President's Message

As we move through the fall, past Thanksgiving, and into the holiday season, as Archon President my thoughts turn to the challenges and opportunities facing Phi Gamma Delta, as well as the principles that should guide our response. I’d like to share some of those thoughts with you. COVID-19. As the most difficult challenge of our time, we have seen its impact on our lives: threats to our health, the loss of loved ones, a disrupted economy and the interruption of our educational processes. While pursuing our efforts to keep everyone safe and healthy, we are continually assessing the effect of this worldwide danger upon our chapters and our Fraternity as a whole. While it is too early to measure the full impact of COVID-19 upon us, we do know that, due to our values and the strength of our membership, Phi Gamma Delta will emerge from this period in our history fully prepared to continue as a positive influence upon the lives of young men. During these troubling times, take a minute each day to be a friend, help others, or learn something new. Act responsibly and make good decisions. We’ll all be better off if we do these simple things. Diversity. As we reflect upon the social unrest that we have witnessed this year, the words “diversity,” “equity” and “inclusion” take on new meaning. As we strive to support fairness and equal opportunity, let’s remember that our binding principles (Friendship, Knowledge, Service, Morality and Excellence) represent values that may be found among people of all races, religions, ethnic backgrounds and sexual orientation. As we recruit new members or create new friendships, remember also these values matter more than a person’s color, beliefs or ancestry. Look for the goodness in others and embrace those who share our values. Quality Gentlemen. Take a moment to recall the last time that you invited a family member, a friend or a neighbor into your home. Words like friendliness, welcome and interest likely come to mind. When we are treated well by others, we are grateful, and we respond in kind. It’s the basis of the Golden Rule. Treating people kindly and respecting the dignity of others are hallmarks of gentlemen everywhere. So, whether we get a call from an old friend in town for the night or engage a new member who is joining our chapter, let’s take the time to think about how we would like to be received and make it a pleasant experience for them. It’s the brotherly, and gentlemanly, thing to do. Housing as an Experience. A well-shared axiom is that environment has much to do with one’s growth opportunities. A few years ago, Phi Gamma Delta created and introduced 1848 Properties as a vehicle for enriching the undergraduate experience, as well as that of a graduate brother returning home to his chapter house. Quality housing can enhance overall member satisfaction and provide a motivation for continuing participation as a graduate brother, thus providing current undergraduates with the benefits of mentoring that many of us enjoyed when we were in college. Other fraternities have acknowledged this need and have fashioned programs to promote it. Phi Gamma Delta has recognized the importance of housing as an experience and elevated this concept to a level of strategic importance. We’ll be asking for your support as we pursue this worthwhile endeavor.

Courageous Leadership.

Leadership comes in many forms. Two of them are formal leaders (elected or appointed) and informal leaders, those who influence outcomes solely by means of their words and actions. But what about those who fit into neither category? These brothers, too, can be powerful leaders in their own way: simply by adhering to the guiding principles of our Fraternity and standing up for them when they are challenged. Whether an elected leader, or a brother who contributes otherwise, we share the same opportunity to distinguish our Fraternity in one important aspect: by standing up for a shared commitment that hazing has no place in Phi Gamma Delta. No good can come of it. Let’s join together to fight it. In closing, please accept my very best wishes for a safe and joyous holiday season. Fraternally, Nic Loiacono (Illinois 1974), Archon President