User:Olsonandrew1

Resources and Secondary References for the Existence of the Luther College Group- "Rakeops"

 * Search on Luther College student paper - 0 results.

In any case this is not a reliable independent secondary source.

Reference fail. Now go away and stop wasting our time. Guy (Help!) 08:31, 6 October 2009 (UTC)

How is a newspaper, with articles about a topic spanning 50 years, not an independent secondary resource??

Additionally- you did not search the archive for the term "Rakeop."

Further, I am being patient, why would you use such terminology to insinuate that I am wasting your time? I am a respectable person and have only treated you with respect. I have done the research, below and have listed the volumes, number, and pages for the organization as listed in the archives.

Thank you.

Andrew Olson, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin

Please Reinstate Page "Rakeops"

Here is an archive page from Luther College noting official college records from 1958-1967. This is during the time that the college administered the actual organization.

A letter from the "Dean of Student Life" of Luther College indicating the Rakeops are a group for parents to look out for. As part of the history of the organization, there were traditions related to the consumption of alcohol. With recent concerns for "binge drinking" the college banned the Rakeops and the organization went "underground." The Dean of the College says, "However, I want you to be aware that another segment of campus participates in “underground” social groups. These groups are not recognized by the college, do not have use of college facilities and, in general, “do their own thing,” usually off campus. While some of their activities provide social bonding and friendship, we have ongoing concerns with these groups, particularly related to illegal and/or abusive alcohol use, recruitment of first-year students, and our inability to communicate and work productively with them. The most widely known of these groups (all male) are: Theta Chi, Pi Sigma Omicron (Pi Sigs), Iota Eta Pi, Iota Sigma Omicron (ISOs), WIMI, and Rakeop." Reference:

The Rakeops were the 1953 Intra-Mural Touch Football Champions at Luther College and continued to be a formidable force in IM sports throughout their existence. OleOlson (talk) 07:17, 6 October 2009 (UTC)

The Rakeops were also involved in the Luther College Bowling Leagues.

The Rakeops were instrumental in organizing the "This is Talent?" variety show in November of 1954.

Eldon Rogstad was a founding member of the Rakeops and is the "E" in "RAKEOP" and was a star football player for Luther College. He was the president of the organization in 1956.

Founding member, Keith Rosheim was the "K" in "RAKEOP" and was an active College Democrat. He was featured in the Luther College Chips in November of 1956.

In December 1956 the Rakeops petitioned the Luther College Student Council to become a designated "Upper Class Men's Society." They were accepted unanimously by the council.

The Rakeops were organized primarily to promote school spirit. For a while, their northern headquarters were located in Professor Naeseth's basement- where 5 members of the Rakeops resides.

For a time, the Rakeops were known to nail signs to trees throughout campus declaring a certain spot to be "Rakeop Heaven." These signs were used to announce upcoming meetings and were known as a "light in the wilderness." Loren Peterson, a former Rakeop, was featured in the Luther College Chips with a picture of him holding one of the signs.

The Rakeops achieved the highest tier of campus organizations at Luther College in 1958 when they were officially recognized as a brotherhood. In this capacity, the led the homecoming parade and it was a great honor to be a member of the Rakeops.

While the RAKEOPS were chartered in 1953. They were on and off the books as an official school organization for several years until officially being accepted as a brotherhood in 1958. During this initial 5 years, however, they were an extremely prominent and active campus organization that operated as an "underground" fraternity.

In 1971, then President of the College- Farwell, attempted to have the Rakeop charter revoked because the organization became unruly at a student assembly. However, due to student outrage, the Rakeop's were able to maintain their charter and were even awarded a "Campus House," where 17 Rakeops resided.

The Rakeop "bus" appears in a photograph on page 4 of Luther College Chips, Oct 29, 1971.

In 1972, the Rakeop's held Luther College's oldest student organization charter. At that time they had 23 members and were described as a "personal organization that didn't believe in the the Greek council." There were no "rush" or pledging activities. Prospective members were simply invited to a meeting and if they wanted to return they were welcome. In order to become a member, the current members had to vote unanimously to accept the member. If one member voted "no" the new person would not be accepted. The Rakes were known to have summer reunions and campouts- and were the first Luther College organization to hold a campout. The organization deliberately held it's membership under 30 to have a close-knit group. Additionally, Rakeops were known to be able to visit Rakeop alumni in any city across the country and be welcome in their home. Many of these traditions were held with the Rakeop's up until they folded in the early part of the 2000's.

The Rakeop's were always a group that could be depended upon to ensure that tradition was upheld. In November of 1976, the Rakeop's revived the tradition of the Student Association President surrendering their pants if the Norse Football team lost against Wartburg College. In the November, 1976 Luther College Chips issue, a picture of the Hamm's Bear (a Rakeop mainstay and mascot) is shown enforcing the surrendering of the pants.

In 1983, Rakeop President Paul Tweed, is on record in an article titled "Bad Boys Get Spanked." In this article, he and the ISO president attack the college administration for actions taken against the Rakeops and in particular the 4th floor of Miller dormitory.

In 1985, the Luther College Student Association implemented several stipulations for service and goals for student organizations. For many of the old organizations, this was the beginning of the end. Then Rakeop President, Tim Swenson, stated, "There are so many misnomers floating around about our organization. For instance, we DO have a charter and we DON'T spend much time at the Rake house anymore.  We haven't in 3 or 4 years."

The Rakeops were credited with leading many school pride activities including the college snake dance and pajama parade.

Stricter guidelines relating to alcohol use prompted many Luther College student organizations to voluntarily give up their charter. The Rakeops were the first group to lose their charter, however they remained in existence as an unchartered organization for many years. Then President Jordan Reigel said, "I don't think it makes any difference. The school has no control over frats with or without charters.  We don't hide anything.  We do what we want to do.  We don't do it at Luther but thats not because of the rules, its because thats the way its always been."

A picture of the Rakeop bus utilized in 1976 was in the April 11, 1996 Chips article.

Rakeop President Rob Sellmeyer and Rakeop pledge Jim Jesperson were interviewed in the November 8, 2001 Luther College Chips. Rob Sellmeyer said, "the Rakes hold their history in very high regards. To test their pledges, they have them call Rake alumni and ask them questions about the history which the pledges have to recall at their meetings." Jim Jesperson said, "It's what everyone else had to do, so I don't expect anything less."

Any references that refer to "Luther College Chips" can be found within the archives of the newspaper located at http://lutherchips.com/

OleOlson (talk) 07:17, 6 October 2009 (UTC)