Pledge and Promise

Celebrating the Bond and Heritage of Fraternity,
Sorority, and Cooperative Life at Purdue University

Pledge and Promise written by Angie Klink documents the important historical significance of fraternity, sorority, and cooperative life at Purdue University. Featuring more than 250 photos, this pictorial volume tells the fascinating stories of how Greek and cooperative organizations have evolved, while honoring their core values since 1875.

Pledge and Promise also highlights a sampling of the people who have contributed and benefited from their associations with these student groups. Featuring heartfelt, inspiring, humorous, and even disheartening accounts, this narrative reveals successes and setbacks.

Greek and cooperative organizations have always offered valuable, life-affirming opportunities and powerful traditions that foster personal growth and lasting career skills.

With this attractive, richly illustrated book, Boilermakers who once called a fraternity, sorority, or cooperative “home” will be reminded of the spirit of fun and the enduring bonds nurtured throughout their formative years at Purdue University.

Beta Iota chapter of Delta Gamma receives its charter at Purdue University.
Beta Iota chapter of Delta Gamma receives its charter at Purdue University.
  • Foreword by Purdue University Dean of Students Emerita Betty M. Nelson.
  • Stories about Neil Armstrong, Janet Armstrong, Ray Ewry, Lyla Vivian Marshall Harcoff, Edward J. Wotawa, John Wooden, Orville C. Redenbacher, Betty Wason, Earl L. Butz, Joanne Alford, Leroy Keyes, and many more.
  • Published by Purdue University Dean of Students/Fraternity, Sorority and Cooperative Life Department. Purdue University Press Scholarly Publishing Services.

Dean of Students Betty M. Nelson with Greg Poorman and his wife, Marty. Poorman was one of the first student wheelchair users to graduate from Purdue. In 1978, Phi Kappa Tau devised the idea to help defray costs of making Purdue's campus accessible to all by selling curb cuts. The project was initiated by Poorman and David Huxhold. Photo courtesy of Betty M. Nelson
Dean of Students Betty M. Nelson with Greg Poorman and his wife, Marty. Poorman was one of the first student wheelchair users to graduate from Purdue. In 1978, Phi Kappa Tau devised the idea to help defray costs of making Purdue's campus accessible to all by selling curb cuts. The project was initiated by Poorman and David Huxhold. Photo courtesy of Betty M. Nelson

"In Pledge and Promise, Angie Klink has once again created another fascinating record of Purdue history through her ability to weave careful research with the magic of storytelling.

Write on, Angie!"

Betty M. Nelson,  Dean of Students Emerita, Purdue University 

Pledge and Promise Table of Contents

"The literary gods smiled when Associate Vice Provost and Dean of Students Katie Sermersheim and Associate Dean of Students Brandon Cutler asked Angie Klink to write the history of Purdue’s Greek organizations and the cooperative houses, stories not told before.

Angie was uniquely positioned to fulfill this challenge. She is a graduate of Purdue’s Brian Lamb School of Communication, and is surrounded by Boilermakers — a husband, two sons, two brothers, a sister, and nieces and nephews. Her father was literally a boilermaker for the railroad before becoming a Purdue graduate and a Boilermaker." 

Betty M. Nelson, Dean of Students Emerita, Purdue University

All aboard the Sigma Chi stagecoach!
All aboard the Sigma Chi stagecoach!
Twin Pines members porch 2012
Women from Shoemaker show they are behind their cooperative.
Women from Shoemaker show they are behind their cooperative.
Members of Shoemaker Cooperative, originally called Twin Pines, pose with their housemother.
Members of Shoemaker Cooperative, originally called Twin Pines, pose with their housemother.
05Ade & Creed
Women co-op students washing dishes 1980s
Chores are shared in cooperative living.
Chores are shared in cooperative living.
Delta Sigma Theta was chartered at Purdue in 1968. --Purdue Debris
Delta Sigma Theta was chartered at Purdue in 1968. --Purdue Debris
Delta Sigma Theta sitting in jackets
Kappa Sigma homecoming display in 1961.
Kappa Sigma homecoming display in 1961.
Sigma Chi Brothers. —Bernie Sergesketter & Ralph Bline
Sigma Chi Brothers. —Bernie Sergesketter & Ralph Bline
The Phi Kappa Theta van in the 1970s.
The Phi Kappa Theta van in the 1970s.
Members of Omega Phi Chi Multicultural Sorority.
Members of Omega Phi Chi Multicultural Sorority.
Senior cords and canes 1957.
Senior cords and canes 1957.
Theta Cheerleaders 1966
Circa 1947. An old tradition was for the pledges to "line Up" in front of the actives after a chapter meeting. They would be questioned on thier knowledge of brtohers bios, chapter history, traditions and other pledge "knowledge." Note the pledge notebooks on the floor.
Members of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club and Delta Upsilon with director Albert P. Stewart in the 1960s. Author Author Angie Klink’s brother Dennis D. Lipp is on bended knee in front of Stewart.
Members of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club and Delta Upsilon with director Albert P. Stewart in the 1960s. Author Author Angie Klink’s brother Dennis D. Lipp is on bended knee in front of Stewart.
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PDT Scroll Magazing cover of Armstrong from PDT HQ
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