Orion
House President: John Schrale
Orion House, a men's residence hall house, was formed in 1985 by the merger of Tiona and Edwards. The union came about due to the decision to close the first floor of Gunsolley (the site of Edwards) after the 1985 spring semester. For agreeing to merge, Edwards and Tiona (on the top floor of Gunsolley) were given the option of moving to any location in Gunsolley or the Annex. During a meeting of the two houses that spring, the members of Edwards and Tiona decided to jokingly chant "Kick Aaron Out!" as they exited into the Gunsolley lounge, where members of the other houses were awaiting their decision. Late that spring, Edwards and Tiona marched from Gunsolley to Founders Lake in a mock funeral procession of their houses. Orion officially began that fall on the top floor of Gunsolley.
The house name refers to the constellation known as "the Hunter" and is the only men's house whose name has no connection to Graceland's historical or religious roots. The members of Edwards and Tiona originally approved "Hough House" as their new designation, but "Orion" was later selected after the intended honoree, retiring business professor Frank Hough, requested that the house not be named after him. (Hough said years later that he wished he had accepted the offer.)
The original house colors, maroon and silver, were changed to purple and green during the 1994-95 school year.
Orion's original house officers were Keith McMillan (president), Pete Eliason (senator), Erik Hanson (COSA), David Allison (SAC), David Dixon (intramurals), and Charles May (chaplain).
One of Orion's annual traditions is the "TV Dinner", which dates back to the house's existence as Tiona. The fall of 1980 marked the first time that the members of Tiona and its sister house, Shalom, cross dressed and had supper together at the Commons. (The "TV" is short for "transvestite".) The activity became a yearly event between the two houses, even though brother-sister house pairings change each semester. Another of the floor's traditions, started a few years after Orion originated, is the fall "Backwoods Feast".
