Phi Gamma Delta
1305944
226130973
2008-07-16T23:19:44Z
Reywas92
1233313
/* The nickname 'Fiji' */ unneeded
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| align=center colspan=2 bgcolor="purple" | <font size=+1 color="white">'''Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI)'''</font>
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{{Infobox Fraternity |
crest = [[Image:Phi Gamma Delta Coat of Arms.png|Phi Gamma Delta's Coat of Arms]]|
name = Phi Gamma Delta|
letters = [[Image:Phigamdelta flagV2.png|40px]] |
motto = Friendship, the sweetest influence.|
colors = [[Purple#Royal_Purple:_Medieval_Europe|Royal Purple]] |
symbol = [[Image:Phi Gamma Delta Star+Diamond.png|The Recognition Device|60px]] |
flower = [[Clematis|Purple Clematis]] |
founded = {{birth date and age|1848|5|1}} |
birthplace = [[Washington & Jefferson College|Jefferson College]] in [[Canonsburg, Pennsylvania]] |
type = Social |
scope = International <br> {{USA}} <br> {{CAN}}|
address = 1201 Red Mile Rd |
city = [[Lexington, Kentucky|Lexington]] | state = [[Kentucky]] |
country = USA |
chapters = 107, 7 [[Colony (fraternity)|colonies]] |
free_label = Nicknames | free = FIJI, Phi Gam |
homepage = [http://www.phigam.org www.phigam.org] |
}}
'''Phi Gamma Delta''' (also known as '''FIJI''') is a collegiate social [[Fraternities and sororities|fraternity]] with 107 chapters and 7 colonies across the United States and Canada. It was founded at [[Washington & Jefferson College|Jefferson College]], Pennsylvania in [[1848]] and its headquarters are located in [[Lexington, Kentucky|Lexington]], [[Kentucky]], USA. Phi Gamma Delta is a member of the [[North-American Interfraternity Conference]] and, along with the Fraternity of [[Phi Kappa Psi]], forms the [[Jefferson Duo]].<ref>"North American College Fraternities: The 'Jefferson Duo'", page 68. The Purple Pilgrim: The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta Guide to Brotherhood. 2004</ref>
==Origins of Phi Gamma Delta==
===Historical sketch of Jefferson College===
In [[1803]] only a small percentage of Americans attended college.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://fisher.lib.virginia.edu/cgi-local/censusbin/census/cen.pl?year=800#cat
|title=Census Data for the Year 1800|accessdate=2007-08-31}}</ref> Those who did had relatively few choices, especially in what was then the [[frontier]] lands of western [[Pennsylvania]] near [[Canonsburg]]. There a Presbyterian clergyman named John A. McMillan<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.phigam.org/history/Sites/canonsburg.htm#Chartiers%20Church|title=Phi Gamma Delta: Chartiers Church and John McMillan Grave|accessdate=2007-08-24}}</ref> ([[1752]]–[[1833]]) had just arrived from the College of New Jersey (now [[Princeton University]]) to begin his ministry.<ref>"The Phi Gamma Delta Story: The 'Apostle of the West'", page 811. The Purple Pilgrim: The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta Guide to Brotherhood. 2004</ref> In the year [[1776]], McMillan, called the "Apostle of the West",<ref>"The Phi Gamma Delta Story: The 'Apostle of the West'", page 81. The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta Guide to Brotherhood. 2004</ref> was called to take charge of all the lands west of the [[Allegheny Mountains]]. This he did, and soon after he established a [[Latin school]] in a small [[log cabin]].<ref>"The Phi Gamma Delta Story: Old Jefferson College", page 81. The Purple Pilgrim: The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta Guide to Brotherhood. 2004</ref> This small school grew with time to become the Canonsburg Academy in [[1791]] and, by [[1802]], Jefferson College.<ref>"The Phi Gamma Delta Story: Old Jefferson College", pages 81-82. The Purple Pilgrim: The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta Guide to Brotherhood. 2004</ref>At the time, Jefferson College was one of the largest institutions of higher learning in North America, boasting 207 enrolled students and ten professors.