News
After three years of derecognition, the Phi Delta Alpha fraternity, commonly known as Phi Delt, has opened for rush this term and is seeking new members to get their organization off to a fresh start.
Over 50 Phi Delt alums, whose years range from '82 to '02, have returned to campus to host rush events this week.
Roughly 15 to 20 bids will be handed out to selected students interested in joining the organization.
Phi Delt Corporate President George Faux '84 described the type of student they are looking for as well-rounded, having multiple interests and having an active presence on campus.
"We want very strong, high-quality individuals because they're the ones who are going to shoulder a lot of this process of proving to the IFC [Inter-Fraternity Council] in particular that they can take this place back to the table."
Faux described previous members of Phi Delt as having formed a "very diverse group", also noting that the fraternity has not been strongly affiliated with a sports team.
Tom Callaghan '84 commented that in spite of the diverse interests and levels of scholarship among members, Phi Delt was a place for all of them to come together.
Callaghan drew a connection between this desired sense of community among Phi Delt members and the sense of community pursued by Dartmouth, saying that "the house experience is just a microcosm of the overall Dartmouth experience."
Faux and Callaghan both emphasized fellowship as the central focus and vision of the organization, and expressed hopes that the vision serves as a factor of continuity for Phi Delt.
"We want to insure that it's the fellowship, the camaraderie and the loyalty to each other that is the center point of this place," Faux said.
In addition to the hope for continuity, Callaghan pointed out the unique aspect of the opportunity to reopen an empty house.
"As sophomores, they're coming into an entity with a long history and a big support network, but where they'll be running the show -- there are no upperclassmen," Callaghan said.
