development of the Triniteers; it became the place where club members often gathered on weekends to camp out, hunt, fish and swim. In fact, Bezes’ ranch was the scene for many years of the informal initiations; and, before the war, some of the Engineers had begun building a clubhouse at the ranch, but never were able to complete it because of the war. But this first Teer-Spur event proved so overwhelmingly successful that through the years the Triniteers and Spurs have undertaken trips to Lake McQueeny, Lande Park in New Braunfels, Padre Island at Corpus Christi, and trips to Mo-Ranch in Kerrvile. But, Triniteers have not always found it necessary to depend of the Spurs for companionship, and in years past, Beezie had organized stag outings to such romantic places as Monterrey, Mexico. There is a picture in the club scrapbook showing Triniteers eating dinner with Mayor Manuel Flores in 1945. There have also been trips to Nuevo Laredo and to various secluded Gulf Islands for fishing excursions. But beneath all of the fun in this social character of the organization there is a certain unity, which brings Triniteers closer together as friends and as brothers, whether it is a picnic, party, retreat or appearing in church. This is all a part of Triniteers, a part of their history as well as of their future. The history of Triniteers would not be complete without some discussion of other specific events, which have exerted an influence on the organization as it appears today. For instance, the annual Father-Son Banquet, which was started by Beezie in 1952, was the first function of any sort to be held on the new campus, which Trinity occupies at present. It is an event unique to the Triniteers on this campus. In the past, Triniteers had organized the annual Derby Day, which had been received with great popularity and enthusiasm by all the social clubs on the campus. The Teers and Spurs were the first to hold their Homecoming party and in following years other organizations took the cue and imitated this popular event in the Triniteer manner. This event, like so many other aspects of Triniteers, was born in tradition and originality. There is always a continuing need for change and new ideas and because of this, Triniteers are always looking for ideas that allow Triniteers to bring innovation and constructive changes to this campus. Triniteers history has its roots and its foundation in these beliefs and the successful results of staging new and unusual events had made the Triniteer organization an outstanding club on campus. This first thirty-one years of history gives tremendous strength to these concepts of teamwork, cooperation, and spirit. Triniteers had been awarded the first-place trophy several times at the now retired Sing Song competition. The Triniteers have been actively involved in all aspects of Intramurals, and can count several victories among their accomplishments. In years past, Triniteers also received a number of blue ribbon awards for the float entries in the annual Fiesta Street and River Parades. 1st
Supplement In 1969, Sing-Song ceased to be a competitive event, and in order to make the experience more interesting the Triniteers joining with their sister club, Spurs, to sing together on that night. The consolidation proved to be a popular idea because the next year they again sang together under the direction of Teer Blue Angel Pat Fry. This Sing-Song was followed by a special Teer-Spur party at which we celebrated our twenty-fifth anniversary with champagne and birthday cake. In 1968, Conrad True, a Teer alum and Director of Trinity’s Alumni Association, agreed to become Beezie’s assistant in the sponsorship of the club. IN 1970, when Conrad left Trinity, the Triniteers were lucky enough to get Dr. Donald Everett, chairman of the History Department, and Dr. Peter Terwey, chairman of the Math Department as co-assistant sponsors. These gentlemen had been two of our Honorary Triniteers for several years. The other active honorary members were: Dr. John A. Burke Dr. Richard S. Machalek Dr. Richard M. Burr Coach James R. Potter Alfred “Sonny” Delgado Mr. Gerald D. Smetzer Mr. Russell L. Gossage Mr. Leon “Tex” Taylor Mr. Derwood L. Hawthorne Dr. George Thompson Dr. Bates L. Hoffer, III Dr. C.H. Treat Raymond E. Judd During these years the Teers were frequently entertained in the home of Mr. And Mrs. Derwood Hawthorne. Mrs. Hawthorne, the mother of two Triniteers, was made a Triniteer Sweetheart in 1970. The club also showered their affection for the couple by dedicating their affection for the couple by dedicating to them the 1970-71 School Directory. From the time when the Triniteers presented a new American flag to the University at the Woodlawn campus and were responsible for raising it and lowering it, to the legendary bus trips to Nuevo Laredo, the events in the history of Triniteers have taken on a great versatility and ingenuity. The history of this organization has taken on many different people. But the one prime force has been the inspiration, influence, dedication and loyalty provided by the original founder and sponsor of the fraternity, Albert Herff-Beze, “The Father of the Triniteers.” Albert Herff-Beze died on April 18, 1976—Easter Sunday. He was buried the following Wednesday at Sunset Memorial Garden. Many were sorrowed at his loss and humbled by the thought that they had known and loved a great man. In reflection, Beezie died a fulfilled man. That semester