The Rattle - Autumn 1959 - Giffy Cooks - But Does Much More
From the Autumn 1959 Rattle - by Howard Alter '41
Hiring a cook from a restaurant that has just closed its doors would not perhaps be evidence of good judgment on the part of any chapter's executive committee, but that is how E. T. Gifford came to Omega Chapter at Penn State in the spring of 1939. By the end of first semester "Giff" was an institution.
This year Omega Celebrates twenty years of this happy association, or as Giff puts it, "this s the end of my fortieth semester." The chapter and its alumni look forward to many more years of this relationship. For these forty semesters and the summers in between, Emanuel T. Gifford has been much more than Omega's chef.
In World War II when the chapter house was occupied by the army, Giff acted as custodian while cooking for some one hundred G. I.'s. His eagle eye noting damage paid off when the time came for final settlement with the military. After the army moved out and a few members started drifting back the school, Giff's help in reactivating the chapter was invaluable; he operated the dining facilities until such time as sufficient number of members and pledges were available to take over normal operation. Without his interest and help during this period, the chapter would certainly have suffered greater financial loss, and reactivation would have been more difficult.
If you want to know where one of your classmates is, and what he is doing, you ask Giff. Alumni Day sees more brothers entering the house through the basement kitchen than through the stately front door.
One more than one occasion, Giff has appeared on behalf of brothers running afoul of the local police, and on at least one such occasion furnished bond for a brother temporarily short on finds; it was suggested that this wouldn't look "so good" in print, but it is so much a part of the character of Emanuel Travasso Gifford that it could hardly be left out. His bright red Imperial lends distinction of the chapter's parking lot as his habit of always presiding over his kitchen in full chef's regalia does to the chapter house. His sage advice and constant interest in the brothers have aided the chapter.
Emanuel T. Gifford (Giffy) - Omega Chapter Cook - photo courtesy of the 1959 Rattle
This year the Alumni Day banquet on October 17 honored Giff and his service to the chapter. Following the dinner he was presented with a bind and a scroll affirming that:
"Omega Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity and Theta Chi of Penn State, Inc., present this token of affection and appreciation to Emanuel T. Gifford in recognition of twenty years of faithful, loyal and conscientious service to Theta Chi Fraternity. He has shown unselfish interest in the welfare of the fraternity, always performing duties above and beyond those called for. He acted as caretaker to the chapter house and its furnishings during the period of army occupancy in World War II and was instrumental in the reactivation on the chapter following the conflict. He enjoyed the respect and esteem of hundreds of members of Omega Chapter who have known him through the years. His genial personality, his loyal interest, his helpful service have endeared him to all".
Omega thus honored this man who is many things to Omega men everywhere. Giff means much to us, but perhaps least of all in his official position of chapter chef.