Speech

Good evening, and welcome to Phi Delt’s founder’s day dinner – which we celebrate in recognition of the six college men who began our fraternity in 1848 at Miami University. Throughout the years which have passed since the first chapter of Phi Delt was established, the sense of spirit which symbolizes the great principles of our fraternity; friendship, sound learning and moral rectitude have persisted. And tonight, I am privileged to speak to you concerning the activities of the Pa Theta chapter, and how this same spirit has been embodied in our past, present, and future.

As you are aware, the Pa Theta chapter of Phi Delt was established on May 10, 1904.

A) It was a time when the characteristics of fraternities had begun to thrive nationally. At Penn State, it was the beginning of the Lemon, the forerunner of the daily Collegian, and of La Vie our yearbook – and the start of honor societies such as Parmi Nous, Skull and Bones, Sphinx, Frairs, and Lion’s Paw – in this atmosphere, the brothers of the newly found chapter thrived, and remained strong throughout the 1920’s.

B) With the advent of the great depression in the early ‘30’s, a time some of those who were with us tonight surely remember, the actives of Phi Delt struggled financially, but survived because of a strong national Phi Delt system. Many fraternities which have been founded as locals, as Penn State’s enrollment had climbed to about 5,000 students, were forced to disband, or merge with stronger national fraternities. But the actives of Phi Delt worked hard, and survived a time when many fraternities at Penn State were no so fortunate. In 1932, the Pa Theta chapter received a Citation from National fro being an Outstanding Chapter of Phi Delta Theta.

C) The 1940’s at Penn State came in with a bang, as the start of World War II enveloped colleges across the country. At Penn State, to meet wartime housing demands, most fraternities were converted to military barracks. And as the war drew to a close with veterans returning to Penn State, the makeup of fraternities changed again. Not only were the ideals and characteristics of Phi Delt changing along with the rest of fraternities of Penn State and throughout the nation, but also the appearance of the Pa Theta chapter had been undergoing a physical renovation. From a box type structure when the chapter had been originally founded, the house now had a porch on all sides and pillars in the front, representing the campus pride of the actives.

D) Pa Theta continued it’s progress into the 1950’s, winning Outstanding Excellence awards from National in both 1952 and 1953 – these awards were the forerunners of the Gold Star. It was a time when Pen State was going through the post-war McCarthyism era, and a special time of pride for Pa Theta, as one of it’s alumni, Howard L. ‘Pete’ Stuart, had become President of the General Council of Phi Delta Theta.

E) As Phi Delt progressed into the 1960’s, the chapter continued to demonstrate it’s qualities which made Pa Theta a chapter recognized and respected at both Penn State and on a national level. Phi Delt pulled in Silver Stars in 1960, 1962, and 1963, and followed these up with three straight Gold Stars in 1964, 1965, and 1966, -- an unprecedented watermark for the Pa Theta chapter. It was the time when Phi Delt won the Bischoff Trophy several times – the award for the top fraternity in Intramural Athletics. But with the advent of the Vietnam war and disturbances on campuses throughout the country – the face of the American fraternity was changing once more…

F) As the 1970’s broke upon Penn State, the college was recovering from a phenomenal five-year increase in enrollment which had brought the undergraduate population from 16,000 to 23,000 students by 1972. Fraternities had demonstrated a decrease in popularity since the Vietnam War, yet Phi Delt moved on. By 1978, the actives had brought back an outstanding improvement award from national, its first in ten years. It was the time of the Bowery Ball at Phi Delt, and by the late 70’s, resurgence in interest in fraternities had taken place. Unfortunately, for Phi Delt, trouble was just around the corner….

G) The 80’s started off looking bleak for Phi Delt, as the Pa Theta’s corporation was forced to take charge of the house because of internal problems. At the start of 1981, only 12 brothers resided in the house, and en even greater number were borders to make financial ends meet. It had digressed to a chapter as Province President Bob Fitzpatrick would later exclaim that ‘nobody wanted to look after.’

But those twelve Phi Delts still had the spirit and tradition of the past within them, and they were determined to bring back Phi Delt to its status of the past….

PRESENT:

In the fall of 1983, I had the good fortune to come to Penn State and by the spring of 1984 had decided to pledge Phi Delta Theta. At the time the Greek system at Penn State had grown to be the second largest in the country, with 52 fraternities and twenty-one sororities. The atmosphere at Phi Delt was one of growth and constant improvement, as a core group of brothers was determined to bring back the national awards which had been at Phi Delt in the past. The 35 actives of the chapter were working hard to reestablish the campus and national reputation of Phi Delt.

A) The changes were not too long in becoming evident – Phi Delt was becoming an active participant in Greek Week – a revitalized version of th Spring Week which had been popular in the early years, and won the 1st place trophy in the Chariot Division, a tradition that Phi Delt would continue for the next four years. By the fall, Phi Delt had secured a strong philanthropy with the PITT – PENN STATE Blood Donor challenge, which collected over 9,000 pints of blood for the American Red Cross. The Pa Theta chapter also worked hard and became visible in Homecoming, taking first place awards in the Float and Lawn Display competition. Brothers began to get involved in campus activities to further the reputation and respect of Phi Delt throughout the Penn State campus, and a yearly pledge class of 18 men strengthened the brotherhood. Pa Theta’s efforts were recognized by national with an Outstanding Improvement Award in 1984, and the road was being paved for the Gold Star.

