On May 15, the California Kappa Colony was rewarded for its year of hard work with a charter and status as the California Kappa Chapter. Phi Delta Theta was the first Greek letter organization on UC, San Diego’s campus in 1982, and the chapter now looks at the charter as the starting line for future success. Chapter President Ethan Pham graciously accepted the charter on behalf of the 70 plus men who signed The Bond as Re-Founding Fathers.
The installation banquet brought together notable individuals representing UC San Diego’s IFC and PHC, Phi Delta Theta General Headquarters and California Kappa alumni. Chapter Advisory Board members Charles Zahl (UCSD ‘91), Richard LeCoultre (Montana ‘14) and Ryan Smith (San Diego State ’15) were in attendance. The weekend’s activities were presided over by General Council Member-At-Large Moe Stephens (Southern Indiana ’99).
California Kappa alumnus Charles Zahl spoke to the importance of surrounding oneself with quality individuals and to not let the great opportunity granted to California Kappa fall to waste. Chapter President Ethan Pham echoed the thoughts and feelings of his brothers while reflecting on their journey during the past year to attain the charter. Moe Stephens ended the night with an emotional speech, defining and emphasizing the significance of the Phi Delta Theta brotherhood.
During its colony period, California Kappa began making an impact on Greek Life at UC San Diego. The colony took home first place in Tri Delt’s annual philanthropy Delta Idol. California Kappa also held their first philanthropy, Dodge for a Cause, raising over $1,000 for The ALS Association. The brothers of California Kappa also enjoyed various brotherhood retreats held in beautiful locations near the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Rancho Palos Verdes.
The brothers of California Kappa are enthusiastic about the future of their chapter. With the help of Director of Expansion Tucker Barney (Puget Sound ’14) and Colony Development Specialist Dylan Berg (North Dakota ’15), the chapter has set concise goals for the upcoming year. Looking to the charter as a validation of their hard work, the brothers of California Kappa are excited to bring Phi Delta Theta back as the premier fraternity it once was at UC San Diego.
In accordance with Phi Delta Theta’s Strategic 10-Year Plan, Phi Delt 2020 and its growth initiative, Phi Delta Theta is currently executing expansion strategies that culminate in seven chapter installations annually and 200 chapters by 2018. The installation of California Kappa was the fourth chapter installation of 2016, and the Fraternity currently has 183 active chapters and 8 colonies.
