100 Years Never Looked So Good

The Road to Democracy

To begin to understand the origins of Phi Mu Delta National Fraternity, it is necessary that we venture back to the late 19th century.

National fraternities were experiencing tremendous growth after the Civil War, but they remained organizations to which only the privileged could become members. Most were exclusive to the point of accepting only white, Protestant men studying the classics.

Around the turn of the 20th century, groups began to form which were exclusively for those who were discriminated against by the established fraternities of the time. Fraternities such as Zeta Beta Tau (Jewish), Phi Kappa (Catholic), and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated (African American) provided the fraternal experience for those who had previously been denied membership.

These new organizations were very successful from the start, but still were not truly democratic organizations.

The first step in the evolution of truly democratic fraternities came with the founding of Pi Lambda Phi, the first non-sectarian fraternity.

In 1899, at Wesleyan College in Middletown, Connecticut, a group of men who found that they were not welcome in any of the Wesleyan fraternities, formed an organization they called the Commons Club, named after the English House of Commons.

They immediately stated that the club was for anyone who wanted to join without regard for race, creed, or color. The idea spread to other campuses and the name was changed to the National Federation of the Commons Club.

The Commons Club was a truly democratic organization, often to the point of being unwieldy.

There was no real national structure other than officers and an annual convention. Each chapter operated with its own set of rules regarding membership requirements and had varying relationships with Greek letter fraternities.

In some chapters, members were voted upon as in the Greek community, whereas in others, all that was necessary for membership was a willingness to support the organization and the placing of one?s signature on the charter. For some chapters it was permissible to be a member of the Commons Club and a Greeklettered fraternity at the same time, while at others, one was required to resign from the Commons Club in order to join a fraternity.

On most campuses, the Commons Club was a force to be reckoned with because of the size of the chapter? being non-exclusive, they tended to be far larger than the chapters of fraternities.

The Commons Club was very successful in providing brotherhood and democracy for its members, and eventually had nineteen chapters from coast to coast. But, its very broad concepts

The Commons Club was very successful in providing brotherhood and democracy for its members, and eventually had nineteen chapters from coast to coast. But, its very broad concepts of democracy were to be its demise. The crack started to show when the Middlebury chapter left in 1907. Several members of the Middlebury Commons Club felt that the club was too large and loosely organized to provide the type of intimate friendships they saw in the fraternities on campus. This group from Middlebury formed what it now known as Kappa Delta Rho. There was talk over several years about how to make the group more manageable, causing a lot of friction as people began to take sides over the future of the Commons Club. Things came to a head at the 1917 convention at Allegheny College, and that's where Phi Mu Delta?s story begins.

The Beginning of Phi Mu Delta

On one side there were voices speaking in favor of forming a Greek-lettered fraternity out of the remaining chapters of the Commons Club. On the opposite side were voices saying that it was contrary to the founding ideals of the Commons Club to even consider becoming a Greek-lettered organization.

After lengthy debate, no further action was taken. Articles appeared in the 1917 edition of The Chronicle, the magazine of the Commons Club, debating the issue and warning of the impending doom should such action be taken.

Delegates attended the 1918 Conference held at Massachusetts Agricultural College (now UMass) from New Hampshire, Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts, Union, Wesleyan, and Hobart--less than half of the chapter roll.

Whether this low attendance was because of the strong feelings regarding change on the part of some chapters or a result of America's involvement in the war is unclear. It was at this conference on March 1st 1918, that Clarence Dexter Pierce and his supporters petitioned for the formation of a Greek-lettered fraternity called Phi Mu Delta.

The original plan was to have all of the chapters of the Commons Club become chapters of Phi Mu Delta. However, only the chapters from Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Union voted to support the petition and become chapters.

The delegates of the new fraternity wrote and adopt a constitution and returned to their respective campuses to share the news and present the plans to their chapters.

Thus was born the first truly Democratic college fraternity recognizing no race, creed, color, or position, and believing in the intrinsic worth of any man.