<ref>"The Phi Gamma Delta Story: Old Jefferson College", page 82. The Purple Pilgrim: The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta Guide to Brotherhood. 2004</ref> Thus the origins of Washington and Jefferson College, and Phi Gamma Delta, are inextricably linked to a log cabin on the Pennsylvania frontier.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.phigam.org/history/Sites/canonsburg.htm|title=Phi Gamma Delta: The Log Cabin|accessdate=2007-08-24}}</ref><ref>"The Phi Gamma Delta Story: Old Jefferson College", pages 79-83. The Purple Pilgrim: The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta Guide to Brotherhood. 2004</ref>
===Founding of Phi Gamma Delta===
On the night of Saturday, [[April 22]], [[1848]] at [[Washington & Jefferson College|Jefferson College]] in [[Canonsburg, Pennsylvania]], six college students gathered in a dormitory room (known by the students as "Fort Armstrong")<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.phigam.org/history/Sites/canonsburg.htm |title=Phi Gamma Delta: Fort Armstrong|accessdate=2007-08-24}}</ref> and determined to establish a secret society.<ref>"The Phi Gamma Delta Story: The Founding of Phi Gamma Delta", page 85. The Purple Pilgrim: The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta Guide to Brotherhood. 2004</ref> The society they formed is called the [[Fraternities and sororities|Fraternity]] of Phi Gamma Delta. The founders, reverently referred to by Brothers today as the "Immortal Six", are [[John Templeton McCarty]], [[Samuel Beatty Wilson]], [[James Elliott, Jr.]], [[Ellis Bailey Gregg]], [[Daniel Webster Crofts]], and [[Naaman Fletcher]].<ref>"The Phi Gamma Delta Story: The Immortal Six", pages 85-92. The Purple Pilgrim: The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta Guide to Brotherhood. 2004</ref> The first regular meeting of Phi Gamma Delta and the adoption of the Fraternity's Constitution took place on [[May 1]], [[1848]].<ref>"The Phi Gamma Delta Story: The Founding of Phi Gamma Delta", page 84. The Purple Pilgrim: The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta Guide to Brotherhood. 2004</ref> Consequently, [[May 1]] was chosen to be "Founder's Day" at the 43rd Convention held in 1891 and has traditionally been celebrated as the founding date of the Fraternity ever since.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.phigam.org/history/Lists/conventions_and_ekklesiai.htm |title=Phi Gamma Delta: Record of Conventions and Ekklesiai|accessdate=2007-08-24}}</ref><ref>"Fiji Heritage - Customs and Traditions: Founders Day", page 121. The Purple Pilgrim: The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta Guide to Brotherhood. 2004</ref>
===Immortal Six===
The "Immortal Six" are the six men who founded the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta. Each of them graduated from [[Washington & Jefferson College|Jefferson College]] in 1848 except for Namaan Fletcher who graduated a year later in the class of 1849.<ref>"The Phi Gamma Delta Story: The Founding of Phi Gamma Delta", page 84. The Purple Pilgrim: The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta Guide to Brotherhood. 2004</ref>
{|
|-valign="top"
|[[Image:PhiGammaDelta-JTMcCarty.jpg|frame|[[John Templeton McCarty]] (1828 - 1860)]]
|[[Image:PhiGammaDelta-SBWilson.jpg|frame|[[Samuel Beatty Wilson]] (1824 - 1889)]]
|[[Image:PhiGammaDelta-JElliot.jpg|frame|[[James Elliott, Jr.]] (1824 - 1883)]]
|-valign="top"
|[[Image:PhiGammaDelta-EBGregg.jpg|frame|[[Ellis Bailey Gregg]] (1827 - 1854)]]
|[[Image:PhiGammaDelta-DWCrofts.jpg|frame|[[Daniel Webster Crofts]] (1828 - 1852)]]
|[[Image:PhiGammaDelta-NFletcher.jpg|frame|[[Naaman Fletcher]] (1824 - 1864)]]
|}
==Beliefs of Phi Gamma Delta==
