Book Redesign

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+ THE GREEK TRADITION

05

+ THE BROTHERHOOD OF A LIFETIME

19

+ THE ESSENCE OF G O O D TA S T E

31




HISTORY OF THE GREEK MOVEMENT

06

nique among the educa-

It was indeed all work and no

tional institutions of the

play. But students, then as now,

world, American college frater-

found a way when there was a

nities are as old as the nation it-

need. The need was to be able

self. They arose in response to a

to relax and recuperate, to en-

need for close personal relation-

joy the friendships and fun that

ships among students, and they

make life bearable, to learn

have provided an opportunity for

those things that can’t be taught

supplemental education beyond

in the classroom, to put purpose

formal curriculum of college.

and perspective into a personal way-of-life, to belong. In Wil-

In the early days, studies cen-

liamsburg, Virginia, in 1750, the

tered around Greek and Latin.

way was to gather in an upper

Electives were unknown, and

room of Raleigh Tavern College

classics rather than current

of William and Mary classmates.

events dominated discussion. It was a trying time for a teen-

Over a bowl of punch, a small

age, as most were, having been

group of students talked and

sent to college by parents to ac-

laughed and called themselves

quire discipline as much as book

the Flat Hat Club. These stu-

learning. And a harsh discipline

dents didn’t know it, but they had

it was. Dress and deportment

organized the first general col-

were

Travel

lege fraternity. Good things are

was difficult. Athletic and social

soon copied, but old habits are

events were few and far between.

hard to break. Other groups ap-

strictly

defined.


In 1750, the Raleigh Tavern saw the formation of the Flat Hat Club. peared but they were social only to a limited extent. They were only concerned with faculty approval and that meant being more like a literary society – meeting to deflate or critique compositions, staging an oratorical contest, or engaging in a form of early campus politics with rival groups. The note of the times was sounded in their names: Ciceronian, Calliopian, and Philopeuthion. One group, PDA, ejected a student who was a superior Greek scholar. That rejected student, John Health, took three Greek let-

22 OF THE PRESENT DAY FRATERNITIES

ters, gathered four friends, and held the first secret meeting of

WERE FOUNDED PRIOR TO 1860.

07


1870 KAPPA ALPHA THETA, THE FIRST WOMEN’S GREEK-LETTERED SOCIETY, WAS FOUNDED AT DEPAW UNIVERSITY.

08


Phi Beta Kappa, the first Greek-letter society or fraternity, on December 5, 1776. It was a secret because it had to be. The William and Mary faculty didn’t approve of its students discussing the pressing issues of the day and possibly straying too far form accepted beliefs. So Phi Beta Kappa developed secret signals of challenge and recognition as they met weekly in the Raleigh Tavern’s Apollo Room. The secret grip and mottos and ritual, the distinctive badge, the code of laws and the use of Greek letters all were used by Phi Beta Kappa and later adopted by subsequent

REMEMBER: IT IS A

fraternities. But the important legacies of Phi Beta Kappa are

“FRATERNITY” AND

these: high morals, scholastic advancement, and the friendship

NEVER “FRAT”.

of one brother with another.

Phi Beta Kappa felt that other campuses should share its good idea and that higher education give proper consideration to prepare a student for his future responsibilities by preparing him socially. In 1780, the Alpha of Connecticut was planted at Yale, in 1781, the Alpha of Massachusetts at Harvard, and more followed. As time went on, Phi Beta Kappa became purely intellectual in its aims, though the original cardinal principles were “literature, morality, and friendship.” During the anti-secret society movements in the 1830s, the society voluntarily revealed that its name meant “Philosophy, the Guide (or Helmsman) of Life.” Since that time it has become strictly an honorary organization and today recognizes undergraduate men and women who show superior achievements in academics on more than 270

Members of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity playing a board game at the University of Texas in 1921.

09


American campuses. Meanwhile, four Phi Beta Kappa men at the University of North Carolina in 1812 organized Kappa Alpha, which expanded in informal fashion to more than 20 campuses throughout the South. Unfortunately, it would not survive the Civil War. To the north, on the campus of Union College, Schenectady, New York, the decline of a military marching club left a void in student life in the fall of 1825. So a group of students, including several members of Phi Beta Kappa, organized Kappa Alpha Society (not to be confused with either the 1812 Kappa Alpha or the current Kappa Alpha Order) on November 20. 1825. Remaining conservative throughout its existence with only nine chapters and a total of roughly 9,200 alumni as of 2000, Kappa Alpha Society enjoys the distinction of being the

