Monday, October 3, 2016 could not have been a more perfect day to welcome new men into the Phi Delta Theta brotherhood. At 5:30 pm, the group of Re-Founding Fathers enjoyed dinner provided by General Council President Jeff Davis while interacting with University of Missouri alumni Andrew Kauffman, ’15, Dr. Lynn Miller, ’70, and former Survey Commission Chairman Bruce McClelland, ’65. Also in attendance were Province President Josh Hanley, Westminster ’02, who conducted the recolonization ceremony, Chapter Advisory Board members and Missouri Alpha alumni Matt Beckett,’96, Daniel Beckett, ’99, Chris Widmer, ’93, Travis Condict, ’93 and House Corporation President Chris Crocker, ’96. Fellow alumni and undergraduate Phis from Missouri Eta (Missouri Western) and Missouri Beta (Westminster) also attended the recolonization ceremony to support the Missouri Alpha Colony.

The recolonization ceremony was held later that evening in the event center at the newly renovated Missouri Alpha chapter house. After leading the recruitment and organizational efforts on the ground front, Leadership Consultants BJ Henderson, Wisconsin ’16 and Nick Liberator, Central Connecticut State ’15 alongside live-in adviser and past Leadership Consultant Matt Fritsch, Northwest Missouri State ’14 beamed with pride as the 73 Re-Founding Fathers took the oath to become colony men of Phi Delta Theta.

During the recruitment process, the Phi Delta Theta Expansion Team was able to recruit men who truly represent Phi Delta Theta values. Collectively, the group of freshmen, sophomores, and juniors holds a 3.5 GPA, is very involved throughout campus, and represents a wide variety of majors on campus.

The recolonization effort would not have been possible without the assistance of Missouri Alpha alumni who are wholly committed to seeing this colony succeed. With Missouri Alpha being the oldest fraternity on campus and the second chapter founded by Phi Delta Theta west of Mississippi, the Phi Delta Theta legacy at the University of Missouri is a strong one. The Missouri Alpha Colony members respect this history and have great plans to keep it moving forward.

“The colony members are excited to make Phi Delta Theta a transformative student organization on campus, one that taps into diversity and expands horizons beyond the stereotypes and preconceived notions about what is to be a fraternity man at Mizzou.”

–    Social Chairmen Darien Lee

“We all bleed black and gold, but now we also bleed blue and white.”

–    Casey Eschmann

Missouri Alpha was founded November 26, 1870 and has initiated 2,762 members. There are 1,720 living Missouri Alpha alumni.