Alumni Association of the Michigan Alpha Chapter of Phi Delta Theta

Welcome to the web site of the Alumni Association of the Michigan Alpha Chapter of the  Phi Delta Theta fraternity.   

Phi Delta Theta's active chapter at the University of Michigan was formed in 1864.  The Alumni Association was established in 1895.  There are approximately 1,000 living alums and more than 1,900 men have initiated into the active chapter during the last 144 years.

The Alumni Association provides alums with a way of keeping in contact with each other, maintaining the chapter house and supporting the active chapter of the fraternity. 

The Alumni Association was incorporated with the State of Michigan and is run by a Board of Directors that currently has six members.  In addition, the Chapter Advisory Board provides oversight and guidance to the active chapter.

Please sign up for our Sword & Shield E-newsletter by CLICKING HERE.  The Alumni Association can be contacted by e-mail at pdtumich@gmail.com.

North Porch Restoration Moving Forward
1950s Era Alums' Generosity Makes Project Possible

By Alumi Association President JT (Tom) Buck '77

A very generous group of 1950s era alumni headed by John Buck ‘54 have made a wonderful gift to the chapter.  Five alums donated a total of $12,750 to enable the Alumni Association to reconstruct the old north porch of the chapter house.

John stepped up and gained the support of Dick Young ‘51, Doug Roby ‘56, Bob Leland ‘58 and Bernie Rinella ‘58.  

Without the generous donations of these brothers, the north porch restoration project would have languished on our improvements "wish list" for many years to come given the many immediate needs for our limited funds.

In 2001, the north porch roof over the kitchen was repaired and improved.  A shortage of funds kept us from being able to reconstruct the railings at that time.  The north porch has been off limits to the chapter for eight years.

While restoring the north porch was considered a high priority, during recent years the Alumni Association has been confronted by immediate critical needs to repair restrooms, the kitchen, serious water leaks in the dining room and foyer, carpet and painting throughout the house.  As a result, we were not making progress toward finishing the north porch project.

Because of the donations of our very own "fab five," construction of an attractive wooden railing consistent with the historic architectural design of the front porch is now under way.  The north porch will be open for use in the fall.

On behalf of the Alumni Association, I wish to express our deepest gratitude for your commitment to helping us transmit our 106 year old chapter house to the next generation of Phis in excellent shape.  Thank you John, Dick, Doug, Bob and Bernie! 

You are models for all of us in choosing a project which contributes to making us proud of our chapter house.  We plan to have a reception in the fall to show off the fully restored north porch and a plaque commemorating this outstanding gift.

Finally, I would also like to thank all alums listed on the last page of the Sword & Shield who made donations to the 2008-2009 Annual Fund.  Your generous donations are the Alumni Association's main source of funding to provide communication services and perform essential maintenance on our historic chapter house.

Active Chapter President's Report
for Spring 2009

By John Sturgis, VII '11

Legendary Michigan Football Coach Schembechler was famous for saying, "You can never stay the same. You either get better or you get worse.”  The Coach was obviously talking about a team, but the same thing could be said about a fraternity. 

Even though Bo was a SAE while an undergraduate at Miami of Ohio,  Michigan Alpha has embraced his philosophy.  We are not going rest on our past laurels.  I am proud to report that during the 2008-2009 year, Michigan Alpha got better. 

Here are some highlight of our recent achievements:

*  A total of 23 men pledged and were inititiated between the fall and winter semesters.  Our total active membership was more than 65 for the first time since 1998. 

*  Top five in Intramural Sports overall points for the Fraternity League.

*  Active social calendar including events with Kappa Alpha Theta, Delta Gamma, Alpha Delta Pi and other sororities.

*  1st Annual Boxcar Derby Race took our successful philanthropy programs to fight Lou Gehrig's Disease to new heights.  To learn more about our newest philanthropy tradition, please read the article about the race and view photos on this Web site (http://pdtumich.typepad.com/michalpha/2009/07/boxcar-derby.html).

*  Members hold leadership positions in Greek System including the Greek Activities Review Panel, Hazing Task Force, Interfraternity Council Executive Board and Junior Interfraternity Council Executive Board. 

In summary, Michigan Alpha is a leader in the Michigan Greek System, and we believe we offer the best overall fraternity experience on campus.  If you know  a well-rounded young man attending U of M, please encourage him to rush and see first-hand what we have to offer.

On behalf of the active chapter, I wish to thank all alums for their generous financial support for maintaining the chapter house and backing our programs.  Please know that you are always welcome to visit 1437 Washtenaw and this is still your fraternity for life. 

I am, and will always remain, proud to be a Phi! 

1st Annual Boxcar Derby a Winner

Money and Awareness Raised to Fight ALS

On the last Saturday in March, Michigan Alpha and Ann Arbor Active Against ALS (A2A3), a local non-profit organization, co-hosted the first annual Boxcar Derby on South University.  The event, which was open to the community and witnessed by a crowd of more than 100 people, raised money and awareness for promising research to combat Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS). 

The race course began near where South University meets Oxford and ended about one block from the chapter house.  Racers were given a push start and then gravity propelled them down the hill on South University, which was closed to traffic during the event, to the finish line.

A total of 16 teams participated including many children of parents involved in A2A3.  The race was run with a tournament-style single elimination format.  Prizes were awarded for the overall race winner as well as for other categories such as creative design.