In other words, for the first time there was a national fraternity which welcomed to any man of character. It was not until the 1960s that other fraternities were brought (some kicking and screaming) into the world of true democracy.

The Early Years

The first hurdle occurred when the Union chapter's alumni would not allow them to join Phi Mu Delta, and since they owned the chapter house, the alumni convinced the current chapter's membership to remain a Commons Club chapter. The chapter was finally dropped from the fraternities membership role in 1921.

The other three chapters resolved to continue to work on solidifying the fraternity. The first expansion of the Fraternity took place in 1921, when the Coqua Club at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois became the Gamma Alpha Chapter of Phi Mu Delta. Other chapters soon followed at Michigan, MIT, Susquehanna, Berkeley, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Penn State, Ohio Northern, Wisconsin, Illinois, Maine, Ohio State, Boston University, and Rhode Island.

Things looked great for the young fraternity. The ideals of brotherhood, democracy, and service were spreading like wildfire among college campuses. Then it happened.

The Great Depression came along and threw the entire country into a tailspin. Within six years, five of the Fraternity's chapters ceased operations, including Nu Gamma at Vermont.

There was little money available and everyone was pretty much on their own as far as chapter operations were concerned. Although five new chapters were chartered during the Depression, only two of the five survived beyond the Depression years. If not for the leadership of the National Fraternity at the time, especially National Treasurer Jack Miller, Phi Mu Delta surely would not have survived.

In 1934, the National Fraternity of Delta Alpha Pi was on the verge of extinction due to the depression. At the time, Delta Alpha Pi had seven chapters. They approached Phi Mu Delta requesting a merger under the name of Phi Mu Delta. The merger was approved but by the time it was consummated only three chapters of Delta Alpha Pi remained.

Two of these merged with existing chapters of Phi Nu Delta on their campuses and the third at NYU, became the Nu Kappa Chapter of Phi Mu Delta. All alumni were absorbed into Phi Mu Delta. As the 1930s ended, Phi Mu Delta had twelve chapters from Maine to Illinois and were looking forward to better days.

The War Years

Just as things started looking up for Phi Mu Delta, the second World War began. The undergraduate members of Phi Mu Delta, like many other young men across the country, began enlisting in the armed services in great numbers.

Most chapters suspended operations and leased the chapter houses to the universities for the duration. At one point, Phi Mu Delta was active on just two campuses. Records show that 1,348 Phi Mu Delta brothers served in the military.

There were certainly more who never reported their status to the National Fraternity. Almost 100 gave their lives in defense of democracy. When the war ended, men began trickling back onto their campuses and tried to return to some kind of normalcy in their lives.

The war had a profound impact on the veterans and many had lost their youthful idealism. To some, the idea of fraternity had lost its appeal. Post-war Conclaves concentrated on re-establishing the fraternity on their campuses where it had existed before the conflict.

Most efforts were successful but Connecticut, Northwestern, and Tufts did not survive and still remain dormant today. The nine remaining chapters, under the leadership of National President Perce Appleyard, pressed on and made plans for the future.

The Golden Days

As the country looked at the world with a new optimism, so did Phi Mu Delta. The Fraternity strengthened in numbers as more and more men attended college. The economy was good and the fraternity world took advantage of it. Phi Mu Delta began a very conservative expansion effort, the first in over fifteen years.

A young, local fraternity at the University of Massachusetts called Zeta Zeta Zeta contacted the Fraternity. It was composed of many veterans and traditional students who wanted the advantages of national affiliation without being just another chapter of some large group.

Zeta Zeta Zeta became the Nu Zeta Chapter in 1953 amid much pomp and ceremony. In 1954, through the efforts of national and local alumni, the Mu Epsilon Chapter at Penn State was reactivated. It had been one of the victims of the Depression.

In 1956, led by Founder Lloyd A. Woodward, the Nu Gamma Chapter, another Depression victim, was re-chartered at the University of Vermont. Things had never been better. A new chapter was added at the University of Minnesota-Morris in 1964, Trinity in 1966, Gorham State in 1967, Lock Haven in 1969, and Keene State and Kutztown in 1970.

