The Phi Delta Theta fraternity will be colonizing its nearly 70 new members at Seton Hall on April 29.
Phi Delta Theta fraternity was founded in 1848 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. The fraternity was founded on three pillars: friendship, sound learning and rectitude, according to phideltatheta.org.
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The Phi Delta Theta fraternity will colonize at SHU on April 29. Photo via Twitter/@PhiDeltSHU.[/caption]
Phi Delta Theta’s national philanthropy is the Amyotrophic Laterals Sclerosis (ALS) Association in honor of Lou Gehrig, Phi Delta Theta member, and New York Yankee Hall of Famer, according to Alex Atkinson, leadership consultant in charge of colonizing the New Jersey Gamma group.
“The colonization process at Seton Hall has been much better than we could’ve asked for,” Atkinson said via email. “The large population of high-caliber young men at this campus has made recruitment very successful. We have also received so much support from campus administrators, sororities, and other campus organizations.”
Atkinson discussed some challenges of founding a new fraternity at a university, such as Seton Hall, especially preceding the coming of another fraternity, Beta Theta Pi, in spring 2018.
“This colony will have to account for multiple challenges such as starting their colony process going into a summer break, a new fraternity coming to campus right after us, and the transition into being self-sufficient,” Atkinson said. “There is no doubt in my mind that they will overcome these challenges in impressive fashion.”
James Maglione, sophomore psychology major, said that he is honored to be a founding member.
“Being entrusted with the responsibility of shaping an organization of young men the way we envision it is truly a privilege that I won’t take for granted,” Maglione said.
Maglione said he is looking forward to working with the other founding members on creating Phi Delta Theta’s identity at Seton Hall.
“I am thrilled to be working with my fellow founding fathers to create, what I know can be, one of the most hardworking, congenial, and exemplary group of leaders on campus,” he said.
Matthew Minor, freshman diplomacy and international relations major, echoed Maglione’s sentiments.
“Being a founding father has been so exciting,” Minor said. “We’re starting with a blank slate, so we really have free reign to take the organization in any way we want.”
Minor said he thinks the fact that there are a lot of freshmen joining the fraternity sets it apart from the others on campus.
“The freshmen founding fathers and I will be around for a while to shape the organization,” Minor said. “We’re looking forward to having a long-term impact on the fraternity.”
Michael Davis, assistant director of Leadership Development (Greek Liaison), said it is essential that Greek Life grow in numbers.
“Greek Life at Seton Hall is committed to fostering a positive community for all who wish to experience it,” Davis said. “Bringing on new groups, such as Phi Delta Theta, allows us to do just that.”
Davis said that Phi Delta Theta will bring new opportunity to SHU’s campus.
“Phi Delta Theta is colonizing with over 60 men. That number is significant and will bring new thoughts and ideas to the current community,” Davis said, “while bringing new approaches to solving issues that Greek community may face.”
Isabel Soisson can be reached at isabel.soisson@student.shu.edu.
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