Virginia Lambda Installation at George Mason University
The Phi Delta Theta Fraternity is pleased to officially welcome the Virginia Lambda Chapter as the newest fraternity at George Mason University. After induction in November 2021 and months of hard work, the emerging chapter was approved by the Phi Delta Theta General Council to receive their charter in November 2023.
On Friday, November 17, 2023, 33 new members were initiated into the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity at the Naval Lodge, No.4 located at 330 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Washington, DC.
The next morning, Virginia Lambda officially received their charter from Phi Delta Theta General Council President David Almacy. The Installation ceremony took place at the Lorton Volunteer Firehouse, 7701 Armistead Road in Lorton, VA and was well attended by family, friends and members of the George Mason community.
After a short ceremony and presentation of the charter, remarks were made by Virginia Lambda Chapter President Alex Williams, Phi Delta Theta Fraternity staff member Ian Zimmerman, Chapter Advisory Board Chairman Henry Heren, Phil McDaniel (Delta Upsilon, University of Central Florida), Associate Director of Student Involvement for Fraternity and Sorority Life at George Mason, Delta North Province President Austin A. Deray, and Phi Delta Theta General Council President David Almacy.
Thanks to everyone who attended both events for your support of our newest local chapter. We look forward to seeing what they will accomplish next.
Phi Delta Theta Lobbies in Support of Stop Campus Hazing Act
Phi Delta Theta is a values-based organization that is committed to promoting a culture of responsibility in our chapters, and we remain vigilant in our efforts to protect the safety of our members and guests. Phi Delta Theta has long battled the societal issue of hazing through policy and education. On November 15, 2023, Phi Delta Theta stood on Capitol Hill in support of the Stop Campus Hazing Act (S.2901, H.R. 5646), which will require each institution of higher education that receives federal student aid to maintain and update biannually a website page that discloses student organization violations of the institution’s code of conduct that threaten the safety of students.
Phi Delta Theta Executive Vice President and CEO Sean Wagner joined to lobby with our partners at the Anti-Hazing Coalition and the Max Gruver Foundation. They met with several elected officials, including Brother Dusty Johnson, South Dakota ’99, U.S. Representative for South Dakota, and Senate Co-Sponsor, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota, to help spread the word about the Stop Campus Hazing Act.
2023 General Convention in Scottsdale, Arizona
The Fraternity’s 84th Biennial Convention took place from June 15-18 in Scottsdale, Arizona, and included celebrations, recognitions, business meetings, educational opportunities, and social opportunities throughout the region. We are thankful for those who made the trip to Scottsdale to help Phi Delta Theta celebrate its 175th anniversary and strengthen our brotherhood. View the photos from the event.
Election of the General Council
Since 1880, the General Convention has held all supreme and legislative powers of the Fraternity. The Convention has three main responsibilities and powers. They include:
- Electing the General Council
- Consideration of judicial matters
- Enacting laws for the regulation of the Fraternity, since only the General Convention may amend the Ritual, Constitution, and General Statutes of the Fraternity.
Celebrating 50 Years of Phi Delta Theta at Virginia Tech
On April 29, 1972, the Virginia Tech local social fraternity, Sigma Alpha Kappa, became the Virginia Eta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta. Since then, over 800 Virginia Tech men have signed the Bond of Phi Delta Theta. Many of these brothers will gather during the weekend of June 10-11, 2022 to celebrate the long anticipated Golden Anniversary in Blacksburg, Virginia.
A full weekend of fun and Brotherhood is scheduled as we renew our commitment to our Cardinal Principles. Festivities will begin with a Friday Night Downtown Takeover hosted by the Virginia Tech Alumni Association. Saturday events during the day such as golf, hiking, odds/evens, and other social activities. Finally, a Saturday evening Reception / Reunion Banquet with presentations including a speaker from Phi Delta Theta’s General Council, the story of ΣΑΚ / ΦΔΘ’s founding, the state of the active Chapter, and – of course – the infamous story of Frank Cox.
Contact the VT Phi Delta Theta reunion committee at vtpdt50@gmail.com for more information.
First Thursdays with the Phis
Phi Delta Theta is excited to introduce First Thursdays with the Phis, an alumni engagement initiative that works to gather Phis on the first Thursday evening of each month (beginning Thursday, March 3, 2022), in consistent locations, starting at the same time (6 PM), in an ever-growing list of cities across North America.
Whether you are new to the Washington, DC area, a long-time resident, seeking to build your network, or enjoy meeting other local Phis, Phi Delta Theta wants you to have a place in your city where you can enjoy brotherhood on the first Thursday evening of the month. The Phi Delt network is powerful, and we know that those who attend these informal gatherings will find great value in broadening their connections.
