Mu Kappa Mu
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Mu Kappa Mu Fraternity was founded on April 24, 1957 by 12 young men attending Michigan Technological University, the organization stood for brotherhood, acceptance, and integrity. On May 7th 1957, twelve visionary students and one extraordinary professor of the Michigan College of Mining and Technology founded the Mu Kappa Mu Fraternity. Built on the principles of "brotherhood, security, morale, guidance in the paths of righteousness and integrity, regardless of race, color, religious creed or economic level," the charter of a new fraternity, one that would prove itself over the next 50 years, and 800 members later, was ratified and instituted.
Later that same year the Fraternity purchased the Old Ray Hill Hotel at 1209 West Quincy, Hancock from Tom and Helen Smith for $14,188. To this day this House has been the pride and joy of alumni and actives, demonstrated by the alumni who raised over $100,000 for its continued upkeep.
On April 24, 1959 the Mu Kappa Mu fraternity joined the ranks of national fraternities by becoming the Gamma Alpha Chapter of Phi Kappa Tau. The initiation ceremony was presided over by the National President Roland Maxwell. It's of note that the Gamma Alpha Chapter became the first and only chapter to be recognized as both Phi Kappa Tau and Mu Kappa Mu. As a member of the national fraternity, Gamma Alpha was awarded the Roland Maxwell Outstanding Chapter Award on multiple occasions, carrying Mu Kappa Mu's excellence into the national organization.
Although Michigan Technological University and Mu Kappa Mu have seen a lot of changes in the last 50 years, our fraternity still holds to the ideals and principles upon which it was established. The brotherhood that 12 bold men and a benevolent professor instigated continues to lead the campus and aid the surrounding community.
On August 30th, 2007 Mu Kappa Mu will celebrate its 50th anniversary.
[edit] Dr. Joseph E. Scallon and building of the house
Men of Progress:embracing biographical sketches of representative Michigan men, "JOSEPH EDWARD SCALLON, M.D." Detroit: Detroit Nightline News, 1900. pg. 337
The house in which Mu Kappa Mu currently resides is a historical one. It was built by a wealthy and famous Dr in the early 1900s. His move to Hancock started the history of Mu Kappa Mu by building the house.
The family of Dr. Joseph Edward Scallon, of Hancock, Michigan, came to this country in 1810, from Ireland. His father, Edward Scallon, became engaged shortly afterward in the lumbering business in and around Joliette, Province of Quebec.
Joseph E. Scallon was born in Brooklyn, New York, February 25, 1853, and when his father removed to Joliette the boy was sent to the Classical College at that place until he was 18 years of age. In 1870 he joined the last detachment of volunteers who left Canada to join the Zouaves in the Pope's army. He proceeded as far as France. The capture of Rome, September 20, 1870, by the forces of Victor Emmanuel prevented him to from joining the regiment. He returned to Canada, finished his classical course of studies, entering Laval University at Quebec, studied medicine there for two years, changing to Victoria College of Medicine at Montreal, for which he graduated in 1874 and secured a license to practice. August 25, 1874, he came to Michigan and hung up his sign in Negaunee. His first month's practice amounted to $1.50,and as he only had $4.50 when he started, his exchequer was very low. The next month he took in 50 cents, and up to January 1, 1875, he had only received $19.60 for four months' work. There were a number of Frenchmen around Negaunee engaged in chopping wood for the mining camps, so the young doctor tramped the woods in snowshoes and organized a co-operative association among them, by which, upon payment of 50 cents a month, they could have Dr. Scallon's attendance in case of sickness or accident. Part of the men paid for one month, and then all the mines closed down except one, and that company put their men under the charge of their own physicians, and the co-operative association was no more. Then the smallpox broke out in Negaunee, and Dr. Scallon was put in charge of the pest house, and after the epidemic had passed he received $150 in town orders for his services, which his landlady positively refused to accept in payment of his board. In just one year he had earned the munificent sum of $300, from the time the arrived in negaunee, so with a sigh he packed up his worldly possessions and moved to Hancock. Here he soon established a lucrative practice and has since built it up into one of the best in the county.
Dr. Scallon was formerly a Democrat, and was elected mayor of Hancock in 1890-92. He also acted as chairman of the Democratic congressional and county committee. He became a Republican in 1896, on the money issue. He has been a member of the school board at Hancock for 15 years, and health officer for 22 years.
Furthermore it is proven that Dr. Scallon was more specifically the Director of the School District. Dr. Scallon married, in 1877, Miss Bridget Finnegan, daughter of Michael Finnegan, who was one of the pioneers of the copper country, who went there in 1847. There are five children, three surviving, as result of this union. Marguerette is studying at the Literary Department of the University of Michigan, and Mary, Anna and Bridget are attending the public schools of Hancock, Michigan, where their parents now reside.
Dr. Scallon is a Catholic. He was State secretary of the A. O. II. for six years, and State delegate for two years. He has been one of the national directors of the order, and the first president and organizers of that splendid Catholic organization, which has such an extended membership in this State, the C. M. B. A. of Hancock. He is also a member of the A. O. U. W.
[edit] 1209 W. Quincy St. Change of Owners
In 1945 (est.) the Scallon family sold the House to Ray and Margaret Hill. In 1954 the Residential Assessment records shows a transfer of ownership to Thomas and Helen Smith. The ownership of the House was passed for the fourth and final time to the Mu Kappa Mu Corporation on September 1, 1957.
