175th Anniversary - Phi Delta Theta Museum

175 Moments in Phi Delta Theta History

On December 26, 2023, Phi Delta Theta celebrates 175 years of Friendship, Sound Learning, and Rectitude. Our Cardinal Principles have been the heart of the experience for all who share the letters of Phi Delta Theta. They bring us closer as brothers, teach us lessons, and pave the way for the future of the Fraternity. Along the way, the Fraternity and its people have realized many historical moments that have shaped its future.

Click on any image below to learn more about that moment in Phi Delta Theta history.

The Snowball Rebellion

Founding of the Fraternity

Creation of Ohio Alpha

First Initiate, Morton George Williams

Original Badge Designed

Second Chapter, Indiana Alpha

First Expelled Members

First General Convention

Members Wore Badges Publicly

Passing of Ardivan Walker Rodgers

The Civil War

Indiana Alumni Held a State Reunion

First Song Developed

Coat of Arms Developed

First Phi Delt College President

Fraternity Colors Adopted

Sword and Chain Added to Badge

Badge of Mourning Adopted

Proposal Accepted for Grand Banker to Pay Expenses of Convention Attendees

Passing of Robert Thompson Drake

First Chapter House

First Legacy Initiated

First Song Book

Passing of John McMillan Wilson

First Edition of The Scroll

General Convention Becomes Biennial

First Alumni Club Developed

50th Chapter Installed at Trinity College

Banta Elected to Membership in Delta Gamma

Owl Adopted

Constitution Adopted, Replaces Original Articles of Union

General Council Established

First General Council President – George Banta

Province President Program Established

Chapter Reports in The Scroll

First Fraternity-Owned Chapter House (Sewanee)

First Manual of Phi Delta Theta Printed

Frank Lloyd Wright Initiated at Wisconsin

“In Coelo Quies Est” Used for the First Time

Harrison Elected President of the United States

Open Motto Adopted

Fraternity Flag Adopted

Pallas Adopted as Tutelary Goddess

White Carnation Adopted as Fraternity Flower

Adlai Stevenson Elected Vice President of United States

First Palladium (Private Bulletin) Created

Phikeia Button Adopted

Phi Delta Theta Whistle Adopted

Fifth Position (Reporter) Added to General Council

Origin of Morrison’s Quote

Semi-Centennial Convention Hosted in Columbus, Ohio

Fraternity Seal Adopted

First Certificate of Membership

Passing of Andrew Watts Rogers

Phi Delta Theta Becomes an International Fraternity

Guy Potter Benton Becomes President of Miami University

Passing of Robert Morrison

The Scroll Finds Permanent Publishing Home

First Ohio Alpha Chapter House

Palmer’s History Published

Passing of John Wolfe Lindley

National Intra-Fraternity Conference Established

March 15 Becomes Founders Day

Establishing the Birthplace of Phi Delta Theta

Mitchell Passes Plan For $10 Life Payment Per Initiate

Banta’s Greek Exchange Published for Sorority and Fraternity News

100th Chapter Installed at Iowa State University

5,000+ Phis Serve in WWI

First Mention of Organizing a Central Office

Passing of Walter Palmer

Establishment of Central Office in Indianapolis

Lou Gehrig Initiated

General Council Secretary and Historian Positions Changed to Member-at-Large

Walter B. Palmer Foundation Created

Survey Commission Created

Central Office Moved to Detroit

Arthur R. Priest Begins Service as Executive Secretary

Harvard Trophy Introduced

General Council Votes to Move Central Office Back to Oxford

Founders Trophy Introduced

Kansas City Trophy Introduced

Fraternity Executives Association Established, Arthur R. Priest Elected President

William Harrah Begins His Career in the Gaming Industry

Powell Crosley, Jr. Purchases Cincinnati Reds

Paul C. Beam Begins Service as Executive Secretary

Founders Room Ready for Use in Elliott Hall

Frank J.R. Mitchell Scroll Endowment Fund Created

Lou Gehrig Luckiest Man Speech

First Phi Delt to Win Heisman Trophy – Tom Harmon

Passing of Lou Gehrig

12,000+ Phis Serve in WWII

Fred Vinson Becomes United States Chief Justice

Fraternity Takes Occupancy of Memorial Library and General Headquarters Building in Oxford, Ohio