We will be meeting at:
T.J. STONES GRILLHOUSE AND TAPROOM
608 Montgomery Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 548-1004
tjstones.com
Look for the tabletop Phi Delt flag when you arrive and check in to win one of our monthly incentives!
https://phideltatheta.org/get-involved/first-thursdays-with-the-phis/
Phi Delta Theta Establishes Virginia Lambda Emerging Chapter at George Mason University
Phi Delta Theta has formally inducted the Virginia Lambda Emerging Chapter at George Mason University, the Commonwealth’s largest public research university. The induction was the culmination of Recruitment Specialist Robbie Nunes’ three months of recruitment efforts to find students that were looking to discover the greatest versions of themselves. In pursuing this goal, Nunes was able to recruit thirty men who are determined to establish themselves as strong and capable leaders looking to embody the ideals of Phi Delta Theta.
The strong foundation of this emerging chapter was started from scratch on campus, with founders being recruited while the George Mason University community readjusted to student life in a post-pandemic world. Despite this challenge, Nunes was able to find men who not only wanted to embrace the Cardinal Principles of Phi Delta Theta, but also to enact positive change within the Greek community at George Mason.
“Establishing an emerging chapter as the world navigated a return to normalcy was a tricky task,” said Nunes. “However, discovering strong men of character on Mason’s campus who are willing to create a foundation for Phi Delta Theta and be a positive agent of change made this task something that could not only be accomplished, but something that I believe will provide a positive future for the Mason community as a whole.”
The Virginia Lambda founders were supported by an extremely welcoming alumni community that was ready and willing to demonstrate to these young men how Phi Delta Theta could enrich their lives. Thanks to this strong alumni network, a recruitment process filled with persistence, and a great group of founders, the Virginia Lambda Emerging Chapter was officially inducted by Delta North Province President Austin A. Deray on November 21, 2021.
The men of the Virginia Lambda Emerging Chapter are eager to keep building. “It is time to put these words to action,” said Virginia Lambda President Braydon Beckwith in his remarks during the ceremony. “With the amount of talent, knowledge, and wisdom I see in this room, I am confident we are shaping phenomenal leaders now and for years to come.”
Phi Delta Theta congratulates the founders of Virginia Lambda and applauds them as they begin their journey toward their installation as a chapter.
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Source: Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, The Scroll, 11.20.2021
George Mason University Welcomes Phi Delta Theta
Phi Delt Arrives at George Mason University
How You Can Help
The Chapter Advisory Board
Our team will reach out to those interested to share more about our volunteer opportunities and connect you with those already in place. Our goal is to develop a diverse collection of volunteers: men/women, Phi Delts/non-Phi Delts, Phi Delts from multiple chapters, in-person/virtual, etc.
Sponsor a Virginia Lambda New Member
All transactions are non-tax deductible and are used to directly offset new member and initiation dues that are billed to the emerging chapter.
Follow the Project
Get Involved
2021 General Convention in Pittsburgh
As the world began to reopen this summer, Phi Delta Theta was excited to help reactivate the fraternal experience safely by hosting the rescheduled 83rd Biennial Convention from July 19–22, 2021 at the Wyndham Grand in Downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
A later date allowed for the broadest distribution of vaccines for would-be attendees, and a larger facility provided more space to accommodate the program and ensured that attendees followed proper social distancing requirements at the time of the event. Those who chose not to join the meeting in-person were able to experience portions of the event streamed via the Fraternity’s social media accounts.
Regardless of restrictions, the General Convention continued to commemorate Phi Delta Theta and its legislative body. The Convention represented a return to normal after a challenging year and a celebration of the hard work of our staff, volunteers, chapters, and members.
Phi Delta Theta Installs Virginia Kappa at Radford University
On April 24, 2021, the men of the Virginia Kappa Emerging Chapter were initiated into Phi Delta Theta. That evening, the officiating ceremony members presented the men with their charter during the installation ceremony in the Hurlburt Student Center Auditorium at Radford University. Virginia Kappa is the tenth Phi Delta Theta chapter installed in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Leading the weekend’s initiation and installation ceremonies were the Fraternity’s General Council President Dr. Chris W. Brussalis, Delta North Province President Austin Deray, and Leadership Consultants Corbin Lovelady and Devin Thornton.
Following the presentation of their charter, several constituents made remarks.
Virginia Kappa President Evan Walker reflected upon his time as a member. “One of the best aspects of our Phi Delta Theta chapter is that we are all unique, but this organization has bonded us all together through similar values and moral codes. With this blessing, we can forge our own path at Radford, and I’m confident we can overcome any obstacle. I’m so proud to be brothers with all of you men.”
An Open Letter: “Love of the Flag…”
January 6, 2021
Dear Presidential Site Friends, Neighbors, and fellow Citizens,
Today’s demonstrations began as an expression of first amendment rights. But the afternoon’s violence at the U.S. Capitol was an unacceptable assault on our American system of self-government, and merits formal condemnation and censure. We deserve better as a country, and we must hold each other accountable if we are to carry on this grand experiment in self-government started by the founders over two centuries ago.
Political strife has wracked our country before—and will again—but our greatest strength remains in the rule of law, and the bulwark of justice embodied in our constitution. Few American presidents have articulated these core principles as thoughtfully and persuasively as Benjamin Harrison, as he did post-presidency in Old Forge, New York, on July 27, 1895. The following excerpt, while lengthy, is well worth reading: