Phi Delta Theta was organized with three principle objectives: The cultivation of friendship among its members, the acquirement individually of a high degree of mental culture, and the attainment personally of a high standard of morality.
These objectives, referred to as the “Cardinal Principles,” have guided over 235,000 men since 1848 when the Fraternity was founded at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
The Fraternity teaches men that these areas of commitment, outlined in The Bond of Phi Delta Theta, are not to be viewed as separate ideals, but as areas of discipline for daily life. Developments intellectually, in leadership, and human service (to name a few) are vital to the men of Phi Delta Theta. A member will support, and in turn have the support of, his brothers as these principles are lived out in their daily lives.
One of the oldest fraternities on the Kansas State campus, the Kansas Gamma chapter of Phi Delta Theta was officially chartered in 1920 with the first initiate on February 25, 1921. The original fraternity house was located at 928 Leavenworth in Manhattan, Kansas. Many successful Phi’s lived at that home including Bernard W. Rogers (‘40), who would go on to hold the rank of four-star general and serve as both Chief of Staff of the United States Army and NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander in Europe. The neoclassic-styled house stands today as a private residence.
In 1940, in order to meet the needs of increasing membership, a new house was erected near the university campus at 508 Sunset. The house was enlarged in the 1950’s and could accommodate in excess of 60 brothers. Many of those who lived at the 508 Phi Lodge went on to distinguished professional and business careers, including Donald Prigmore (‘54), president and COO of GTE-Sprint, and Brad Razook (‘82), President of Koch Industries.
The chapter’s living accommodations were further upgraded in 2001, when Kansas Gamma moved to its present location at 1545 Denison Avenue. Situated at the northwest edge of campus, the house lies within short walking distance of both Bill Snyder Family Stadium and Bramlage Coliseum. The chapter is a consistent leader in academics, and maintains a high profile in intramural athletics and other university competitions and activities.
Through the years, the Phi’s of Kansas Gamma have also been heavily involved in a variety of philanthropic activities, including support of the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association, the officially recognized charity of Phi Delta Theta. In recent years, Kansas Gamma has also organized its own local charity event, the CHutch Foundation, honoring the late Chandler Hutcheson.
With the help of our devoted alumni and through the direction of our advisory board president, Dean Watson, we have successfully established a scholarship program for the fraternity which rewards the students in our chapter when they receive a high GPA.
The men of Phi Delta Theta share a commitment—to the intense bond of friendship between brothers, high academic achievement, and living life with integrity.
A Phi Delt has high expectations of, and for, himself and his brothers. He believes that one man is no man. He believes it is his personal challenge to “Go Far” in all that he does.
The Fraternity teaches men that these areas of commitment, outlined in The Bond of Phi Delta Theta, are not to be viewed as separate ideals, but as areas of discipline for daily life. Developments intellectually, in leadership, and in human service (to name a few) are vital to the Phi Delt man. Members of Phi Delta Theta will support, and in turn have the support of, his brothers as these principles are lived out.
Membership in Phi Delta Theta goes beyond belonging to a social organization. The men of Phi Delta Theta tell of the tremendous support that exists between brothers and how, during their college years, they developed self-confidence, leadership qualities, and a belief in the strength of their abilities. They believe their lifetime commitment to the Fraternity is one of the most important commitments they ever made.
