+ THE GREEK TRADITION
05
+ THE BROTHERHOOD OF A LIFETIME
19
+ THE ESSENCE OF G O O D TA S T E
31
HISTORY OF THE GREEK MOVEMENT
06
nique among the educa-
It was indeed all work and no
tional institutions of the
play. But students, then as now,
world, American college frater-
found a way when there was a
nities are as old as the nation it-
need. The need was to be able
self. They arose in response to a
to relax and recuperate, to en-
need for close personal relation-
joy the friendships and fun that
ships among students, and they
make life bearable, to learn
have provided an opportunity for
those things that can’t be taught
supplemental education beyond
in the classroom, to put purpose
formal curriculum of college.
and perspective into a personal way-of-life, to belong. In Wil-
In the early days, studies cen-
liamsburg, Virginia, in 1750, the
tered around Greek and Latin.
way was to gather in an upper
Electives were unknown, and
room of Raleigh Tavern College
classics rather than current
of William and Mary classmates.
events dominated discussion. It was a trying time for a teen-
Over a bowl of punch, a small
age, as most were, having been
group of students talked and
sent to college by parents to ac-
laughed and called themselves
quire discipline as much as book
the Flat Hat Club. These stu-
learning. And a harsh discipline
dents didn’t know it, but they had
it was. Dress and deportment
organized the first general col-
were
Travel
lege fraternity. Good things are
was difficult. Athletic and social
soon copied, but old habits are
events were few and far between.
hard to break. Other groups ap-
strictly
defined.
In 1750, the Raleigh Tavern saw the formation of the Flat Hat Club. peared but they were social only to a limited extent. They were only concerned with faculty approval and that meant being more like a literary society – meeting to deflate or critique compositions, staging an oratorical contest, or engaging in a form of early campus politics with rival groups. The note of the times was sounded in their names: Ciceronian, Calliopian, and Philopeuthion. One group, PDA, ejected a student who was a superior Greek scholar. That rejected student, John Health, took three Greek let-
22 OF THE PRESENT DAY FRATERNITIES
ters, gathered four friends, and held the first secret meeting of
WERE FOUNDED PRIOR TO 1860.
07
1870 KAPPA ALPHA THETA, THE FIRST WOMEN’S GREEK-LETTERED SOCIETY, WAS FOUNDED AT DEPAW UNIVERSITY.
08
Phi Beta Kappa, the first Greek-letter society or fraternity, on December 5, 1776. It was a secret because it had to be. The William and Mary faculty didn’t approve of its students discussing the pressing issues of the day and possibly straying too far form accepted beliefs. So Phi Beta Kappa developed secret signals of challenge and recognition as they met weekly in the Raleigh Tavern’s Apollo Room. The secret grip and mottos and ritual, the distinctive badge, the code of laws and the use of Greek letters all were used by Phi Beta Kappa and later adopted by subsequent
REMEMBER: IT IS A
fraternities. But the important legacies of Phi Beta Kappa are
“FRATERNITY” AND
these: high morals, scholastic advancement, and the friendship
NEVER “FRAT”.
of one brother with another.
Phi Beta Kappa felt that other campuses should share its good idea and that higher education give proper consideration to prepare a student for his future responsibilities by preparing him socially. In 1780, the Alpha of Connecticut was planted at Yale, in 1781, the Alpha of Massachusetts at Harvard, and more followed. As time went on, Phi Beta Kappa became purely intellectual in its aims, though the original cardinal principles were “literature, morality, and friendship.” During the anti-secret society movements in the 1830s, the society voluntarily revealed that its name meant “Philosophy, the Guide (or Helmsman) of Life.” Since that time it has become strictly an honorary organization and today recognizes undergraduate men and women who show superior achievements in academics on more than 270
Members of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity playing a board game at the University of Texas in 1921.