he had participated in his first informal initiation in over ten years. The week prior to his death the San Antonio Symphony honored him. The night before his death he saw “The Girl of the Golden West,” the opera he told many he wanted to see before he died. It is stated “Behind a purpose there is a meaning”—behind the Triniteers was and shall remain Beezie. He loved the Triniteers more than any man could have loved a dream, for the Teers were Beezie’s dream come true. His ideals are more present and active in this fraternity than any of its members are aware. Beezie truly was the “the way, the truth and the life.” --Supplement by Mark Race October 1976 2nd Supplement On April 2, 1977, Beezie was honored posthumously when B-Dorm was renamed Albert Herff-Beze Hall. The dedication commemorated Beezie’s forty years of teaching and his devoted love of his students. When Trinity’s new Library, the last structure to be built as a part of the Skyline campus master plan, was dedicated on April 7, 1979, it contained a case with memorabilia of Beezie’s tenure at Trinity. There is much valuable Triniteer history in this collection, as well as in the new library’s archives department. In January 1981, Dr. Terwey submitted his request for resignation as sponsor of the club. ON February 9, that request was accepted and Dr. Terwey remains a respected Honorary Member. On September 18, 1981, Dr. Everett was joined by Dr. Harold M. Barger and Dr. L. Middleton as co-sponsors, and thus became the fifth and sixth sponsors in the thirty-seven years of the Triniteers. As the first generation of the Triniteers not to be guided by Beezie’s physical presence graduated, the club continues to maintain the ideals upon which the Triniteers were founded, for the spirit of Beezie will always be with us. Historical Supplement added in the spring of 1989 by: Dave Doderer Ian George Ben Lagueux Pete Sturdivant Lynn Westfall In the fall of 1985, the Triniteers had their last fall pledge class. John Crabtree, Jon Freeman, and Randy McCann completed the final fall pledge program. Since the formal Rush and Pledging have been limited to the spring. 1986 was the start of increased state and university confinement of the Triniteers. The school directory, which we had published since 1945, was taken from us and published by the University, depriving the Triniteers of an important fund-raiser, as well as leaving the Trinity Campus without a top-rate directory. On September 1, 1986, the legal drinking age in Texas was raised from 19 to 21, which had a serious impact upon the Triniteers and their social activities. All-school parties became difficult to have without losing outrageous amounts of money, as alcohol could no longer be served at these functions. This alcohol ban also extended to nearly all of the Trinity campus.
In the spring of 1987,
the school placed the Triniteers on social probation after the Bandera
Rush Party at the Gallagher Ranch in Bandera, Texas, where alcohol was
served. Triniteers
integrity came through as we admitted our guilt, and accepted our
punishment for the remainder of the semester, and the following fall.
In March of 1987,
during the pledge period, Dean Colleen Grissom declared a moratorium on
all physical hazing after a pledging incident involving another
fraternity. With the
moratorium in effect, the pledge program was forced to undergo change.
As always, the Triniteers adapted to the changes and still managed to
produce a strong in spirit and spine pledge class.
A tradition that shall never
die! In the spring of 1987, Dr. Donald Everett, our faculty sponsor, was presented a silver paddle to celebrate and thank him for 25 years of caring for and devotion to the Triniteers. In the spring of 1988, Dr. Everett retired as sponsor of the Triniteers, and Dr. Middleton and Dr. Barger took over as our co-sponsors. His 25 years with the club has affected every member of the Triniteers, and his example will continue to guide us as does that of our founder, Albert Herff-Beze. The fall of 1988 saw the Triniteers accept as the new faculty sponsor Dr. David L. Middleton, professor of English. Dr. Middleton was presented with a large paddle with all of the active Triniteers signatures, symbolic of our unified acceptance. The 1980’s have brought many changes, both to the Triniteers and Trinity University. The Triniteers will continue to be tested, both by themselves and the University, and we will strive to produce the caliber of men that make this fraternity second to none on this or any other campus. In 1989, an active broke a rule by taking a pledge on campus during the traditional dress-up day. This mistake was compounded by the Jewish pledge wearing a Nazi Storm Trooper uniform. While on campus, several students took offense and reported it to school officials. The school in turn took action against the Triniteers as well as reporting the incident to the Press. After explaining that the pledge picked out and paid for the costume to the student court, the court still felt that the incident was a result of hazing. The Triniteers eventually lost a pledge class in 1990 and received community service after an appeal to University Court and a later reversal by President Calgaard. What started as a humorous act to Triniteers, turned into a school and National incident that tarnished the Triniteer image. During the 1991 spring pledge program the Triniteers suffered one of its most tragic losses with the death of