paddle, fraternal
Catalog Number
2014.5.8Dimensions
18 X .6 in.Description
Tan, wooden paddle with the words “Cosmopolitan Fraternity” and the fraternal chapter letters “OKA”. Also visible on the paddle is the name “Don Van Ark” and the year “’42”.History
Items from 2014.5 belonged to the donor, Donald J. Van Ark (1920-2017).Don, with wife Lileeth Brouwer Van Ark (1920-2006), lived in Holland at 1056 South Shore Drive for more than 50 years.
Don, born 4-27-1920, worked as a teacher and principal at Lakeview School in Holland, MI.
Don served in the US Army during WWII.
Don attended Hope College and, while there, became a member of the Phi Kappa Alpha fraternity.