Phi Delta Theta - DePauw University

DePauw Phi THE I N D I A N A Z E T A C H A P T E R O F P H I D E L T A T H E T A SPRING 2017 Fraternities – Now More Than Ever! I recently had a conversation with a university president who stated with great conviction that "Greek life is in decline nationally." I was shocked that he had it so very wrong. In fact, I was speechless, as I knew that it was just the opposite. I replied as such, but it took an e-mail back to him after the encounter with national data to correct the record. Then I started thinking, how many others think this to be true? After all, it's not difficult to come across bad headlines about Greek life on college campuses today. Sometimes, the stories are such that it becomes a challenge to explain and defend the great experiences we DePauw Phis have had. To the uninformed, fraternity life is in decline. Well, if you're a student of many media narratives today, you know sensation often overshadows factual coverage. Headlines and bad news sells; good news is not a generous byproduct of many outlets today. The fact is that fraternities and sororities across the country are enjoying a surge in popularity with rising numbers of students joining campus Greek organizations. The North-American Interfraternity Conference, a group that represents 74 national fraternities, reports it had 273,529 active members on college campuses last year. That is a 45% increase over the last decade, a spokeswoman said. Sororities report a similar spike in membership. The National Panhellenic Conference, an umbrella group representing 26 national and international sororities, said it has 353,345 undergraduate members. Membership has climbed 10% each of the last three years. The schools with the highest percentage of male undergraduates in fraternities are University of Texas-Pan American (99%); Welch College in Tennessee (84%); Washington and Lee University in Virginia (78%); DePauw (78%); and Sewanee-University of the South in Tennessee (67%). Some quick North American Phi Delta Theta facts: • Over the past three years, the fraternity has added or plans to add 37 chapters. • Average chapter size is up over 33%. • Undergraduate membership is up 40% since 2000. • Alumni involvement on our advisory boards is up 170% over past six years. Indiana Zeta Chapter size is at an all-time high of more than 100 members. Our awards, academic standing, and campus involvement remain the standard at DPU. In fact, 10% of men on the DePauw campus today are Phis. FRAT VERSUS FRATERNITY But to be candid, this success is not being enjoyed by all. Since the late 1980s, DePauw lost DKE, LCA, DC, and most recently SAE. Sigma Nu gave up their own housing and now has a small chapter renting a residence on campus. At the risk of impugning any of these chapters, I do say often that "frats are dying, but fraternities have a great future." This begs the question to alumni and undergraduates alike: "Which one do you want to be?" Phi Delt at DePauw is committed to being a Fraternity in the best sense. By attracting and retaining solid men and by holding each other accountable, the undergraduate leadership is committed to thriving. With professional management of property and great stewardship of funds, our volunteer leaders too are all in for success. We're proud of Indiana Zeta and Phi Delta Theta International. We hope you are too! Yours in the Bond, Chris "CJ" Johnston '83 Chapter Advisor cl.johnston83@gmail.com 1 8 6 8 20 1 8 F D Q • IN D I A N A Z E T A • D E P AU W U N I VER S IT Y George A Long III, Indiana Alpha 1413 George A L ong, Indiana Beta 10/19/12 08 #332 Gr anville Mo ody Jr. Illinois E t a, 3/7/1914 #232 George A Long Jr., Illinois Eta, 6/6/1939 #586 Edward C. Loy, Ind iana The ta, 4/5/1 934 # 504 Herbert Strawbridge, Indiana Theta, 4/19/1936 #531 Ro bert Strawbridge, Indiana T heta, 3/18/1937 #539 Russell S trawbridge, Indiana T heta, 4/2 7/19 47 #74 9 Dallas Rya n Long, Florid a Ga mma, 4/ 22/20 07 #1663 1 5 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y CEL E BR A T I O N

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