John Cox Newlin ’35

My father, John Cox Newlin, attended the University of Illinois in the early 30s. I believe he was in the class of '35. He was a Psi U but never graduated due to financial problems. I have photographs of some of his Psi U brothers from the years 1932-34, if you are interested. – Cdr. John J. Newlin, USN (Ret.)

I replied to Mr. Newlin right away that we'd love to receive any of photos he'd care to send our way. We subsequently talked for almost an hour and our collective efforts began to shed some light on the images. We talked about what effects the Depression and Prohibition had on their lives, the issue of race on campus, and compared university life then and now. Little did I know what absolute treasures Mr. Newlin was forwarding.

His next email read:
Hi Dave – It's late but I wanted you to know that I have culled all of the most interesting photographs from my Dad's album and they are ready to be scanned. There are over 30 of them and I think you guys should have them all. I shall begin tomorrow scanning them and sending the images on to you. As I pulled each of these photos from the black paper pages of my Dad's album I could not help but getting a rush from the sense of fraternal friendship that they depict. It's especially heartwarming to know that a black janitor was treated like a brother. That says more about the young men in the Omicron chapter at that time than if he had in fact been a pledged brother. They're all gone now, Dave. As I scan through the images of those fine young men, I can only wish that I had known just one of them.

Having received these heirlooms, I replied as follows:
John – I've received them all, and they came through great. It's a fascinating window into an era long gone, and this weekend I'm going to get them all up on the chapter website. I especially love the view down Fourth Street in the snow, the images of the men defying Prohibition, the picnic scenes, the shot of the janitor, and still life shots of the house – which looks quite the same today. Your father's room in the photo now overlooks a basketball court on a campus which dwarfs the one he knew. However, the friendships which are evident in the images are much the same as today – a truly great thing. Thanks once again – Yours truly, Dave

I know I speak for Mr. Newlin that we hope you enjoy his father's scrapbooks in the fraternal spirit in which they were compiled. Yours in the Bonds, Dave Komie '92.5 – Secretary, Omicron Alumni Association of Psi U

The John Cox Newlin '35 Photo Album