The year 2020 provided many challenges, and Phi Delta Theta used innovation and creativity to adapt its services, programs, and support.
One silver lining of the global pandemic was the time it allowed expediting educational content creation for Pursuit of Greatness, Phi Delta Theta’s four-year membership development program. A Society for Human Resource Management study found that 73 percent of employers said it is difficult to find college graduates with the soft skills needed to succeed in the workplace. Further, 51 percent of those same employers said colleges do little to nothing to address this gap. That is why Phi Delta Theta desired to provide its members with the opportunity to learn skills that employers value but aren’t available through the traditional college classroom experience. The skills included interpersonal communication, conflict management, and resiliency, to name a few.
Along with learning about valuable soft skills, the Pursuit of Greatness program offers Phi Delta Theta members the opportunity to earn digital badges that serve as a tangible demonstration of skills they have developed through their Phi Delta Theta experience. The badges can be added to their résumés helping Phi Delts stand out amongst their peers. Members of Phi Delta Theta understand the value of the fraternity experience, but this isn’t always the case with employers. The badges translate chapter experiences into recognizable skills valued by employers during the hiring process.
Pursuit of Greatness courses and badges are available through PDT U, the Fraternity’s online learning portal. The Professional Development Badge is centered on skills that undergraduate members can take into the workplace, such as conflict management and stakeholder communication. The Personal Development Badge is geared towards the interpersonal skills needed to be successful in post-college life, such as managing personal finances and resiliency. The digital badges complement the content offered through the new Phikeia education program and officer certification modules.
Learn more about the Pursuit of Greatness at www.pursuitofgreatness.org.
In an effort to support first-generation college students while complementing and strengthening the Fraternity’s diversity and inclusion efforts, the Phi Delta Theta Foundation provided $250,000 in academic scholarships for first-generation new members during the 2021–22 academic year. The scholarships directly impact the financial hardships of first-generation college students and indirectly lower the economic burden of membership into Phi Delta Theta. First-generation students initiated during the upcoming academic year were automatically be eligible to apply for the scholarships with funding dispensed following the conclusion of each semester.
In addition to the Foundation’s scholarships for first-generation students, continued educational programming that addresses cultural competency and implicit biasl help shape the membership experience for all new and current members. This programming includes online training for the entire chapter while addressing the economic disparity of individual members and increased officer responsibilities for the chapter’s chaplain to advocate for diversity and inclusion within the chapter, on campus, and in local communities.
The Fraternity’s comprehensive effort work to accomplish two important objectives: first, to ensure greater and equitable access to an experience that allows individuals to enhance their personal trajectory through best-in-class leadership programming, mentorship, and community. Second, to broaden the perspective of its members to achieve success in an increasingly diverse and inclusive world.
These initiatives were possible thanks to the generous and visionary support of Phi Delta Theta Foundation donors alongside the direction of the Fraternity’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee; this committee’s review helped reshape the Phi Delt 2030 plan, impacting sixteen goal statements and objectives across five strategic initiatives.
After three successful campaigns, The Living Bond, Leadership for a Lifetime, and Building on the Bond, the Phi Delta Theta Foundation held $26 million in net assets that allow for educational grants and scholarships. Over the next decade, through the Greater Version for Tomorrow Campaign, the Phi Delta Theta Foundation will strategically build upon these campaigns to achieve an impact of $60 million in the areas of member development, health and safety, and people support. The Foundation will achieve this by securing $31 million in new gifts by 2030: $13 million in commitments for endowment growth, $900,000 annual fund dollars each year, $5 million in innovation funds, and $4 million in realized planned gift commitments.
So far, over $11 million has been raised from 100 donors. These dollars have allowed for the launch of the First-Generation New Member Scholarships, the expanded chaplain role to aid in mental health and diversity and inclusion education within the chapter, a partnership with Sonoma State University that grants college credit for Fraternity participation, and the Pursuit of Greatness membership development program.
The Anti-Hazing Coalition was formed in 2018, and is an unprecedented partnership between families who have lost their sons to hazing, fraternities represented by the North American Interfraternity Conference, sororities represented by the National Panhellenic Conference and other organizations within the fraternal community including the National APIDA Panhellenic Association (NAPA), National Multicultural Greek Council (NMGC), Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values (AFLV), HazingPrevention.Org, Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors and the Timothy J. Piazza Center for Fraternity and Sorority Research and Reform.
Phi Delta Theta prioritizes its members’ safety and joining the Anti-Hazing Coalition was another step towards showing our dedication to eradicating hazing and establishing laws that ensure consequences for hazing. This partnership also works to honor Max Gruver.
In March 2022, Phi Delta Theta introduced First Thursdays with the Phis. This alumni engagement initiative facilitates the gathering of Phis on the first Thursday evening of each month, in consistent locations, in an ever-growing list of cities across North America.
As the world emerged from the global pandemic, Phi Delta Theta wanted to offer opportunities for Phis to begin gathering once again to share our brotherhood. First Thursdays with the Phis has seen significant momentum since its launch, and the Fraternity continues to add new locations each month.
To further Lou Gehrig’s legacy and his storied baseball career that began at the collegiate level at Columbia University, Phi Delta Theta, in partnership with the Live Like Lou Foundation, created the Lou Gehrig Community Impact Team to annually recognize the giving character and community impact of collegiate baseball players.
The Lou Gehrig Community Impact Team celebrates nine collegiate baseball players from various levels, including NCAA Division 1, Division 2, Division 3, and NAIA. Honorees are chosen annually based on outstanding achievements in three key areas:
- Demonstrating a substantial commitment to their community through service and philanthropy.
- Embodying the generous spirit and character of Lou Gehrig.
- Making remarkable contributions to the success of their respective teams.
Learn more about the Lou Gehrig Community Impact Team at lougehrigteam.org.
