The Illinois Beta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta at the University of Chicago was originally founded on January 11, 1866. The chapter was the fifteenth to be installed since the Fraternity’s founding at Miami University on December 26, 1848. Since the chapter’s founding, 1,435 men have been initiated into the Illinois Beta Chapter. On January 24, 2020, 32 men were added to The Bond when the chapter was re-installed. In the coming weeks, the newly-installed chapter will initiate the remaining 10 re-founding members who could not make it to the installation weekend due to their university athletics competitions.
As snow and freezing rain fell on the weekend of their installation, the men of Illinois Beta gathered in the First Unitarian Church of Chicago to become initiated men of Phi Delta Theta. Phi Delta Theta General Council President Chris Brussalis’ flight was delayed, but he made it to the end of their initiation. He was able to address the men and congratulate them on becoming brothers that night. Iota South Province President Alex Carrick stepped in and presided over the initiation ceremony.
The installation ceremony was held at the First Unitarian Church of Chicago the next morning with Chapter Advisory Board members, Illinois Beta alumni, and friends in attendance. Chapter Advisory Board Chairman BJ Henderson shared, “You all have truly developed over the last year, from collecting money for a formal budget and barely knowing what LiveLikeLou is, to now operating successfully and volunteering for an ALS family in Chicago. This re-installation ceremony really is like your first birthday or your first anniversary. Now what are you going to accomplish before your second?”
Illinois Beta’s newly-elected Chapter President Chris Dann mentioned, “I was thrilled to see the energy in the room when we initiated this past weekend. That said, my hope for the chapter is that we can funnel this energy into a committed effort to grow our brand on campus and within Greek Life at UChicago. What I envision this looking like is the continued development of community service and philanthropy events both on campus and in the Chicago community. Furthermore, we want to provide a fun, safe, and inclusive environment for students. Ultimately, we want students on campus to know and be encouraged by the name Phi Delta Theta at UChicago.”
The future is bright for the Illinois Beta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta at the University of Chicago!
