by T. Gifford Taylor, Jr. '10
VA Beta President

Phi Delta Theta has experienced tremendous growth in maturity and unity this academic year. We proven successful academically, inter-fraternally, socially and have done so in the midst of uncommon adversity. This year, we faced academic challenges, pledging difficulties, and issues concerning brothers’ health. Despite these struggles, or rather because of these struggles, we have become a deeply united, caring Brotherhood, one whose concern for its members’ welfare supersedes the demands of daily living. I am proud to write that it has been Love that has carried us through, without fail, both the good times and the bad.

Statistically, Phi Delt is thriving. We were recognized by our National Headquarters over the summer as one of 30 Phi Delt chapters out of 170 for outstanding chapter operations. We continue to maintain a high level of academic excellence, producing a 3.44 GPA in Fall 2008 and a cumulative 3.37. We have 12 Jefferson Scholars, 15 Echols Scholars, and 3 Rodman Scholars. We have 4 Lawn residents this year, and 3 selected to live there next year. In the most recent University elections, numerous Phis were elected to hold office in almost every class council, in Student Council, and in Honor. We will also have a Phi serving as the Vice President of Administration on IFC’s Executive Board next year. Third-year Matt Schrimper recently received the Gray-Carrington Scholarship, and fourth-year Bowman Dickson was awarded the Distinguished Student Award. Lastly, as a brotherhood, we have remained very involved in serving the greater community through organizations such as Madison House, Abundant Life Tutoring, Pancakes for Parkinsons, and Alternative Spring Break.

This fall proved to be a remarkably fruitful semester for Phi Delt. We celebrated the 135th Anniversary of Phi Delt’s founding at the University with alumni and parents during a weekend in October, with an open house Friday night, a tailgate and football game Saturday afternoon, a night of dinner and dancing at Farmington Country Club Saturday night, and a catered breakfast Sunday morning. To augment our alumni relations, we have begun a partnership with Alumni Hall to publish an alumni newsletter and updated Web site.

Our philanthropy program was given a much-needed boost. In September, we held the first annual Crabgrass Music Festival for the ALS Association. This spring, we also co-hosted a fund raiser with North Beach Outfitters in Duck, NC, in support of the ALSA.

This spring found the fraternity riding the momentum of a successful fall semester. We held a successful spring recruitment, and inducted 20 pledged members at the end of January. Our pledge educators have been extremely intentional in ensuring purpose in every aspect of our pledge education program. They established a new scholarship program for pledges that guarantees accountability and a sufficient amount of time to study. They also incorporated new weekly programs to build up our pledged members as men of character and contributing members of society—programs that teach chivalry and etiquette, leadership and management, and basic "man" skills like car maintenance and gun safety.

As I look to the year ahead, I can only express excitement for the things to come. We spent a lot of time this spring discussing fraternal vision and developing institutional thinkers within our fraternity. We will be working with Dean Groves over the next semester to draft a comprehensive ten-year vision statement for the fraternity. As we continue to foster an institutional approach to our already exceptional Brotherhood, I can only imagine that our foundation in love will only be buttressed by an understanding of why, fundamentally, that love exists.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our organization and our mission. We are indebted to you for your service to the University.