The History of Michigan Alpha Alumni Association
1895: Michigan Alpha alums living in Ann Arbor establish the Alumni Association of the Michigan Alpha Chapter of Phi Delta Theta.
1930: Alumni Association begins the publication of the Sword & Shield newsletter to keep alumni connected to each other and report on the accomplishments of the active chapter membership.
1986 (summer): Alumni Association funds a major renovation of the basement that includes building a new chapter meeting room and upgrading the dinning room. Work includes the installation of oak bench seating in the chapter room and oak paneling on the walls throughout the basement.
Early 2000s: Alumni Association funds a $500,000 renovation of the historic chapter house at 1437 Washtenaw.
2005 (Fall): First Web site (www.pdtma.com) established for the Alumni Association.
2008 (Summer): Alumni Association funds approximately $40,000 of rennovations and major maintenance in the chapter house. Work is performed on all three floors and in the basement.
2008 (August 31): Annual Fund contributions reach an all-time high amount of $28,035.
2008 (Fall): Second Web site (www.pdtumich.com) established for the Alumni Association.
2009 (Spring): North Porch renovation project begins. Dick Young ‘51, John Buck ‘54, Doug Roby ‘56, Bob Leland ‘58 and Bernie Rinella ‘58 donated a total of $12,750 to enable the Alumni Association to reconstruct the old north porch of the chapter house.
Prominent Michigan Alpha Alumni
Roy D. Chapin 1903, Hudson Motor Car Company Chairman of the Board of
Directors.
Tom Harmon 1941, 1940 Heisman Trophy Winner and sports announcer.
Bob Ufer 1943, Legendary announcer of Wolverine football from 1945 to 1981.
Roger B. Smith 1947, General Motors CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors
The History of Michigan Alpha Active Chapter
1864 (November 28): The Michigan Alpha chapter of Phi Delta Theta fraternity was as the 16th established chapter of the fraternity.
1869: Michigan Alpha is disbanded.
1877 and 1880: Revivals of Michigan Alpha attempted.
1887 (November 11): Michigan Alpha is reestablished.
1902 to 1903: Michigan Alpha purchases the property at the intersection of Washtenaw and South University. The chapter builds a house on the property which opens in 1903.
1934: Brother E. Reed Low '37 challenges the SAE fraternity of a friendly game of football on the morning of Homecoming. The annual rivalry game became known as the Mud Bowl.
1940: Brother Tom Harmon '41 wins the Heisman Trophy for his outstanding performance as a running back on the Wolverine football team.
1947 (Fall): Brother Bob Chappuis '48 (chapter president) and other Michigan Alpha Phis lead the Michigan football team to an undefeated season and a dominant Rose Bowl victory (49 - 0 over USC) that causes the Associated Press to crown the Wolverines as National Champions in a post-season poll.
1971 (December 13): A fire devastates the chapter house. After the fire, the brothers live in the Alpha Chi Omega sorority house on Hill Street.
1972 (Spring): The house suffers another fire caused by arson. The house is completely rebuilt during the summer.
1974 (Fall): Michigan Alpha wins the 40th Mud Bowl by defeating the SAE fraternity. Thousands of spectators watch the game.
1980 (Spring): The Detroit Free Press publishes a feature story about Michigan Alpha as an example of the resurgence of the Greek System.
1984 (Fall): Michigan Alpha wins the 50th Mud Bowl by defeating the SAE fraternity a score of 8 to 2. Thousands of spectators watch the game.
1987 (Spring): Brother Chris Brewster '87 awarded the Harmon-Rice Award as the top Phi Delta Theta athlete in the nation. Brother Brewster was captain of the varsity Track and Cross Country teams. He earned All-America honors in both sports.
1998: Michigan Alpha is disbanded.
2002 (November 9): Michigan Alpha recognized as a colony in Phi Delta Theta. In compliance with the Phi Delta Theta General Headquarters "Alcohol Free Housing Policy," no alcohol is allowed in the chapter house.
2003 (Spring): Michigan Alpha colony granted full voting membership in the Inter-Fraternity Council at the University of Michigan.
2004 (December 11): Michigan Alpha reestablished as an active chapter of Phi Delta Theta.
2008 (December): Michigan Alpha active chapter membership reaches 65 which is its historic average membership level.
2009 (March 28): Michigan Alpha active chapter co-hosts with Ann Arbor Active Against ALS the first annual Boxcar Derby on South University.
History of Phi Delta Theta National Fraternity
1848 (December 26): The "Immortal Six" of Phi Delta Theta established the fraternity on the campus of Miami University of Ohio.
1853: First fraternity to expand west of the Mississippi River by establishing a chapter at Austin College.
1864 (November 28): The Michigan Alpha chapter of Phi Delta Theta fraternity was as the 16th established chapter of the fraternity.
1886: First fraternity to adopt a pledge manual.
1894: First fraternity to adopt a pledge pin at the 1894 convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.
2000: Phi Delta Theta General Headquarters implements the "Alcohol Free Housing Policy" at all active chapters in the nation.
