Submitted by Mary Louise Davie in honor of her father Bunyan Davie III, LOUISIANA STATE 1952.
In 1948–49, Hutch Davie—then known as Bunyan Davie III—was an only child navigating life at Louisiana State University. Joining Sigma Chi gave him more than just a social outlet—it offered him a brotherhood that filled the quiet spaces of growing up without siblings. Once his circle included fellow musically inclined brothers, he quickly went from having no brothers to too many to count. His world expanded beyond music to include conversations with veterinarians, engineers, and football players, and the harsh judgment that had often kept him within narrow musical friendships was silenced.
Among these bonds, one stood out: his friendship with Melville Kent Larned, a few years his senior, whose connection would become legendary. Sigma Chi’s values of friendship, justice, and learning resonated deeply with Hutch, and the fraternity’s culture of camaraderie and excellence helped shape the confident, creative spirit that would later define his journey to fame.
As his daughter, I grew up hearing stories of this period—tales of Mike the Tiger and Hurricane parties (or at least one in particular), the yearly rodeo at LSU, and Ro Sussman, the sweetheart of Sigma Chi and an actress who was his friend. His brothers supported him at musical performances, football games, and countless moments where being there for each other mattered.
When Hutch made the leap from LSU to New York City, he found a soft landing at the Columbia University Sigma Chi house, where he stayed during part of his transition. Mel soon joined him in the city, and the two supported each other’s musical careers—Mel as a charismatic front man, Hutch as a visionary composer and arranger. Their friendship remained a constant, with each offering the other music jobs and encouragement. They were often welcomed at Sardi’s by Vincent Sardi himself, a friend and generous host to many Sigma Chi brothers.
These moments—of shared meals, creative collaboration, and enduring loyalty—were rooted in the values they first embraced at LSU. For Hutch, Sigma Chi was not just a chapter in his college life; it was the foundation of a lifelong network that nurtured his talent and sustained his dreams.
That is why, in DECADES, nearly half the book is devoted to his time at Sigma Chi and LSU. It was here, in the halls of the fraternity house, on the football field sidelines, at the piano surrounded by brothers and friends, that his story truly began. Sigma Chi was not simply part of his journey—it was the heartbeat of it.