Tony Awards Founded by Brock Pemberton

Centennial Convention Held in Oxford

Francis D. Lyon Receives Oscar

First Gold Star Awards Given

Lou Gehrig Memorial Award Created

Grantland Rice Trophy Introduced for College Football National Champion

First Arthur R. Priest Award Winner

First Lou Gehrig Memorial Award Given to Alvin Dark

Robert J. Miller Begins Service as Executive Secretary

Community Service Day Introduced

Colonization Became a Term and Process for New Chapters

First Marriott Hotel

Removal of Membership Exclusion Clause

Phi Delta Theta Foundation Created

First Silver Star Awards Given

Frank Lloyd Wright Designs Arizona Beta House

Ralph Wilson Creates Buffalo Bills, Becomes AFL Franchise

Raymond L. Gardner Alumnus of the Year Award Introduced

Burt Reynolds’ First Movie

First Foundation Scholarship Awarded

150th Chapter Installed at University of Tennessee

Weeb Ewbank – First Coach to Lead National and American Football Leagues Teams to World Championships

Neil Armstrong Moon Landing

Vietnam War and Campus Unrest Challenge Greek Community

Dedication of the Phi Delta Theta Gates at Miami

Creation of the Canadian Phi Delta Theta Foundation

100th Anniversary of The Scroll

Housser Trophy Introduced

Legion of Honor and Legion of Merit Awards Created

Nance Millett Award Created

Phi Delta Theta Foundation Expands to Educational Grants

ALS Adopted as Fraternity Philanthropy

Fraternity Property and Liability Insurance Program Established

First Summer Leadership Conference – Leadership College

200th Chapter Installed at Marshall University

Sam Simon Creates The Simpsons

James A. Baker Appointed U.S. Secretary of State

Robert A. Biggs Begins Service as Executive Vice President

Robert J. Miller Awarded NIC Gold Medal

First Alumni Academy Held For Alumni Club Leaders

First Fraternity Website

Alcohol-Free Housing Initiative Announced

Foundation Announces The Living Bond Campaign

First Graduate Fellowships Introduced by Foundation

Phi Delta Theta Celebrates 150th Anniversary

First Presidents Leadership Conference

Living Bond Society Introduced

Phoenix Trophy Introduced

J.K. Davis Award Introduced

Foundation Launches Leadership for a Lifetime Campaign

250th Chapter Installed at NW Missouri State

Don’t Tarnish the Badge Anti-Hazing Program Announced

Billy Payne Named Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club

Drew Houston Creates Dropbox

True Blue Society Created

Iron Phi Introduced

Creation of Phi Delta Theta Sports Hall of Fame

Phi Delt 2020 Strategic Plan Launched

Adam Riess Wins Nobel Prize

Leadership College Renamed Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute

Maurice and Dorothea Shaffer Leave Record Gift

Ihlenfeld University for Online Education (PDT U) Established

Roger Ebert’s Final Film Review Published

Adam Silver Appointed NBA Commissioner

Whole Man Scholarship Program Established

Costello Read Leadership Center Dedicated at GHQ

All Issues of The Scroll Archived Online

Introduction of the LiveLikeLou Foundation

Celebration of Successful Building on the Bond Campaign

Phi Delta Theta Foundation Hosts First Day of Giving

Sean S. Wagner Begins Service as CEO

Phi Delt 2030 Strategic Plan Introduced

Partnership Established with Max Gruver Foundation

McKenzie Family Donation Endows PLC

Phi Delta Theta Takes Action to Address Diversity and Inclusion

Major League Baseball Introduces Lou Gehrig Day

100th Anniversary of GHQ Staff

Pursuit of Greatness Membership Development Program Launched

First-Generation Student Scholarships Introduced

Launch of A Greater Version for Tomorrow Campaign

Phi Delta Theta Joins Anti-Hazing Coalition

First Thursdays with the Phis Introduced