wsuacacia.com
wsuacacia.com
Strengthening the ties of friendship
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| WSU Chapter History |
| WSU Chapter History |
From 1917 to 1924, the Master
Masons at the State College of
Washington were members of the
College Masonic Club. In the fall
of 1924, they changed their name
to the Square & Compass House
and operated as a local fraternity
for the Master Masons.
Masons at the State College of
Washington were members of the
College Masonic Club. In the fall
of 1924, they changed their name
to the Square & Compass House
and operated as a local fraternity
for the Master Masons.
The Chapter House in Pullman was first located at
1305 Star Route; and then later moved to 1724 “B”
Street. After that, the Fraternity purchased property and
a house at 1701 “B” Street for $8,500.00. On November
14, 1939, the fraternity purchased a house at NE 725
Ruby Street from the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority (in default)
for $16,500.00.
1305 Star Route; and then later moved to 1724 “B”
Street. After that, the Fraternity purchased property and
a house at 1701 “B” Street for $8,500.00. On November
14, 1939, the fraternity purchased a house at NE 725
Ruby Street from the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority (in default)
for $16,500.00.
In 1963, a dining room, sleeping dorm and foyer were
added to the house on Ruby Street and then in the
summer of 1976, the older part of the house was torn
down and study rooms, a Chapter Room and living room
were constructed in its place. At the time, then
Venerable Dean, Jed Morris and long-time Chapter
Advisors, Les Liebel and Irv Field, supervised the
construction. Three Birch trees surrounding the house
formed a living, three, four, five right triangle. In addition,
the Chapter incorporated a holding company, Gauge &
Gavel to own the house and land and to serve in an
advisory capacity for the fraternity. Its membership
consists of active and alumni members of the
Washington State Chapter of Acacia Fraternity.
added to the house on Ruby Street and then in the
summer of 1976, the older part of the house was torn
down and study rooms, a Chapter Room and living room
were constructed in its place. At the time, then
Venerable Dean, Jed Morris and long-time Chapter
Advisors, Les Liebel and Irv Field, supervised the
construction. Three Birch trees surrounding the house
formed a living, three, four, five right triangle. In addition,
the Chapter incorporated a holding company, Gauge &
Gavel to own the house and land and to serve in an
advisory capacity for the fraternity. Its membership
consists of active and alumni members of the
Washington State Chapter of Acacia Fraternity.
One of the Chapter’s most notable Acacians, is Gene
Conley, known to many in the Northwest as the “Richland
Bomber” from his high school days. Best known however as
the only two-sport professional athlete to win championships
at two different professional sports. In 1958, Conley as a
pitcher for the Milwaukee Braves beat the New York Yankees
in the World Series. Then, in 1959, 1960 and 1961, Conley
was a member of the NBA World Champion Boston Celtics.
In 1950, he led the Washington State basketball team to the
All Coast championship game while leading the Pac 8 in
scoring. As a member of the baseball team that same year,
he pitched Washington State into the College World Series.
Conley, known to many in the Northwest as the “Richland
Bomber” from his high school days. Best known however as
the only two-sport professional athlete to win championships
at two different professional sports. In 1958, Conley as a
pitcher for the Milwaukee Braves beat the New York Yankees
in the World Series. Then, in 1959, 1960 and 1961, Conley
was a member of the NBA World Champion Boston Celtics.
In 1950, he led the Washington State basketball team to the
All Coast championship game while leading the Pac 8 in
scoring. As a member of the baseball team that same year,
he pitched Washington State into the College World Series.
Throughout the 1970’s, 1980’s and early 1990’s, the Chapter house saw its share of new
items and amenities, everything from a new refrigerator and sofa to a new deck and stone grill.
Beginning in 1994; however, fraternities at WSU experienced a drastic decline in memberships,
causing several houses to close their doors. By end of 1995, the Chapter could no longer
maintain an adequate level of new members to justify remaining on campus, and in 1996,
Acacia’s long and continuous presence at WSU came to an abrupt end.
items and amenities, everything from a new refrigerator and sofa to a new deck and stone grill.