09
American campuses. Meanwhile, four Phi Beta Kappa men at the University of North Carolina in 1812 organized Kappa Alpha, which expanded in informal fashion to more than 20 campuses throughout the South. Unfortunately, it would not survive the Civil War. To the north, on the campus of Union College, Schenectady, New York, the decline of a military marching club left a void in student life in the fall of 1825. So a group of students, including several members of Phi Beta Kappa, organized Kappa Alpha Society (not to be confused with either the 1812 Kappa Alpha or the current Kappa Alpha Order) on November 20. 1825. Remaining conservative throughout its existence with only nine chapters and a total of roughly 9,200 alumni as of 2000, Kappa Alpha Society enjoys the distinction of being the
10
F I R ST GREEK-LETTER GENERAL COLLEGE F R ATERNITY with continuous existence to date. Due to its secrecy, students and faculty alike opposed Kappa Alpha society. But other students admired the concept of the organization and formed Sigma Phi on March 4, 1827, and Delta Phi on November 17. 1827. Kappa Alpha Society, Sigma Phi, and Delta Phi formed the “Union Triad,” and set the pattern for the American fraternity system. Eventually, Union students founded six fraternities, which is why the college is recognized as the “Mother of Fraternities.” Some think the college fraternity is uniquely American; certainly such an expanded and developed system exists nowhere else,
...JOHN HEALTH TOOK THREE GREEK LETTERS, GATHERED FOUR FRIENDS, AND HELT THE FIRST SECRET MEETING OF PHI BETA KAPPA, THE FIRST GREEK-LETTER SOCIETY OR FRATERNITY, ON DECEMBER 5TH, 1776.”
Alexis de Tocqueville, a much-
cieties, some Hamilton students
traveled Frenchman, wrote De-
took inspiration from the local
mocracy in America following a
Sigma Phi Chapter and founded
trip to America in the 1830s, In
another Greek-letter society, Al-
it he commented: “Americans
pha Delta Phi, in 1832. Fraterni-
of all ages, all conditions, and
ties were on the move. A year lat-
all dispositions constantly form
er, Alpha Delta Phi established
associations. They are the most
its second chapter west of the
fraternal people in the world.”
Alleghenies at Miami University,
He was as prophetic as he was
Oxford, Ohio.
observant.
Sigma
Phi
later
founded a second chapter at
John Reilly Knox had been prom-
Hamilton College, Clinton. New
inent, as a member of a Miami
York. Seeking an alternative to
University literacy society, in a
two bitterly fighting literary so-
“rather bitter fight” against Alpha Delta Phi. He admired the organization and of the Alpha Delta Phi members, but imagined a society of “good without The college Yard at William and Mary circa 1740.
11
the ingredient of evil” and in 1839
The so-called “snow rebellion”
founded Beta Theta Pi, the first
involved heaping great quanti-
fraternity founded in the “West”
ties of snow in the entrances of
and the first member of what
the College buildings, thus pre-
was to become the “Miami Tri-
venting the faculty from entering
ad.”
the classrooms for two days. All the members of Alpha Delta Phi
12
Faculties were still highly suspi-
and all but two members of Beta
cious of fraternities, so both Al-
Theta Pi were expelled. Both fra-
pha Delta Phi and Beta Theta Pi
ternities went inactive until 1852.
existed in secret, with members
In 1848 Phi Delta Theta was
not even wearing their badges
founded to fill the void, and, in
publicly. Then in 1847, members
1855, six men who split from the
of both organizations were found
Delta Kappa Epsilon Chapter,
to have participated in a student
which had been started in 1852,
revolt against an unpopular Mi-
formed Sigma Chi. The Miami
ami University administration.
Triad was complete.
Members of the Delta Tau Delta
Sororities had their beginnings
Fraternity at the University of Texas.
at Wesleyan Female College,
HELPS PREPARE ITS MEMBERS FOR LIFE IN SOCIETY.
DELTA CHI IS CALLED A “SOCIAL FRATERNITY� BECAUSE IT
Macon, Georgia. The Adelphean Society was organized May 15. 1851, and followed a year later by the Philomathean Society. They remained strictly local sororities for more than 50 years before adopting Greek names and expanding as Alpha Delta Pi and Phi Mu, respectively. By 1860 the fraternity system was firmly established, with 22 of the present-day general fraternities having been already founded. The Civil War, pitting brothers against brothers in a familial and fraternal sense, resulted in the closing of many colleges and the temporary interruption in the development of new fraternities. The only fraternity founded during the War was Theta Xi at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New
York, the first professional fraternity (later becoming a general fraternity). It was not uncommon for whole fraternity chapters in the South to enlist as a body to defend the Confederacy. In a few cases, chapters tried to hold together in military units. Afterwards the persistence of bitter sectional feeling worked to keep open the wounds that needed healing. To promote the healing process was a task particularly suited to fraternities. Responding to the urgency of the need was Alpha Tau Omega, the First fraternity founded after the Civil War in 1865; Kappa Alpha Order, [865; Kappa Sigma Kappa (merging with Theta
13
DELTA CHI WAS THE FIRST FRATERNITY TO ABOLISH
HELL WEEK. 14 Xi in 1962) 1867; Pi Kappa Alpha. 1868; Sigma Nu, 1869; and Kappa Sigma. 1869: all in Virginia. The nation and its campuses were NOT
TO BE THE S AME AFTER THE CIVIL WAR.
