“A Fraternity is an association of men, selected in their college days by democratic processes, because of their adherence to common ideals and aspirations. Out of their association arises a personal relation which makes them unselfishly seek to advance one another in the arts of life and to add, to the formal instruction of the college curriculum, the culture and character which men acquire by contact with great personalities, or when admitted to partnership in great traditions.
A Fraternity, too, is of such character that after men have left college they delight to renew their own youth by continued association with it and to bring their richest experiences back to the younger generation in part payment of the debt which they feel themselves owe to the fraternity for what it gave them in their formative years.”
- Newton D. Baker, Johns Hopkins 1892
Founding of Phi Gamma Delta
On the night of Saturday, April 22, 1848, at Jefferson College in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, six college students gathered in a dormitory room (known by the students as “Fort Armstrong”) and determined to establish a secret society. The society they formed was called “The Delta Association”. The founders, reverently referred to by Brothers today as the “Immortal Six”, are John Templeton McCarty, Samuel Beatty Wilson, James Elliott, Jr., Ellis Bailey Gregg, Daniel Webster Crofts, and Naaman Fletcher. The first regular meeting of Phi Gamma Delta and the adoption of the Fraternity’s Constitution took place on May 1, 1848. Consequently, May 1 was chosen to be “Founder’s Day” at the 43rd Convention held in 1891 and has traditionally been celebrated as the founding date of the Fraternity ever since.
Mission statement:
“Phi Gamma Delta exists to promote lifelong friendships, to reaffirm high ethical standards and values, and to foster personal development in the pursuit of excellence. Phi Gamma Delta is committed to provide opportunities to each brother to develop responsibility, leadership, scholarship and social skills in order to become a fully contributing member of society.”
The values
We are united by Friendship. It is the basis of our brotherhood. Because of it, we accomplish far more than we do as individuals. Friendship is the sweetest influence.
We promote the pursuit of Knowledge. It is the key to a fuller, richer life. We gain it through education, the harmonious development of the powers of the individual.
We encourage Service. We have the ability, the opportunity, and the duty to serve our fellow human beings. Our reward is the satisfaction that comes from serving.
We believe in Morality. As gentlemen of quality, we must do what is right as individuals and as a group. Moral behavior is the basis of society’s existence.
We strive for Excellence. It is attained only when we fulfill our total potential. Mankind benefits when each of us becomes all that we can be.
Phi Gamma Delta flag with Greek letters
A brother of Phi Gamma Delta has his life ordered by three priorities:
First, Scholarship.
Second, Fraternity.
Third, Self.
Use of Greek letters and origins of the “Fiji” nickname
Phi Gamma Delta limits the written display of its Greek letters.
In accordance with the fraternity’s international bylaws, Fiji chapters and members only inscribe their letters in the following seven locations:
1. On a uniform diamond-shaped member badge
2. On the Fraternity’s official seal
3. On the Fraternity’s official flag
4. On a chapter house marker
5. On memorials to deceased brothers
6. On a brother’s certificate of membership
7. On a brother’s official college ring
The fraternity’s letters are considered sacred and are never to be displayed on an object that can be easily destroyed. Whereas other fraternities often display their letters on clothing or other items, this tradition prevents a Phi Gamma Delta from doing so. In place of the actual Greek letters, “Fiji,” “Phi Gam,” or the English spelling of “Phi Gamma Delta” are used in their place.
The Fiji nickname started at New York University and was officially adopted by the national fraternity in 1894 in the belief that the term would be distinctive and appeal to the imagination. As of now though, “Fiji” and “Phi Gam” are considered the only appropriate nicknames for Phi Gamma Delta members on the international scale.