FALL 2021
THE
AUBURN PHI
Official Newsletter of the Alabama Beta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta at Auburn University
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
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long-awaited sense of stability has been reestablished in the lives of Auburn students as classes have fully returned to campus this fall. Alabama Beta has overcome COVID difficulties, and the chapter has continued to be built up by brothers that recognize the blessing it is to be a Phi at Auburn. Our chapter’s quality and improvements have not gone unnoticed. This summer at the General Convention, General Headquarters awarded Alabama Beta the Silver Star and recognized the chapter for its excellence in risk management and recruitment. While our brothers consistently work hard to better our chapter, we acknowledge and are incredibly grateful for the support from the chapter advisory board, housing
corporation, and parents club. Dwight Bassett, our chapter adviser, has been an excellent teacher and friend to our executive committee and the rest of the chapter since gaining him as a resource this past spring. We are proud to share that our Phikeias had the opportunity to travel to Dothan, Alabama, in October to serve the ALS family the chapter adopted. Our chapter has thoroughly enjoyed serving this way and plans to continue doing so each semester. In addition, the brothers of Alabama Beta are looking forward to the initiation of the Epsilon class, which will enrich the chapter and ensure its stability for years to come. We have made it our goal to promote mental health and wellness within
the chapter. We have been breaking the stigma surrounding mental health by encouraging conversations amongst brothers and educating them on mental health practices and suicide prevention. We have seen brotherhood and unification significantly increase in the chapter through these actions. One of the most successful events the chapter held this fall was Parent’s Weekend. We cannot give enough thanks to Pepper Stanford, who made the weekend possible. In addition, I cherished having my Continued on page 4
CHAPTER ADVISORY BOARD UPDATE
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uburn students returned to the classroom, and the campus was alive again. A lot of remarkable things are happening at Alabama Beta. At this year’s Phi Delta Theta Biennial Convention, Alabama Beta received the Silver Star, Excellence in Risk Management Award, and Excellence in Recruitment Award. It’s hard to imagine that in 2014 we saw the suspension of our chapter, forcing us to vacate the house for three years. It’s the second greatest comeback in Auburn history! I am pleased to announce this year’s Phikeia class has forty-seven members. Our recruitment chairman, Phillip Rehm 2393, did an outstanding job finding exceptional men from around the country and
credits tremendous chapter and alumni support. As a result, the chapter expects to initiate over forty new brothers on January 15, 2022, in the Auburn Chapel. There will be a reception at the house following the initiation. Alabama Beta invites all Phi Delta Theta undergraduates and alumni to the initiation, and the chapter would appreciate alumni involvement in the initiation ceremony. In addition, following initiation, we invite all parents, family members, undergraduates, and alumni to the reception. Former Phikeia educator and newly elected vice president, Ben Branch 2426, is the recent winner of the John Tonsmeire Award and Scholarship. Ben is an excellent example of leadership
and academics. The chapter hosted a Parents’ Weekend cocktail party and Saturday tailgate during Auburn’s Fall Family Weekend. Thanks to Pepper Stanford, our outgoing parents club chairman, who coordinated activities that drew in over three hundred guests! The Annual Phi Reunion was held on the weekend of the Georgia game with lunch, golf, and dinner on Friday. In addition, the chapter hosted a tailgate with a band before the game. It was great to see everyone. Please consider attending next year’s reunion. Continued on page 2