Phi Gamma Delta
| Phi Gamma Delta | |
|---|---|
|
ΦΓΔ (official)
FIJI (common)
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|
 |
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| Founded | May 1, 1848 Jefferson College in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania |
| Type | Social |
| Scope | International |
| Motto | Friendship, the sweetest influence. (Φιλότης Γλυκυτάτη Δυναστεία) |
| Colors | Royal Purple |
| Symbol |  |
| Flower | Purple Clematis |
| Chapters | 148, 13 colonies |
| Nicknames | FIJI, Phi Gam |
| Headquarters |
1201 Red Mile Rd, P.O. Box 4599 Lexington, Kentucky USA |
| Homepage | www.phigam.org |
Phi Gamma Delta (also known as FIJI and Phi Gam) is a social fraternity with more than 158 active chapters and 13 colonies across the United States and Canada. It was founded at Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, in 1848. Along with Phi Kappa Psi, Phi Gamma Delta forms a half of the Jefferson Duo. Since its founding in 1848, the fraternity has initiated more than 170,000 brothers. The nickname FIJI is used commonly by the fraternity due to Phi Gamma Delta bylaws that limit the use of the Greek letters.
The organization was founded on April 22, 1848, at Jefferson College in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. Six college students gathered in a dormitory room (known by the students as "Fort Armstrong") to establish a secret society. The society they formed was initially called "The Delta Association". The founders, referred to by members as the "Immortal Six", were John Templeton McCarty, Samuel Beatty Wilson, James Elliott Jr., Ellis Bailey Gregg, Daniel Webster Crofts, and Naaman Fletcher.
The first regular meeting of Phi Gamma Delta and the adoption of the Fraternity's Constitution took place on May 1, 1848. 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.
Contrary to popular belief, the Immortal six were not Freemasons when they entered Jefferson College.
Phi Gamma Delta has chosen not to use the term alumni for members who have graduated; post collegiate members are referred to as Graduate Brothers, to imply that membership extends past the undergraduate experience. Similarly, one of the mottoes used by the organization is, "Not For College Days Alone".
Phi Gamma Delta's mission statement lists five core values for its members: friendship, knowledge, service, morality, and excellence. In addition, members are encouraged to live by three priorities in a specific order: first, scholarship, second, fraternity, and third, self. This ordering is because members attend university with the foremost goal of receiving an education, and that Phi Gamma Delta is a fraternity that promotes scholastic achievement amongst its members.
Phi Gamma Delta limits the written display of its Greek letters. In accordance with the fraternity's international bylaws, Fiji chapters and members only inscribe their letters in the following seven locations:
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Wikipedia