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Phi Gamma Delta
ΦΓΔ
Founded	May 1, 1848 (1848-05-01) (164 years ago) Jefferson College in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
Type	Social
Scope	International  United States  Canada
Motto	Friendship, the sweetest influence. (Φιλοτης Γλυκυτατη Δυναστεια) [1]
Colors	Royal Purple
Symbol
Flower	Purple Clematis
Chapters	123, 21 colonies
Nicknames	FIJI, Phi Gam
Headquarters	Lexington, Kentucky, USA
Homepage	www.phigam.org

The international fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta (also known as FIJI) is a collegiate social fraternity with 124 chapters and 20 colonies across the United States and Canada. It was founded at Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, in 1848, and its headquarters are located in Lexington, Kentucky, USA. Phi Gamma Delta is a member of the North-American Interfraternity Conference and, along with the Fraternity of Phi Kappa Psi, forms the Jefferson Duo.^[2]

Contents 1 Founding of Phi Gamma Delta 2 Beliefs of Phi Gamma Delta 2.1 The values 2.2 Priorities of a Phi Gamma Delta 3 Practices and customs of Phi Gamma Delta 3.1 Use of Greek letters and origins of the "Fiji" nickname 3.2 How Phi Gamma Delta is organized 3.3 Honors and awards within Phi Gamma Delta 3.4 Pig Dinner 3.5 Fiji Islander 4 Sweetwater 5 Founding of Kappa Alpha Theta 6 Images of Phi Gamma Delta 7 Notable Fijis 8 Chapters and colonies 9 References 10 External links

  Founding of Phi Gamma Delta

The organization was founded on April 22, 1848, at Jefferson College in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. Six college students gathered in a dormitory room (known by the students as "Fort Armstrong")^[3] to establish a secret society.^[4] The society they formed was initially called "The Delta Association". The founders, referred to by Brothers as the "Immortal Six", were John Templeton McCarty, Samuel Beatty Wilson, James Elliott, Jr., Ellis Bailey Gregg, Daniel Webster Crofts, and Naaman Fletcher.^[5] The first regular meeting of Phi Gamma Delta and the adoption of the Fraternity's Constitution took place on May 1, 1848.^[6] Consequently, May 1 was chosen to be "Founder's Day" at the 43rd Convention held in 1891 and has traditionally been celebrated as the founding date of the Fraternity.^[7][8]

  Beliefs of Phi Gamma Delta

The rewards of membership extend far beyond one's college years through continued commitment to the values, the brothers, and the Educational Foundation. This is why Fiji did not adopt the name "alumni." Rather, post collegiate members are known as "Graduate Brothers," implying that membership extends far beyond the undergraduate experience. The commitment exemplifies another motto by which Phi Gams live, "Not For College Days Alone",^[9] and an organization of fathers and sons within Phi Gamma Delta known as "Sires and Sons".^[10]

  The values

We are united by Friendship. It is the basis of our brotherhood. Because of it, we accomplish far more than we do as individuals. Friendship is the sweetest influence.^[11][12]

We promote the pursuit of Knowledge. It is the key to a fuller, richer life. We gain it through education, the harmonious development of the powers of the individual.^[11][13]

We encourage Service. We have the ability, the opportunity, and the duty to serve our fellow human beings. Our reward is the satisfaction that comes from serving.^[11][14]

We believe in Morality. As gentlemen of quality, we must do what is right as individuals and as a group. Moral behavior is the basis of society’s existence.^[11][15]

We strive for Excellence. It is attained only when we fulfill our total potential. Mankind benefits when each of us becomes all that we can be.^[11][16]

  Priorities of a Phi Gamma Delta

A brother of Phi Gamma Delta has his life ordered by three priorities:^[17]

• First, Scholarship.
• Second, Fraternity.
• Third, Self.

This ordering is due to the fact that an individual attends university with the foremost goal of receiving an education, and that Phi Gamma Delta is a fraternity that promotes scholastic excellence amongst its members.