B) As 1985 approached, the brotherhood was eager to display its prowess to the Penn State campus. Chapter retreats and road trips were organized for the brotherhood to decide on their principles and partying habits. Problems surfaced such as the Bowery Ball’s end and a County Code inspection, which resulted in 500 code violations in the chapter house, were resolved through compromise and hard work. A Pillar Fund was started to help the actives realize their dream of putting up the pillars once again. And on campus, Phi Delt made its presence known – taking four trophies in four categories and the Overall Winner of Greek Week ’85. The house also begun to become involved in philanthropies in the Greek system – taking first in the Phi Sig Superstars, the Phi Kappa Phi Wrist-Wrestling tournament, the Delta Gramma anchor splash, and the Alphi Chi Omega Aerobathon. Morale was high, and the spirit and strength of the house persisted into the fall, where Phi Delt took an overall third place in Homecoming, and once again ran a successful philanthropy with the PITT-PENN STATE BLOOD DRIVE, raising over 12,000 pints of blood. In national’s eyes, Phi Delt took another step forward, receiving the Silver Star award in 1985 – the first in 22 years.

C) As 1986 dawned, the actives of Phi Delt sat back and tried to put their accomplishments into perspective – the membership of the house had increased to 45 brothers, and a chapter retreat revealed the brother’s almost fanatical desire for a place among National’s elite Gold Star winners. Brothers became more involved than ever with campus activities, and Greek Week, Homecoming, and Dance Marathon committees were staffed with active’s and pledges. Phi Delt took an Overall second in Greek Week ’86, and applied for the first time for the Omega Epsilon award, Penn State’s award for the best fraternity on campus. Of three divisions, scholarship, leadership, and university activities, Pa Theta won the University activities division in a strong showing – demonstrating its involvement in campus and IFC Philanthropic events. A strong semester pledge class of 13 showed promise of future growth, and the pillar fund had collected $5,000. And after all was said and done for Pa Theta in the spring of 1986 – the dream of the Gold Star was achieved, as national awarded the coveted gold star to the Pa Theta chapter at eh 1986 International Convention in Toronto – the chapter’s first twenty years…..

D) As the fall of 1986 broke upon Phi Delt, the good news of the summer’s awarding of the Gold Star sounded like music upon the ears of the actives – and again the house had to put things in perspective. The house decided to place an emphasis upon its alumni – and towards that end - concentrated on its Alumni dinner at Homecoming and decide to forgo the IFC activities. Computers were purchased by the actives to improve the house’s scholarship, and to update the alumni base for the purposes of the Pillar Fund. Phi Delt entered the Panhel sponsored Greek Sing for the first time, and walked away with the first place. Work with university philanthropies and organizations continued, and Phi Delt tried to establish a new philanthropy instead of the Blood Drive – but ran into some roadblocks. Demonstrating their resources and not to be stonewalled, the actives successfully ran and organized Penn State’s third largest philanthropy in the Spring; with its Fitness Unlimited – Phi Delt bench press raising $8,000 for the Association of Retarded Citizens.

E) This past February, the chapter decided to participate in the IFC’s Dance Marathon, and took third place in the spirit division. One of the brothers had been elected as Executive V.P. of the IFC, being the first representation Phi Delt had on IFC’s exec in over two decades, and the brotherhood swept down on Greek Week with a strong determination to avenge their 2nd place finish in 1985.

Phi Delt took first place in three out of four divisions, and won the overall trophy for the second time in three years. A house corporation meeting gave the go-ahead for the brother’s quest for pillars, as the actives had raised $13,000 of the $25,000 cost. But most importantly, Phi Delta Theta for the first time in it’s history – won the Omega Epsilon Award of fraternity merit – as the best fraternity at Penn State. Phi Delt took first in the Leadership Division, with each brother involved in over 3 activities on campus on the average – and 2nd in the University activities division. This unprecedented Overall victory in the Omega Epsilon award has established the Pa Theta chapter of Phi Delt as the best fraternity in the 2nd largest Greek system in the country!!

FUTUTE

So – where do we go from here? Pa Theta is at its highest peak ever as a chapter and those who have worked hard over the past four years to put Phi Delt where it is are intent on staying there….Our membership is at 53 brothers and six actives, and it is the first time in the 80’s that brothers who want to live in the house will not be able to because of space requirements. Our reputation on campus has been established – and internal house problems are being solved through compromise and understanding.

We will continue to work in the area of Alumni Relations, and with our database, can hopefully involve alumni in more of our functions, including brotherization ceremonies. We want to work on improved public relations with Penn State and National Headquarters – including articles in the scroll for our noteworthy accomplishments…And through our involvement in campus activities we hope to anticipate and mold the sentiment of the institution on issues such as fraternity liability, the IFC alcohol policy, and Borough and University Relations. And on a national level, we wish to bring home the award given to the best chapter of Phi Delt in the country, the Harvard Trophy…

But most of all, we realize that with our current accomplishments, we have come to the threshold of excellence, and that it will require jut as much hard work to move forward from our current position, as it has been over the past four years to get were we are.

And to the current brothers, pledges, and alumni of Phi Delta Theta – I issue to you a challenge – that we not rest on laurels, on our past accomplishments and honors, but keep striving towards excellence, so that we may become a chapter with forward vision, and ideals, and a model for our University and national Phi Delt chapters….

We have the materials, supportive alumni, enthusiastic brothers, and the respect and recognition of Penn State and Nation – let us establish the tradition and truly leave our mark upon the changing fraternity system, as the spirit and ideals of our founders have inspired us to do so since for nearly 140 years. Thank you and now as ever – Proud to be a PHI!!

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