The brothers of North Dakota Alpha are excited and humbled to become initiated Brothers in the Bond and officially re-installed as a chapter at the University of North Dakota. The recognition and banquet for the initiation of the 44 brothers was held at the The Grand Historic Event Center in Downtown Grand Forks, North Dakota. The night was focused on the remembrance of the past year and the importance of “guarding against elation,” as Brother Morrison so poignantly stated.
Both the initiation and installation ceremonies were presided over by General Council Treasurer Jeff Davis, who officially presented the charter to Chapter President Sean McClain.
Brother Davis encouraged the brothers to continue working towards their dreams. He gave an excellent speech that touched on how Phi Delta Theta is where a young man can go to learn about entrepreneurship, marketing, management, culture, philanthropy, service and their own dreams as individuals. When North Dakota Alpha recapped the event in their first meeting as a chapter following installation, the brothers spoke about how impactful Brother Davis’ comments were on how the most successful people in the world all had to make the office coffee at one point in their life.
The new Brothers in the Bond were joined by over 150 guests, including University of North Dakota administration officials, fellow UND Greek members, Phi Delta Theta brothers, parents, friends and North Dakota Alpha alumni.
Notable speakers at the ceremony included Dr. Cassie Gerhardt, Assistant Dean of Students at the University of North Dakota, who spoke fondly of her undergraduate memories of North Dakota Alpha. Brother Nate Martindale, the North Dakota Assistant Attorney General emceed the event. Brother Martindale also read a letter from Brother Drew Wrigley, the North Dakota Lieutenant Governor. Brother Jim Satrom, President/CEO of PS Doors, also spoke on how excited the alumni and Varsity Bachelors Club of North Dakota Alpha are to be re-instated as a chapter of Phi Delta Theta. Over thirty North Dakota Alpha alumni attended the event from across the country, most notable was past editor of The Scroll Brother Jack McDonald, who participated in Friday night’s ritual for the first time since 1962.
In less than a year, 10 months and 8 days to be exact, since its colonization in December of 2013, North Dakota Alpha has had two recruitment periods, an exceptionally strong community service program, outstanding involvement and leadership in student organizations and Student Government, superb public relations and high academic aptitude. They together:
- Earned third place in Alpha Chi Omega’s Alpha Male contest
- Raised over $1,000 to benefit The ALS Association in their first philanthropy event
- Sat on the organizing committee for the Grand Forks Walk to Defeat ALS and participated in both the execution of the event and the actual walk
- Participated in the UND Newman Center 40-mile bike race competition against the NDSU Newman Center
- 1,226 community service hours Spring 2014 – most per man of any organization on campus
- Third place in the Phi Beta Lambda dodgeball tournament
- The chapter brothers total participation in other Greek organization philanthropies totaled nearly $1,300
- Multiple brothers participating in the Iron Phi Program
- 3.47 New Member GPA – Spring 2014
- 100% chapter involvement in the UND Big Event, a campus wide day of service. The most of any Greek organization on campus
- Actively participated in each sorority and fraternity philanthropy event
- Created a 2018 chapter-wide strategic plan
- Fundraised over $2,000 the Spring 2014 semester
- 90% of members are involved in one or more student organizations
- Colony member Dylan Berg was a 2014 Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute Peer Mentor
- The chapter has members in the following positions of leadership: Student Body Vice-President, State & Local Governmental Affairs (Student Government), both Residence Hall Senator positions, College of Engineering and Mines Senator, Appropriations Committee Chair, Student Organization Funding Agency Liaison, Asian Cultural Association President, Ultimate Frisbee Club President, Senior Lead Memorial Union Building Manager, North Dakota Congressional Intern for US House Member Kevin Cramer, Professional Musician, University of North Dakota Indian Association Public Relations Chair, Red River High School Soccer Coach, Students Today Leaders Forever Executive Team Member, UND Rugby Team Member, Association of Residence Hall Budget Board Chair, 2014 WAC Academic All Conference Swimmer, UND Newman Center Peer Minister, 14 Private Pilots, 4 North Dakota Scholars, Certified Ferris Wheel Operator, Mr. Squires Man of the Year, three Order of Omega members.
When it comes to the future of North Dakota Alpha, the men are extremely determined and excited to move forward towards becoming the greatest fraternal organization on UND’s campus. The men are focusing on the revival of a strong philanthropic program, centered on the Walk to Defeat ALS. They are currently planning the following: a monthly professional development seminar for the entire UND community, Chili Cook-Off and a city-wide ALS Raise Awareness Day. Their goals for the 2015 Spring semester are the following: become a Knights of Pallas Chapter, raise $5,000 philanthropically, fundraise $3,500, surpass 1,500 community service hours, top overall Men’s Fraternity GPA, 100% campus involvement and to send no less than 8 brothers to the 2015 Kleberg Emerging Leaders Institute.
