The Auburn Phi, Spring 2023

AUBURN PHI THE

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

THE FEAGIN FAMILY LEGACY

As part of the Buck Marsh Digital History Museum project, the alumni history committee has worked with History IT for the last few years. In January 2023, historical documents and materials were hand-delivered to History IT at their Portland, Maine, headquarters. We plan to combine the museum with digitized composites for display on a large-screen video monitor in the house. To learn more about the project, please visit https://phide.lt/BuckMarshFund

Digging through the history of the Alabama Beta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta, the committee wanted to share some of the exciting findings. One such story that is meaningful to the present-day chapter is the story of the Feagin family legacy.

The first Feagin initiated into Alabama Beta begins with William Francis Feagin 97. W. F. Feagin started his Phi Delt journey in 1887. According to the July 1891 edition of The Scroll, he represented the chapter in the annual oratorical contest between the literary societies that took place during commencement. Feagin also represented his class

of 1890 as a speaker. The April 1890 edition lists William as working as a shipping clerk for Birmingham Railway Supply Co., but he eventually worked to become the superintendent of education for the State of Alabama. He and his brother Clifton H. Feagin 163, were from Clayton, Alabama. Clifton also represented the chapter with his oratory skills. In the October 1891 edition, the chapter reported, “In the annual speakers’ contest between the Wirt and Websterian societies, the Phis were represented by Brothers Feagin and Baker, both Wirts; this time Brother Feagin was successful, winning a beautiful gold medal and the praises of everyone.” Jewett Whatley Feagin 192, and Arthur Henry Feagin 206, were the last two Feagins initiated at Alabama Beta in the nineteenth century.

The chapter welcomed Arthur Henry Feagin with an introduction in the April 1897 edition: “It is with great pleasure that we introduce to the Phi world Bro. A. H. Feagin, of Union Springs. Alabama. Bro. Feagin is a brother of J. D. Feagin, Alabama Alpha ’91, and a cousin of the Feagins

To say that the spring 2023 semester has been a rollercoaster for Alabama Beta would be an understatement. When we all left for winter break, every chapter member was excited to return and have one of our best semesters ever. However, this all changed on Christmas Eve when I received a phone call from the university about flooding at fraternity houses across campus, with ours being one of the worst. While this accident was devastating, I saw it as an opportunity for myself and the rest of the executive committee to step up as leaders and rally the chapter around this tough time. As a chapter, we came together and persevered through the repairs, and I am glad to say that our brotherhood is stronger than ever because of this. Repairs to the chapter house were completed in early March, and we are happy to be back in full operation. Thanks to Chapter Adviser Dwight Bassett 1644 and House Corporation President Malcolm Marsh 1519 for their efforts throughout this process.

In January, leaders from the chapter advisory board, house corporation, and executive committee gathered for the annual Strategic Planning Meeting to establish goals and expectations for the upcoming year. As a chapter, we set goals for mental health and wellness, philanthropy, campus

Arthur Henry Feagin 206

Joel Daniel Feagin 408 John Lightner Feagin 464 Samuel Ball Feagin 730

Official Newsletter of the Alabama Beta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta at Auburn University

of Alabama Beta. We gladly welcome him among us and know that he will uphold the enviable record already made for Phi Delta Theta by the name he bears.” Arthur was the captain of the Auburn football team under coach John Heisman. Clarence Eugene Feagin 234, Issac Ball Feagin 243, Joel Daniel Feagin 408, and John Lightner Feagin 464, were the next four Feagins initiated into Alabama Beta. John L. Feagin graduated in 1927 and is the father of Frank Cardwell Feagin 1255. From 1928 to 1947, four more Feagins signed The Bond of Alabama Beta: Clifton H. Feagin Jr. 484; Jefferson Ball Feagin 509; Arthur Henry Jr. 525; and Sam B. Feagin 730. Frank’s brother, John Lightner Feagin Jr. 1232, graduated in 1964, and Frank graduated in 1966. Some thirty years later, Frank’s two sons, Frank Cardwell Feagin Jr. 1965, and Jeffrey Glennon Feagin 280 (initiated at Georgia Southern and was later allowed to sign The Bond of Alabama Beta), became Phis at Auburn. Jeffrey was part of the group that re-charted the chapter, February 27–28, 1998. Jeffrey was president of the chapter when Alabama Beta was an interest group, an emerging chapter, and finally, a chapter again.

Frank C. Feagin joined the alumni history committee as the sixth member in December. We were thrilled to have

him on the committee as one of four living Feagins from Alabama Beta.

