Phi Gamma Delta

Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI), commonly known as FIJI, is a social fraternity with more than 144 active chapters and 10 colonies across the United States and Canada. It was founded at Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, in 1848. The Pi Iota Chapter at Worcester Polytechnic Institute was founded on November 20th, 1891. The Pi Iota Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta is the oldest student-run organization at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Nationally[]

The organization was founded on April 22, 1848, at Jefferson College in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. Six college students gathered in a dormitory room (known by the students as "Fort Armstrong") to establish a secret society. The society they formed was initially called "The Delta Association". The founders, referred to by members as the "Immortal Six", were John Templeton McCarty, Samuel Beatty Wilson, James Elliott Jr., Ellis Bailey Gregg, Daniel Webster Crofts, and Naaman Fletcher.

Phi Gamma Delta's mission statement lists five core values for its members: friendship, knowledge, service, morality, and excellence. In addition, members are encouraged to live by three priorities by these respective order: scholarship, fraternity, and self. This ordering is because members attend a university with the foremost goal of receiving an education and that Phi Gamma Delta is a fraternity that promotes scholastic achievement amongst its members.

Locally[]

The first attempt to introduce a fraternity on the Worcester Polytechnic campus came in 1886. A national Latin Fraternity known as Q.T.V Thomas Club for debate and discussion was established. Though in 1889, the chapter fell through and cease to exist. A few years later in 1890 a student, Archibald MacCullagh, a member of the Beta chapter of Phi Gamma Delta at the University of Pennsylvania transferred to Worcester Tech. He gathered two of his friends and encouraged them to start a Chapter. The three individuals then began to recruit other members; primarily from the previously disbanded Q.T.V Fraternity. Though recognizing the need for a greater social existence, they joined together in secret and petitioned to the Grand Chapter for a charter to the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta. Thus establishing the first Fraternity on Worcester Polytechnic Institute's campus in 1891.

Famous Chapter Alumni[]

Robert Foisie
Steve Rubin
Ted Coghlin Jr.
Windle Priem
Harry Dadmun
Leonard P. Kinnicutt
George P. Dixon
Robert P. Hayward
Todd Akin
Jesse A. Bloch

Memorials[]

Kinnicutt Hall
Foisie Innovation Studio
Foisie Business School
Steve Rubin Campus Center
Walter Knapp Library Light Painting
Coghlin Lecture Hall
Hughes House

Practices and Customs[]

Use of Greek letters and etymology of "FIJI"[]

Phi Gamma Delta limits the written display of its Greek letters. In accordance with the fraternity's international bylaws, FIJI chapters and members-only inscribe their letters in the following seven locations:

On a uniform diamond-shaped member badge
On memorials to deceased brothers
On the Fraternity's official flag
On the Fraternity's official seal
On a chapter house marker
On a brother's official college ring
On a brother's certificate of membership

The fraternity instructs its members to consider the letters sacred and to never display them on an object that can be easily destroyed. Whereas other fraternities often display their letters on clothing or other items, this tradition prevents FIJIs from doing so. In place of the actual Greek letters, "FIJI," "Phi Gam," or the English spelling "Phi Gamma Delta" is used in their place.

The FIJI nickname started at New York University as a suggested name for the Fraternity magazine (Fee Gee). It was officially adopted by the national fraternity at the 1894 convention in the belief that the term would be distinctive and appeal to the imagination. Prior to its formal appropriation by the organization at large, nicknames for members of the fraternity varied greatly; ranging from "Phi Gamm" and "Delta" by brothers across the nation, "Fee Gee" in New York, and "Gammas" in the South. As of now though, "FIJI" and "Phi Gam" are considered by the fraternity to be the only appropriate nicknames for Phi Gamma Delta members on the international scale, though local nicknames related to a chapter's Greek name or other colloquialisms do exist.

Rope Pull[]

Traditionally the youngest sophomore of the Chapter would wear a tuxedo and would be the first person in line for the homecoming rope pull. Though due to the removal of the freshman and sophomore class rivalry, and WPI's dwindling state of school spirit and traditions, this tradition has slowly dissipated.

Pig Dinner[]

The Frank Norris Pig Dinner is an annual graduate dinner held by all Phi Gamma Delta chapters. The dinner is named for author Frank Norris, a member of the Fiji chapter at the University of California, Berkeley where the first Pig Dinner was held in 1893. Pig Dinner is sanctioned by the International Fraternity and it serves to welcome graduate brothers back to their undergraduate chapters. It is the longest continually running, chapter-based, annual Graduate event in the world of fraternities and sororities.

Skull[]

Traditionally there has always been at least one FIJI tapped for Skull each year. It is said that this may have to do with the fact that one of the Chapter's members, George P. Dixon, was a co-founder of the honorary society.

External Links[]

Chapter Website: https://www.fijiwpi.com/

National Website: https://www.phigam.org/