On November 12, 2021, the men of the Phi Delta Theta interest group at Rogers State University in Claremore, Oklahoma, were joined by family, friends, alumni, and campus administrators as they were inducted as the Oklahoma Epsilon Emerging Chapter and the campus’ first fraternity.
The interest group began its journey in October 2020 amongst a global pandemic when a group of students led by the former Student Government President and current Honors Program President Trent Siever set out to create a space of belonging and connectedness for men at Rogers State. Throughout the 2020-21 academic year, the interest group attracted many student leaders by engaging with their peers in Freshman Seminars, Presidents Leadership Class, the Honors Program, and at Hill Camp.
After generating much interest on campus, the group began laying the foundation for brotherhood and defined their vision statement, “Phi Delta Theta at Rogers State University will be a beacon for positive culture on campus through servant leadership and a focus on individual growth.” The group was also able to work with the Student Involvement Office and the three sororities on campus to form an All-Greek Council and gain campus recognition.
Entering the fall 2021 semester, the interest group participated in their first recruitment and had the goal of providing students with an experience that fulfills their vision for what a fraternity can be at Rogers State. Through their efforts, the group successfully recruited twelve new members and met the requirements for induction as an emerging chapter of Phi Delta Theta.
“To be a part of the only fraternity at Rogers State, and a founder of the chapter makes me so excited for what we can accomplish on campus and in the communities around us,” Emerging Chapter President Matthew Garrison shared. “I am looking forward to setting a new standard of what a fraternity looks like at Rogers State, and I am overjoyed to serve my fellow man while becoming the greatest version of myself.”
Phi Delta Theta congratulates the Oklahoma Epsilon Emerging Chapter and offers thanks to all of the campus faculty and volunteers who helped establish the Fraternity. Phi Delta Theta is excited to celebrate Oklahoma Epsilon’s accomplishments in the future as the emerging chapter progresses towards installation as a chapter.
