Phi Delta Theta is excited to announce the establishment of its eleventh Canadian group: British Columbia Gamma at the University of British Columbia Okanagan.
The University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) is a campus of the University of British Columbia, whose main campus is located in Vancouver (home to the British Columbia Alpha Chapter of Phi Delta Theta).
UBCO itself is located in Kelowna, British Columbia, and hosts a student population just shy of 10,000 with very little established Greek life. Therefore, it came as a surprise when this past fall, a group of students gathered together and petitioned Phi Delta Theta to become a colony.
Phi Delta Theta’s Growth team gladly accepted the opportunity and went to work remotely coaching the group throughout the fall. In January, Director of Growth Jim Rosencrans and Growth and Support Specialist Andrew Norrie traveled to UBCO to work on-site with the interest group to develop them into a recognized colony.
On February 1, the group was officially welcomed into Phi Delta Theta as the British Columbia Gamma Colony with 26 Founders. British Columbia Gamma is the first international social fraternity on campus and has set lofty goals. Phi Delta Theta is optimistic that they will see much future success.
The groups vision statement reads, “We will be the premier leadership organization on campus and in the community through our dedication to becoming the greatest versions of ourselves.”
British Columbia Gamma is the first new Phi Delta Theta colony to establish in Western Canada in 25 years and joins British Columbia Alpha at the University of British Columbia, Alberta Alpha at the University of Alberta, and Manitoba Alpha at the University of Manitoba as the fourth group in the Tau West Province.
The men of the colony hail from incredibly diverse backgrounds and majors, establishing themselves immediately as a strong leadership cohort on campus. British Columbia Gamma’s Founders call Indonesia, Singapore, India, Japan, the Philippines, and Canada their home – truly a testament to power of fraternity.
Scholarship Chairman Elliot Hayton, from Kenora, Ontario says, “Being a Phi Delt Founder at UBCO and starting the British Columbia Gamma Colony has already connected me with so many great friends that all hope to positively impact campus life at UBCO and create positive change in the Kelowna area.”
Colony President Dante Babin, from Jakarta, Indonesia has already formed strong bonds with student government and campus officials at UBCO, setting the tone for the reputation British Columbia Gamma seeks by publicizing their first event: a campus-wide philanthropy event for the BC Children’s Hospital, all within one week of becoming colonized.
Growth and Support Specialist Andrew Norrie worked on-site with the group for three weeks and recognizes them as a talented and driven brotherhood.
“I’m excited to see what will come from Greek life at UBCO with Phi Delta Theta leading the way. The first wave of Phi Delt Founders are passionate, bought in, and ready to facilitate positive growth in their own lives and in their community. I’m honored to have worked with them this winter and am confident they will see much success in future years. Best of luck this year, and Roll Phi!”
Congratulations to the men of British Columbia Gamma!
