On March 6, 2020, in Dahlonega, Georgia the men of the Georgia Iota Colony at the University of North Georgia were initiated and signed The Bond of Phi Delta Theta. The next day, the chapter received its charter and was officially installed with 36 founding members. Georgia Iota is the Fraternity’s ninth chapter to be installed in the state of Georgia.
The weekend’s initiation and installation ceremonies were conducted by the Fraternity’s General Council Treasurer Moe Stephens, Chief Executive Officer Designee & Chief Operating Officer Sean Wagner, and Colony Development Specialist Corbin Lovelady. Saturday’s ceremony was held at the Memorial Gymnasium with University professionals, chapter advisers, alumni from Georgia, other North Georgia fraternity and sorority members, and over 90 family and friends in attendance to witness the installation of the Georgia Iota Chapter.
Following the ceremony, at the installation celebration banquet, the Fraternity’s Chief Operating Officer Sean Wagner spoke about the successes of Phi Delta Theta and how the organization plans to tackle the industry’s greatest challenges. He also mentioned the importance of having members’ parents and families involved with the Fraternity’s chapters.
The Fraternity’s General Council Treasurer Moe Stephens spoke on the importance of brotherhood, sharing a personal experience about when his chapter brothers supported a fellow brother when he was diagnosed with ALS, and encouraging the men of Georgia Iota to be present and intentional about their relationships with their brothers.
Chapter Advisory Board Chairman Johnny Ariemma shared his advice for the young men, “Respect is earned. People have trust in not what you say you will do, but in what you will do.”
Georgia Iota Chapter President Joseph Anderson mentioned, “Building Georgia Iota from interest group to a chapter has taught me perseverance and to have trust in those around you. When you trust each other, amazing things will happen. A huge thank you to everyone that helped make this accomplishment possible. The brothers of Georgia Iota are looking forward to becoming the greatest versions we can be, and I’m proud to be a Phi.”
The future is bright for the Georgia Iota Chapter of Phi Delta Theta at the University of North Georgia.
The University of North Georgia is part of the University System of Georgia and is designated as a State Leadership Institution and The Military College of Georgia. With approximately 20,000 students, the University of North Georgia is one of the state’s largest public universities. The university offers more than 100 programs of study ranging from certificate and associate degrees to professional doctoral programs.
