During the year 1926-1927, Pasadena Junior College made a record never again equalled, winning every major and minor sports championship, the debate and oratory championships, and all other JC competition in student activities. By the second semester the need was felt for an honorary organization that would recognize students and faculty who had rendered all around distinguished service to the college.

There was a Letterman's Club for athletes, the Alpha Society for scholars, the Players Club for actors, the Scribes for journalists, etc., but no arrangement for indicating those who had contributed service of distinction in several different areas. Especially there was a desire to cite the people on campus who best personified devoted, unselfish time-consuming service to the college and its activities.

It was Miss Caroline Strouse, the personable young assistant director of attendance, who furnished the spark that started OMD. She had been elected a member of the honorary Mortar Board organization in her college days and discussed the possibility of a similar PJC group with Nobu Kawai, who was involved in many student activities. They decided to ask the opinion of a selected group of students and Dean John W. Harbeson.

This was the background for the first meeting of the planning committee for OMD and those students present became subsequently its charter members. Recommended by Dean Harbeson and invited to the founding in the office of Miss Strouse, who was to act as adviser, were:

Alma Casler-Sec. of Activities, Sec. of lnterclub Council.

Alva Conway-Pres. of Associated Women, Annual Staff.

Nobu Kawai-Sec. of Publicity, Football, Chronicle.

J. Ruskin Lane-Student Body Pres. (sem. 2), Chronicle Editor.

Elmore Shipman-Annual Editor, Debater, Track Captain.

James Simsarian-Cabinet, Debater, Student Handbook Editor.

Wendell Walker-Student Body Pres. (sem. 1), Class Pres.

A period of research followed, during which the above group wrote to colleges throughout the country and received ideas like the tapping ceremony, basis of selection, choice of name, insignia, etc. The name of Order of Mast and Dagger was agreed upon because PJC was at that time known as "The Pirates." Since Greek letter pins were the trend, OMD was to be expressed in insignia as Omicron Mu Delta. It became officially a campus organization on June 7, 1927

As the climax of the Class Breakfast on the clear, warm morning of June 16, 1927, the seven charter members of the Order of Mast and Dagger wound in a slow line through the group of students and teachers sitting expectantly about the lawn of the Bleeker House (campus social center), stopping to place the "insignia of honor" on each of the five chosen tappees for 1927. Those tapped then followed the charter members to the steps, where the ceremony was impressively concluded. These first OMD tappees were:

Octavie de Beaulieu-interclub Council, Supreme Court Justice. Max Casey-Class Pres., Sec. of Men, Baseball captain. Jack Kern-Chief Justice of Supreme Court, cross-country. Floyd Talbott-Sec. of Finance, Debater, Orator, Track. Dean John W. Harbeson (Honorary).

On October 7, 1927 the Order of Mast and Dagger was recognized by the Student Body Cabinet as the official honor society of Pasadena Junior College. Nobu Kawai served as the first president and Alma Casler as the first secretary-treasurer. It was decided by the fall 1927 members that outstanding leaders of PJC's "Pioneer Class" (1926) should be honored for their importance in establishing the traditions and ideals of the college. Consequently six selected 1926 alumni were tapped "retroactively."

Nobu Kawai

Although, when founded in 1927, the chief concern of the order of Mast and Dagger was to recognize service to PJC in various capacities rather than individual achievements in a particular area such as sports, this concept was modified in later years to include tapping some students for bringing distinction to the college and honor to themselves in a specialized field.

Ever since the first ceremony in 1927, "tapping" has been the most dramatic OMD tradition. The element of expectancy and suspense as students and faculty wait to see which ones will be "tapped" into the organization has proved a highlight of each year. Candidly pictured above are four happy students receiving the exciting news in 1958. Sometimes the "tapping" takes place during the semester's final assembly; many years the "tappees" are surprised in their classrooms, as above.

Other traditional OMD events are the reception for "tappees," the semi-annual OMD banquet, special OMD assemblies, the annual Crafty Hall and a big carnival to raise funds for a worthy benefit or project. At all of these events the official white sweaters, worn by the members in the pictures above, are very much in evidence.