Tag Archives: Phi Delta Theta
ALS Ride For Life
Christopher Pendergast was diagnosed with ALS twenty-four years ago. A former teacher for over thirty years, he chose to fight.
In an effort to build ALS awareness and raise financial support in search of a cure, Chris founded a non-profit, volunteer-run organization called ALS Ride For Life. For the past 20 years, Chris has traveled in his motorized wheelchair, along with other patients, families, and friends from Lou Gehrig’s memorial in Yankee Stadium either to Washington, DC or across Long Island.
To date, he has raised over $7M for research, patient care, education and awareness of the horrific disease that took the life of New York Yankee legend, and our own Phi Delta Theta brother, Lou Gehrig. Chris has made this ride for a cure his second career. He is on a ventilator now but soldiers on. He is one amazing man!
On Sunday, May 4, 2017 Chris and his team started their journey to Washington, DC. They made stops at the University of Maryland in College Park and George Washington University in Washington, DC en route to the United States Capitol.
While at GWU, Chris was welcomed to the Nation’s Capital on Sunday, May 14 and members of the DC Alpha Colony of Phi Delta Theta greeted him and showed their support in the fight against ALS. For more information, please contact Ride For Life’s Dick Iannuzzi, (631) 352-8998 or Dennis Constanza, DC Alpha Colony of Phi Delta Theta.
Phi Delt Bowling Night
The members of the DC Alpha Colony of Phi Delta Theta at George Washington University celebrated the end of their first semester by hosting a “Phi Delt Bowling Night” at the Fort Myer Bowling Center in Arlington, VA on Friday, April 28, 2017.
The event was a perfect opportunity for the colony and potential new members to meet and establish strong relationships with the local area Phi Delt alumni community.
If you would like to learn more about future DC Alpha colony events, please contact Dennis Constanza, Alumni Chairman, DC Alpha Colony of Phi Delta Theta.
Phi Delta Theta Colonizes District of Columbia Alpha at George Washington University
As winter quickly approaches in the nation’s capital and as the fall semester draws to an end, one group of men at the George Washington University have a great reason to celebrate. On Sunday, December 11, 26 men were welcomed into the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity as the District of Columbia Alpha Colony.
Colony members and other attendees gathered at the Marvin Center at on December 11 for the official colonization ceremony, led by Province President Scott Lynch (Pittsburgh ‘97). In attendance were Colony Advisory Board (CAB) Chairman Austin DeRay (Mercer ‘10), CAB Financial Advisor Alex Stefanic (Clemson ’11), CAB Education Advisory Tim Alford (Ohio Wesleyan ’14), CAB Academic Advisor Matt Zembrzuski (NC State ’98), CAB Member-at-Large Will Turanchik (Akron ’90), Phi Delta Theta Survey Commissioner and President of the DC Alumni Club David Almacy (Widener ‘92), Faculty Advisor Mike Steele, and several local Phi Delta Theta alumni. You could feel the enthusiasm in the room as everyone welcomed the first Phi Delta Theta colony in Washington, D.C.
The colonization ceremony brings great excitement to Leadership Consultants Alex Atkinson (Missouri Western ’16) and BJ Henderson (Wisconsin ’16) as they worked to recruit and provide organizational assistance to the men of this colony. They have no doubt that the leaders of the colony will guide them to become a leading Greek organization in the near future.
During the ceremony, numerous individuals provided words of encouragement to the colony. David Almacy stated that “you must remain steadfast through it all” when dealing with the good and the bad that comes with being a member of the Fraternity. Colony President Alexander Evers noted that the colony men will now come together through a deeper meaning within the Fraternity. Others who spoke discussed how thrilled and happy they were to have an official Phi Delta Theta colony in the District.
Throughout the recruitment process, the Expansion team searched for individuals who will embrace the Phi Delta Theta values, and they were able to find high caliber men who are leaders at the George Washington University. The group’s members come from different backgrounds and each have varying majors and interests, but they have all come together and are willing to put forth the time and effort to bring Phi Delta Theta to GWU. Additionally, the colony’s members currently have a 3.5 GPA, placing them in competition with fellow Greek organizations.
There were several individuals who provided great assistance during the development of the colony. A special thank you is in order for the Colony Advisory Board, the George Washington University and the alumni in the area who helped developed this group.
