began to discuss starting a new organization at Thiel, a fraternal order corresponding to the Greek societies. A nucleus of six men was formed to perform administrative duties and establish a framework for the fraternity. However, a rift developed among the executive members and general meetings were discontinued after only three weeks. Soon after, it was decided that a constitution, creed and cod
e of honor and ideals were needed before approaching a general membership. With ideas in writing and a tentative framework compiled, general meetings were held and officers were elected. To help the group operate, Thomas Brazelton, assistant professor of biology and geology, and George Dickinson, instructor in sociology, accepted positions as advisers. On April 7, 1965, a motion was put before the Student Senate to acknowledge Phi Theta Phi as the fifth fraternity on campus. The fraternity was recognized by a large margin. A week later, the constitution was presented to Student Government and Phi again gained approval. Phi Theta Phi opened its first academic year on campus with a faculty reception held in its new house, the former West Dormitory. It followed this with a Hootenany Party, an Autumn Dance and many other social events. The men built a float to participate in Homecoming, participated in all intramural sports, serenaded the women’s residence halls, caroled with the other fraternities and participated in varsity sports and most extracurricular activities on campus. The first pledge class of the fraternity consisted of seven men. Phi Theta Phi’s second pledge class was taken in February 1966 and consisted of eight men, seven of which activated. The return of the brothers in fall 1966 found official recognition of the fraternity by the faculty awaiting them. The first Founders’ Day celebration was held on October 13 to celebrate. Phi Theta Phi began its third year at 5 Roy H. Johnson Drive with 33 members. It was not until 1968 that Phi Theta Phi was recognized as more than “a house organized for social activities.” The first Phi Walk-a-thon for the benefit of Children’s Hospital was held in February 1968 led by the late Rev. Gary Risher, and netted $1,100. The walk has become a tradition and is a cornerstone of the fraternity’s life. Phis continued to serve Thiel as members of athletic teams, class and student government officers, in the residence halls as head residents and residence assistants, as academic assistants and tutors, and as members and officers of academic and co-curricular organizations, keeping with the Phi creed of honoring and supporting the college and its organizations. In December 2002, the Thiel administration, after the chapter violated college policy, withdrew its support for the chapter and disbanded the fraternity. The Walk-a-thon for Children’s Hospital, after 34 consecutive walks, was not held. The 2003 Walk was held as an all-college event and raised under $10,000. In 2005, Todd Pilipovich ’00, took over the reins of the Walk, utilizing the Phi alumni along with the Youngstown State University “Ice Breakers,” a student service group. That coalition continued the Walk for the rest of the decade. In fall 2009, a group of undergraduate men discussed starting a new fraternity on campus. They chose to pursue re-colonizing Phi Theta Phi. The Phi Alumni Association convened an advisory board of 12 brothers, who prepared documents demonstrating how a volunteer board of directors could provide the same services to a chapter that a paid staff from a national fraternity provided. This included oversight for a revised educational program, fiscal responsibility and disciplinary sanctions if necessary. On
February 24, 2010, the Interfraternity Council voted to approve Phi Theta Phi, with colony status, as the fourth fraternity on the Thiel campus. Approval from the dean of students and the president of the College came on April 9, 2010, and bids were extended to six men, five of whom accepted. The five were inducted into active membership on August 22, 2010.
