Phi Delta Theta - Tennessee Technological University

4 The Tennessee Delta News Tennessee Delta D uring two house renovations, including two basement floods, all Sigma Tau Omega and Tennessee Delta Chapter memorabilia was removed and placed in a climate-controlled storage unit in Murfreesboro. The fact is that there is no space to display 50 years of history, as it would take a very large room (hint…the need for a chapter room addition!). THE EARLY YEARS I have located the ΣΤΩ banner, crest, beanies, scrapbook, fraternity pin, and new member manual, which includes ΣΤΩ's detailed history. I also found 1968 and 1969 TTU yearbooks and the Phi Delta Theta colony composite. A lot of chapter installation memorabilia is in storage, including the original Phi Delta Theta charter, the Bible used at installation, the guest book and champagne bottles from installation, a group picture from the installation ceremony, and the 1969 "Neil Armstrong edition" of The Scroll that highlighted the chapter installation. Another important archived item is the chapter's infamous owl, which was repaired by a taxidermist with a custom acrylic case. The chapter's original copy of The Bond of Phi Delta Theta is in storage at the General Headquarters in Oxford, Ohio. MISSING We are always looking to add to the chapter's archives. The initial goal is to assemble as much from the ΣΤΩ days through the installation of Tennessee Delta. Here are some items we would like to add from the local fraternity days: • ΣΤΩ jerseys • ΣΤΩ photos • ΣΤΩ ritual materials, including pledge pins and black books • ΣΤΩ minutes and correspondence If you have any memorabilia, please contact me at jgrannis@gcpas.com to arrange a pick-up, shipping information, or just to let me know. Yours in the Bond, Jay Grannis #173, ΣΤΩ Corporation President, jgrannis@gcpas.com P.S. Our 60th reunion is only nine years away! Remember the '70s! L ast summer, Tennessee Delta received the Silver Star Award for outstanding chapter excellence from the National Fraternity. Chapters are scored on a variety of policies and programs, including chapter bylaws, membership roster, chapter goals and objectives, annual financial planning, Phikeia education program, community service, facility management, recruiting, and alumni communications. While it was nice to be recognized for our success with this prestigious honor, we're working hard to achieve Gold Star status in 2021. UPWARD AND ONWARD The active chapter is growing at a steady pace and is expanding in all avenues on Tennessee Tech's campus. Due to the pandemic, all TTU fraternities have struggled with recruitment. However, we have been highly competitive with other fraternities that are twice our size. We welcomed 10 Phikeias to our fall new member class, and our chapter is up to 27 members. In the academic arena, Tennessee Delta's spring 2020 3.2 GPA was the fifth best among TTU fraternities. Our goal is to consistently be a top-five fraternity when it comes to academics. WORK WEEK INCLUDES KITCHEN REMODEL, ADDITIONAL BEDROOM Every year, work week is a time for brothers to convene and map out the coming year and, yes, work on the house. The fact that 626 N. Walnut remains our address is a testimony to the hard work put forth by brothers at past work weeks and incredible alumni support. Thanks to Ronnie Foster #109 and Jay Grannis #173, the actives refinished the old card room in the basement and turned it into a bedroom for the first time in many years. We owe a special debt of gratitude to Jim Hearn #65, who provided funding and expertise to remodel the kitchen. The chapter appreciates the help of our alumni to ensure the house is in the best shape possible for the year ahead. This year, there are nine brothers living in the house, seven on the second floor and two in the basement. NAVIGATING NEW NORMALS The 2020-21 academic year has been unlike any other, but we've done our best to make the most of it. While there was no traditional parade or football game, we celebrated Homecoming in November with Delta Phi Epsilon. We earned a third-place finish in Homecoming and were thrilled to win Delta Phi Epsilon's Cystic Fibrosis Week and ANAD Week. HITTING THE LINKS WITH TENNESSEE DELTA We are planning a Tennessee Delta alumni golf tournament in August 2021. We look forward to releasing more details in the coming months. Yours in the Bond, Samuel Splawn #707 Outgoing Chapter President TENNESSEE DELTA WINS 2020 SILVER STAR AWARD Active Chapter Lands 10 Fall Phikeia FROM THE ARCHIVES Help Tennessee Delta Add to Its Collection of ΣΤΩ Memorabilia

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