History
Phi Delta Theta is an international fraternity founded in 1848 and headquartered at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. The fraternity was founded by six undergraduate students: Robert Morrison, John McMillan Wilson, Robert Thompson Drake, John Wolfe Lindley, Ardivan Walker Rodgers, and Andrew Watts Rogers, who are collectively known as the The Immortal Six. Phi Delta Theta was created under three principle objectives: "the cultivation of friendship among its members, the acquirement individually of a high degree of mental culture, and the attainment personally of a high standard of morality". These cardinal principles are contained in The Bond of Phi Delta Theta, the document to which each member, known as Phis or Phi Delts, pledges on his initiation into the fraternity.
Among the most well-known members of the fraternity are Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd President of the United States, Baseball Hall of Fame member Lou Gehrig, architect Frank Lloyd Wright, and Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon.
The Massachusetts Gamma chapter of Phi Delta Theta at MIT was formed when the local Psi Delta chapter became Phi Delta Theta in 1934. In 1936, the Mass Gamma chapter purchased our mansion at 97 Bay State Rd., where it has resided since.
Athletics
Athletic involvement is a large part of the Phi Delta Theta culture. Most brothers are involved in athletics to some extent, whether it's playing on varsity teams, working out individually, or playing for or watching the house IM teams.
Brothers competing at the annual alumni softball game
We pride ourselves on our athletic diversity, boasting members of the varsity Cross Country, Track, Soccer, Football, Pistol, Crew, Sailing, Golf, and Tennis teams. Even our Graduate Resident Advisor is involved as a coach for the Track team.
Eric Beecher '10, varsity track and field and varsity football team member, competes in the high jump
In addition to our varsity athletes, Phi Delta Theta boasts a number of IM teams, from our annual powerhouse softball team to the loveable losers that are the D-league hockey team. We also field a competitive football team that incorporates most members of the house, as well as soccer, Ultimate, and tennis teams. There's no pressure to get involved in the sports teams if you aren't the athletic type, but most brothers come out to at least watch, and those that miss the games are generally treated to hilarious recaps during chapter meetings.
Academics
Here at Phi Delts, the biggest feature of our academic studies is balance. We understand the importance of doing well in class, without letting the pressures of MIT prevent us from doing well in life. We represent a broad range of courses, all the way from one to twenty-one. Just like the rest of MIT, we are plagued with EECS, Mechanical Engineering, and Management; unlike the rest of MIT, we also represent some of the lesser known disciplines, such as Civil Engineering, Political Science, Aerospace Engineering, and Material Science.
To help ourselves prepare well for our classes, we maintain a broad library of "class bibles". At the end of every semester, our brothers go through the classes they are completing and compile a binder or zip file that includes that semester's tests, homework, and notes. Because we have been doing this for many years, students who take the class the next semester have a huge body of old material they can use to study for the next semester's tests and quizzes.
Another thing we do to bolster success is study sessions. Especially for the freshman courses, we may have nearly twenty members participating in a certain class during a semester. The night before a test, everyone will get together in the library to review. If it's an especially hard test, an older brother who did well in that class in semesters prior might lead the session, and help identify which material is most important in the classes that follow afterwards.
What is the result of all this? Our GPA consistently ranks among the highest of any living group at MIT. We were once again honored by the FSILG Honor Roll with a GPA of 4.37, compared to the fraternity average of 4.19. We also won the Academic Support Award from the Interfraternity Council, recognizing the excellence of not only our performance but also of our processes. But far more important than GPAs or awards, our brothers have mastered the material necessary to move on to bigger, tougher problems, and the effort we invested in previous semesters will really show when we face our next challenges.
Pledge Education
College is no doubt one of the most exciting times of your life, but it can also be one of the most difficult, especially with the expectations at MIT and the fast-paced lifestyle in Boston. Our Pledge Program is designed to integrate Pledges into this city, this school, and a Brotherhood that excels academically, socially, and emotionally. Themes we stress are our cardinal principles - friendship, sound learning, and moral rectitude; the concept of going beyond the duty; and purpose. Opportunities for leadership development and personal development are endless, and each Pledge finishes his Pledge Program with a greater sense of appreciation for both the Institution and the Fraternity. No lies - this Pledge Program is not one to be taken lightly; it requires a steadfast commitment. But the growth, the memories, and the relationships you develop here are beyond measure. Take a moment to read over some of what makes our program an internationally acclaimed one.
Big Brothers
Each Pledge is assigned a Big Brother who serves as a mentor throughout the Pledge Program and often beyond. The Big Brother maintains contact with the parents of the Little Brother, engages in Big Brother-Little Brother dinners and social outings, and provides him with support through a number of official and unofficial events. His main goal is to ensure that his Little Brother adjusts well to MIT and to Phi Delta Theta.
A family of big brothers/little brothers pose for a picture during our annual formal
Pledge Meetings
Pledge Meetings are a place and time to learn about the history, the traditions, and the ideals of Phi Delta Theta. In addition, Pledges organize Pledge activities and reflect on their experiences at MIT and in the Fraternity. Routine scholarship reviews are also conducted to ensure all of our Pledges are passing academic expectations.
What happens when brothers try to break into an '09 pledge meeting
This portion of the Pledge Program has made our program one of the most unique, exciting, and rewarding at MIT and throughout other Phi Delt Chapters. Every Brother assigns a pledge task that helps the Pledges get to know one or more of the following better: himself, the Brother, his pledge class, the Chapter, MIT, and Boston itself. Pledge tasks range from exploring different extracurricular activities, to serving our community, to a scavenger hunt of Boston, to just plain hanging out and much more. By completing each Brother's task, Pledges acquire all sorts of wisdom, skills, and experiences, you name it. If you're curious about other exciting tasks, just ask any Brother.
Class of '08 throwing a Charity Poker Tournament for a pledge task.
Pledge Party
Social life is an important aspect of the Phi Delt life. Therefore, each Halloween, the Pledge Class throws a closed dinner party for the Chapter and its guests. Through this experience, Pledges develop organizational skills, grow closer as they face the challenges of working together, and discover a little more about the Brothers of Phi Delta Theta.
Brothers Dean Ljubicic & Matt Abrahamson ('06) in costume
for the '08 Pledge Party
Tree Trip
What's a Christmas Party without a Christmas tree? Provided with a vehicle and necessary funds, every December, the Pledge class embarks on an exciting adventure to select and bring back a non-denominational tree before our annual Holiday Party. They typically return with a multi-story tree and numerous exciting stories and fond memories.
The Class of '08 poses at Cheers before going to fetch their tree.
Pledge Work Week
During the Winter intersession, the Pledge class spends a week working on house projects of their choosing. They learn to leverage off the skills each member brings to the House, accrue new skills from each other, and develop a greater appreciation for the physical plant of our residence.
Work Week a few years ago. You should see the back patio now.
Pledge Trip
At the end of the Winter Intersession, the Pledge Class is provided a van and some cash to go wherever and do whatever they wish. The only requirement is that they spend some time visiting another chapter of Phi Delta Theta. In addition to being a relaxing and fun weekend to retreat from MIT and Boston, the Pledge Trip demonstrates to Pledges that Phi Delta Theta is indeed an international Fraternity, and that our Brothers are welcome at over 180 Chapters across the U.S. and Canada.
Class of '06 visiting Montreal for their Pledge Trip.
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