George Banta, Franklin ‘1876 was elected, by unanimous consent, as the first President of the General Council of Phi Delta Theta at the 1880 Convention at the Grand Hotel in Indianapolis. George, at the young age of 23 when elected, went on to serve as president through 1882. He eventually became known as a Second Founder of Phi Delta Theta. Much of what we know today – our ritual, the General Council, provinces, province presidents, countless chapters, and The Scroll – are tied back to the service of George Banta.