My name is Brian Hand, and I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2023. I now serve as a Leadership and growth Consultant for the national headquarters of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity.
Phi Gamma Delta, also known as Fiji or Phi Gam, has started its return to the campus this Fall Semester. Since August, we have been speaking primarily with Upperclassmen here at W&J. In addition, we have met with student leaders, staff, faculty, and community leaders to develop relationships and make connections for future partnerships.
W&J is the first or Alpha Chapter of the fraternity. Alpha is the first letter in the Greek alphabet. The fraternity was founded at W&J in 1848. The Log Cabin, the site of the initial meeting of the six original members, is still located in Canonsburg. Today, there are 137 chapters located throughout the US and Canada in large universities and small liberal arts colleges like W&J. There are currently 9500+ undergraduate members and more than 140,000 graduate members, including 700+ from W&J.
In 2019, the national fraternity headquarters, not the college, revoked this chapter’s charter due to hazing and multiple risk management violations. No one was physically harmed, but hazing of any type is no longer tolerated.
In response to these issues, the fraternity has undertaken corrective actions, both at W&J and nationally. The fraternity members involved in the hazing incident are no longer at W&J. Hazing of any type, physical, verbal, or emotional, is prohibited at all Fiji chapters. In addition, chapters across the country are required to complete a formal risk management and hazing awareness course every semester. This training includes an in-depth hazing education.
In an effort to further reduce any risk of hazing, Phi Gamma Delta no longer has any pledging. Men are initiated immediately after accepting an invitation to join the fraternity (called a Bid). Not having a pledge period also avoids any negative impact on grades that may occur during pledging. Men immediately become full members of the fraternity, not second-class pledge members. Additionally, alcohol and illegal drugs are prohibited for all fraternity members and their guests. Any violation of these rules results in removal from the fraternity.
You are likely to hear all sorts of things about fraternities, such as, “Only drunken misogynistic jocks join frats.” I strongly urge you to explore the realities and make up your own mind. You will receive an excellent education at W&J, but Phi Gamma Delta provides you with opportunities to receive additional training and experience that will be valuable to you in life. Among these opportunities are leadership training, developing administrative and organizational skills, and participating in philanthropy and community service activities.
Fraternities are, first and foremost, social organizations. You are likely to develop lifelong friendships. You have access to a large network of alumni who can be of value in career guidance, mentoring, and internships. The chapter has a Board of Chapter Advisors that guide the group and the individual brothers in all aspects of college life.
The fraternity graduates have donated money to the college to establish a Phi Gamma Delta Scholarship Fund. We anticipate that in the Fall 2025, the first annual Phi Gamma Delta Scholarship will be awarded to a fraternity member based on academic performance and economic need. In addition, the Phi Gamma Delta Educational Foundation provides more than 60 scholarships of $2500 to undergraduates based on financial need and their strive for excellence. A regional scholarship of $1500 is available to undergraduates in Western Pa. Lastly, as part of the effort to reestablish the fraternity at W&J, scholarships ranging from $500-$1000 are available to current non-affiliated undergraduates at W&J.
If you wish to discuss the opportunity to join Phi Gamma Delta further, please contact me at (484)-999-7453 and/or Bhand@phigam.org.