The Georgia Eta Chapter at the University of West Georgia received its charter from Jesse Moyer, General Council Member-at- Large, on Saturday, April 27, 2017. Colonized on March 6, 2016, members of Georgia Eta worked tirelessly this year to make their dream of becoming a chapter come true. Led by Jesse Moyer, GHQ staff members and several brothers from neighboring universities (Mercer University and Georgia Tech), forty-three members and one adviser were initiated into the Fraternity on Friday, April 28.
As a colony, Georgia Eta worked diligently to gain tremendous respect within the Greek community at the University of West Georgia. The brothers spent time in the local community and were able to raise money for ALS through a week-long philanthropy event. Along the way, the colony took great pride in supporting other organizations on campus whenever the opportunity arose.
Tyler Hill, Interim Assistant Director of Sorority and Fraternity Life, commended the Fraternity for being one of the best fraternal organizations on campus. He also stated that he could call on Georgia Eta for anything and was glad to see Phi Delta Theta installed as a chapter on campus.
A very pleased chapter president Lance McCurdy received the charter from Jesse Moyer (South Dakota’03), who presided over the entire weekend. Other attendees included Chapter Advisory Board Chairman Paul Aust (Iowa State’86), CAB member Jim Partlowe (Northwood’86), Director of Expansion Tucker Barney (Puget Sound’14), Colony Development specialist Tyler Wilson (Georgia Southern’16), Alumnus Cecil Duffee (Alabama’46) and CAB member Laura Voison George. Family, friends, and members of the UWG community also joined the chapter for the weekend’s festivities.
Georgia Eta President Lance McCurdy stated, “This past semester was entirely focused on this weekend. We have officially joined the Fraternity for life and have established our colony into a chapter. This day couldn’t get any better.”
CAB Chairman Paul Aust was presented with the Silver Legion pin for his 25 years of membership within the Fraternity, and Cecil Duffee was presented with the Diamond Legion pin for 75 years of membership. Jesse Moyer gave the closing remarks during the ceremony and provided advice to the newly initiated members on how Phi Delta Theta can impact one’s life.
Georgia Eta is now moving forward as an installed chapter. On Sunday of the weekend, the Executive Board met with Colony Specialist Tyler Wilson to discuss upcoming plans for the fall. The chapter is grateful for the support they have received throughout their transition process and vow to do several things: strive to develop leaders possessing values of honor and respect, guide one another to achieve their full potential, and form a lifelong brotherhood that enhances the community.
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 2020. The installation of Georgia Eta was the third chapter installation of 2017, and the Fraternity currently has 184 active chapters and 10 colonies.