  Practices and customs of Phi Gamma Delta

  Use of Greek letters and origins of the "Fiji" nickname

Phi Gamma Delta limits the written display of its Greek letters.^[18] In accordance with the fraternity's international bylaws, Fiji chapters and members only inscribe their letters in the following seven locations:^[19]

1. On a uniform diamond-shaped member badge
2. On the Fraternity's official seal
3. On the Fraternity's official flag
4. On a chapter house marker
5. On memorials to deceased brothers
6. On a brother's certificate of membership
7. On a brother's official college ring

The fraternity's letters are considered sacred and are never to be displayed on an object that can be easily destroyed. Whereas other fraternities often display their letters on clothing or other items, this tradition prevents Fijis from doing so. In place of the actual Greek letters, "Fiji," "Phi Gam," or the English spelling of "Phi Gamma Delta" are used in their place.

The Fiji nickname started at New York University and was officially adopted by the national fraternity in 1894 in the belief that the term would be distinctive and appeal to the imagination.^[20] Prior to its formal appropriation by the organization at large, nicknames for members of the fraternity varied greatly; ranging from "Phi Gamm" and "Delta" by brothers across the nation, "Fee Gee" in New York, and "Gammas" in the South.^[20] As of now though, "Fiji" and "Phi Gam" are considered the only appropriate nicknames for Phi Gamma Delta members on the international scale, though local nicknames related to a chapter's Greek name or other colloquialisms do exist.^[21]

  How Phi Gamma Delta is organized

The fraternity is composed of chapters of two types. Most chapters serve primarily undergraduate students and are established at a single college or university . There are also chapters to serve members of the fraternity who have graduated from college and are established to serve a city or larger region. The chapters are governed by the fraternity's international headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky.

  Honors and awards within Phi Gamma Delta

Phi Gamma Delta recognizes the many accomplishments of its various chapters and individual undergraduate and graduate Brothers in many ways.

Awards to Undergraduate Chapters

• Baker Social Service Cup: Awarded to the chapter which has excelled in religious, ethical and social service activities. Named for Newton D. Baker (Johns Hopkins, 1892, Washington and Lee, 1894).^[22]

• Brightman Trophy: Presented to the undergraduate chapter best evidencing that Phi Gamma Delta is "not for college days alone". Named for Horace I. Brightman (Columbia, 1892).^[23]

• Cheney Cup: Awarded to the chapter judged to be most efficient in the conduct of its affairs as evidenced by scholarship, campus activities and fraternity relations. Named for O. H. Cheney (New York, 1897).^[24]

• Condon Cup: Awarded to the chapter achieving the greatest all-around improvement. Named for Herbert T. Condon (Washington Faculty). ^[25]

• Coon Plaque: Awarded to the chapter whose publications are judged to be distinctive, newsworthy and journalistically superior. Named for Owen L. Coon (Northwestern, 1915). ^[26]

• Jordan Bowl: Awarded to the chapter having the highest comparative scholarship within the Fraternity. Named for Riverda Harding Jordan (Yale, 1893).^[27]

• Owen Cup: Awarded by the chapter at the University of Oklahoma to the chapter showing the greatest improvement in scholarship over the previous year. Named for Frederick B. Owen (Missouri 1903).^[28]

• Zerman Trophy: Formerly the "Archons Trophy". Awarded to the chapter which has excelled the most in extra-curricular activities such as student government or the campus newspaper. Named for William S. Zerman (Michigan, 1949). ^[29]

Awards to Graduate Chapters

• Brightman Award: Presented to the two most outstanding graduate chapters, one of over 75 members and one of under 75 members. Named for Horace I. Brightman (Columbia, 1892).^[30]

Awards to Individuals

• Coulter Cup: Awarded for "exceptional outstanding service by a Graduate Brother to an undergraduate Chapter of the Fraternity". Named for Chan F. Coulter (Iowa, 1925).^[31] Brother Coulter also competed in the 1924 Paris Olympics.

