Epsilon Pyramid

Six years ago, the Epsilon Chapter of Sigma Tau proposed erecting a monument to Sigma Tau on the campus of Kansas State College. Kenneth D. Grimes, Sphinx (president) at that time, appointed a committee to investigate a possible location for such a monument, but after considerable discussion a satisfactory location could not be secured, and the matter of necessity was dropped.

During the school year of 1934 and 1935, the proposal was again brought before the chapter. Hugh Sickner Maxwell and Walter Clare Hulburt were appointed to make plans for a monument and present them to the chapter. A competitive design problem was given to the architectural students and these designs were used as a basis for the one finally selected. After considering many designs, the most satisfactory one was chosen and plans for construction were started during April 1935. The design chosen was that of a pyramid and rail section resting on a base of two superimposed squares. A very desirable location was found and later approved during October 1935, by Dr. Francis D. Farrell, President of Kansas State College.

The pyramid and base were to be made of native stone to harmonize with the many beautiful buildings on the campus. The superimposed squares are 7'-2" on each side and are 1'-6" thick. They are built up of stone and rest on a reinforced concrete foundation. The pyramid is also made of built-up stone; is 3'-3" high and 4'-9" square at the base. The rail section is a standard 152-pound rail and was presented to the chapter by the Carnegie Steel Company. We are quite happy over the acquisition of this rail as it is the heaviest commercial rail manufactured at the present time. The bronze plaques were designed by Brother Donald Max Bammes of the Architectural Department. The pattern and plaques were made in the college foundry.

The completed pyramid was dedicated and formally presented to the Kansas State College on March 13, 1936, when the following program was carried out:

• Introduction — Leonard Mark Lovejoy, President of Epsilon Chapter

• Introduction of President Hedge — Clarence A. Sjogren, National Secretary-Treasurer

• History and Ideals of Sigma Tau — Verne Hedge, National President

• Pyramid Presented to Kansas State College — Leonard Mark Lovejoy

• Acceptance — Dr. Samuel A. Nock, Vice-President of Kansas State College

The dedication ceremony was well planned and provided to be an impressive and inspiring affair as it marked the opening event of the sixteenth annual Engineers' Open House. We were fortunate in having our National President, Verne Hedge, and Secretary Sjogren with us and to have them take an active part in the dedication ceremonies. It was equally pleasing to everyone to have Dr. Samuel A. Nock, Vice-President of Kansas State College, accept the pyramid on behalf of the college, and we are fortunate in being able to present his remarks here in full.

Brother Leonard M. Lovejoy, Sphinx (President), under whose leadership Epsilon Chapter has enjoyed an exceptionally fruitful year, was in general charge of the event. A well-lighted speakers' platform was constructed near the Pyramid, and the remarks of the various speakers were carried to the audience through the public address system.

The National President was introduced by National Secretary Sjogren, who, during the course of his remarks, mentioned President Hedge's many activities. President Hedge delivered a brief but inspiring address. He mentioned the early beginnings of Sigma Tau and told of some of the ideals which were in the minds of the founders as he recalled meeting with them. He touched upon the usefulness of such an organization as Sigma Tau and pointed out the many contributions the society has made. Concluding his remarks, he dedicated the Pyramid to the youth of Kansas and expressed the thought that the Pyramid stood as a symbol of the ideals of the Fraternity.

Brother Lovejoy, on behalf of the active chapter, presented the Pyramid to the college, and during the presentation he said in part as follows: "It is the aim and hope of our chapter that this Pyramid will stand as a monument to the accomplishments of those engineers who have gone forth from this institution and taken their places in the engineering profession and that it will serve as an incentive for greater achievement on the part of the students of engineering at Kansas State. On behalf of the members of the Epsilon Chapter and the National Fraternity of Sigma Tau, it is my pleasure to present this monument to Kansas State."

The following is the address of acceptance by Dr. Samuel A. Nock, Vice-President of Kansas State College:

"Among the honorary societies on this campus, Sigma Tau holds an estimable place. Not only have the members of this society had to demonstrate their intellectual ability and their capacity for sustained work; they have also had to do so in a field of endeavor which is unusually exacting. There is certainly one man in this world of ours who dare not make a mistake: That man is the engineer. To reach distinction as an engineer, or even as an undergraduate student of engineering, is to reach a very real distinction.

"Furthermore, the members of Sigma Tau are engineers not only of intellectual capacity, but also of social presence. A member of this society must be welcome among his colleagues because of his personality as well as because of his ability.

"It is altogether fitting that the undergraduate members of Sigma Tau, and with them their seniors in membership, receive from the college the heartiest congratulations upon their personal accomplishments. This, however, is not all: Members of Sigma Tau are likewise to be congratulated upon conceiving the idea of erecting this monument, and for carrying the completion of the plans conceived.

"The Pyramid here is a memorial to a worthy organization, and as such has its proper place on this campus, before the Engineering Building. Members of Sigma Tau thought to perpetuate their name, and to make visible to colleagues and visitors alike their symbol; and yet that is not all that they have done.

"This pyramid is not only a symbol of a society: It is also a permanent addition to the campus. In erecting this monument, the members of Sigma Tau laudably considered not only their own wishes but also the appearance of the college campus. They have placed where all may see it a memorial which adds to the campus a touch of dignified beauty, a beauty which is as permanent as the rock which they have used.

"Because this monument is the symbol of an honorable society of engineers, and because Kansas State College is devoted to the welfare of the engineering profession; because this monument is a work of lasting beauty on a campus famed for its beauty; because Kansas State men have, by erecting this monument, shown their loyalty to their alma mater and their continuous desire for her progress; because of these reasons, it is a pleasure and a privilege to accept on behalf of Kansas State College this gift of Sigma Tau."

Written by Dwight Ivan Gillidett, Epsilon, Class of 1935

A memorial to the late O. W. (Willard) Kershaw, founder of Kershaw Ready-Mix concrete and Sand Co. in Manhattan, was dedicated May 15, 1987. The College of Engineering honored Kershaw with dedication of a plaza at the Southeast corner of Durland Hall. Kershaw was a graduate of Kansas State University.

The plaza is the new resting place of the Sigma Tau pyramid. One of the University's early landmarks, the pyramid was moved last summer to Durland Hall from near Seaton Hall. The Kershaw company assisted financially in improving the area now occupied by the pyramid. Seating has been installed and a sidewalk and lighting added to the current stairway area across from Ahearn Fieldhouse.

The KSU student chapter of the National Society of Architectural Engineers was responsible for the general design of the plaza area. Construction science students, members of Associated General Contractors of America, designed a base for the pyramid and did the construction work on the project.

This picture of the pyramid came from the BENT-O-RAMA website, and it shows the pyramid in its current location at the Southeast corner of Durland Hall, outside of the main engineering complex. The West wing of Seaton Hall is visible in the background, and the pyramid's original location is visible in the top-right corner of the photo. At some point, the original limestone pyramid was replaced with the current concrete pyramid.