December 11, 2016 is a date that every District of Columbia Alpha Colony man will remember as they each begin their journey with Phi Delta Theta. It will also be a date to remember as the Fraternity works to add another chapter to its rich history by officially expanding to the District of Columbia.
Colonization ceremony for the men of the DC Alpha Colony of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity located atGeorge Washington University in Washington, DC
Scott Lynch (Pittsburgh ‘97), Delta North Province President, officiates the ceremony along with
Phi Delta Theta Leadership Consultant Alex Atkinson (Missouri Western ’16) and Colony Advisory Board (CAB) Chairman Austin DeRay (Mercer ‘10)
26 Founding Fathers took the fraternity oath in establishing Phi Delta Theta at GWU
Members of the DC Alpha Colony of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity
Washington, DC Alpha Colonization Ceremony at GWU
All members, guests, family and friends of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity are cordially invited to attend the Colonization Ceremony of Washington, DC Alpha on the campus of George Washington University. Recruitment efforts officially began this fall and we are pleased to be able to take this next important step in the process of establishing a chapter at GWU.
The ceremony will take place on Sunday, December 11, 2016 at 2 PM ET in GWU’s Marvin Center, Room 309. Admission is free and the event is open to the public. Business attire (coat and tie) is requested.
WHERE: Marvin Center, George Washington University
800 21st Street NW, Room 309, Washington, DC
WHO: All area Phi Delts, family, friends, GWU Greek community and guests
WHEN: Sunday, December 11, 2016 at 2 PM
Please RSVP via Eventbrite. We expect a large turnout by friends/family of the colony, GWU Greek Life community, local area Phi Delt undergraduates and alumni so we kindly ask that you RSVP by Wednesday, December 7, 2016 so that we can plan accordingly.
If you have questions about the event, please contact GHQ Leadership Consultant BJ Henderson at (262) 930-9679 or send an email to updates@phideltdc.com with subject line “DC Alpha Colony.”
Phi Delt DC Fantasy Football
Football is back! This week, the NFL officially kicks off the 2016-17 season.
Join the Phi Delt DC Fantasy Football league to compete against local Brothers in the Bond. Make your picks and fight for a playoff berth and the ultimate championship in our first annual fantasy challenge. We have space for a total of 12 teams.
LIVE Draft is set for tomorrow Thursday, September 8 at 2 PM ET via Yahoo Fantasy Football.
Register here: http://ow.ly/jKYE303gatg
No wagering… winner earns bragging rights, respect and admiration of all. Good luck!
Phi Delta Theta 2016 Convention
More than 600 Phis and their families joined together for Phi Delta Theta Fraternity’s 81st Biennial General Convention in Savannah, Georgia — one of the most charming cities in the United States. In addition to electing the General Council, delegates debated various issues facing the Greek system and voted on amendments to the Constitution and General Statutes of the Fraternity.
Savannah native Chris Dubberly, Mercer, served as the official representative of the Phi Delt DC Alumni Club. He shared this about his convention experience, “The rich history of Phi Delta Theta is something we have all learned to appreciate and historic downtown Savannah was the ideal backdrop for yet another memorable and successful Convention. It was a distinct honor for me to represent the DC alumni club and help shape the direction of the fraternity’s future — especially in my hometown.”
A special thank you to outgoing General Council President Rich Fabritius, Kent State and all the best to newly elected president Jeff Davis, Southeast Missouri State, and the rest of the current council. #PDTConvention
Phi Delt DC Summer Reception
On August 10, 2016, approximately 35 Phi Delts gathered for a casual summer reception hosted by local area alumni. Over two dozen different chapters were represented.
Many thanks to all who attended and special appreciation to the eight Phis from Gettysburg College (Pennsylvania Beta) who hosted the event in their Washington, DC home.
Phi Delta Theta Heads to Savannah
Hundreds of Phis will gather at the Hyatt Regency in Savannah, Georgia on Sunday, June 19 through Wednesday, June 22, 2016 for Phi Delta Theta Fraternity’s 81st Biennial General Convention.
The Convention offers a unique opportunity for Phis of all ages from many parts of the world to meet in the true spirit of the Bond. Since 1880, the General Convention has held all supreme and legislative powers of the Fraternity. The Convention has three main responsibilities and powers including:
- 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.
The 2016 Phi Delt Convention, located on the riverfront in the heart of Savannah’s historic district, will offer plenty of entertainment and shopping venues plus events that will allow brothers to reconnect with old acquaintances while connecting for the first time with other “Brothers in the Bond.”