One
significant challenge was the increased entrance of women into higher education. “Aware of the condescending and frequently scornful activities of the male students.” writes one historian, “wanted nothing more than to prove their capabilities and to achieve an equally important position” on their campuses. Noting the advantages of fraternity group living, I.C. Sorosis (now Pi Beta Phi) was founded April 28. 1867, at Monmouth College, Monmouth, Illinois as the first national sorority, and Kappa Alpha Theta was founded January 27. 1870, at University, Greencastle, Indiana,
as the first women’s Greekletter
grew to fill the need for mass
Society.
education. Several states in the late 1890s adopted anti-frater-
In the early days, most educa-
nity legislation. As the chapters
tional institutions existed pri-
grew larger, they found it pos-
marily to prepare young men for
sible and desirable to provide liv-
the learned professions and the
ing quarters. Soon the fraternity
clergy. Emphasis was placed on
house became a common sight
the classical studies, especially
in college towns. Those organi-
Greek and Latin. When fraterni-
zations which li1cked sufficient
ties came along, it was natural
leadership soon passed out of
for them to draw on those teach-
existence: those that had it ex-
ings. Literacy exercises were
panded at a rapid rate and en-
a common part of all chapter
couraged the formation of many
meetings, where the presenta-
new fraternities. Into such an
tion of essays and debates was
environment Delta Chi was born
customary. At first, meetings
on October 13. 1890. The corner
were held in rented rooms but
was turned into the 20th Century
soon the chapters acquired halls
with the realization of the impor-
that they furnished as clubrooms.
tance of interfraternity endeav-
Eventually, chapter houses be-
ors. An intersorority conference
came common. Gradually, more
(the forerunner of today’s Na-
and more men began to enter
tional Panhellenic Conference)
college. The curriculum expand-
met in Chicago in 1902 and the
ed. Many colleges became uni-
National
versities. The church relation-
ference {now called the North-
ship of many schools weakened
American Interfraternity Confer-
and, in many cases, was dropped
ence) first convened in New York
altogether. New institutions and
City in 1909.
the state-supported institutions
Interfraternity
Con-
15
“A mystic bond of
16
The Sigma Chi Fraternity house was home to these eighteen individuals.
makes all men one.�
– Thomas Carlyle
17
LEGES FRATERNITY ach year, thousands of young men join fraternities. Looking for that mystical “bond of brotherhood� and a sense of belonging that has so much to do with why the role of a Delta Chi is important to us.
20
Today, as a new associate member of The Delta Chi Fraternity, you feel excitement; you see opportunities: you understand the responsibilities and look forward to the challenges of full membership in Delta Chi. That exhilaration will carryover to every facet of your life. Being
accepted by and becoming a part of Delta Chi gives you the benefit of a rich heritage and it promising future. The Cornerstone is a reference manual for Delta Chi’s history, its membership, its purpose and
DELTA CHI WAS MY
goals, its programs, each individual member’s responsibilities
FIRST LOVE; AND IT
and much more. It addresses the role and responsibilities of
SHALL BE MY LAST.”
Delta Chis throughout their lives.
- Peter S. Johnson
Membership in the Fraternity is
Members of the Delta Chi Fraternity at the University of Kansas practicing serenades.
21
22
PROGRESSION OF THE CREST
not limited to the undergraduate years. The opportunity to grow and continue one’s fraternal affiliation is always open. To do so simply requires that each Delta Chi take upon himself a commitment to stand by his oath taken early in his membership. An alumnus who has given nearly 60 years of service to the Fraternity recently said to a group of undergraduates. “THE
EXCITEMENT ABOUT DELTA CHI YOU FEEL TODAY DOESN’T BEGIN TO COMPARE TO THE REWARDS IT CAN OFFER THROUGH A LIFETIME. Every day the Fraternity means more to me. It has for sixty years.” Forget for a moment all of the
ON FEBRUARY 13, 1987,
material manifestations of fraternities as you see them. What
DELTA CHI BECAME AN
you are left with is a group of college men who wish, by close as-
INTERNATIONAL FRATERNITY.
sociation, to accomplish certain desired ends that they cannot accomplish individually, During the associate member education program you will be given the opportunity to exhibit initiative and loyalty, to display a vital interest, and to partake in the chapter’s progress, This is group responsibility, The membership education program is designed to facilitate the assimilation of new members into the chapter. While giving them the necessary skills to function within the chapter, each chapter has an associate member counselor who will supervise your assimilation process into Delta Chi. In addition to reading this manual, each associate member is expected to select a “big brother” from among the membership of the chapter. The big brother is responsible for taking steps to help guide
23
24
1890 “IN THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF EVERY DELTA CHI, OCTOBER 13, 1890 IS A DAY TO BE REMEMBERED.” – PETER S. JOHNSON
PETER SCHERMERHORN JOHNSON writing twenty years after the founding of Delta Chi n the usual course of
one thing dear to us that has
things I should have been
survived the going of the years.
forgotten at graduation. This is the keynote of the Fraternity.