10

F I R ST GREEK-LETTER GENERAL COLLEGE F R ATERNITY with continuous existence to date. Due to its secrecy, students and faculty alike opposed Kappa Alpha society. But other students admired the concept of the organization and formed Sigma Phi on March 4, 1827, and Delta Phi on November 17. 1827. Kappa Alpha Society, Sigma Phi, and Delta Phi formed the “Union Triad,” and set the pattern for the American fraternity system. Eventually, Union students founded six fraternities, which is why the college is recognized as the “Mother of Fraternities.” Some think the college fraternity is uniquely American; certainly such an expanded and developed system exists nowhere else,


...JOHN HEALTH TOOK THREE GREEK LETTERS, GATHERED FOUR FRIENDS, AND HELT THE FIRST SECRET MEETING OF PHI BETA KAPPA, THE FIRST GREEK-LETTER SOCIETY OR FRATERNITY, ON DECEMBER 5TH, 1776.”

Alexis de Tocqueville, a much-

cieties, some Hamilton students

traveled Frenchman, wrote De-

took inspiration from the local

mocracy in America following a

Sigma Phi Chapter and founded

trip to America in the 1830s, In

another Greek-letter society, Al-

it he commented: “Americans

pha Delta Phi, in 1832. Fraterni-

of all ages, all conditions, and

ties were on the move. A year lat-

all dispositions constantly form

er, Alpha Delta Phi established

associations. They are the most

its second chapter west of the

fraternal people in the world.”

Alleghenies at Miami University,

He was as prophetic as he was

Oxford, Ohio.

observant.

Sigma

Phi

later

founded a second chapter at

John Reilly Knox had been prom-

Hamilton College, Clinton. New

inent, as a member of a Miami

York. Seeking an alternative to

University literacy society, in a

two bitterly fighting literary so-

“rather bitter fight” against Alpha Delta Phi. He admired the organization and of the Alpha Delta Phi members, but imagined a society of “good without The college Yard at William and Mary circa 1740.

11


the ingredient of evil” and in 1839

The so-called “snow rebellion”

founded Beta Theta Pi, the first

involved heaping great quanti-

fraternity founded in the “West”

ties of snow in the entrances of

and the first member of what

the College buildings, thus pre-

was to become the “Miami Tri-

venting the faculty from entering

ad.”

the classrooms for two days. All the members of Alpha Delta Phi

12

Faculties were still highly suspi-

and all but two members of Beta

cious of fraternities, so both Al-

Theta Pi were expelled. Both fra-

pha Delta Phi and Beta Theta Pi

ternities went inactive until 1852.

existed in secret, with members

In 1848 Phi Delta Theta was

not even wearing their badges

founded to fill the void, and, in

publicly. Then in 1847, members

1855, six men who split from the

of both organizations were found

Delta Kappa Epsilon Chapter,

to have participated in a student

which had been started in 1852,

revolt against an unpopular Mi-

formed Sigma Chi. The Miami

ami University administration.

Triad was complete.

Members of the Delta Tau Delta

Sororities had their beginnings

Fraternity at the University of Texas.

at Wesleyan Female College,


HELPS PREPARE ITS MEMBERS FOR LIFE IN SOCIETY.

DELTA CHI IS CALLED A “SOCIAL FRATERNITY� BECAUSE IT

Macon, Georgia. The Adelphean Society was organized May 15. 1851, and followed a year later by the Philomathean Society. They remained strictly local sororities for more than 50 years before adopting Greek names and expanding as Alpha Delta Pi and Phi Mu, respectively. By 1860 the fraternity system was firmly established, with 22 of the present-day general fraternities having been already founded. The Civil War, pitting brothers against brothers in a familial and fraternal sense, resulted in the closing of many colleges and the temporary interruption in the development of new fraternities. The only fraternity founded during the War was Theta Xi at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New

York, the first professional fraternity (later becoming a general fraternity). It was not uncommon for whole fraternity chapters in the South to enlist as a body to defend the Confederacy. In a few cases, chapters tried to hold together in military units. Afterwards the persistence of bitter sectional feeling worked to keep open the wounds that needed healing. To promote the healing process was a task particularly suited to fraternities. Responding to the urgency of the need was Alpha Tau Omega, the First fraternity founded after the Civil War in 1865; Kappa Alpha Order, [865; Kappa Sigma Kappa (merging with Theta

13


DELTA CHI WAS THE FIRST FRATERNITY TO ABOLISH

HELL WEEK. 14 Xi in 1962) 1867; Pi Kappa Alpha. 1868; Sigma Nu, 1869; and Kappa Sigma. 1869: all in Virginia. The nation and its campuses were NOT

TO BE THE S AME AFTER THE CIVIL WAR.

