From the Cross & Crescent and The Sigman articles published in 1948 and 1972
Particularly notable was MacNaughton's work during the war period. Early in 1943 it became evident that strong alumni support was the only thing that would save Sigma's investment in its handsome chapter house. The problems posed by a declining membership and an unbalanced financial structure required the highest quality of leadership.
As chairman of the Alumni Advisory Board, Ross set as the alumni goal, the responsibility of (1) Leasing the house to the university to obtain a steady income; (2) Obtaining reduction in carrying charges of Sigma's htifge house debt; (3) Refinancing of Sigma's debt; and (4) Reestablishing the chapter at the end of the war.
The task was immense, but MacNaughton rose to the responsibility. The house was leased so successfully that there was only a small operating deficit. Under his leadership, the chapter systematically moved toward reduction of the debt and general betterment of financial affairs. In the fall of 1945, refinancing of the entire debt was successfully completed. The debt was reduced by almost 50% and, under a new land contract negotiated to replace the old inflexible mortgage bonds, the remainder of the indebtedness was set up in such a financial structure tb»t the chapter can «asily handle its retirement.
Sigma's financial affairs are now in the best shape they have been in since 1925, when an earlier, smaller, and generally less expensive property was owned free and clear.
When the handful of Lambda Chis who remained on the campus during the war found an apartment available, Ross gave them every encouragement. With alumni backing, the group made the apartment a going concern, whith insured a strong organization nucleus for chapter reopening. In 1944-46 Ross attended every meeing of the actives, giving to this group exemplary spiritual leadership and sound advice.
MacNaughton's service to the Fraternity has been long and varied. In 1924 be was initiated into the Wayfarer's Club, which then composed part of the nucleus of what was to become a Theta Kappa Nu chapter. On January 14,1926, he was initiated into Theta Kappa Nu. While in college he held the office of chaplain.
His alumni years reveal his conspicuously great service. In 1939-40 he was chairman of the Theta Kappa Nu committee named to help merge the Lambda Chi Alpha and Theta Kappa Nu chapters at Michigan. In 1940 he became a member of the board of directors of the Lambda Chi Alpha Foundation, Inc., the house holding company for Sigma property. When an alumni advisory board was formed in 1942, he became a member; in 1943 he was made chairman.
MacNaughton has served since 1940 as a representative in the University' of Michigan Interfraternity Alumni Conference. In 1941-45 he was chairman of Sigma's Refinancing Committee; at present he is chairman of the advisory board, president of the house holding corporation, and an active participant in the Detroit alumni group. He is also preparing a history of Sigma to be used in the pledge training program.
By vocation MacNaughton is a newspaper man. While attending high school in Battle Creek, he worked for The Enquirer News. After graduation from college in 1927, he returned to The News as a reporter. In 1928 he moved to Detroit and took a job as copy writer with the Warner Advertising Agency, and wrote some of the earliest copy for Stinson Aviation. He was advertising manager for the Hannan Real Estate Exchange in 1931-35.
He then became sports editor for the Detroit Club Group Publications, a publishing house which produced house magazines for six private clubs in Detroit. After seven years of sports editing, Ross joined the news bureau staff of the Ford Motor Company, and for the last six years he has helped to handle all outgoing news and has helped press and radio men gather news concerning the Ford organization.
MacNaughton was born in Battle Creek on October 21, 1904, the son of Canadian parents of Scotch descent. He was educated in Battle Creek public schools, is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and lives at 711 Catherine St. in Ann Arbor.
Ross E. MacNaughton, Michigan '27, former chairman of the Michigan Alumni Advisory
Board, died on January 7, 1972.