Phi Delta Theta - Tennessee Technological University

2 The Tennessee Delta News Tennessee Delta A s the president of Sigma Tau Omega Fraternity in the spring of 1968, I didn't fully realize the potential of the job that I had been given. Brothers were living in an older house that has since been removed on the lower end of Oak Street. Local fraternities weren't yet recognized by the Tennessee Tech administration, and our future was limited to only what we had the will to achieve. It seemed natural to seek a national fraternity affiliation if we were going to grow and realize our vision. The process was launched by me and other key ΣΤΩ founders. As Phi Delta Theta quickly moved up the list of first-tier possible national fraternities, we began to drill down and study the differences that Phi Delta Theta offered us. We learned about the Golden Legion award, where brothers with 50 years of membership are recognized. Early in the selection process, the idea of a "fraternity for life" appealed to me. After graduation, I joined the DuPont Company and worked at the plant in Old Hickory for eight years, finishing up my Tennessee National Guard commitment and settling into my job. In 1978, I was transferred to Wilmington, Delaware, with DuPont, so through the years and other transfers, it was difficult to remain connected to Tennessee Delta. Every so often, no matter where I was living, I would think about the "fraternity for life" and the Golden Legion. It had been years since I'd walked through the front door of the house on North Walnut Avenue. I learned that the house, now as much as 85 years old, was in need of a lot of renovation and repair. I was engaged in a feasibility study about a new house in 2017 and the thought of the Golden Legion sprang back. There were many new brothers in the past 47 years, but sadly, many of the brothers who were my age were now gone and members of the Chapter Grand, honoring Phis who have passed away. With a new house not making financial sense, we launched a "house renewal" project that I organized from my home outside Philadelphia. We had face-to-face meetings at the American Bank & Trust, where brothers Buckie Parsons #7 and Steve Daniels #35 secured a loan and our work began. When I returned to Cookeville, it is rather surprising now that I was back that this same house was purchased from my wife's maid of honor's uncle. I couldn't have predicted this at the time. We had begun leasing the current house in the fall of 1968. Small world! One must never forget that we are a "fraternity for life!" As we traveled down the alternate path of a managed upgrade to restore the house, the Golden Legion timing was staring us in the face. Those of us still around knew we were approaching our 50th anniversary as members. Last, but not least, those who started the chapter tradition could start a new tradition these many years later. On October 5, 2019, at TN Delta's 50th Anniversary celebraiton, many brothers joined the Golden Legion as the first 50-year members of the Tennessee Delta Chapter. We paused that night to remember our brothers who have gone on to the Chapter Grand. We will honor them and membership in our fraternity and chapter forever as brothers reach this impressive anniversary. Each year, this great group of brothers will grow. Brothers will reflect on their time as active members, and we will honor those who unfortunately did not arrive in the Golden Legion, but left us too early and are together in the Chapter Grand. In coelo quies est. Yours in the Bond, Steve Desirey #10 FRATERNITY FOR LIFE Excitement Abounds at Tennessee Delta as Brothers Join the Golden Legion Gary McDonald #199, John Bartlett #190, Steve Mock #200, Bob Campbell #194, Chauncey Day #196, and John Gray #197 at the 50th Anniversary reunion. Keith Keisling #89 and Steve Daniels #35 at the 50th Anniversary celebration.

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