Originally founded at the University of South Carolina in 1882, the South Carolina Beta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta has not had a presence on campus since 2000. During the late months of 2017, Phi Delta Theta began working with the University of South Carolina to prepare for its return to campus. Following a successful recruitment effort in January and February, South Carolina Beta was re-colonized this past Friday, March 2 with 77 Founding Fathers leading the way.

Expansion Consultants Nick Liberator and Justin Holmes arrived in Columbia, South Carolina in January to being the development of the colony. Throughout their time on campus at USC, they recruited Founding Fathers, developed a Chapter Advisory Board, communicated with South Carolina Beta alumni, and held numerous informational sessions and presentations to spread the good word about Phi Delta Theta.

The level of interest for the Phi Delta Theta experience at the University of South Carolina was tremendous, and the South Carolina Beta Colony has already accepted the challenge of redefining what it means to be a fraternity man on campus. Acknowledging there is a microscope on fraternities, these young men have vowed to defy the common stereotypes within the Greek culture around the country.

With this mindset as the guide, the colony has already given back to the community in a number of ways. On Valentine’s Day, colony members volunteered at a local retirement home, and at the campus’ Dance Marathon, Phi Delta Theta raised the most money by a fraternity ($9,000). Operationally, South Carolina Beta has alrady begun forming their budget, writing their bylaws and planning events for the upcoming year. Collectively, the colony is very academically minded boasting a 3.49 GPA.

At the colonization ceremony, Colony President Casey Lewis reminded the group about the journey they have ahead of them, the goals they want to accomplish, and the men they want to become. Phi Delta Theta expects great things from the South Carolina Beta Colony at the University of South Carolina.