Pledge Walkout

In the fall of 1957, the pledges went on the first walkout in Nabor House's history. Since that time, walkout has become an annual tradition. Prior to leaving Nabor House, usually by stealth in the early hours of a Thursday night while the actives are sleeping soundly, pledges do a few rearrangements around the house. James O. Melton, '60, Pledgemaster in the fall of 1959, described the walkout this way: "This cooperative spirit of the pledges was especially helpful in one event sponsored by our pledges. Namely, a 'walkout.' One Saturday morning, there were no doorknobs, no faucet handles, no essential parts to the stove, no silverware, and even no stool lid. Quite a reception to Alvin Wire ('61) who had to go down the fire escape in his pajamas to get out of the dorm. Well, the pledges had their fun along with their work. Believe me, there was plenty of work when our 'happy wanderers' returned home Sunday afternoon. The actives can accomplish plenty with a cooperative spirit, also."

While a pledge walkout has its fun side, it is done for more serious reasons. The pledges use the opportunity to become more aware of whom they are and their individual goals, as well as their goals with respect to Nabor House. It is a time for introspection. It is a time when they become better acquainted, organized, and more united as a pledge class. The walkouts usually end up at a pledge's home farm, in a motel, or some such place where they can talk as a group or participate as a group in some activity. Some pledge classes have visited farming and agribusiness enterprises while on walkout.