Phi Delta Theta: A Legacy of Brotherhood, Scholarship, and Leadership

Introduction

Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ) is one of the oldest and most prestigious social fraternities in the United States. Founded in 1848 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, the fraternity has a rich history of brotherhood, scholarship, and leadership. With over 190 chapters and more than 400,000 lifetime members, Phi Delta Theta is a vibrant community of men who strive to live by the fraternity's motto, "The Bond of Phi Delta Theta is a Bond for Life."

Core Values and Mission

Phi Delta Theta's core values are:

• Brotherhood: fostering strong and enduring relationships among members
• Scholarship: pursuing academic excellence and lifelong learning
• Leadership: developing and exercising leadership skills
• Service: contributing to the community and the world

The fraternity's mission is to "develop men of sound mind, body, and spirit through the fraternal experience." This mission is accomplished through a variety of programs and activities that focus on brotherhood, scholarship, leadership, and service.

Historical Milestones

1848: Phi Delta Theta is founded at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

1851: The first constitution of Phi Delta Theta is adopted.

1854: The first Phi Delta Theta chapter outside of Ohio is established at Indiana University.

1860: Phi Delta Theta participates in the founding of the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC).

1901: The first Phi Delta Theta chapter in Canada is established at the University of Toronto.

1918: Phi Delta Theta establishes the Phi Delta Theta Foundation to support scholarships and other educational programs.

1948: Phi Delta Theta celebrates its 100th anniversary with a national convention in Oxford, Ohio.

2018: Phi Delta Theta celebrates its 170th anniversary with a national convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Chapter Structure

Phi Delta Theta chapters are located on college and university campuses across the United States and Canada. Chapters are led by a group of officers, including a president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, and chaplain. The officers are responsible for managing the chapter's affairs and ensuring that the fraternity's values and mission are upheld.

Chapters typically have a chapter house where members live and socialize. Chapter houses provide a sense of community and belonging for members, and they are often used for chapter meetings, social events, and study groups.

Member Benefits

Members of Phi Delta Theta enjoy a number of benefits, including:

• Brotherhood: A lifelong connection to a network of over 400,000 brothers
• Scholarship: Access to scholarships and other financial assistance
• Leadership: Opportunities to develop and exercise leadership skills
• Service: Opportunities to give back to the community and the world

Phi Delta Theta also offers a variety of programs and services to support its members, including:

• Mentoring: A mentoring program that pairs new members with experienced brothers
• Career services: A career services program that provides resume writing, interview preparation, and job placement assistance
• Alumni networking: An alumni networking program that connects members with alumni in their field

Notable Alumni

Phi Delta Theta has a long history of producing notable alumni, including:

• Presidents: William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge
• Supreme Court Justices: David Brewer, John Harlan, Hugo Black, William Brennan
• Business leaders: John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Henry Ford, J.P. Morgan
• Media personalities: Edward R. Murrow, Walter Cronkite, Tom Brokaw
• Actors: Cary Grant, Humphrey Bogart, George Clooney

Effective Strategies for Chapter Success

There are a number of effective strategies that Phi Delta Theta chapters can use to achieve success. These strategies include:

• Strong leadership: Chapters with strong leadership are more likely to be successful in all areas. The officers of the chapter should be committed to the fraternity's values and mission, and they should be able to motivate and inspire the other members.
• Active recruitment: Chapters that actively recruit new members are more likely to grow and thrive. Recruitment efforts should focus on finding men who are a good fit for the fraternity's values and culture.
• Engaging programming: Chapters that offer a variety of engaging programs and activities are more likely to keep members involved and active. Programming should be tailored to the interests of the members, and it should include a mix of social events, service projects, and educational programs.

How to Join Phi Delta Theta

Men who are interested in joining Phi Delta Theta should contact the chapter at their college or university. The recruitment process typically involves several steps, including:

1. Attending an informational meeting: This meeting will provide an opportunity to learn more about the fraternity and its values.
2. Submitting an application: The application will ask for basic information about the applicant, including his academic record, extracurricular activities, and leadership experience.
3. Interviewing with the chapter officers: The officers will interview the applicant to assess his fit for the fraternity.
4. Receiving an offer of membership: If the applicant is accepted into the fraternity, he will receive an offer of membership.

Call to Action

If you are a man who is looking for a lifelong brotherhood, scholarship, leadership, and service, then Phi Delta Theta is the fraternity for you. Contact the chapter at your college or university today to learn more about how you can join.

Tables

Stories

Story 1

John was a freshman at the University of Illinois when he joined Phi Delta Theta. He was immediately drawn to the fraternity's sense of brotherhood and its commitment to scholarship. John became an active member of the chapter, serving as a mentor to new members and volunteering his time to the community. After graduating from college, John went on to become a successful businessman. He credits his experience in Phi Delta Theta with helping him develop the leadership skills and confidence he needed to succeed in his career.

Story 2

Mary was a sophomore at Indiana University when she joined Phi Delta Theta. She was attracted to the fraternity's focus on leadership and service. Mary became the chapter's president and led the chapter in a number of community service projects. After graduating from college, Mary went on to become a social worker. She credits her experience in Phi Delta Theta with teaching her the importance of giving back to the community.

Story 3

Tom was a junior at Ohio State University when he joined Phi Delta Theta. He was immediately drawn to the fraternity's strong academic program. Tom became a tutor for other members of the chapter and helped to raise the chapter's GPA. After graduating from college, Tom went on to become a college professor. He credits his experience in Phi Delta Theta with giving him the academic skills and confidence he needed to succeed in his career.

What We Learn

These stories illustrate the many benefits of joining Phi Delta Theta. Phi Delta Theta is a lifelong brotherhood that provides its members with opportunities for scholarship, leadership, and service. Phi Delta Theta also teaches its members the importance of giving back to the community. If you are looking for a fraternity that will help you develop your potential and make a difference in the world, then Phi Delta Theta is the fraternity for you.