Phi Delta Theta Fraternity

HISTORY
Phi Delta Theta is a fraternity that was started in 1848 on the campus of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Phi Delta Theta was founded by six men: Robert Morrison, John McMillan Wilson, Robert Thompson Drake, John Wolfe Lindley, Ardivan Walker Rodgers, and Andrew Watts Rogers. These men are commonly referred to as the Immortal Six.

The Phi Delta Theta fraternity was founded on three basic objectives. Those objectives are the cultivation of friendship among members, the acquirement individually of a high degree of mental culture and the personal attainment of a high standard of morality. The first official meeting of the founding members of Phi Delta Theta happened in John Wilson’s dormitory room. The first convention of Phi Delta Theta was held in Cincinnati, Ohio when the fraternity had only four chapters.

The Civil War affected Phi Delta Theta in the same way as it affected other fraternities. During the war, members of the same fraternity found themselves on opposite sides for the war. In 1868, the first National Convention of the fraternity took place, as well as the creation of one administration for the fraternity on a nationwide scale. Like many organizations, Phi Delta Theta was adversely affected by declining membership during World War II. In 1954, Phi Delta Theta removed the clause restricting membership to “white persons of full Aryan blood” and was one of the first fraternities to eliminate references to race, color or creed. One year prior to that, Phi Delta Theta had suspended two of its chapters for the pledging of minorities.

PHILANTHROPY
As of November 2002, the official philanthropy of Phi Delta Theta is Amytrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association. Previously, Phi Delta Theta did not have an official philanthropy.

MOTTO
"One man is no man"

TRADITIONS

• Official colors of Phi Delta Theta are azure (blue) and argent (white)
• Official flower of Phi Delta Theta is the white carnation
• Cardinal principles of Phi Delta Theta are friendship, sound learning and moral rectitude
• Official goddess and mascot of Phi Delta Theta are Pallas Athena and her owl

FUN FACTS

• Nicknames for Phi Delta Theta include Phis, Phi Delts and Phi Deltas
• Phi Delta Theta was the first fraternity to adopt a pledge pin, pledge manual and an alumnus pin
• Phi Delta Theta was the first fraternity to expand west of the Mississippi river
• Phi Delta Theta has historical ties with Delta Gamma and Delta Zeta sororities
• Phi Delta Theta implemented alcohol-free housing for all chapters in 2000 and has seen significant increases in their membership
• Eight members of Phi Delta Theta have won the Pulitzer Prize

CELEBRITY ALUMNI

• Neil Armstrong (Astronaut, First man to walk on the moon)
• Frank Lloyd Wright (Architect)
• William Allen White (Writer, Pulitzer Prize Winner)
• Lou Gehrig (MLB Hall of Fame)
• Benjamin Harrison (23rd United States President)
• Burt Reynolds (Actor)

Common Misspellings

Phi Delts, Phi Delt, Phi Delta, Phi Delta Thetas, PDT, Pi Delta Theta, Phi Detla Theta