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Catherine Benedict Oral History Collection on Greek-Letter Organizations at Princeton

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Held at: Princeton University Library: University Archives [Contact Us]

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Princeton University Library: University Archives. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

Overview and metadata sections

Catherine Benedict Class of 2020 was a history major who conducted these interviews between 2019-2020 for their senior thesis.

Interviews conducted by Catherine Benedict for their senior thesis, The Re-Emergence and Development of Greek-Letter Organizations at Princeton University, 1981-1991.

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

Publisher
University Archives
Finding Aid Author
Valencia L. Johnson
Finding Aid Date
2019-2020
Access Restrictions

The majority of this collection is available online however some oral histories are restricted. Please refer to individual oral histories for access restrictions.

Collection Inventory

Alicia Futch Batts (Class of 1986), 2020. 0.1 GB.
Scope and Contents

Batts speaks about her experience as a first-generation African-American student and how she came to lead Princeton's chapter of AKA, Omicron Nu, during her senior year. She speaks about the pledging process, her chapter's relationships with surrounding chapters, and running selection for other girls in the spring. She also explains her leadership of the Organization of Black Unity, experiencing racism during her time at Princeton, and spending time at the Third World Center.

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0.1 GB

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Elizabeth Robinson Henry (Class of 1988), 2020. 0.1 GB.
Scope and Contents

Robinson discusses her family's connection and interest in historically black sororities and how she joined Omicron Nu, the AKA city chapter for Princeton. She describes how Terri Sewell initiated the campus chapter, working closely with the graduate chapter Epsilon Omega, and her connection with the initial seven line sisters. She also speaks about picking the next line of women, support between other African American sororities, and developing the organization. She also explains her involvement with the gospel choir and the Organization of Black Unity.

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0.1 GB

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Jeannine Hogg (Class of 1991), 2020. 0.1 GB.
Scope and Contents

Hogg speaks about her childhood familiarity towards black fraternities and sororities, meeting fraternity members during Princeton Preview, and experiencing hostility from other students due to her race. She describes how she pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha in her sophomore year, why the organization became socially fulfilling, and how the Princeton organization grew over time. She also discusses her involvement in the Organization of Black Unity, the gospel choir, and the Third World Center.

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0.1 GB

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Tara Harper O'Connor (Class of 1990), 2019. 0.1 GB.
Scope and Contents

O'Connor discusses her family's history of membership within Alpha Kappa Alpha, meeting other Black students at Princeton, and joining AKA during her junior year. She explains her line class, receiving official recognition, and the pledging process. She also describes her chapter's relationships with other sororities, joining Cottage eating club, and the national AKA organization today.

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0.1 GB

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Terri Sewell (Class of 1986), 2020. 0.1 GB.
Scope and Contents

Sewell discusses her mother's leadership in Alpha Kappa Alpha, pledging as a general member in her mother's chapter, and starting a city-wide AKA chapter named Omicron Nu. She explains her relationships with the first, Princeton line sisters (the Premiere Seven), service projects organized by the sorority, and how the chapter, in her mind, was linked to community activism.

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0.1 GB

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Jason Wilson (Class of 1990), 2020. 0.1 GB.
Scope and Contents

Wilson speaks about his family's membership in Alpha Phi Alpha, his decision to attend Princeton, and his recruitment into the first Princeton chapter of the fraternity. He discusses interactions with nearby graduate chapters, the pledging process, and kinship with other chapter members. He explains how the chapter included students from Princeton and Trenton State, recruitment for line classes after his own, and relationships with other Greek organizations on campus.

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0.1 GB

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John Weaver (Class of 1992), 2020. 1.7 GB.
Scope and Contents

Weaver describes his decision to attend Princeton and how he joined Alpha Phi Alpha chapter headquartered at the College of New Jersey. He explains his relationships with TCNJ brothers, mentorship with the Princeton line before him, and reflects on the number of Black Greek organizations which were revitalized in the New Jersey area. In addition, he speaks about the influence of earlier sorority organizing, community service, and how the Third World Center facilitated fraternity activities.

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1.7 GB

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Owen Garrick (Class of 1990), 2020. 2.7 GB.
Scope and Contents

Garrick discusses founding the Alpha Phi Alpha chapter at Princeton in 1988, connecting with brothers on the same line from Rider and Rutgers, and the pledging process. He also speaks about fraternity social activities, political advocacy, clothing requirements, and step shows. Finally, he discusses a sense of community between the different historically Black fraternities/sororities on campus, involvement in the Organization of Black Unity and the Minority Business Association, and how people were selected for membership.

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2.7 GB

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Brandon Peters (Class of 1989), 2019. 0.1 GB.
Scope and Contents

Peters speaks about why he started a Chi Phi chapter with his friends during his first year, the differences between fraternity brothers, and his awareness of other fraternities on campus like Zeta Psi and SAE. In addition, he discusses recruitment, the pledging process, the history of Chi Phi at Princeton before the fraternity ban, and how the organization changed after his time at Princeton.

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0.1 GB

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Douglas Mallach (Class of 1991), 2020. 0.1 GB.
Scope and Contents

Mallach discusses joining the DKE's first pledge class as a freshman, the fraternity's connection to the Tiger Inn eating club, and the geographic/racial diversity in the chapter. He also discusses the rushing process, founders of Princeton's DKE chapter, and how the fraternity utilized university spaces without direct permission. Finally, he discusses the effects of an SAE drinking incident, hazing during the pledging process, and the chapter's finances.

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0.1 GB

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Annonymous (Class of 1990), 2020. 0.1 GB.
Scope and Contents

Anonymous speaks about their family's connection to Greek life, working with the Delta Sigma Theta national organization to recruit Princeton students for their citywide chapter, and the process of finding other line sisters. She also discusses the African-American community at Princeton, how the Third World Center facilitated sorority events (step shows and parties), and community service conducted by the sorority. Finally, she speaks about the differences between AKA and DST, the pledging process for DST, and why the Princeton chapter closed after 20 years.

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0.1 GB

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Satana Deberry (Class of 1991), 2020. 0.1 GB.
Scope and Contents

Deberry speaks about how she learned about and decided to join Delta Sigma Theta's second pledge class, becoming close with line sisters from Trenton State, and how the DST differed from other black spaces on campus. She also discusses resistance to DST's presence in the Princeton community, how she helped create a Princeton-only chapter in her senior year, why that chapter eventually came to an end, and compares the histories and memberships between Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta.

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0.1 GB

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Cyndie Feaster Shadow (Class of 1988), 2020. 0.1 GB.
Scope and Contents

Shadow discusses her decision to join the first Princeton-Trenton State line during her senior year, the African American community at Princeton outside of the sororities, and how the Third World Center facilitated social events for the sorority. She discusses the organization's community service activities, meetings at Trenton State, and DST's relationship with the Alpha Kappa Alpha chapter. Finally, she explains how the sorority impacted her time at Princeton and became a part of her identity.

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0.1 GB

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Matt Tarkenton (Class of 1992), 2020. 0.1 GB.
Scope and Contents

Tarkenton discusses how he joined Kappa Alpha Order during his freshman year, how the fraternity developed during his time at Princeton, and how Princeton's chapter became official. He also discusses campus reactions to Greek life, the SAE drinking scandal, the selection process for new members, and the diversity of the Princeton chapter's membership.

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0.1 GB

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Quentin Messer (Class of 1991), 2020. 0.1 GB.
Scope and Contents

Messer speaks about his family's connection to Black Greek life, why he decided to join Princeton's second line of Kappa Alpha Psi, and the national history of KAP. He also speaks about his involvement in the Concerned Black Men On Campus, how he used the fraternity to find connection to a larger community. Finally, he discusses his sense of the African American community at Princeton during his time as a student, leadership within the Third World Center, and his identification with the KAP identity.

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0.1 GB

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Joseph Wells (Class of 1988), 2020. 0.1 GB.
Scope and Contents

Wells explains his family's membership in Kappa Alpha Psi, how the Princeton chapter started, and the visibility of the fraternity. He also speaks about other members of his line, campus reactions to Black greek life, and running subsequent lines of the chapter. He also discusses the chapter's community outreach with Trenton public schools, connections with members of the chapter from Trenton State, and how the chapter fundraised off campus.

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0.1 GB

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David Ferrara (Class of 1993), 2020. 0.1 GB.
Scope and Contents

Ferrera speaks about how he was recruited for KAS prior to his arrival at Princeton, the history of the fraternity, and why he decided to restart a Princeton chapter. He also discusses recruitment, the small size of the chapter, and how the group interacted with other fraternities. He also explains what the other members were like, drinking culture, and how initiation occurred at the national level.

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0.1 GB

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0.1 GB

Teresa Tillotson Easburn, 2019. 0.1 GB.
Scope and Contents

Eastborn discusses the year she spent in Princeton as a travel consultant who helped initiate a Princeton chapter of the sorority. She speaks about living with a Princeton alumni, advertising the sorority, and how Greek life affected her. Finally, she speaks about her interactions with other Greek groups on campus (SAE), her thoughts on the sustainability of Princeton's chapter, and how Princeton differed from other university environments.

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0.1 GB

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0.1 GB

Alisa Jancu Kohn (Class of 1991), 2020. 0.1 GB.
Scope and Contents

Kohn discusses her discovery and decision to join the Kappa Alpha Theta in her freshman year, her search for connection with other women, and how lack of university support increased bonds between members. She also speaks about diversity in the group, support from the national organization, chapter consultants, and advisors, the SAE incident, and the difference between fraternities and sororities.

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0.1 GB

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Anonymous Kappa Alpha Theta Member of the Class of 1985, 2019. 0.1 GB.
Scope and Contents

The anonymous student speaks about isolation as a female student and how local women helped her and other students start a Theta chapter. She also speaks about recruiting for the chapter, meetings during the year, the lack of racial diversity in the club, and the small scale of the group. Finally, she also discusses her opinion on single-gendered eating clubs, her membership in Tower eating club, and her perspective on the sorority today.

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0.1 GB

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Catherine Legro Gentry (Class of 1988), 2019. 0.1 GB.
Scope and Contents

Legro discusses how her background as a Southern woman influenced her decision to join Theta, the small events they held together, and the rushing process. She also describes how many of the members diverged from her conception of a sorority girl, weekly participation in the club, and her experience as a member of Triangle club. She also speaks about how the organization grew over time, reactions from other students, and her perspective on the SAE fraternity and eating clubs (Cap and Gown, Tiger Inn, and Cloister) during her time as a student.

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0.1 GB

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Cecilia De la Rosa Polaski (Class of 1990), 2019. 0.1 GB.
Scope and Contents

Polaski describes her experience as a Mexican-American woman at Princeton and her decision to rush Theta with her roommates during freshman year. She discusses how the sorority appeared to lack long-term growth or engagement alumni support, and her perspective on Phi Phi and Alpha Kappa Alpha at the same time. She also discusses the racial diversity in the group, holding a formal at Nassau Inn, joint parties with SAE, and competing with eating clubs for membership. Finally, she discusses her connection with other members today, the lack of traditions in the club, and tutoring in the sorority.

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0.1 GB

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Debby Sharpe Smith (Class of 1985), 2019. 0.1 GB.
Scope and Contents

Smith discusses feeling outnumbered as a woman at Princeton and how her desire to find community with women motivated her decision to form Theta. She also discusses family connections to the sorority, working with local women to start the chapter, and how the University would call on the group to help with service projects. In addition, she speaks about connecting with women through the club, the lack of political leanings in the club, learning Theta traditions from Terry Eastborn, and the larger disinterest in Greek life on campus.

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0.1 GB

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Fiona Ong (Class of 1989), 2019. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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Jane Shepherd Dick (Class of 1991), 2019. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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Jennifer Rottenberg (Class of 1992), 2020. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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Julia Ritchie (Class of 1985), 2019. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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Karen Gerber Thompson (Class of 1988), 2019. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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Katherine Jaffin Gibson (Class of 1985), 2019. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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Lori Luck (Class of 1989), 2019. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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Martha Lemons (Class of 1985), 2019. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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Mary Maciejczyk Oldach (Class of 1985), 2019. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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Mim Stokes Brown (Class of 1985), 2019. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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Sallie Kim (Class of 1986), 2019. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

Stephanie Blackburn McFadden (Class of 1990), 2019. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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Susan Braverman Blumenthal (Class of 1985), 2019. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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Tracy Casper Lang (Class of 1988), 2019. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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Wendy Lin King (Class of 1989), 2019. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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Torrey Smith (Class of 1993), 2020. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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John Matteson (Class of 1983), 2019. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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0.1 GB

Kay Brada, 2020. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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0.1 GB

Aimée Randolph Lapic (Class of 1992), 2020. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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Anonymous Pi Beta Phi Member (Class of 1992), 2020. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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Mary Kallaher (Class of 1992), 2019. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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Tom Wright, 2019. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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Eugene Lowe, 2019. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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Anonymous Sigma Alpha Epsilon Member (Class of 1991), 2020. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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Brewster McCracken (Class of 1988), 2020. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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Christopher Sarofim (Class of 1986), 2019. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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David Wilkie (Class of 1994), 2019. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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Jay Marshall (Class of 1983), 2019. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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Keith Fullenweider (Class of 1985), 2019. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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Rebby Gregg (Class of 1988), 2020. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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Rich Barclay (Class of 1988), 2020. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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David Brodess (Class of 1984) and Gene St Pierre (Class of 1985), 2020. 2 GB.
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2.0 GB

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John Few (Class of 1984), 2020. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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Michael Zanolli (Class of 1984), 2020. 0.1 GB.
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Anonymous Zeta Psi Member (Class of 1987), 2019. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

Dave Holland (Class of 1985), 2019. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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Marcus Stweart (Class of 1984), 2019. 0.1 GB.
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Mark Balloun (Class of 1988), 2019. 0.1 GB.
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0.1 GB

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