During this time, the National Fraternity opened its first headquarters in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and hired a full-time staff. Surely, we were growing both in strength and numbers. Membership was at an all-time high and it seemed nothing could stop us.

A Time of Change

The late 1960s saw a change of attitude among students on college campuses across the country. Young people started questioning authority. The old values were changing. Among the things that came under suspicion were fraternities.

People no longer felt that they needed an organized group to feel like they ?belonged.? In a time of great social upheaval, it was felt that fraternities represented the ?old way.? Many fraternities felt the effects of the times and Phi Mu Delta was no different.

Phi Mu Delta was totally unprepared for what was about to happen. Membership started to decline; National and individual chapters faced severe financial hardships. Anti-National sentiment grew among the chapters as the central administrative functions of the Fraternity began to weaken and colleges and universities withdrew their support of the Greek system. The Fraternity started to crumble.

Phi Mu Delta disappeared on several campuses such as Trinity, Maine, and Minnesota-Morris. The few new chapters added after 1970 quickly folded. The only survivors of the Golden Days expansion were Lock Haven University, Gorham State (which later became the University of Southern Maine), and Keene State College, and they were hanging on by the skin of their teeth. It was felt, at the time, that the only way to survive was to enter into a merger with another Fraternity.

Under the able leadership of National President William Wilson and Executive Secretary George LaTour, plans were made to merge with Delta Phi in 1974. Delta Phi was one of the Union Triad Fraternities, having been founded in 1827.

The plan was to merge under the name of Delta Phi using Phi Mu Delta?s constitution and operational methods. The merger was to take place over several years to give chapters time to assimilate into Delta Phi and to consolidate chapters on those campuses where both fraternities existed.

The plan was solid, but not without its consequences. Several chapters of both Fraternities threatened secession if the merger took place. Delta Phi approved the merger at its annual meeting and things looked ready to go when Delta Phi was named in a multi-million dollar lawsuit. Phi Mu Delta decided that it would not be wise to put its assets at risk and withdrew from the merger.

The plan [to merge] was solid, but not without its consequences. Several chapters of both fraternities threatened secession if the merger took place.

By this time, the two fraternities were already sharing operations out of Phi Mu Delta?s Lancaster headquarters. It was decided at this point that a new method of fraternity management should be attempted. The two fraternities would continue to share operational responsibilities, but would retain their independence from each other. Each group had its own Board of Directors but day-to-day operations were run by George LaTour and his staff in Lancaster.

Eventually, a third Fraternity, Alpha Delta Gamma, seeing how successful the operation had become, joined in and the ?Delta Group? was formed. Finally, things were looking up when, once again, the bottom fell out. Delta Phi pulled out of the Delta Group and set up their own operations.

Alpha Delta Gamma, who was even smaller than Phi Mu Delta, could not afford to make up their share of the financial void left by the departure of Delta Phi and the Delta Group was dissolved.

Not being able to continue to operate the headquarters individually, the painful decision was made by National President, Eli Henry, to close the headquarters and let the staff go. This was the Fraternity?s darkest hour. Not knowing how to carry on, there were calls from chapters and alumni for the dissolution of Phi Mu Delta.

The Nu Delta Chapter, disheartened by the developments and trying to maintain solvency, withdrew from the National Fraternity and became a local fraternity at MIT.

The Mu Delta Chapter at Wittenberg could no longer carry on operations and handed in their charter. A miracle was needed, and it came in the form of two men, Eli Henry and Bob Lomison.

The Phoenix Rises

Surrounding himself with a few younger alumni who still believed in the worth and ideals of Phi Mu Delta, National President Eli Henry began to salvage what was left of the Fraternity.

Realizing that strong central operations were essential to the future of the Fraternity, Stewart Howe Alumni Service of State College, Pennsylvania was hired to maintain Phi Mu Delta?s daily affairs.