One

significant challenge was the increased entrance of women into higher education. “Aware of the condescending and frequently scornful activities of the male students.” writes one historian, “wanted nothing more than to prove their capabilities and to achieve an equally important position” on their campuses. Noting the advantages of fraternity group living, I.C. Sorosis (now Pi Beta Phi) was founded April 28. 1867, at Monmouth College, Monmouth, Illinois as the first national sorority, and Kappa Alpha Theta was founded January 27. 1870, at University, Greencastle, Indiana,


as the first women’s Greekletter

grew to fill the need for mass

Society.

education. Several states in the late 1890s adopted anti-frater-

In the early days, most educa-

nity legislation. As the chapters

tional institutions existed pri-

grew larger, they found it pos-

marily to prepare young men for

sible and desirable to provide liv-

the learned professions and the

ing quarters. Soon the fraternity

clergy. Emphasis was placed on

house became a common sight

the classical studies, especially

in college towns. Those organi-

Greek and Latin. When fraterni-

zations which li1cked sufficient

ties came along, it was natural

leadership soon passed out of

for them to draw on those teach-

existence: those that had it ex-

ings. Literacy exercises were

panded at a rapid rate and en-

a common part of all chapter

couraged the formation of many

meetings, where the presenta-

new fraternities. Into such an

tion of essays and debates was

environment Delta Chi was born

customary. At first, meetings

on October 13. 1890. The corner

were held in rented rooms but

was turned into the 20th Century

soon the chapters acquired halls

with the realization of the impor-

that they furnished as clubrooms.

tance of interfraternity endeav-

Eventually, chapter houses be-

ors. An intersorority conference

came common. Gradually, more

(the forerunner of today’s Na-

and more men began to enter

tional Panhellenic Conference)

college. The curriculum expand-

met in Chicago in 1902 and the

ed. Many colleges became uni-

National

versities. The church relation-

ference {now called the North-

ship of many schools weakened

American Interfraternity Confer-

and, in many cases, was dropped

ence) first convened in New York

altogether. New institutions and

City in 1909.

the state-supported institutions

Interfraternity

Con-

15


“A mystic bond of

16


The Sigma Chi Fraternity house was home to these eighteen individuals.

makes all men one.�

– Thomas Carlyle

17




LEGES FRATERNITY ach year, thousands of young men join fraternities. Looking for that mystical “bond of brotherhood� and a sense of belonging that has so much to do with why the role of a Delta Chi is important to us.

20

Today, as a new associate member of The Delta Chi Fraternity, you feel excitement; you see opportunities: you understand the responsibilities and look forward to the challenges of full membership in Delta Chi. That exhilaration will carryover to every facet of your life. Being


accepted by and becoming a part of Delta Chi gives you the benefit of a rich heritage and it promising future. The Cornerstone is a reference manual for Delta Chi’s history, its membership, its purpose and

DELTA CHI WAS MY

goals, its programs, each individual member’s responsibilities

FIRST LOVE; AND IT

and much more. It addresses the role and responsibilities of

SHALL BE MY LAST.”

Delta Chis throughout their lives.

- Peter S. Johnson

Membership in the Fraternity is

Members of the Delta Chi Fraternity at the University of Kansas practicing serenades.

21


22

PROGRESSION OF THE CREST


not limited to the undergraduate years. The opportunity to grow and continue one’s fraternal affiliation is always open. To do so simply requires that each Delta Chi take upon himself a commitment to stand by his oath taken early in his membership. An alumnus who has given nearly 60 years of service to the Fraternity recently said to a group of undergraduates. “THE

EXCITEMENT ABOUT DELTA CHI YOU FEEL TODAY DOESN’T BEGIN TO COMPARE TO THE REWARDS IT CAN OFFER THROUGH A LIFETIME. Every day the Fraternity means more to me. It has for sixty years.” Forget for a moment all of the

ON FEBRUARY 13, 1987,

material manifestations of fraternities as you see them. What

DELTA CHI BECAME AN

you are left with is a group of college men who wish, by close as-

INTERNATIONAL FRATERNITY.

sociation, to accomplish certain desired ends that they cannot accomplish individually, During the associate member education program you will be given the opportunity to exhibit initiative and loyalty, to display a vital interest, and to partake in the chapter’s progress, This is group responsibility, The membership education program is designed to facilitate the assimilation of new members into the chapter. While giving them the necessary skills to function within the chapter, each chapter has an associate member counselor who will supervise your assimilation process into Delta Chi. In addition to reading this manual, each associate member is expected to select a “big brother” from among the membership of the chapter. The big brother is responsible for taking steps to help guide

23


24

1890 “IN THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF EVERY DELTA CHI, OCTOBER 13, 1890 IS A DAY TO BE REMEMBERED.” – PETER S. JOHNSON


PETER SCHERMERHORN JOHNSON writing twenty years after the founding of Delta Chi n the usual course of

one thing dear to us that has

things I should have been

survived the going of the years.

forgotten at graduation. This is the keynote of the Fraternity.

