Greek life at Utah State University is expanding this year with the addition of Phi Delta Theta, which will become the fifth university-recognized fraternity. Phi Delta Theta, also known as Phi Delt, will join Alpha Tau Omega, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Phi Epsilon and Alpha Sigma Phi.
“We hope by bringing another fraternity to campus we can introduce a new community in which men can find belonging,” said Ian Nemelka, the advisor of Fraternity and Sorority Life.
The addition was agreed upon by the Interfraternity Council, or IFC, which is made up of students from various fraternity chapters on campus. According to Nemelka, the IFC received letters of intent from two fraternities interested in establishing chapters at Utah State: Phi Delt and Sigma Alpha Epsilon, a fraternity that has had a chapter at the university in the past. After representatives from both fraternities’ national headquarters met with the IFC, the council selected Phi Delt to expand to Utah State this year and plans to consider reintroducing Sigma Alpha Epsilon in a future year.
“We have a unique culture and identity at Utah State, and the IFC felt that Phi Delta Theta understood that best,” Nemelka said.
Phi Delt was established in 1848 at Miami University — 40 years before Utah State became a college — and is focused on three key principles: friendship, sound learning and rectitude. These principles, Nemelka believes, will make this fraternity a good fit for Utah State.
