Returning to Campus: a Return to Brotherhood
Coming back to campus this fall, I was excited not only to reconnect with friends and dive back into academics but also to jump right back into Greek life. After a summer full of new experiences, being back in the brotherhood has been like returning to a second family. There's something about the camaraderie, shared traditions, and the collective energy of the house that makes Greek life such an integral part of my college experience.
I am a member of Phi Delta Alpha, a local fraternity based in the Big White House on Webster Avenue (the street that holds most of the fraternities and Sororities at Dartmouth). Our organization has existed since 1884, though nationally affiliated with Phi Delta Theta at that time, and was the first to build a physical house on campus with construction finishing in 1902. We have been separated from Phi Delta Theta and known as Phi Delta Alpha since 1960, as our national fraternity was unfortunately associated with discriminatory admissions policies that did not reflect the values of our welcoming Brotherhood.
This house has been incredibly meaningful to me, but also to thousands of Phis that came before. In their ranks are notable names such as David Benioff '91 (Game of Thrones TV show writer and producer), Pulitzer Prize winners Nigel Jaquiss '84 and Joseph Rago '05, and the Ex-CEO of General Electric Jeffrey Immelt '78. All of the people I am privileged to call my brothers come from incredibly different backgrounds and yet, one thing ties us all together–Phi Delt.
This year has felt especially meaningful because I've had the privilege of serving as rush chair. The process of running rush has been a mix of planning, strategizing, and a lot of late nights, but it's been worth it. I've gained a deeper appreciation for what goes into making our brotherhood thrive. From organizing events that reflect our values to coordinating efforts with the rest of the exec team, it's been a rewarding challenge that's brought me even closer to the house.
Beyond the logistics, I've really enjoyed getting to know both the incoming members and my brothers on a deeper level. There's a unique bond that forms when you're working together toward a shared goal, and being part of that has made me appreciate the brotherhood even more. I am often asked by those who are new to this grand college what exactly makes my house special. To that question, I have one word in response: brotherhood. I regard every single one of the 82 members of my house as a close friend, and to some degree, my family on campus. More than just some social club, I find within our domicile shoulders to cry on, people to study with, and most importantly: good conversation.
Running rush has also been an opportunity for me to reflect on my place within this organization and what led me to join it. I remember those hazy freshman days where the sun always seemed to shine (even in the cold cold Hanover winter) and rush seemed centuries away. I distinctly remember hearing about how unique Greek life is at this school, with so many organizations and such a large representation of campus that each house has a different personality entirely. I, for one, would be unlikely to be interested in the kinds of Greek systems you might see in the movies: homogenous groups of people interested in a very specific set of activities with relatively loose interpersonal ties. What I found in Phi Delt, however, was a sense of brotherhood I had been yearning for having moved to an entirely new country, and an opportunity to be a part of an organization that undeniably influences the culture of my college campus.
To get a little more specific on what I mean by "personality," let me tell you a little about my house and its traditions. The most obvious would be the music—we are well-known on campus for having speakers affixed to the front of our house that play music 24/7 (while being respectful of the neighbours, of course). We also only play music that is over 20 years old on these speakers, reflecting our devotion to maintain a space for lovers of older music that is hard to find on a College campus. In-keeping with the musical theme, we are indubitably tied into the fabric of the music scene on campus. We regularly host live student bands at our house, and each spring we host the largest non-College-ran event of the year: Block Party; before the Green Key concert starts, we close off the entirety of Webster Avenue and thousands come to watch a live band flown in from wherever we find them, and a student band in support.
Here's to another amazing year of brotherhood, growth, and making lasting memories with some of the best people I know!