| THE
FOUNDER
Irving Lysander Foster
July 4, 1870 – June 1, 1929
Born in Washington, D.C. on the 4th of July, 1870, Irving Lysander
Foster was initiated into Phi Delta Theta by the chapter at Brown
University (RI Alpha). He graduated from Brown with the degree of
Bachelor of Science, class of 1893, and obtained his Master's degree
from Brown in 1894. Following a year devoted to advanced studies
in Germany, he came to The Pennsylvania State College in 1895 as
an instructor in Romance Languages. In time, he became Professor
of Romance Languages and was awarded the degree of Doctor of Literature
by Susquehanna University. He was also a member of Phi Beta Kappa,
Phi Kappa Phi, and Sigma Iota.
His name was Irving L. Foster, but to all of "his boys,"
he was "Frenchy," a name bestowed without any hint of
disrespect. Rather, it was a term of endearment, of love and friendliness
for a noble and sincere man, a man who loved God and his fellow
men.
Those whose great privilege it was to come under his kindly supervision
during the first twenty-five years of the Pennsylvania Theta chapter
of Phi Delta Theta, when he served so faithfully as Chapter Advisor,
would never forget him. They would never forget his ready smile,
the handgrip that was quick as a flash, or his concern for their
welfare and that of the Chapter.
On May 10, 1929, on the Silver Anniversary of the granting of Pennsylvania
Theta's charter and its first chapter initiations, a testimonial
dinner was planned in his honor at the chapter house. A silver trophy
was made ready and the dinner was held, but "Frenchy"
was unable to attend because of illness. Three weeks later, he was
gone, but never to be forgotten as the man whose memory is deeply
cherished as – THE FATHER OF PENNSYLVANIA THETA.
Note: The text of "The Founder" was originally printed
in the program for Pennsylvania Theta's Golden Anniversary celebration,
October 16-17, 1954.
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