It’s National Radio Day! Once upon a time, radios were the only electronic device in fraternity and sorority houses.
In the 1920s, radios began providing entertainment for listeners, provided they had a radio to listen to and were within broadcasting range. Programming was done locally. From the 1920s-1940s, “radio dances” were a thing in the GLO world. Prior to the availability of radio, chapters wishing to host a dance needed to find musicians to provide the music. Sometimes chapter members would form a band or orchestra, but most of the time, musicians needed to be paid to provide the music. Once purchased, music from the radio was free. This made it very attractive in the Depression years.
The April 1933 issue of the Illinois Delta Bazute, the newsletter of the University of Illinois chapter of Phi Kappa Psi, reported “in order to cut costs and still enjoy a chapter house dance, the radio has been called into service, and dancing to some of the best bands in the country has been enjoyed this semester.”
Some GLO members found fame in radio. These include:
Alpha Chi Rho, Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians, and the Blendor
A ΦΓΔ and an AΦ Meet at Syracuse – Ruth and Norman Vincent Peale
From a recent Ohio Wesleyan University magazine (Thanks, Laurie!)
Tau Kappa Epsilon and Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan started his career in radio after graduating from Eureka College.
#WHM – Edwyl Reddings, Musician, Dean, and Tri Sigma
Agnes Nixon, Alpha Chi Omega and Soap Opera Titan
Dinah Shore, Alpha Epsilon Phi, #WHM2018, #notablesororitywomen
Dr. Joyce Brothers, Sigma Delta Tau, #WHM2018, #notablesororitywomen
Irna Phillips, considered the “mother of modern soap opera,” was a Phi Sigma Sigma, University of Illinois chapter.