The fellow who leaves should

The Fraternity man never grad-

never think that his connection

uates. He receives his diploma

with his fraternity ends with his

and leaves his Alma Mater for

graduation. It has only begun.

the larger affairs of the world.

He will come across the mem-

But as long as his Chapter

bers all the years of his life.

stands, he is as much a part and

Some can aid him and some he

parcel of it as in his undergrad-

can aid, but the fact that a man

uate days. His success is theirs

is a member of your own society

and their success is his. He be-

will cause you to “sorter snug-

longs to the family for life.

gle up to him� wherever you find him. Man is a gregarious animal

Most of us in our undergradu-

and cannot help it. There is one

ate days do not appreciate the

thing about it, whatever your

fact that the fraternity is the one

fraternity brother’s position may

tie that will bind us to the col-

be or what turns the fates given

lege for life. It is only when we

him: he is worthy of respect.

come back, when we return as strangers to the old campus from which all our acquaintances have long since gone, that we know that our fraternity is the

25


26

The chapter house of Delta Chi at the University of North Carolina is home to over sixty young men.


his little brother through the membership education program. He will follow your development closely as you prepare to accept the responsibilities of full membership. It is not necessary for an associate member to memorize everything this manual covers during the brief period of formal member education, This is a manual to help you get as much as possible from your total fraternity experience. Read it and use it with that in mind. There are no words to quantify or qualify the significance and impact of the Fraternity on its members. In large part, the richness, reward and Challenge of being a Delta Chi is dependent upon each

Q U E ST TO MAKE HIS PL ACE IN HIS F R AT E R N I T Y. The path to a full and broad personal interpretamember’s

tion of “fraternity” is filled with late night talks, recruitment, officer elections, committee involvement, social functions, alumni relations, exam preparation and service projects. The list includes every function of being a student or concerned alumnus, the tasks are often difficult, and disappointments occur frequently. But strangely enough, those who persevere are those who express the greatest satisfaction. They are the ones who consider the meaning of Brotherhood and

I WILL PROTECT THE

eloquently state. “It cannot be defined.” They are the ones who

HEALTH AND SAFETY OF

realize that “fraternity” is a collection of intangibles; it cannot

ALL HUMAN BEINGS.

be evaluated in mathematical

– 3rd basic expectation

terms or analyzed through objective scientific tests. The appraisal of “fraternity” can only be done in comparative terms in light of one’s personal experience. They are

27


the ones who realize the true joy in the pursuit, who daily rededicate themselves to make the most of that day’s adventure. They are Delta Chis. At this point, you need to ask yourself an important question - “If I’m making a commitment to Delta Chi. what can I do for the Fraternity after graduation and throughout my life?” Presently, you are beginning your college life and probably have not given thought to the future beyond college. However, your commitment today means nothing without your commitment to “tomorrow” in Delta Chi. How do you build the type of commitment necessary to make Delta Chi a lifetime brotherhood? Become “involved” from the beginning. As an associate member, serve as an officer of your class. Organize ac28

tivities for your class. Working with your associate brothers will further your understanding of people and the guidelines of the Fraternity. When you attain full membership, a new vista of opportunities opens up for you. Serve as an officer or committee chairman for your chapter. Visit nearby

“THE KING HIMSELF

chapters

to witness how they work and the type of people

SHOULD BE UNDER NO

who run them. Attend the Regional Leadership Conferences

MAN, BUT UNDER GOD

and the International Conventions, Meeting and interacting

AND THE LAW.”