The rewards of membership extend far beyond one's college years through continued commitment to the values, the brothers, and the Educational Foundation. This is why Fiji did not adopt the name "alumni." Rather, post collegiate members are known as "Graduate Brothers," implying that membership extends far beyond the undergraduate experience. The commitment exemplifies another motto by which Phi Gams live, "Not For College Days Alone",<ref>"The Not for College Days Alone", page 177. The Purple Pilgrim: The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta Guide to Brotherhood. 2004</ref> and an organization of fathers and sons within Phi Gamma Delta known as "Sires and Sons".<ref>"Not for College Days Alone: Sires and Sons", pages 183-184. The Purple Pilgrim: The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta Guide to Brotherhood. 2004</ref>
===Mission statement===
"Phi Gamma Delta exists to promote lifelong friendships, to reaffirm high ethical standards and values, and to foster personal development in the pursuit of excellence. Phi Gamma Delta is committed to provide opportunities to each brother to develop responsibility, leadership, scholarship and social skills in order to become a fully contributing member of society."<ref>"The Mission of Phi Gamma Delta", page 5. The Purple Pilgrim: The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta Guide to Brotherhood. 2004</ref>
===The values===
We are united by '''Friendship'''. It is the basis of our brotherhood. Because of it, we accomplish far more than we do as individuals. Friendship is the sweetest influence.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.phigam.org/page.aspx?pageid=104 |title=Phi Gamma Delta: About Phi Gamma Delta|accessdate=2007-08-24}}</ref><ref>"The Values of Phi Gamma Delta: Friendship", page 41. The Purple Pilgrim: The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta Guide to Brotherhood. 2004</ref>
We promote the pursuit of '''Knowledge'''. It is the key to a fuller, richer life. We gain it through education, the harmonious development of the powers of the individual.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.phigam.org/page.aspx?pageid=104 |title=Phi Gamma Delta: About Phi Gamma Delta|accessdate=2007-08-24}}</ref><ref>"The Purple Pilgrim: The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta Guide to Brotherhood. 2004</ref>
We encourage '''Service'''. We have the ability, the opportunity, and the duty to serve our fellow human beings. Our reward is the satisfaction that comes from serving.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.phigam.org/page.aspx?pageid=104 |title=Phi Gamma Delta: About Phi Gamma Delta|accessdate=2007-08-24}}</ref><ref>"The Values of Phi Gamma Delta: Service", page 49. The Purple Pilgrim: The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta Guide to Brotherhood. 2004</ref>
We believe in '''Morality'''. As gentlemen of quality we must do what is right as individuals and as a group. Moral behavior is the basis of our society’s existence.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.phigam.org/page.aspx?pageid=104 |title=Phi Gamma Delta: About Phi Gamma Delta|accessdate=2007-08-24}}</ref><ref>"The Values of Phi Gamma Delta: Morality", page 53. The Purple Pilgrim: The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta Guide to Brotherhood. 2004</ref>
We strive for '''Excellence'''. It is attained only when we fulfill our total potential. Mankind benefits when each of us becomes all that we can be.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.phigam.org/page.aspx?pageid=104 |title=Phi Gamma Delta: About Phi Gamma Delta|accessdate=2007-08-24}}</ref><ref>"The Values of Phi Gamma Delta: Excellence", page 57. The Purple Pilgrim: The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta Guide to Brotherhood. 2004</ref>
===Priorities of a Phi Gamma Delta===
A brother of Phi Gamma Delta has his life ordered by three priorities:<ref>"Scholarship - a Phi Gam's Top Priority", page 135. The Purple Pilgrim: The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta Guide to Brotherhood. 2004</ref>
*First, Scholarship.