Frank Cardwell Feagin now lives in Point Clear, Alabama. After a few years in the army, he retired from Bellsouth in 1996 and formed a new company with another Phi, Tommy McCulley, 1309, who was chapter president in the sixties. Frank reconnected with Alabama Beta in 1993 and served on the house corporation for fifteen years. He was very involved in getting the chapter back on campus in 1998. During those days, a leadership consultant who worked with the chapter commented on Alabama Beta that Frank recently shared. He said our chapter had three strong features he had never seen in any fraternity. The connectivity of the brothers, the fact that there is no disparagement of the chapter among members and that he had never seen so many legacies help to keep alumni support alive. Those three points still exist today.

LEGACIES AND THE FRATERNITY

Excerpts from a speech by George Banta Jr., Wabash ’14 , The Scroll, January 1963, pages 183–84

(Brother Banta’s father was George Banta Sr., Franklin ’76, first President of the General Council, 1880–82; his son, George Banta III, Lawrence ’45.)

In considering this subject the question as to what a college fraternity is or was intended to be is important. As I have said many times, it is not a public service institution. It is a close brotherhood of kindred spirits based upon the family tradition. Other organizations such as service clubs, benevolent societies and goodwill corps are different, and they were intended to be. A college fraternity is an instrument of sentiment. Some people shy away from this word; they think of it as something sticky or syrupy. It is my opinion that it is needed in our lives, that it is associated with some of the finer things in our lives, and that it is akin to love and affection. A fraternity is a vehicle for the sentimental strain if it is honest and sincere. To me that is one of its strongest assets, and it could be and should be to others.

To read the full speech, scan the QR code or visit https://phide.lt/GeorgeBantaLegacies .

HOUSE CORPORATION UPDATE

Most of you know that the house flooded on Christmas Eve, 2022. A severe cold snap burst a domestic water line running in our attic space, and thirteen fire suppression sprinkler heads froze, burst, and released water. As a result, the band room, back halls, men’s and women’s bathrooms, kitchen, and parts of the dining room were all flooded from above. Brothers Dwight Bassett 1644 and Will Banks 2482 were our first responders. They spent Christmas Eve sloshing through ankle-deep water in the pitch-black

house, using only cell phone lights to locate and turn off our domestic water supply valve, oversee other responders, and document the devastation.

The house corporation, and the executive board, worked closely with Favor & Company, and we are happy to report that, as of April 10, all repairs have been made. Aside from paying our $10,000 deductible, all repair costs were covered by our carrier. The claim totaled nearly $83,000. Many thanks to Brothers Bill Cole 1462 and Martin Thompson 1470, who sent donations

to help pay our deductible.

Our financials remain in good shape, and we plan to move forward with installing plantation shutters to the windows on the front façade, which were lost to termites many years ago. Priorities over the next three years include the addition of a second hutch in the alumni room to house a proper library, a trophy case, a History IT flatscreen display, better interior furnishings, and some targeted art installations.

Our next major improvement for

Continued on page 4

SPRING PARENT’S WEEKEND

Alabama Beta’s Spring Parents Weekend was April 14 and 15, 2023. The chapter hosted parents for a cocktail party and dinner on Friday at John Emerald Distillery in Opelika. With over three hundred guests in attendance, it was a very successful event for the parents and brothers of Alabama Beta.

On Saturday morning, groups of brothers and their parents played in a golf outing at Still Waters Golf at Lake Martin. Over one hundred brothers and parents competed in a scramble tournament with other competitions for longest drive and closest to pin. On Saturday, April 15 afternoon, over thirty Phi Delta Theta moms spent a gorgeous spring day together at Botanic—a unique facility featuring a gardening store, market, restaurant, and live music. The day spent together was a unique way to get to know other moms who have current members in our chapter. After the golf outing, the chapter held a Parents Casino Night benefiting the Live Like Lou Foundation on Saturday night at the chapter house. Parents purchased chips and could redeem their winnings for raffle tickets at night’s end. Prizes consisted of Yeti coolers, flat-screen TVs, jewelry, etc. The chapter raised over $9,000 for Live Like Lou. It fulfilled its goal of becoming one of Phi Delta Theta’s first Triple Crown Chapters (the

chapter had to host a philanthropy event, sponsor an ALS-affected family, and raise at least $10,000 for Iron Phi). We are excited for the upcoming parents’ weekend this fall, October

20–21, for the Auburn–Ole Miss Game! More details to come soon. Stay informed by following the Phi Delta Theta Parents’ Auburn University Facebook page. War Eagle!

