Fact Sheet
Name: Phi Gamma Delta
Nickname: FIJI or Phi Gam
Founding Date: May 1, 1848 at Jefferson College, Canonsburg, PA
Lambda Iota Chapter Founding Date: May 30, 1902 at Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Famous Lambda Iota Brothers Include:
- Eugene Cernan – NASA astronaut and last man to have walked on the moon
- Brian Lamb – founder of CSPAN
- Scott Givens – creative director of the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah
- Chuck Armstrong – Former President of Seattle Mariners
- J. Timothy McGinley – Former Chairman of the Purdue Board of Trustees
- Thomas E. Spurgeon – Current Vice Chairman of the Purdue Board of Trustees
- Dave Alexander – Former Purdue University Baseball Coach and Athletics administrator
- Arthur G. Hanson – Former President of Purdue University and Georgia Institute of Technology.
- Gerald Lyles – Lyles School of Mechanical Engineering
- Christopher B. Burke – Christopher B. and Susan S Burke Graduate Program in Civil Engineering
- Jim Gaffigan – Comedian and actor
- Tim Foley – Professional Football Player for the Miami Dolphins, TV Sports commentator.
- Morgan Burke – Former Purdue Athletic Director
- R. Joseph Rudolph – Former Executive Director of Purdue Alumni Association
- Richard E Grace – Former Purdue University Vice President
- James J. Stukel – Former President of the University of Illinois
- Mitch Daniels – Former Governor of Indiana; Current Purdue University President
Famous Fiji Brothers
Calvin Coolidge – President of the United States, 1923-29
Johnny Carson – Former host of The Tonight Show
Alan B. Graf, Jr. – Executive Vice President and CFO, FedEx Corporation
Neil Gorsuch – Associate Justice, United States Supreme Court
Jeff Fettig – CEO, Whirlpool Corporation
Jack Nicklaus – Professional Golf Champion
Kenneth Blanchard – author of “The One Minute Manager” & other leadership/motivational books
John Ritter – Actor, “Three’s Company”
Norman Vincent Peale – World-Renowned Theologian
Phillip Knight – Founder, Owner, & President of Nike Corporation
Roger Penske – Auto Racing Champion & Team Owner, Marlboro Racing Team
Dean Smith – Former Head Basketball Coach, North Carolina Tarheels
William J. Crowe, Jr. – Former Chairman, United States Joint Chiefs of Staff
Matthew Fox – Actor, “LOST”
Morgan Spurlock – Actor/Director/Author, “Super Size Me”
Membership Benefits
Academic Prowess:
The fraternity encourages and holds its members to the highest standard of academic achievement through tutoring/study skills education. Lambda Iota consistently surpasses the All Men’s and All-Fraternity GPA averages.
Scholarships:
The Fraternity’s Educational Board offers over $340,000 in scholarships, which members can apply for.
Intramurals:
Lambda Iota participates in over 75% of intramurals offered at Purdue, and consistently competes for championships in flag football and basketball.
International Brotherhood:
No matter where you go, Phi Gamma Delta has chapters across the U.S. and Canada. You will enjoy the advantages of brotherhood throughout your lifetime. Phi Gamma Delta is truly “Not for College Days Alone.”
Career Development:
Graduate brothers offer real-world education in a variety of career fields some will offer internships and employment networking.
Philanthropy:
The Fraternity places a strong emphasis on serving others. Philanthropic projects are a major focus of activity for Phi Gamma Delta. Phi Gamma Delta’s International Philanthropy is The Red Cross.
Housing:
Phi Gamma Delta feels a chapter house provides an added benefit to the fraternity experience, and we are pleased that nearly 90 of our chapters live in some form of Greek housing. All new Fiji houses are alcohol-free facilities this promotes academic excellence in a clean environment.
Publications:
The semi-annual magazine entitled “The Phi Gamma Delta” is sent to brothers to update them on the activities of the Fraternity on an International scale.
Academy:
Every January, brothers from all over North America gather for a three-day leadership academy to learn leadership skills, discuss chapter development, and share their best practices. Every January, our Fiji Leadership Academy is held in St. Louis, Missouri.
Convention:
Every other even-numbered year, Phi Gamma Delta hosts its Ekklesia where undergraduate members conduct the business of the Fraternity. The Ekklesia is held in various locations where strong graduate support can lend assistance in planning.
Pledge Education
- There is no hazing allowed in Phi Gamma Delta at any time, for pledges or brothers.
- The education program consists of a 12-week process of learning Fraternity history, chapter operation and personal development. Meetings are held weekly and are taught by graduate brothers in the local area.
- Pledges learn from the “Purple Pilgrim,” our source for the Fraternity’s history, characteristics and values.
Additional Information about Phi Gamma Delta
Values & Ethics:
We were founded in 1848 as an organization composed of men who are committed to the values of Friendship, Knowledge, Service, Morality, and Excellence. Today, those values are just as important, if not more so. Everything about our organization is rooted in these principles.
Graduate Involvement:
There are numerous graduate brothers who assist each chapter. A specific group of them, known as the Board of Chapter Advisors, will meet with the undergraduates on a regular basis to offer assistance and guide the Chapter in the right direction.
Parental Involvement:
We encourage the involvement of parents. The concept of family is extremely important to our Fraternity, especially since Phi Gamma Delta is a man’s “home away from home” during his collegiate years.
Risk Management:
Phi Gamma Delta is adamant about following the law when it comes to the consumption and/or distribution of alcoholic beverages.
Zero Tolerance:
Phi Gamma Delta does not permit illegal drug use in any way, shape, or form. Drugs and Fiji don’t mix any man who is discovered to have involvement with drugs will be immediately expelled.
International Headquarters Support:
All chapters receive special attention from the International Headquarters staff in Lexington, Kentucky. Brothers from Headquarters will visit the chapters regularly and communicate with chapter leadership.