*Second, Fraternity.
*Third, Self.
==Practices and Customs of Phi Gamma Delta==
===Use of Greek letters and origins of the 'Fiji' nickname===
Phi Gamma Delta limits the written dislay of its [[Greek letters]].<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.phigam.org/page.aspx?pageid=104 |title=Phi Gamma Delta: Our Greek Letters|accessdate=2007-08-28}}</ref> In accordance with the fraternity's international bylaws, Fiji chapters and members only portray their letters in the following seven locations:<ref>"Greek Letters", pages 123-124. The Purple Pilgrim: The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta Guide to Brotherhood. 2004</ref>
*On a uniform diamond-shaped member badge
*On the Fraternity's official seal
*On the Fraternity's official flag
*On a chapter house marker
*On memorials to deceased brothers
*On a brother's certificate of membership
*On a brother's official college ring
The fraternity's letters are, thus, considered sacred and are never to be displayed on an object that can be easily destroyed. Whereas other fraternities often display their letters on clothing or other items, this tradition prevents Fijis from doing so. In place of the actual Greek letters, "Fiji," "Phi Gam," or the English spelling of "Phi Gamma Delta" are used in their place.
===The nickname 'Fiji'===
Fiji, a nickname started at New York University, was officially adopted by the national fraternity in 1894 in the belief that the term would be distinctive and appeal to the imagination.<ref>"Fiji Heritage - Customs and Traditions: Origins of 'Fiji'", page 119. The Purple Pilgrim: The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta Guide to Brotherhood. 2004</ref> Prior to its formal appropriation by the organization at large, nicknames for members of the fraternity varied greatly; ranging from "Phi Gamm" and "Delta" by brothers across the nation, "Fee Gee" in New York, and "Gammas" in the South.<ref>"Fiji Heritage - Customs and Traditions: Origins of 'Fiji'", page 119. The Purple Pilgrim: The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta Guide to Brotherhood. 2004</ref> As of now though, "Fiji" and "Phi Gam" are considered the only appropriate nicknames for Phi Gamma Delta members on the international scale, though local nicknames related to a chapter's Greek name or other colloquialisms do exist.<ref>"The Origins of 'Fiji'", page 140. The Purple Pilgrim: A Manual for the Education of the Pledges of the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta. 1984</ref>
===How Phi Gamma Delta is organized===
The [[organization of Phi Gamma Delta]] page outlines the internal structure of Phi Gamma Delta in detail.<br />
The fraternity is composed of chapters of two types. Most chapters serve primarily undergraduate students and are established at a single college or university . There are also chapters to serve members of the fraternity who have graduated from college and are established to serve a city or larger region. The chapters are governed by the fraternity's international headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky.
===Honors and awards within Phi Gamma Delta===
Phi Gamma Delta recognizes the many accomplishments of its various chapters and individual undergraduate and graduate Brothers in many ways. The [[Honors and awards within Phi Gamma Delta]] list describes each of them.
===Pig Dinner===
Norris Pig Dinner is an annual alumni dinner held by some Phi Gamma Delta chapters. The dinner is named for author [[Frank Norris]], a member of the Fiji chapter at the University of California. Pig Dinner is sanctioned by the International Fraternity and it serves to welcome graduate brothers back to their undergraduate chapters.
