Phi Delta Theta Celebrates 84th Biennial Convention in Scottsdale, Arizona
The Fraternity’s 84th Biennial Convention took place from June 15-18 in Scottsdale, Arizona, and included celebrations, recognitions, business meetings, educational opportunities, and social opportunities throughout the region. We are thankful for those who made the trip to Scottsdale to help Phi Delta Theta celebrate its 175th anniversary and strengthen our brotherhood. View the photos from the event.
As you read through this special issue celebrating 175 years of Phi Delta Theta, I hope you will learn some interesting facets from the Fraternity’s saga that you might not know. When our team sat down last year in the David Demaree Banta Library to identify the 175 impactful moments in Phi Delta Theta history, we dusted off our copies of Walter Palmer’s History of Phi Delta Theta, Walter Havighurst’s From Six at First, and Ritter Collett’s In The Bond. We gathered past issues of The Scroll, reviewed the Phikeia Manual, and searched the vault to find clues and stories to the many combined events that shaped the trajectory of this institution. As we flipped through pages, photos, and letters, and each time someone would find an interesting nugget, the excitement became more palpable in the room that sustained our energy through hours of research. Exploring and writing these snapshots in time has increased our team’s knowledge moving forward to tell Phi Delt’s story. Read the moments.
Since 1880, the General Convention has held all supreme and legislative powers of the Fraternity. The Convention has three main responsibilities and powers. They include:
- Electing the General Council
- Consideration of judicial matters
- Enacting laws for the regulation of the Fraternity, since only the General Convention may amend the Ritual, Constitution, and General Statutes of the Fraternity.
There were approximately three hundred voting delegates in attendance. Imagine a big chapter room with three hundred voting members. Phi Delta Theta is a democratic fraternity, and to efficiently conduct the business of the Fraternity, a number of committees are appointed by the General Council to consider issues being presented to the Convention. These committees are composed of both undergraduate and alumni voting delegates and discuss issues for the Convention in committee meetings prior to bringing them to the floor for discussion and voting.
Please help us congratulate our newly-elected General Council, installed during the 84th General Convention in Scottsdale, Arizona, on June 17, 2023.
Congratulations to the many chapters that were able to show off their accomplishments at the General Convention. Additional awards will be announced and distributed at the Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute later this summer. View the full awards list here.
Major Trophies
Oxford Trophy: Colorado Gamma, Colorado State University
Honorable Mention: Alabama Beta, Auburn University
Housser Trophy: Ontario Epsilon, Carleton University
Honorable Mention: Ontario Delta, York University
Founders Trophy: Kansas Delta, Wichita State University
Honorable Mention: Ohio Epsilon, Akron University
Kansas City Trophy: Nebraska Gamma, Creighton University
Honorable Mention: Texas Delta, Southern Methodist University
With the help of 1,093 donors, the Phi Delta Theta Foundation raised $220,245 during the Fraternity’s Days of Giving campaign! Donations will go towards supporting every member of Phi Delta Theta in their pursuit of excellence. The funds raised will be used to enhance leadership education through programs such as the Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute and the online accredited leadership program, Pursuit of Greatness.
The Nance-Millett Award is presented every other year to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the free enterprise system. Brian R. Niccol, Miami ’93, Chipotle Mexican Grill’s chairman and chief executive officer, was presented with the award at Convention. Read more.
Phi Delta Theta has a very proud history in the world of sports. Be it amateur, collegiate, or professional athletics, many Phis have made an impact as players, coaches, managers, and fans alike. For this reason, the Phi Delta Theta Sports Hall of Fame was created in 2010.
During the 2023 Convention, Olympian Kenny Selmon, North Carolina ’18, and NFL Kicker Nick Novak, Maryland ’05, were inducted into the Phi Delta Theta Sports Hall of Fame. NFL quarterback, actor, and commentator, Don Meredith, SMU ’60, was posthumously inducted.
The Legion of Honor Award recognizes members of Phi Delta Theta who have made major contributions of their time, effort, and energy to serve the Fraternity and improve its stature; has distinguished themselves in representing the Fraternity’s principles of Friendship, Sound Learning, and Rectitude; are widely recognized as leaders of fraternity men and identified with the promotion of fraternities; and have widely advanced and enlarged the opportunities for growth and leadership among college men through fraternities.
Congratulations to Joe Royce, Southwestern ’63, and Mike Hyatt, Oklahoma State ’66, for their recognition.
The Legion of Merit Award honors those outstanding members of Phi Delta Theta who have made a lifelong commitment to the service of Phi Delta Theta.
Congratulations to Mike Fimiani, South Florida ’89, and Rudy Porchivina, Sonoma State ’89, for their recognition.
The Raymond L. Gardner Alumnus of the Year Award is given annually to the Phi Delt alumnus considered by the Gardner Award committee to have made the most significant contribution in three areas: Fraternity service, service to higher education, and community involvement.
Congratulations to Bill Poston, Texas State ’88, and Jim Ewbank, Southwestern ’77, for their recognition.
Come and be a part of Phi Delta Theta’s 85th Biennial Convention in the beautiful city of Atlanta during the summer of 2025.