The fellow who leaves should
The Fraternity man never grad-
never think that his connection
uates. He receives his diploma
with his fraternity ends with his
and leaves his Alma Mater for
graduation. It has only begun.
the larger affairs of the world.
He will come across the mem-
But as long as his Chapter
bers all the years of his life.
stands, he is as much a part and
Some can aid him and some he
parcel of it as in his undergrad-
can aid, but the fact that a man
uate days. His success is theirs
is a member of your own society
and their success is his. He be-
will cause you to “sorter snug-
longs to the family for life.
gle up to him� wherever you find him. Man is a gregarious animal
Most of us in our undergradu-
and cannot help it. There is one
ate days do not appreciate the
thing about it, whatever your
fact that the fraternity is the one
fraternity brother’s position may
tie that will bind us to the col-
be or what turns the fates given
lege for life. It is only when we
him: he is worthy of respect.
come back, when we return as strangers to the old campus from which all our acquaintances have long since gone, that we know that our fraternity is the
25
26
The chapter house of Delta Chi at the University of North Carolina is home to over sixty young men.
his little brother through the membership education program. He will follow your development closely as you prepare to accept the responsibilities of full membership. It is not necessary for an associate member to memorize everything this manual covers during the brief period of formal member education, This is a manual to help you get as much as possible from your total fraternity experience. Read it and use it with that in mind. There are no words to quantify or qualify the significance and impact of the Fraternity on its members. In large part, the richness, reward and Challenge of being a Delta Chi is dependent upon each
Q U E ST TO MAKE HIS PL ACE IN HIS F R AT E R N I T Y. The path to a full and broad personal interpretamember’s
tion of “fraternity” is filled with late night talks, recruitment, officer elections, committee involvement, social functions, alumni relations, exam preparation and service projects. The list includes every function of being a student or concerned alumnus, the tasks are often difficult, and disappointments occur frequently. But strangely enough, those who persevere are those who express the greatest satisfaction. They are the ones who consider the meaning of Brotherhood and
I WILL PROTECT THE
eloquently state. “It cannot be defined.” They are the ones who
HEALTH AND SAFETY OF
realize that “fraternity” is a collection of intangibles; it cannot
ALL HUMAN BEINGS.
be evaluated in mathematical
– 3rd basic expectation
terms or analyzed through objective scientific tests. The appraisal of “fraternity” can only be done in comparative terms in light of one’s personal experience. They are
27
the ones who realize the true joy in the pursuit, who daily rededicate themselves to make the most of that day’s adventure. They are Delta Chis. At this point, you need to ask yourself an important question - “If I’m making a commitment to Delta Chi. what can I do for the Fraternity after graduation and throughout my life?” Presently, you are beginning your college life and probably have not given thought to the future beyond college. However, your commitment today means nothing without your commitment to “tomorrow” in Delta Chi. How do you build the type of commitment necessary to make Delta Chi a lifetime brotherhood? Become “involved” from the beginning. As an associate member, serve as an officer of your class. Organize ac28
tivities for your class. Working with your associate brothers will further your understanding of people and the guidelines of the Fraternity. When you attain full membership, a new vista of opportunities opens up for you. Serve as an officer or committee chairman for your chapter. Visit nearby
“THE KING HIMSELF
chapters
to witness how they work and the type of people
SHOULD BE UNDER NO
who run them. Attend the Regional Leadership Conferences
MAN, BUT UNDER GOD
and the International Conventions, Meeting and interacting
AND THE LAW.”