Beginning in 1994; however, fraternities at WSU experienced a drastic decline in memberships,
causing several houses to close their doors. By end of 1995, the Chapter could no longer
maintain an adequate level of new members to justify remaining on campus, and in 1996,
Acacia’s long and continuous presence at WSU came to an abrupt end.
In early 1998, Gauge & Gavel sold the
chapter house to a Psi Upsilon alumnus,
retaining a right of first refusal until 2013 (an
option to buy back the house if sold).
Notwithstanding, Gauge & Gavel continued to
exist, managing the proceeds from the sale of
the house and all of the Chapter’s historical
items, with the unfaltering hope that one day
the fraternity would return to WSU.
chapter house to a Psi Upsilon alumnus,
retaining a right of first refusal until 2013 (an
option to buy back the house if sold).
Notwithstanding, Gauge & Gavel continued to
exist, managing the proceeds from the sale of
the house and all of the Chapter’s historical
items, with the unfaltering hope that one day
the fraternity would return to WSU.
The connection to WSU and the ties of
friendship and brotherhood for those that
once called themselves Acacians there,
remained strong. Through the years, Gauge
& Gavel continued to exist, holding regular
meetings and donating annually to the
community and to charity. Alumni brothers all
over the country continued to meet and to
foster the relationships created during their
time at the chapter house.
friendship and brotherhood for those that
once called themselves Acacians there,
remained strong. Through the years, Gauge
& Gavel continued to exist, holding regular
meetings and donating annually to the
community and to charity. Alumni brothers all
over the country continued to meet and to
foster the relationships created during their
time at the chapter house.
The connection to WSU and the
ties of friendship and brotherhood
for those that once called
themselves Acacians there,
remained strong. Through the
years, Gauge & Gavel continued to
exist, holding regular meetings and
donating annually to the community
and to charity. Alumni brothers all
over the country continued to meet
and to foster the relationships
created during their time at the
chapter house.
ties of friendship and brotherhood
for those that once called
themselves Acacians there,
remained strong. Through the
years, Gauge & Gavel continued to
exist, holding regular meetings and
donating annually to the community
and to charity. Alumni brothers all
over the country continued to meet
and to foster the relationships
created during their time at the
chapter house.
Then, in early 2007, Gauge &
Gavel formed a steering committee
consisting of several of its alumni
members and specific
representatives from Acacia
International Fraternity to explore
the possibility of re-colonizing the
Washington State Chapter of
Acacia Fraternity.
Gavel formed a steering committee
consisting of several of its alumni
members and specific
representatives from Acacia
International Fraternity to explore
the possibility of re-colonizing the
Washington State Chapter of
Acacia Fraternity.
In the spring of 2008, the steering committee
recommended that Gauge & Gavel re-establish a colony
for the fall of 2008. The committee formed an Advisory
Board to work alongside representatives from the Acacia
International to develop a recruitment plan, and after 10
long years, Acacia Fraternity finally returned to
Washington State University.
recommended that Gauge & Gavel re-establish a colony
for the fall of 2008. The committee formed an Advisory
Board to work alongside representatives from the Acacia
International to develop a recruitment plan, and after 10
long years, Acacia Fraternity finally returned to
Washington State University.
In 2008, Acacia Fraternity at WSU, literally, begins a new
chapter in its history as another colony is sworn into the
membership rolls. Alumni members are thrilled about the
prospect of again having a house on campus, an active
membership and a special place where their storied history
is preserved and exciting new history is made.
chapter in its history as another colony is sworn into the
membership rolls. Alumni members are thrilled about the
prospect of again having a house on campus, an active
membership and a special place where their storied history
is preserved and exciting new history is made.
| Pledge Class 1972 |
| Chapter House at 725 Ruby |
| Les Liebel #44 |
| Jed Morris #445 |
| Gene Conley #122 |
| Chapter Room 1977 |
| Pledge Class 1987 |
| Charity Car Wash, Spring 1989 |
| Trux Terkla's 100Th Anniversary of The Apple Cup Reunion 2007 |
| WSU Acacia Alumni at Cougs vs. Ohio State 2002 |
| Chapter House 2008 |