Bill Meyers took over the reigns as National President in 1978 and continued where Eli Henry had left off. Operations continued to be streamlined. This led to some painful decisions about closing a few troubled chapters, but it was essential that all of Phi Mu Delta?s efforts be directed at insuring the future of those chapters that showed promise. Finances continued to be a problem.

During the time when the National Fraternity barely existed, dues were rarely paid. Beginning in 1980, fee collection became a top priority and alumni donations began coming in at a stead pace. The bank accounts began to show a positive balance. Robert Potter at Stewart Howe negotiated with the Fraternity in order to make their services affordable and ensured a long-term relationship.

By the end of 1981, Phi Mu Delta consisted of eight chapters with a very young National Council who were determined to bring Phi Mu Delta back to prominence in the fraternity world. In 1984, Bob Lomison was elected National President.

Bob had been an Undergraduate Representative on National Council in the mid 1970?s and had lived through those dark days as an active participant in Fraternity affairs. Bob served a dual role as National President and National Treasurer.

His first order of business was to put the Triangle Trust Fund and Phi Mu Delta Foundation back on solid ground. Fees were raised and reapportioned to benefit both funds. Alumni volunteers were found to actively guide the boards of each fund.

Chapter visitation was given top priority with a member of National Council being required to visit his assigned chapter at least twice a year. Undergraduates were held accountable for chapter operations and fees.

A new awards system was set in place to reward outstanding achievement. Leadership Training Conferences were established in the years between Conclaves to ensure a meeting of the entire Fraternity at least once a year. Chapters began to exchange information and work together to ensure their mutual success and The Triangle started publishing good news for a change.

There were a few glitches along the way, but most of the hurdles had been overcome and Phi Mu Delta was alive again! A new chapter was added at California University of Pennsylvania in 1985.

There was a future for Phi Mu Delta and it held great promise.

The Mu Alpha chapter at Susquehanna was reorganized in 1985 and built a beautiful house on the hill above campus in 1988. By 1990, National Council was exhausted, but smiling. There was a future for Phi Mu Delta and it had great promise.

The New Millennium

As the 1990?s began, a new wave of optimism swept the Fraternity. No longer were Conclaves and Leadership Training Conferences used to fight fires, but actually became valuable training and planning sessions, and were received with enthusiasm by the delegates.

Bob Lomison stepped down as President to concentrate on Fraternity finances and Ron Jury stepped into the presidency. During his term, Ron became the first Phi Mu Delta ever elected to the Board of Directors of the National (now North-American) Interfraternity Conference and one of the few to sit on the board from a small national fraternity. Ron served on the NIC Board until 1999 and brought the issues of small fraternities to the forefront of NIC attention.

Today, Phi Mu Delta is a strong, small national fraternity which has proven itself to be a leader in the small fraternity movement nationwide.

In 1995, Tom Murphy, Mu Alpha '94, reactivated Nu Beta, a founding chapter, after a fourteen-year absence from the campus.

The revitalization was so successful that it was determined that Phi Mu Delta should once again embark on a conservative expansion campaign. From the lessons learned at Nu Beta, an expansion manual was developed and the expansion committee reestablished, chaired by National Council Director, Scott Wills, Mu Beta '87. Over the next few years, new chapters were added at

Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Mansfield University, and Lycoming College.

The 80th Anniversary Conclave, held at UNH, was a time of great celebration as IUP (Mu Theta) and Mansfield (Mu Lambda) received their charters and Lycoming was made an official colony of Phi Mu Delta. Lycoming received its charter in April of 1999, becoming the Mu Iota Chapter.

In 1998, the Distinguished Service Chapter and Distinguished Alumni Chapter awards were re-introduced, recognizing the great men of Phi Mu Delta who have served their communities, professions, and the Fraternity with honor.

Today, Phi Mu Delta is a strong small National fraternity which has proven itself to be a leader in the small Fraternity movement.

A new educational program was initiated in 1999 to make new member training consistent throughout the Fraternity.

Called ?The Oracle,? it had been received with tremendous enthusiasm by the chapters. Recognizing that one?s fraternal bonds do not end upon graduation, a new public ritual was developed to welcome graduating seniors into the ranks of the alumni who came before them.