a pledge, Rollie Pederson. Rollie was accidentally hit by a car in route to a pledging event. The Trinity Administration, due to the fact that the Triniteers had served alcohol to minors that night, revoked the club charter. After this incident pledging was no longer allowed on the Trinity Campus. During 1991, the Triniteers continued to be very active at Trinity with only 13 members. In the spring of 1992 the first “underground” pledge class was taken. This class of nine marked an important step in continuing the Triniteer tradition off of Trinity’s campus. In 1992, the Triniteers took steps to return to a more service-orientated club. A stretch of Highway 46 has been adopted for cleaning by the club, and individuals have undertaken various service projects including working with local gangs, Camp Flaming Arrow, and the Walk for Life Program. In March of 1993, Trinity’s Alumni weekend, two actives were involved in altercations with two members of another fraternity at two off-campus locations. As a result, the University suspended the two actives and placed all other Triniteers who were present on disciplinary probation until they graduated from Trinity. Through negotiations with Trinity President, Ron Calgaard, it was agreed that the actives on probation would have their probation removed if the Triniteers did not take a pledge class in the spring of 1994. Following a peaceful semester in spring 1994, actives had their probation removed. The Triniteers elected to take a pledge class the following fall. Fall 1994 became the first fall pledge class since 1985. Although he no longer has any formal affiliation with the Triniteers, Dr. Donald Everett continues to be a valuable asset. He still performs many of the duties of an official Triniteer sponsor such as attending Daily Signature, Father-Son-Banquet, and Formal Initiation. The transition into the 1990’s was difficult one for the Triniteers. It has been one of change, but more importantly it has been one of growth. We dedicated this historical supplement to the late Rollie Pederson of Spring 1991. We have learned that many of the problems we experienced could have been avoided with more responsibility and planning. As an underground fraternity here at Trinity, the club continues to uphold the ideals upon which the Triniteers were founded. The spirit of “Beezie” will always be with us as we overcome the inevitable challenges of the future. Historical Supplement added by Pledge Committee 1994/1995. Andre deLauney Pierce Knight Alex Montoya Scott Francis Christian Stallworth Jeff Hooper Steve Sher Kevin McKenna After the conclusion of the spring 1996 orientation program a new active acting in collusion with older actives was placed in grave danger. In the wake of having completed the orientation program an overzealous celebration ensued in which hard liquor was made available to minors. The new active consumed an excessive amount of liquor, which resulted in him suffering from a severe case of alcohol poisoning. Realizing the immediate danger that the situation posed, the other actives involved made the prudent decision to take the active to the hospital despite the consequences that would undoubtedly occur as a result of the incident. Upon the new active’s discharge from the hospital, the actives involved were called to appear before Student Court to be held accountable for their actions. The court found that the actives were not in violation of the moratorium placed on physical hazing but all those involved agreed that some unwise decisions were made and that subsequent punishments should be incurred to acknowledge those mistakes and deter further incidents.
The Triniteers have become more
responsible in terms of their position on alcohol. As a result of this incident, all Triniteer actives are
forced to take a more responsible approach to their personal decision to
consume alcohol both at Triniteer sponsored functions and in their own
personal time or leisure activities.
This is made evident in the Triniteers’ recent conscientious
decision to add Amendment One to the Triniteer Constitution.
In Amendment One, the Triniteers take a hard-line on the alcohol
issue and absolutely forbid all actives from asking or forcing another
active to consume alcohol and from consuming alcohol themselves, of
their own volition, either before or during an orientation activity.
Those found guilty of violating this desperately important
amendment shall be brought before the fraternity for review of this
violation and will be subject to censureship.
The Triniteers, as a group, have also taken further steps to
prevent alcohol from being made available to minors at all Triniteer
sponsored events. From the mistakes made throughout the 1990’s, the Triniteers have learned several lessons. Foremost, the presence of alcohol before during or after orientation events represents a serious lack of responsibility towards the individuals, the organization, and Trinity University. We have cognizantly made the decision to avoid these potential problems through the banning of alcoholic beverages. As a means of avoiding other potential problems, the Triniteers recognize the need to fully re-establish a healthy and fulfilling relationship with Trinity University. This relationship, as reflected in the variety of positive contributions the organization has made to and received from the university, is something the Triniteers have not benefited from during the past decade. |