LEWISBURG — The Phi Lambda Theta Chapter of Chi Phi fraternity recently held a special event to mark the convergence of four remarkable anniversaries.
The national fraternity, Chi Phi, is celebrating its Bicentennial, and the Phi Lambda Theta (PLT) chapter is celebrating its Centennial. In addition, the Thomas R. Deans Chapter House at Bucknell University is celebrating its 50th birthday; its cornerstone was laid in 1974. Finally, PLT is celebrating 40 years of being part of the Chi Phi national organization.
The celebration event took place on Homecoming Day, Oct. 19, in the Thomas R. Deans Chapter House — also known as the House on the Hill — at 820 Fraternity Road, on the Bucknell University campus.
Nearly 200 brothers and guests assembled at the chapter house to honor and celebrate all these milestones. Many artifacts and memorabilia were on display. Countless Composite Photos of past Chapters were featured all around the house.
After dinner, other tributes were delivered about the various Anniversaries by returning Alumni, dignitaries from the National Fraternity, and members of the Active Chapter.
Phi Lambda Theta was founded in 1924 but temporarily disbanded around the end of the 1930s. After World War II, a small, diverse group of men wanted to create a new fraternity based on the equality of all men who were also intolerant of hazing. With help from PLT alumni from before the war, Phi Lambda Theta became the first inter-racial, non-sectarian fraternity at Bucknell and one of the first in the United States.