In addition the undergraduates and alumni volunteers, the Washington, DC Alumni Club is eligible to send one voting delegate. If you are interested in representing the club at convention this summer, please send an email to convention@phideltdc.com. It is worth noting that travel expenses and hotel accommodations are the responsibility of the delegate.
Here’s the full 2016 Phi Delta Theta Convention schedule. (PDF)
Phi Delta Theta Urges Reinstatement of University of Virginia Greek Community
Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity has closely monitored the recent developments at the University of Virginia stemming from Rolling Stone’s “A Rape on Campus: A Brutal Assault and Struggle for Justice” story. The subject matter and continuing conversation around sexual assault and rape is of utmost importance to Phi Delta Theta, and the Fraternity fully believes that its Virginia Beta Chapter at the University of Virginia is comprised of young men who can be a valuable part of the solution on campus.
Phi Delta Theta is opposed to the University of Virginia’s approach of suspending Greek social activities as it has infringed on the Fraternity’s First Amendment freedom of association rights and existing operating agreements on campus. Further, as the University of Virginia develops a new Fraternity Operating Agreement, Phi Delta Theta does not support negotiations until the suspension is removed.
Phi Delta Theta understands its duty of cultivating responsible young men on college campuses and takes great pride in its progressive leadership within the Greek community on an international stage. Nearly 15 years ago, Phi Delta Theta implemented its Alcohol-Free Housing policy, a policy that has both championed responsible behavior and resulted in safer environments for our members and their guests. Phi Delta Theta knows that alcohol is oftentimes a main contributor to the sexual assault and rape issues that exist on college campuses, and the Fraternity remains steadfast in developing its chapters in a way that makes them valuable assets to the campuses and communities where they exist.
Source: Phi Delta Theta Fraternity
Former Maryland Coach Gary Williams Inducted Into Basketball Hall of Fame
Brother Gary Williams, Maryland ’68, former head coach of the University of Maryland men’s basketball team (1989-2011) was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame this past weekend at the 2014 Enshrinement Ceremony in Springfield, MA.
Williams was one of ten in the 2014 class of honorees including Nolan Richardson, Mitch Richmond, Bob Leonard, Guy Rodgers, Nat Clifton, Sarunas Marciulionis, Alonzo Mourning, David Stern and Immaculata University.
After four decades on the sideline, Gary Williams is now a Hall of Famer. (via @GettyImages) http://t.co/mUys8Y54Ub pic.twitter.com/B7DGoFJTa5
— The Baltimore Sun (@baltimoresun) August 9, 2014
Gary’s first job coaching basketball at the college level was as an assistant coach at Lafayette College. The position also required that he serve as head coach of the soccer team, a one year post that he ended up holding for six years. Upon reflection about his team’s performance on the pitch, Gary said, “People ask me how I did as a soccer coach. Let me just say this… the Soccer Hall of Fame hasn’t called yet.”
He went on to be the head basketball coach at American University, Boston College and Ohio State University before returning to his alma mater in 1989 at the University of Maryland where he once played as a starting point guard and was team captain in 1967.
According to the umterps website, during Gary’s coaching career at Maryland, he led the “basketball program from a period of troubled times to an era of national prominence.”
With 14 NCAA Tournament berths in the last 17 seasons, seven Sweet Sixteen appearances, a pair of consecutive Final Four showings, and the 2002 National Championship – the first of its kind in Maryland basketball history – Williams and his staff have literally forged what is now more than a decade of dominance in college basketball’s most storied and competitive conference.
After leading the Terrapins to the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title in 2010, Williams was voted the league’s Coach of the Year by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association. It was his second such award, as he was also honored in 2002.
Now with 442 victories as Maryland’s head coach, Williams stands as the Terrapins all-time winningest head basketball coach. He passed Charles “Lefty” Driesell, who amassed 348 victories in 18 seasons from 1969 to 1986. The Terrapins have averaged 22.6 wins per year since the 1994-95 season.
With 649 career victories in 32 seasons overall, Williams is the 5th-winningest active head coach in NCAA Division I men’s basketball.
Watch the full acceptance speech here:
Today, Williams is a college basketball analyst for the Big Ten Network and can be heard regularly on ESPN 980‘s “The Sports Fix” program.
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