A2A3 President Suzanne Ross said, "It was a pleasure to partner with Phi Delta Theta in hosting the Derby.  The event was entertaining for children and raised much needed resources for research to cure this terrible disease.  We were impressed by the ingenuity and commitment of the Phi Delt men to envision the Derby and make it a big success."

After the race, a picnic BBQ was held on the side lawn of the fraternity during which Kevin Szawala '07 gave a motivational speech and presentation about ALS in conjunction with U of M Public Policy Professor Bob Schoeni.

The Derby raised a total of more than $1,500, but fundraising was not the only goal of the event.  The Derby generated publicity in the community and on campus about the need to cure ALS.  The Ann Arbor Chronicle online newspaper published a very positive report about the Derby that is well worth reading (http://annarborchronicle.com/2009/03/28/box-cars-zoom-down-south-university/).

Patrick Moore '09 said, "The active chapter wanted to establish a new annual tradition for our philanthropy program to fight ALS.  We came up with the concept of the Derby as being both fun for the brothers and Ann Arbor community. 

"A2A3 is an outstanding group dedicated to bringing together the community to battle ALS, so we were extremely pleased that they partnered with us in this endeavor.  A2A3's help was key in making the Derby a reality.  We also thank the Alumni Association for their financial support and encouragement.

"We're hoping the Derby will grow in coming years.   Additional alumni support and participation is certainly welcome."

The Derby marked the fourth year that Michigan Alpha raised funds to benefit efforts to defeat ALS.  ALS claimed the life of brother Lou Gehrig (Columbia '25) and is a major philanthropic focus of Phi Delta Theta's national headquarters as well as local chapters across the nation.
 
All combined, Michigan Alpha's ALS philanthropy events have raised more than $35,000. For more information, view the Alumni Association's web site at www.pdtumich.com.

DERBY PICTURES (View Derby pictures by clicking on "Continue reading "Boxcar Derby")

Michigan Alpha's Alumni Ranks Grow
by Nine Men

Phis' Expression of Pride in the Fraternity at 2009 Commencement Ceremony Reported by the Ann Arbor News

Michigan Alpha members established the tradition of wearing sashes with the fraternity's letters and Bond Numbers during the 2006 commencement ceremony.  An Ann Arbor News reporter covering the 2009 commencement ceremony in Michigan Stadium took the above picture which appeared in the print and online version of the article about the events of the day.  To read the article, please CLICK HERE.

Founders Day Dinner 2009 a Great Success

Actives and Alums Gather to Celebrate and Hear Guest Speaker Jamie Morris

 

Dinner at the Michigan League

 

Guest speaker Jamie Morris provides insight on 2009 U of M football team and tells what it means to be a Michigan Man.

Dinner at the Michigan League.

Phi Delta Theta Founders Day Dinner 2009

Featuring Guest Speaker Jamie Morris

The Michigan Alpha active chapter and the Michigan Alpha Alumni Association cordially invite you to join us on Saturday, March 7th to renew old friendships and make new ones as we commemorate the vision of the Founding Fathers to establish an enduring organization dedicated to achieving excellence and shaping future leaders. 

 

This special event will be one of the highlights of our 124th year on campus.  All Brother Phis as well as their guests are welcome.

 

Founders Day Host Committee

*  John Buck '54  *  Charlie Green '58  *  Roger Dooley '76  * 

*  Mike Lisull '76  *  JT (Tom) Buck '77  *  Robert Lewandowski '79  * 

*  Joe Fattore '79  *  Joe Kraus  '82  *  Greg Karmazin '87  *

*  Jason Barley '06  *  Kellyn Parker '07  *  John Sturgis '11  * 

*  Jacob Allweil '11  *

Guest Speaker

 

Jamie Morris
Michigan Football's Career All-Purpose Yards Leader and Former NFL Player

 

Phi Delta Theta Founders Day Dinner
Saturday, March 7, 2009
5 p.m. ~ 7 p.m.

 

Michigan League (the Hussey Room, 2nd Floor)
Corner of North University Street & Fletcher Street
Ann Arbor

 

$25 per guest (checks made payable to Michigan Alpha)
Business attire is suggested

Please RSVP by March 2nd to Jacob Allweil at (989) 450-3793 or jacobra@umich.edu

Program
4 ~ 4:45 p.m.  Meet & greet at Michigan Alpha (1437 Washtenaw)
5 ~ 6 p.m.  Sit down dinner and non-alcoholic beverages served (Michigan League)
6 ~ 7 p.m.  Opening Remarks, Jacob Allweil '11, Alumni Secretary of Michigan Alpha

Active Chapter Remarks, John Sturgis '11, President of Michigan Alpha
Alumni Speaker, JT (Tom) Buck '77, President of Alumni Association
Guest Speaker, Jamie Morris
Founders Ceremony
Closing remarks

Parking at the Michigan League

There are metered spots on the Fletcher and East Washington streets by the Michigan League. Visitor parking may be available at the Fletcher Street parking structure located directly across the street from the Alumni Center which is adjacent to the Michigan League. There are also 190 cashier-attended parking spaces in the Palmer Drive structure located across the street from the Alumni Center on Fletcher.  The visitor section of the Palmer Drive structure can only be accessed from Washtenaw Avenue, north of Geddes.  For more information on parking, view the U of M parking map for central campus at http://pts.umich.edu/maps/central_south.pdf.

 

View more articles and pictures on this Web site by clicking on the "Categories" and "Photo Albums" buttons on the top right side of the page. 

Have an article, photo or update for the Web site?  Please contact us at pdtumich@gmail.com.