SAVE THE DATE

ALABAMA BETA/PHI DELTA THETA ALUMNI WEEKEND 2023

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2023

Dutch Treat Lunch: 11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m. at TBD

Golf Outing: 1:00–5:30 p.m. (space is limited, RSVP required) at TBD

Reception and Banquet: 6:45–9:00 p.m.

Dinner with Golden and Silver Legionnaire Inductions: (50 and 25 years of Phi Membership).

Meal includes meats, salads, sides, dessert, and tea. Advanced RSVP at $65 a person/$25 for kids/minors. The walk-in fee is $75 per person. Cash bar.

RSVP: Ray Briscuso, raybriscusojr@gmail.com

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21,

Auburn hosts the Ole Miss Rebels

2023

All game day festivities will take place at or adjacent to the Phi Delt house. No alcohol consumption in the chapter house or grounds. An alumni tent will be located across the street with BYOB.

Pre-game meal, Chapter Grand Ceremony, and alumni photo at the Phi Delta Theta Chapter House, 848 Lem Morrison Drive.

Game Day Tickets are available on a limited and first come basis.

Questions/Info: RayBriscusoJr@gmail.com or 202.345.3663.

HOUSE CORPORATION UPDATE: Continued from page 2

summer 2023 will be to add an outdoor patio with in-ground steel picnic tables, umbrellas, and seating, at the site of the old bocce court (located downhill from the rear patio). The patio will provide a great outdoor space for the undergraduates to congregate and tailgate at AU football games. Phase 2 will follow, as the budget allows, to add sailcloth sunshades and landscaping. To finance this, we need our alumni and parents club to supplement our budget with capital donations; please give what you can!

The house corporation remains ambitious in support of our great chapter; please continue to donate to your alumni club of choice or join a club today!

YITB and WDE, Malcolm Marsh 1519 House Corporation President

Alabama Beta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta 2 South Campus Avenue Oxford, Ohio 45056

Address Service Requested

PRESIDENT’S LETTER: Cont. from page 1

involvement, and recognition by the General Fraternity.

Brother Jordan Agagan 2430 was appointed Alabama Beta’s first health and wellness chair in January and has done an outstanding job in his new role. In this capacity, he holds biweekly roundtable meetings to discuss health and wellness topics familiar to every Auburn student. Additionally, Jordan had the entire chapter QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Suicide Prevention trained in February to equip brothers with resources and strategies to support anyone in a mental health crisis.

Regarding philanthropy, Brother Will Maurin 2466 made great strides toward being recognized as a Triple Crown Chapter by Phi Delta Theta. To be recognized as a Triple Crown Chapter, a chapter must sponsor an ALS-affected family, host a philanthropy event, and raise $10,000 for Live Like Lou. We supported a family in Dothan, Alabama, hosted a

Battle of the Bands philanthropy event, and raised nearly $5,000 for Live Like Lou. After the parent’s weekend casino event with $9,000 raised, we exceeded our goal!

Our brothers have also increased their involvement on campus over the past semester. Brothers Wilson Thrift 2554, Sam Stokley 2475, and Nick Aiesi 2563 have impressed campus leaders with their work on the IFC. Respectively, they serve as a director of philanthropy, the director of spiritual life, and Phi Delta Theta’s chapter delegate. Brothers are also involved in organizations such as the Financial Management Association, Omicron Delta Kappa, Beta Alpha Psi, Mortar Board, and many other student organizations. Additionally, a few of our brothers work as Student Recruiters and members of the Football Player Personnel. While we have made significant progress in our involvement on campus, we hope to improve even more as we move into the fall semester.

Lastly, we have heavily emphasized becoming a highly regarded chapter

in the eyes of Phi Delta Theta General Headquarters. Because of our outstanding reporting, we are on track to receive Gold Accreditation Status, which will put us into contention for many other awards, such as a Gold or Silver Star. I also hope we will be in the running for many other individual awards.

I cannot express how blessed I am to serve as Alabama Beta’s president. While every day has presented me with a new challenge, I remain grateful for the experiences I have had, both good and bad. They have allowed me to grow as a leader and have equipped the executive committee and me with the tools we need to succeed in our roles. As we move into this fall, I am excited to see how our chapter will continue to show the nation why we are one of Phi Delta Theta’s top chapters.

Proud to be Phi!

Will Banks 2482 Chapter President