with brothers from across the

– Sir Edward Coke

nation is interesting and builds


friendships cherished for life. Then, as your graduation draws near, you appreciate how much Delta Chi has influenced your growth. More opportunities become available. You can serve on a chapter’s Alumni Board of Trustees or as “BB” of a chapter. Service on a number of committees of the general fraternity is possible. Most prestigious and demanding of all is election to serve as “AA”, “CC. or “DO” of the general fraternity. The more you “serve,” the more there is to gain in terms of business, professional and personal friendships, not to mention the personal I satisfaction of knowing you have been an influence in the direction of an organization: your fraternity – Delta Chi. Involvement means financial support as well. Many members, undergraduate and alumni alike, give in a myriad off fashions, from wills and bequests to direct cash donations to The Delta Chi Fraternity or its Educational Foundation. This financial support is vital to the growth of Delta Chi. Without the generosity of our membership. Delta Chi would certainly be in perilous financial straits. Then, there is the legacy of Delta Chi - your son. Imagine the pride of placing the badge of Delta Chi upon the lapel of your son, sharing with him the same opportunities to learn and grow in an environment conducive to sound education and lifetime brotherhood. This, by far, is your greatest gift to Delta Chi. That brings us again to your commitment. There is much you can do in Delta Chi. The Fraternity needs your commitment, not only for the

Sir Edward Coke is the Spiritual Father of Delta Chi.

29




The college Fraternity is the center of the social life of the fraternity member. As such it seeks to develop the social graces, the art of good living, the development of courtesy and kindness. Good manners, good taste and good companionship are it part of the training of every fraternity member.

INTRODUCTIONS ntroductions are simple if you know the system. The most important thing to remember about introducing people is to do it, even if you forget names. 32

+ Introduce a younger person to an older person. + Introduce it member of your fraternity to the member of another fraternity. + Introduce a nonofficial person to an official person. + Introduce it lower classman to an upper classman. + Introduce it fraternity brother to it house guest. As with most rules, there are exceptions, of which you must be the judge. Example: “Senator Jones. I would like you to meet my date. Sue Smith.” (Older male of distinction first ... younger female second.) “Grandmother Smith, I would you to meet Senator Jones.” (Older Female first...younger male, even though distinguished, second.)


The choice between a bowtie and tie depends on the occasion. Choose wisely.

SHAKING HANDS any people feel they can “take

the

measure�

of

another person by his or her handshake. A good, vigorous handshake can be the difference between a successful first impression and an unsuccessful one. Men stand up when shaking hands, women remain seated. A good handshake is one that:

+ Is made with a firm, but not bone crushing or fish-limp, grip. + Is held for about three or four seconds. This asset will be invaluable to all your relationships and especially so in recruitment.

33


TABLE MANNERS ecognize that the three things we eat with today – the knife, fork and spoon - each have a specific use, purpose, and proper way to be handled. Normally, they are placed on the table in order of use, starting from the outside and working to the plate. A good guideline is to use a fork on a flat plate and a spoon in a bowl. It is important to hold a knife, fork and spoon properly. 34

+ Pass food to your right. Pass the salt and pepper together. Don’t reach across the table or over another person. Ask that the dish be passed to you.

+ Eat fruit cocktail with a spoon. Don’t use a fork. + Eat pie – even a la mode – with a fork. Don’t use a spoon. + Cut one bite of meat or vegetable at a time. Don’t cut numerous bites. + Keep the salad and bread plates to your left. Don’t move them around. + Never leave a spoon in a bowl, cup, glass, or dessert dish. + Place the knife and fork on the edge of the plate while eating and in the center of the plate when finished.


+ Keep your napkin folded in half on your lap throughout the meal except when using it to wipe your mouth.

+ Eat noiselessly. + Never speak when your mouth contains food. Avoid mention of unpleasant subjects at the table. Talk only with those seated close to you.

+ Don’t stack your dishes. Don’t assist the waiter unless an unusual situation seems to require it.

I will strive for

ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND PRACTICE ACADEMIC INTEGRITY.” – 1st basic expectation

Members of the Delta Chi Fraternity taking a picture before their annual formal.

35


9

10

36

1

2

3

FORMAL PLACE SERVICE

4


Knowing how to set a table, formally, is something that can benefit you for a lifetime.

11

12

13

37

5

6

7

1 NAPKIN 2 SALAD FORK 3 DINNER FORK 4 SERVICE PLATE 5 DINNER KNIFE 6 TEASPOON 7 SOUP SPOON 8 COCKTAIL FORK 9 BREAD / BUTTER PLATE 10 DESSERT FORK 11 DESSERT SPOON 12 WATER GOBLET 13 WINE GOBLET

8


38

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fter your time as an active

world have very high influence.

member of the Delta Chi

This is a list of successful busi-

Fraternity, networking is what

ness men in all different areas of

can land you a successful career.

interest. A simple call or email is

The brotherhood you gained has

the least you could do and could

many benefits. One of the biggest

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is the fact that many brothers

your life.

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39

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