Phi Gamma Delta @ Miss. State

Local History:

Sigma Mu Chapter History Early in 1969, the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta looked at Mississippi State University as a possible place of expansion for one of its chapters. Charles H. Graham, a field secretary for the fraternity, was sent to State to explore the possibilities. After much deliberation and discussion, and after an invitation to Phi Gamma Delta from the University to come on campus, it was decided that a colony would be founded at Mississippi State.

Charlie Graham contacted all Fiji's in the area and with the aid of one man in particular, Jimmy Jones, began rushing people at State who were interested in forming a new chapter of the Fraternity. Much time and effort was spent in interviewing and selecting men of high quality to become founders of the colony. Finally, on April 20, 1969, Delta Colony of Phi Gamma Delta at Mississippi State University was founded. Sixteen oustanding men were initiated into the colony and became the colony founders. They were: Tommy Boyd, Mike Farrow, Jack Gaddis Jr., Dub Garrett, Terry Hollowell, Bill Howard Jr., Mike Humphreys, Bev Kennedy Jr., Mac McClellan, Ken Meredith, Mel Parks, Ken Starnes II, Scotty Sumrall, Mac Wall, Norman Williamson, and Joe Wilson. The ceremony was held at Lake Tiak-O-Khata outside Louisville, Mississippi.

The first work to be done was the organization of the colony itself. Officers were elected with Mike Farrow as President, Norman Williamson as Treasurer, Bill Howard as Recording Secretary, Joe Wilson as Corresponding Secretary, and Jack Gaddis as Historian. A committee system was established so that each brother could be used in some way to benefit the colony. The motto of the colony was "Towards Excellence" and strong brotherhood and fraternity involvement were stressed.

The main work during the summer of 1969 centered on rush. Correspondence between members was heavy and two colony newsletters were sent to all members concerning rush and plans for the fall semester.

As the fall semester of 1969 began, the Fiji's at Mississippi State were already well known. During rush week all parties were held in the Alumni House, and the honesty and straight forwardness of the members of the colony appealed to the rushees coming through rush. Brotherhood, scholarship, campus and community services, and a non-hazing development pledge program laid down by the colony were all stressed and more rushees requested to return to our parties and talk with us than they did any other single fraternity on campus.

After a successful rush, the colony began working toward its main goal: a charter from the International Fraternity. Several requirements had to be met that included a petition by the members of the colony and a scrapbook on the colony's accomplishments during the year as well as developing a solid foundation for the colony.

As the spring semester of 1970 began, new officers were elected with Scotty Sumrall as President, Dick Kilby as Treasurer, Greg Mann as Recording Secretary, Steve Edwards as Corresponding Secretary, and Ken Meredith as Historian. Another successful rush was also held and the colony was growing rapidly. As the year came to an end, the colony was well established on the MSU campus. Activities for the year included participation in the Halloween Carnival, Homecoming Sign Contest, several community service projects, including a smoking clinic, active participation in all intramural events, several parties, the first Norris Pig Dinner, and weekly meetings in the University Union. The colony was also well represented on campus by several leaders including IFC President, varsity cheerleader, two student senators, and sports editor of the campus newspaper, The Reflector. Along with these areas, the colony had finished number one in grades among all Greek letter fraternities and number two among all fraternities all three semesters since its founding. The colony won two trophies during the year that included first place in community service and second place in the Halloween Carnival. Final preparations were also made for the Ekklesia, at which time the colony would petition for a charter from the Fraternity.

Communication between brothers during the year was difficult since the colony did not have a house and members were found in every dormitory across campus as well as in apartments in the Starkville area. But, because of unique and very strong brotherhood and a great deal of determination, the colony completed its first year with outstanding success. A new fraternity with new ideals created a strong sense of belonging among all of the colony members and the colony continued to move "Towards Excellence".

In August of 1970 at the 122nd Ekklesia in Cleveland, Ohio, Delta Colony at Mississippi State University was awarded a charter by a unanimous vote.

The fall of 1970 was another busy semester for the colony but most of the activities centered on plans for the installation of the colony into the International Fraternity. After several weeks of planning, the time finally came. On November 21, 1970, at the First United Methodist Church in Starkville, Sigma Mu Chapter of the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta became a reality.