Surely, one of the more forward-thinking fraternities in the country, Phi Mu Delta had received the accolades of other organizations for its innovative methods and strong leadership in the fraternity world.

A Time of Reflection

In 2003, after four years without expansion, the Nu Pi Chapter at Plattsburgh State University was chartered.

In 2006, the National Council voted to revert back to the Executive Director model that was so successful in the 1960s. Having full-time paid staff allowed the National Council to focus on the future direction of the Fraternity and the day-to-day activities would be handled by staff.

Following the successful launch of the Nu Pi Chapter in 2003, the Mu Omicron chapter was started at Frostburg State University, followed by the Nu Theta Eta Colony at New England College in 2011, the Sigma Alpha Chapter at Longwood University in April of 2013, and the Sigma Beta Colony at the University of Alabama in 2014.

While Sigma Beta did not become a chartered chapter, they served as a prime examples of how expansion works and led to even more growth and prosperity in the 21st century.

Since 2014, the Mu Rho Chapter at Shawnee State University, the Mu Sigma Chapter at Rutgers University- New Brunswick, the Mu Tau Chapter at Rutgers- Camden, and the Nu Rho Colony at Rhode Island College, all joined the list of Phi Mu Delta chapters which inhabit and serve college campuses across the northeast region.

Out of the four colonies which began in 2015, only the Nu Rho Colony at Rhode Island College did not become a chartered chapter.

Most recently added to the list of Phi Mu Delta chapters and colonies include: - Mu Phi Colony at Marywood University - Mu Upsilon Chapter at Robert Morris University, chartered last Spring. - Sigma Gamma Colony at the University of Lynchburg - Stevenson Colony at Stevenson University in Owings Mills, Maryland.

As the laundry list of fourteen chapters and colonies proves, the 21st century has been a busy and prosperous era time for the National Fraternity.

Just two years ago, Phi Mu Delta was one of the fastest growing fraternities in the nation, seeing rapid growth in both new chapters and in recruitment.

During the twelve year period of what became the upward trajectory of Phi Mu Delta, the National Office benefited from the work of ten full and part-time employees, in various roles and with duties spanning from undergraduate engagement, growth and development, alumni engagement and advancement.

Beyond The First Century

As the sun rose above the horizon on March 1st, 2018, Phi Mu Delta reached a milestone which some never thought would come. After one full century of operations, through the tumultuous period of war and economic crisis to the development and growth of the "golden days" and the early 21st century, Phi Mu Delta has been in the lowest of valleys and had stood on the highest of peaks. Through all of the change, Phi Mu Delta has remained virtually the same, with one exception: we have become a much stronger brotherhood; a brotherhood that withstood near-closure, economic downfall, loss in membership, national and international crisis after crisis, and the ever-changing but always lurking negative perception of Greek life and moreover, fraternity.

And finally, this past summer amongst the red-brick buildings of the University of Vermont, through the rolling hills and peaking mountains of the green mountain state, and alongside the calm and serene banks of Lake Champlain, more than 150 brothers and guests celebrated Phi Mu Delta's first 100 years and ushered in the next century, at Centennial Conclave. Throughout the Centennial Conclave and the weekend's business and celebration, one thing rang clear: that Phi Mu Delta was stronger than it has ever been, with brothers and friends who support our mission of redefining fraternity, and will support our mission of redefining fraternity until they take their last breath.

As brothers packed their cars, and saw Vermont in their rear-view mirrors, a sense of hope filled the air and an excitement about what the next 100 years looked like, was tangible amongst those who hold Phi Mu Delta so near.

And so, as we reflect on the end of one century and look to the beginning of another, we remain mindful that the milestone we have celebrated all year long was no easy feat.

One hundred years has come and gone, with its history and moments of trial, tribulation, and celebration, but three things remain: a brotherhood dedicated to the service of mankind, a renewed focus on democracy and justice for all, and a brotherhood that was sure to last for centuries to come.

100 years never looked so good.