<br><br>
The International Fraternity stores a list of annual Pig Dinners [http://www.phigam.org/form_pigDinner.aspx?pageID=179]
==Sweetwater==
After graduating from Jefferson College in June of 1848 and studying law in Indiana, John T. McCarty headed west along the [[California Trail]] during the [[Gold Rush]]. He left in the spring of 1849 and along the trail, near the [[continental divide]] in what is today [[Wyoming]], one of the most amazing incidents in Phi Gamma Delta's early history occurred. McCarty met Bolivar G. Krepps<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.phigam.org/history/images/People/Krepps300.jpg
|title=Phi Gamma Delta: Photograph of Bolivar G. Krepps|accessdate=2007-08-25}}</ref> (Jefferson College, 1849), a member of Phi Gamma Delta whom McCarty had never previously met. The two had attended Jefferson College but Krepps was initiated into Phi Gamma Delta after McCarty had graduated. Yet, on [[July 7]], [[1849]] here they stood, on the banks of the [[Sweetwater River (Wyoming)|Sweetwater River]], by complete coincidence. Both had decided to go West independently to seek their fortunes and, at a time when the total number of Phi Gamma Delta initiates was 25, two of them were shaking hands and drinking a toast to the "Delta Association", as it was known then, and to all Brothers who should live after them. <ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.phigam.org/history/Magazine/Krepps.htm
|title=Phi Gamma Delta: Bolivar G. Krepps|accessdate=2007-08-25}}</ref>
==Founding of Kappa Alpha Theta==
Fijis at the Lambda chapter at Indiana Asbury University (now known as [[DePauw University]]) played an important role in the founding of [[Kappa Alpha Theta]] women's fraternity. Bettie Locke, the sister of George W. Locke (DePauw, 1871), was one of the first women enrolled at DePauw. <ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.depauw.edu/library/archives/ehistory/chapter1/bettielocke.htm|title=DePauw University: A Pictorial History|accessdate=2007-08-31}}</ref> Bettie had many Fiji friends and one of them asked her to wear his badge.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.phigam.org/history/Magazine/KappaAlphaTheta.htm
|title=Phi Gamma Delta: Phi Gamma Delta and Kappa Alpha Theta|accessdate=2007-08-27}}</ref> She contended that she would do so only if she knew the secrets behind the letters.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.phigam.org/history/Magazine/KappaAlphaTheta.htm
|title=Phi Gamma Delta: Phi Gamma Delta and Kappa Alpha Theta|accessdate=2007-08-27}}</ref> The Fijis, after considerable debate, declined to initiate her.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.phigam.org/history/Magazine/KappaAlphaTheta.htm
|title=Phi Gamma Delta: Phi Gamma Delta and Kappa Alpha Theta|accessdate=2007-08-27}}</ref> So, upon suggestion of her father, Dr. John Wesley Locke, a [[Beta Theta Pi]], she formed Kappa Alpha Theta with Alice Allen, Bettie Tipton and Hannah Fitch; four of just a handful of women enrolled at DePauw at the time.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.phigam.org/history/Magazine/KappaAlphaTheta.htm
|title=Phi Gamma Delta: Phi Gamma Delta and Kappa Alpha Theta|accessdate=2007-08-27}}</ref> Kappa Alpha Theta made its debut on [[January 27]], [[1870]], making it the first Greek-letter fraternity established for women. The Fijis, in a spirit of friendship and appreciation, later presented Bettie Locke with an engraved silver cake basket.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://www.phigam.org/history/Magazine/KappaAlphaTheta.htm|title=Phi Gamma Delta: Phi Gamma Delta and Kappa Alpha Theta|accessdate=2007-08-31}}</ref>
==Images of Phi Gamma Delta==
{|
|-valign="top"
|[[Image:PhiGammaDelta-Recognition.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The Recognition Symbol of Phi Gamma Delta]]
|[[Image:PhiGammaDelta-Mascot.jpg|thumb|center|200px|The [[Snowy Owl]] is the Mascot of Phi Gamma Delta.]]
|}
==Notable Fijis==
{{main|List of notable Fijis}}
==Chapters==
{{main|List of Phi Gamma Delta Chapters}}
==References==
<References/>
==External links==
*[http://www.phigam.org Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity official website]
{{North-American Interfraternity Conference}}
[[Category:Organizations established in 1848]]
[[Category:International student societies]]
[[Category:Organizations based in the United States]]
[[Category:North-American Interfraternity Conference]]
[[Category:Phi Gamma Delta| ]]