with brothers from across the
– Sir Edward Coke
nation is interesting and builds
friendships cherished for life. Then, as your graduation draws near, you appreciate how much Delta Chi has influenced your growth. More opportunities become available. You can serve on a chapter’s Alumni Board of Trustees or as “BB” of a chapter. Service on a number of committees of the general fraternity is possible. Most prestigious and demanding of all is election to serve as “AA”, “CC. or “DO” of the general fraternity. The more you “serve,” the more there is to gain in terms of business, professional and personal friendships, not to mention the personal I satisfaction of knowing you have been an influence in the direction of an organization: your fraternity – Delta Chi. Involvement means financial support as well. Many members, undergraduate and alumni alike, give in a myriad off fashions, from wills and bequests to direct cash donations to The Delta Chi Fraternity or its Educational Foundation. This financial support is vital to the growth of Delta Chi. Without the generosity of our membership. Delta Chi would certainly be in perilous financial straits. Then, there is the legacy of Delta Chi - your son. Imagine the pride of placing the badge of Delta Chi upon the lapel of your son, sharing with him the same opportunities to learn and grow in an environment conducive to sound education and lifetime brotherhood. This, by far, is your greatest gift to Delta Chi. That brings us again to your commitment. There is much you can do in Delta Chi. The Fraternity needs your commitment, not only for the
Sir Edward Coke is the Spiritual Father of Delta Chi.
29
The college Fraternity is the center of the social life of the fraternity member. As such it seeks to develop the social graces, the art of good living, the development of courtesy and kindness. Good manners, good taste and good companionship are it part of the training of every fraternity member.
INTRODUCTIONS ntroductions are simple if you know the system. The most important thing to remember about introducing people is to do it, even if you forget names. 32
+ Introduce a younger person to an older person. + Introduce it member of your fraternity to the member of another fraternity. + Introduce a nonofficial person to an official person. + Introduce it lower classman to an upper classman. + Introduce it fraternity brother to it house guest. As with most rules, there are exceptions, of which you must be the judge. Example: “Senator Jones. I would like you to meet my date. Sue Smith.” (Older male of distinction first ... younger female second.) “Grandmother Smith, I would you to meet Senator Jones.” (Older Female first...younger male, even though distinguished, second.)
The choice between a bowtie and tie depends on the occasion. Choose wisely.
SHAKING HANDS any people feel they can “take
the
measure�
of
another person by his or her handshake. A good, vigorous handshake can be the difference between a successful first impression and an unsuccessful one. Men stand up when shaking hands, women remain seated. A good handshake is one that:
+ Is made with a firm, but not bone crushing or fish-limp, grip. + Is held for about three or four seconds. This asset will be invaluable to all your relationships and especially so in recruitment.
33
TABLE MANNERS ecognize that the three things we eat with today – the knife, fork and spoon - each have a specific use, purpose, and proper way to be handled. Normally, they are placed on the table in order of use, starting from the outside and working to the plate. A good guideline is to use a fork on a flat plate and a spoon in a bowl. It is important to hold a knife, fork and spoon properly. 34
+ Pass food to your right. Pass the salt and pepper together. Don’t reach across the table or over another person. Ask that the dish be passed to you.
+ Eat fruit cocktail with a spoon. Don’t use a fork. + Eat pie – even a la mode – with a fork. Don’t use a spoon. + Cut one bite of meat or vegetable at a time. Don’t cut numerous bites. + Keep the salad and bread plates to your left. Don’t move them around. + Never leave a spoon in a bowl, cup, glass, or dessert dish. + Place the knife and fork on the edge of the plate while eating and in the center of the plate when finished.
+ Keep your napkin folded in half on your lap throughout the meal except when using it to wipe your mouth.
+ Eat noiselessly. + Never speak when your mouth contains food. Avoid mention of unpleasant subjects at the table. Talk only with those seated close to you.
+ Don’t stack your dishes. Don’t assist the waiter unless an unusual situation seems to require it.
I will strive for
ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND PRACTICE ACADEMIC INTEGRITY.” – 1st basic expectation
Members of the Delta Chi Fraternity taking a picture before their annual formal.
35
9
10
36
1
2
3
FORMAL PLACE SERVICE
4
Knowing how to set a table, formally, is something that can benefit you for a lifetime.
11
12
13
37
5
6
7
1 NAPKIN 2 SALAD FORK 3 DINNER FORK 4 SERVICE PLATE 5 DINNER KNIFE 6 TEASPOON 7 SOUP SPOON 8 COCKTAIL FORK 9 BREAD / BUTTER PLATE 10 DESSERT FORK 11 DESSERT SPOON 12 WATER GOBLET 13 WINE GOBLET
8
38
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fter your time as an active
world have very high influence.
member of the Delta Chi
This is a list of successful busi-
Fraternity, networking is what
ness men in all different areas of
can land you a successful career.
interest. A simple call or email is
The brotherhood you gained has
the least you could do and could
many benefits. One of the biggest
be the conversation that changes
is the fact that many brothers
your life.
across the United States and the
39
SOUTH
EAST
TENNESSEE
NEW YORK
+ JEFF WILES + MEDICINE + (992) 679-4212
+ TIMOTHY RYAN + PHYSICAL THERAPY + (937) 645-3522
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TEXAS
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