	Local History: Sigma Mu Chapter History Early in 1969, the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta looked at Mississippi State University as a possible place of expansion for one of its chapters. Charles H. Graham, a field secretary for the fraternity, was sent to State to explore the possibilities. After much deliberation and discussion, and after an invitation to Phi Gamma Delta from the University to come on campus, it was decided that a colony would be founded at Mississippi State. Charlie Graham contacted all Fiji's in the area and with the aid of one man in particular, Jimmy Jones, began rushing people at State who were interested in forming a new chapter of the Fraternity. Much time and effort was spent in interviewing and selecting men of high quality to become founders of the colony. Finally, on April 20, 1969, Delta Colony of Phi Gamma Delta at Mississippi State University was founded. Sixteen oustanding men were initiated into the colony and became the colony founders. They were: Tommy Boyd, Mike Farrow, Jack Gaddis Jr., Dub Garrett, Terry Hollowell, Bill Howard Jr., Mike Humphreys, Bev Kennedy Jr., Mac McClellan, Ken Meredith, Mel Parks, Ken Starnes II, Scotty Sumrall, Mac Wall, Norman Williamson, and Joe Wilson. The ceremony was held at Lake Tiak-O-Khata outside Louisville, Mississippi. The first work to be done was the organization of the colony itself. Officers were elected with Mike Farrow as President, Norman Williamson as Treasurer, Bill Howard as Recording Secretary, Joe Wilson as Corresponding Secretary, and Jack Gaddis as Historian. A committee system was established so that each brother could be used in some way to benefit the colony. The motto of the colony was "Towards Excellence" and strong brotherhood and fraternity involvement were stressed. The main work during the summer of 1969 centered on rush. Correspondence between members was heavy and two colony newsletters were sent to all members concerning rush and plans for the fall semester. As the fall semester of 1969 began, the Fiji's at Mississippi State were already well known. During rush week all parties were held in the Alumni House, and the honesty and straight forwardness of the members of the colony appealed to the rushees coming through rush. Brotherhood, scholarship, campus and community services, and a non-hazing development pledge program laid down by the colony were all stressed and more rushees requested to return to our parties and talk with us than they did any other single fraternity on campus. After a successful rush, the colony began working toward its main goal: a charter from the International Fraternity. Several requirements had to be met that included a petition by the members of the colony and a scrapbook on the colony's accomplishments during the year as well as developing a solid foundation for the colony. As the spring semester of 1970 began, new officers were elected with Scotty Sumrall as President, Dick Kilby as Treasurer, Greg Mann as Recording Secretary, Steve Edwards as Corresponding Secretary, and Ken Meredith as Historian. Another successful rush was also held and the colony was growing rapidly. As the year came to an end, the colony was well established on the MSU campus. Activities for the year included participation in the Halloween Carnival, Homecoming Sign Contest, several community service projects, including a smoking clinic, active participation in all intramural events, several parties, the first Norris Pig Dinner, and weekly meetings in the University Union. The colony was also well represented on campus by several leaders including IFC President, varsity cheerleader, two student senators, and sports editor of the campus newspaper, The Reflector. Along with these areas, the colony had finished number one in grades among all Greek letter fraternities and number two among all fraternities all three semesters since its founding. The colony won two trophies during the year that included first place in community service and second place in the Halloween Carnival. Final preparations were also made for the Ekklesia, at which time the colony would petition for a charter from the Fraternity. Communication between brothers during the year was difficult since the colony did not have a house and members were found in every dormitory across campus as well as in apartments in the Starkville area. But, because of unique and very strong brotherhood and a great deal of determination, the colony completed its first year with outstanding success. A new fraternity with new ideals created a strong sense of belonging among all of the colony members and the colony continued to move "Towards Excellence". In August of 1970 at the 122nd Ekklesia in Cleveland, Ohio, Delta Colony at Mississippi State University was awarded a charter by a unanimous vote. The fall of 1970 was another busy semester for the colony but most of the activities centered on plans for the installation of the colony into the International Fraternity. After several weeks of planning, the time finally came. On November 21, 1970, at the First United Methodist Church in Starkville, Sigma Mu Chapter of the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta became a reality.