Theta Delta Chi International Fraternity

In the last issue of "the Shield", I challenged our members to get the most out of their fraternal experience and to help the fraternity be, as put in the words of Carl Harstrom, Xi (Hobart) 1886, "a potent factor of good." With our leap to a more user-friendly website, our online community of Thetes just became a more intimate setting, expanding the opportunities for each of us to give back to the Old Lady. Not only is this new site laden with quality content, but alumni, undergraduates, and other visits can openly contribute to our online presence by submitting information to our CFO staff at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

In many ways, our new website is emblematic of the success of Theta Delta Chi over the past year. As you may have notice while reviewing this site, our brotherhood is currently experiencing a period of unprecedented growth and renewal. Never before in our history has Theta Delta Chi installed more than three Charges within a single year, yet this past spring the Grand Lodge installed four Charges, swelling our ranks to 29 active Charges across North America. It is with a deep pleasure that I welcome back Rho Proteron (South Carolina) and Epsilon Triton (Arizona State) to our active rolls, as well as welcoming our newest Charges of Lambda Triton (Rutgers) and Tau Triton (Marist).

Only half way through 2008, our expansion efforts continue in full swing. Our current colonies represent a return of two of our perennial giants, Gamma Deuteron (Michigan) and Xi (Hobart). Also, efforts are underway to re-colonize Psi Deuteron (UCLA) this fall after a five year absence from Westwood. With these three groups active in the fall, over 2,000 Theta Delt alumni will once again have active Charges at their host institutions.

These recent expansion initiatives exhibit the pillars necessary for Theta Delta Chi to be a "potent factor of good". The first vital pillar is a dedicated values-based alumni body and/or Charge advisors. Alumni and advisors serve the foundation of our fraternity, bringing a wealth of knowledge through personal experiences and trials that allow our Charges to grow in a fruitful manner. Alumni like Andy Rill, Epsilon Triton (Arizona State) '77, and Cameron Lochhead, Xi (Hobart) '82, have played key role in our expansion efforts by providing resources to undergraduates and organizing and motivating other alumni to become engaged.

Second, having the support of a host institution provides resources critical to a Charge's success. Afterall, a Charge's survival is often dependent on the health of the campus community. Currently, no where is this more apparent than our Tau Triton Charge at Marist College, where our men have received the guidance and support of Brother Frank Kelly FMS, Director of Campus Ministry. With the assistance of Brother Kelly and the Marist College community, I have no doubt that Tau Triton will succeed for years to come.

Our international entities, including the Central Fraternity Office, the Grand Lodge, the Theta Delta Chi Educational Foundation, and the Founders Corporation, serve as the third and final vital pillar to our Charges by providing day-to-day resources, services and guidance that allow our Charges to thrive in an every-changing fraternity environment. This pillar is embodied in the support Director of Expansion Eric Kelley, Sigma Triton (Penn State) '04 provided to Epsilon Triton through his month long stay in Tempe, or in the financial support of the Grand Lodge and the Educational Foundation for programming like the Preamble Institute (a program attended by eight brothers from Lambda Triton, Epsilon Triton, Tau Triton, and Rho Proteron).

While these pillars may seem abstract to brothers and visitors alike, the truth is that anyone can contribute a pillar or pillars to benefit the common good of our fraternity without sacrificing undue time or money. Here are twelve simple ways you can give back to Theta Delta Chi:
1) Attend an alumni, family or parent event
2) Give to the Theta Delta Chi Educational Foundation to support scholarships and our educational and leadership programs
3) Volunteer for a Grand Lodge or Educational Foundation committee
4) Attend your host institution's events for Greeks
5) Submit the name of a potential recruit to the CFO staff or directly to a Charge
6) Hold our Charges and members accountable (e.g., if you observe something contrary to our values, report to the CFO staff)
7) Assist the Charge with planning an event
8) Attend a Charge philanthropic or community service program
9) Host an alumni, parent or undergraduate gathering
10) Serve on a Charges alumni association or house corporation board (this doesn't have to be your own Charge, and sometimes you don't even need to be a Theta Delt)
11) Supporting the Greek community at a college or university near you
12) Submit a blog entry for the Theta Delta Chi website

Over the course of my future blogs, I will go into more depth about the pillars and how each of us can contribute to the success of Theta Delta Chi. Until then, I encourage you to explore the new website!