The Oregon Epsilon Chapter has returned to Portland State University. Originally founded on May 25, 1991, Oregon Epsilon was the fifth Phi Delta Theta chapter in the state of Oregon. Inducted as an emerging chapter in March 2019, Oregon Epsilon has worked diligently over the past two years to regain its charter.
On April 8, 2021, the men of the Oregon Epsilon Emerging Chapter were initiated as members of Phi Delta Theta during a virtual ceremony. On Saturday, April 10, the chapter received its charter and was officially re-installed as a chapter of Phi Delta Theta.
The weekend’s virtual initiation and installation ceremonies were executed by the Fraternity’s General Council Member-at-Large Nathaniel J. “Nat” Love, Pi South Province President John Lidstrom, Leadership Consultant Corbin Lovelady, and Oregon Epsilon Chapter Advisory Board Chairman Travis Spencer.
For Oregon Epsilon’s President Thomas Perkins seeing the re-installation of the chapter following their experience through the pandemic was a testament to hard work by the founders. “I am proud of us for building the fraternal environment we originally set out to foster at Portland State University. Many thanks to everyone who helped us get to where we are today. It was truly a team effort.”
For Vice President Devon Mickels his experience in Phi Delta Theta has been transformational. “Phi Delt has instilled such a sense of passion in me that has carried into the other aspects of my life. Also, having seen our progress through all of the good and bad times in the past two years to get us to this very moment is such a sense of accomplishment. Phi Delt has also instilled in me a strong work ethic, broadened my life goals, and has taken my career aspirations to new heights I had never considered before.”
Chapter Advisory Board Chairman Travis Spencer has been impressed with the chapter’s adjustments and ability to pivot during this past year through the pandemic. “The challenges of starting a fraternity are great and are further amplified during an event like a global pandemic. But rather than complain about, or buckle under, the added pressures of school, work, life, and running a fraternity in the time of COVID, the men have persevered and emerged victorious.”
As the chapter makes an official return, Nat Love hopes that members of the group will continue to drive forward with success. “Oregon Epsilon has had many great men in the past several decades, and you are the next group of great men to pass through your chapter. Your brothers all contributed in some way and are responsible for why we are here today. It takes many men to make a successful chapter. I congratulate you all on your effort, determination, and passion that you have shown to become a chapter of Phi Delta Theta.”
Congratulations to the brothers of the Oregon Epsilon Chapter of Phi Delta Theta at Portland State University!
