Wallace “Jim” Dillingham: I am Still Flying a Little With Over 17,750 Flying Hours
After graduating from high school in 1948, my choices were stay home and work on the farm or go to college. I had three uncles who were Purdue engineers. I knew what working on the farm was like and knew what my uncles were doing. Seemed like a no brainer so I headed for Purdue.
At that time there were about 11,000 students on campus. My dad had an airplane and I really enjoyed flying so I opted for a career in aviation. I selected Air Transportation Engineering for my degree and AFROTC. I stayed with the four year ROTC program for two reasons. I wanted to become an Air Force pilot and I wanted the ROTC extra pay as I was working my way through college. I worked in the fraternity kitchen for my room and board and went home on the weekends as needed to work on the farm. The degree and ROTC training continue to be very helpful as I walk down the road of life. It was a good choice.
Read more: Wallace “Jim” Dillingham: I am Still Flying a Little With Over 17,750 Flying Hours
“Not For College Days Alone.” It’s the motto that all Fiji Brothers live by. We may have graduated from Purdue University, but we will never graduate from Phi Gamma Delta. But what if we had never joined Fiji Purdue? How would our lives be different? This alumnus attributes his diverse exposure and connections to his time in Phi Gamma Delta. Click below for more information and to share how your life would be different if you had never joined Fiji.
Did you know that the “Tired Boy” Sculpture near the entrance of Wood Hall was actually inspired by a scene sculptor Leopold Bracony witnessed during World War I? Click below for the full story.
