Title: Phi Delta Theta Fraternity Records, 1908-1977, 2021
ID: OGLMC/1014
Creator: Phi Delta Theta (1913-)
Extent: 2.0 Linear Feet
Date Acquired: 09/08/1985
Languages: English [eng]
Second fraternity on the UND campus, chartered in 1913; began as the Varsity Bachelor Club in 1902
This collection contains historical information on the founding of Varsity Bachelor Club (VBC) and Phi Delta Theta, roll call books from 1913 to 1946, a treasurer's book and minutes (incomplete). Also included are two scrapbooks and four folders of photographs.
Among the historical information is an origin report of the VBC and its lease for the property granted by UND. Other materials include a laminated edition of Volume 1, Edition 1 of The Varsity Bachelor newsletter (June 1909) and eight photocopied articles from the Palladium and Scroll, national Phi Delt publications, dating from February 1911 to 1915. Also included are: a list of financially delinquent members (ca. 1931), a flow chart of the fraternity's chain of command, a proposed constitution for UND's Interfraternity Council, the first issue of The Phi Reminder chapter alumni newsletter (June 1949), a photocopied program and photos for the ceremonial groundbreaking of May 27, 1977, and a Grand Forks Herald article from May 29, 1977 on UND Alumni Days, which features S.F. Pinkham, Phi Delt alumnus from the class of 1914.
Correspondence consists of five letters sent or received by the fraternity. Of special interest is a letter from Phi Delt alumnus Howard Huston, who would go on to serve as Chief of Staff for the League of Nations. The correspondence dates from 1908 to 1977. Petitions to Phi Gamma Delta (1909) and Phi Delta Theta (1911 [draft] and 1912) on behalf of the VBC are included, as are reprints of the VBC and Phi Delt pages from Dacotah annuals, 1904-1970.
Three roll books list the names and biographical entries for the first 504 initiates into the fraternity. The books cover those initiated April 17, 1913 through October 13, 1946. The Treasurer's Book itemizes incoming and outgoing funds and details of financial transactions from August 5, 1907 to November 21, 1952. Finally, there are two volumes of chapter minutes, which date October 5, 1926-June 5, 1932; January 29-August 9, 1961; and September 10, 1965-December 15, 1969.
A large scrapbook contains many newspaper clippings, photographs, correspondence and other Phi Delt memorabilia dating from 1909 to 1933. The second scrapbook is the personal book of Harold Boe and contains photographs of campus, activities and fraternity members in the early 1920s.
Thirty-seven photographs were separated and placed in the Photograph File Cabinets.
Access Restrictions:
Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.
Acquisition Source:
Kenneth C. Halliday, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Acquisition Method:
Donation; 85-1362
Related Materials:
Varsity Bachelor Club Records: OGLMC 1052
Preferred Citation:
(Description of Item). Phi Delta Theta Fraternity Records. OGLMC 1014, Box #, Folder #. Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.
Finding Aid Revision History:
Finding aid added to Archon in April 2014.
