FALL 2023
THE
AUBURN PHI
Official Newsletter of the Alabama Beta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta at Auburn University
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
F
riendship, Sound Learning, and Rectitude. These three things may not mean much to many people, but they mean everything to the brothers of Alabama Beta. These three principles were brought to this campus by our Fraternity in 1879, and they still stand firm 145 years later. Being an Auburn Phi is nothing short of an honor for all of us, and carrying on the legacy and principles of The Bond for all these years is what makes this chapter so unique. To say Alabama Beta is thriving would be an understatement. This past summer, our chapter was recognized by Phi Delta General Headquarters and the Live Like Lou Foundation for our chapter’s excellence over the past year. At the General Convention and the
Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute, our chapter was recognized for the following: Excellence in Recruitment, Excellence in New Member Retention, Excellence in Philanthropy, Biggers Excellence in Ritual, a Gold Star Chapter Award, Triple Crown Award, Iron Phi Chapter, and runner up for the prestigious Oxford Trophy, which recognizes Phi Delta Theta’s best chapter at a large institution. Although this recognition for success is awarded to the brothers, our support system, including the chapter advisory board, house corporation, and parents club, makes this all possible. Over the summer, I realized that we are blessed to have such an excellent support system willing to help us in any capacity they can, which you do not
see in many other chapters across the country. This is something unique to Auburn Phis, and while the faces in our chapter may change, the principles on which it was founded are eternally the same. Through recruitment chairman Davis Ashcraft’s 2521 leadership this summer, we recruited forty-seven new Phikeias into the chapter, who will turn into great brothers soon. During the fall, Caleb Trull 2474 spent countless hours with the Phikeias during their education period to help mold them into Auburn men and instill the three Cardinal Principles that will serve as a compass for the rest of their lives. The last part of their Phikeia education process was completed in November when they participated in a service project outside
of Dothan, Alabama, for a family affected by ALS. We cannot wait to see what the future holds for these young men and know they will be great leaders in the chapter, on campus, and in their future communities beyond Auburn. We look forward to welcoming them into the brotherhood when they are initiated on January 14, 2024, at the Auburn University Chapel. All initiated brothers of Phi Delta Theta are invited to attend. While our chapter is excelling internally, many brothers have represented Continued on page 4
HOUSE CORPORATION UPDATE
T
he house corporation is currently focusing on interior improvements. Over the summer, the dining and living room wood floors were sanded and stained. The black and white tiles in the foyer and back halls were stripped and resurfaced. We had significant expenses for maintenance and repairs of HVAC
units, the ice machine, and the kitchen vent hood. We had to rebuild the soda dispenser cabinet in the dining room, and we added two wall cabinets in that area. We are repairing electrical issues at our exterior lights that illuminate the masonry sign and adding LED energy-saving fixtures to the two light posts illuminating the lower parking lot and basketball court.
We completed the picnic table installation at the old bocce court; it has been put to good use at gameday tailgates. At our annual board meeting on October 28, we approved several projects to be added as soon as possible. These include the addition of a second hutch in the alumni room and a Continued on page 2