• Crowder Cup: Awarded to the most outstanding faculty advisor. Named for Dr. Richard H. Crowder (DePauw, 1931).^[32]

• Distinguished Fiji Awards: Awarded annually by the Archons to no more than six Graduate Brothers worthy of recognition for their work on behalf of Phi Gamma Delta and/or society at large.^[33]

• Durrance Award: Awarded to the Fraternity's outstanding Purple Legionnaire. Named for Francis M. Durrance (Washington and Lee, 1907).^[34]

• Haynes Award: Awarded to the most outstanding Section Chief. Named for Tyler Haynes (Richmond, 1922).^[35]

• Wilkinson Award: Presented to the Brother considered to be the outstanding senior in Phi Gamma Delta. Named for Cecil J. "Scoop" Wilkinson (Ohio Wesleyan, 1917).^[36]

Awards Given to Multiple Undergraduate Chapters

• Certificates of Academic Achievement: Given to all chapters achieving grade point averages higher than the all-men's average on their campus.^[37]

• Certificates of Superior Academic Achievement: Given to those chapters which remain above the all-men's grade point average for at least 5 consecutive years.^[38]

• John Templeton McCarty Chapter Proficiency Awards: Presented annually to chapters exhibiting efficiency in their operations. This includes adhering to Fraternity laws, maintaining a favorable standing with the College or University, and promoting the high standards of Phi Gamma Delta.^[39]

• Mattern Ritual Proficiency Awards: Given to those chapters which demonstrate proficiency in the use of the Fraternity's Rituals. Named for Edwin L. Mattern (Allegheny 1890).^[40]

  Pig Dinner

The Norris Pig Dinner is an annual alumni dinner held by all Phi Gamma Delta chapters. The dinner is named for author Frank Norris, a member of the Fiji chapter at the University of California, Berkeley where the first Pig Dinner was held in 1893. Pig Dinner is sanctioned by the International Fraternity and it serves to welcome graduate brothers back to their undergraduate chapters.

It is the longest continually running, chapter-based, annual Graduate event in the world of fraternities and sororities^{[citation needed]}.

The International Fraternity stores a list of annual Pig Dinners.

  Fiji Islander

Affectionately built upon the "Fiji" nickname, many chapters hold an annual "Fiji Islander" party. These are typically large festivities with tropical themes oftentimes using banana trees as decoration; although, they can vary widely from chapter to chapter with some being large parties where alcohol, sand and banana trees are present, others being alcohol free, and some Fiji Island events are charity projects rather than parties.

  Sweetwater

After graduating from Jefferson College in June 1848 and studying law in Indiana, John T. McCarty headed west along the California Trail during the Gold Rush. He left in the spring of 1849 and along the trail, near the continental divide in what is today Wyoming, one of the most amazing incidents in Phi Gamma Delta's early history occurred. McCarty met Bolivar G. Krepps^[41] (Jefferson College, 1849), a member of Phi Gamma Delta whom McCarty had never previously met. The two had attended Jefferson College but Krepps was initiated into Phi Gamma Delta after McCarty had graduated. Yet, on July 7, 1849 here they stood, on the banks of the Sweetwater River, by complete coincidence. Both had decided to go West independently to seek their fortunes and, at a time when the total number of Phi Gamma Delta initiates was 25, two of them were shaking hands and drinking a toast to the "Delta Association", as it was known then, and to all Brothers who should live after them.^[42]

  Founding of Kappa Alpha Theta

Fijis at the Lambda chapter at Indiana Asbury University (now known as DePauw University) played an important role in the founding of Kappa Alpha Theta women's fraternity. Bettie Locke, the sister of George W. Locke (DePauw, 1871), was one of the first women enrolled at DePauw.^[43] Bettie had many Fiji friends and one of them asked her to wear his badge.^[44] She contended that she would do so only if she knew the secrets behind the letters.^[44] The Fijis, after considerable debate, declined to initiate her.^[44] So, upon suggestion of her father, Dr. John Wesley Locke, a Beta Theta Pi, she formed Kappa Alpha Theta with Alice Allen, Bettie Tipton and Hannah Fitch; four of just a handful of women enrolled at DePauw at the time.^[44] Kappa Alpha Theta made its debut on January 27, 1870. The Fijis, in a spirit of friendship and appreciation, later presented Bettie Locke with an engraved silver cake basket.^[44]

  Images of Phi Gamma Delta

  Notable Fijis

  Chapters and colonies

  References

  External links

• Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity official website

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