The brothers of Ontario Beta are incredibly excited and honoured to have been initiated and re-installed as a chapter at the University of Western Ontario. On May 2, Ontario Beta’s outgoing president Matthew Evered accepted the charter at the London Club, where the ceremony was attended by the 36 re-founding fathers as well as several distinguished alumni and guests from other chapters across Canada including Ontario Alpha, Ontario Gamma and Nova Scotia Alpha.
Both the initiation and installation ceremonies were presided over by General Council Member-at-Large Morris D. Stephens, and also featured appearances by Director of Expansion Tucker Barney and Director of Canadian Services Graham Erskine. The members of Ontario Beta are honoured by their attendance and their guidance throughout the installation process. The chapter is also forever grateful of the wisdom imparted on them and their transmission of the words of the Immortal Six.
The event also featured alumnus Robert Parsons, the vice chairman of the Canadian Scholarship Foundation. Brother Parsons announced that the top scholarship for Phi Delta Theta in Canada had been won by Ontario Beta Phi Rahim Shamsy, a testament to his hard work and dedication. He was followed by Province President Philip Cantrill who encouraged the brothers to keep working, and he mentioned that this was only the beginning of what is to come. This sentiment was shared by all involved.
Finally, the evening closed with speeches from current members including Matthew Evered, incoming Chapter President Benjamin Charlebois and Brother of the Year recipient Douglas Bricknell. They echoed the sentiments of hard work and continuing to grow the newly minted chapter, and it was put best by “Father” Doug Bricknell who said, “This is not the end, but simply the end of the beginning,” words that will stick with the membership throughout the coming years.
Since colonization on November 30, 2013, Ontario Beta has developed a strong reputation as the campus good guys, having supported the Walk For ALS as well as Movember in the first half of the year. During the Relay for Life event on campus, Ontario Beta raised more money than the rest of the Greek community combined and the brothers look forward to continuing their outstanding efforts in academics, philanthropy and brotherhood.
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 Ontario Beta was the sixth chapter installation of 2015, and the Fraternity currently has 182 active chapters and 9 colonies.
