By Curtis Creekmoroe

Students will see a fresh addition to the fraternity scene in the spring when Phi Delta Theta becomes the 12th fraternity at the University of Louisville.

“We want to get as much interest going before we’re even on campus,” said Steve Good, leadership consultant for the fraternity.

The group, founded in Oxford, Ohio, has been in existence for 157 years. Phi Delta Theta came to U of L for several reasons, a major one being the extreme population density of alums in the Louisville area.

“There are around 1,000 alums in a 50 mile radius,” said Sean Wagner, director of Expansion for the fraternity. According to Wagner, there are Phi Delta Theta chapters at UK, Eastern Kentucky University, Western Kentucky University and Centre College.

Phi Delta Theta was chosen out of several fraternities when the Belknap campus opened up to new organizations that aspired to start chapters. Three groups were chosen as finalists, and after presentations were given, Phi Delta Theta was selected.

According to Wagner, Phi Delta Theta isn’t the stereotypical fraternity. It is a group of students who are learning- and service-oriented, who want to better themselves and their community through leadership.

Five main types of students are sought out: academically focused scholars, future businessmen, the service-minded, athletically involved and leadership-oriented individuals. This chapter will offer automatic leadership possibilities to its new members.

“When people walk by the tables or signs on campus, as soon as they see ‘letters,’ they walk away,” Good said. “We used the words ‘Are you a leader?’ for our website because they’re more attractive.”

U of L transfer student Robbie Boyle became a member of the fraternity while attending Hanover College. Boyle is excited that the fraternity is starting a chapter on this campus.

Many students see the fraternity as an opportunity to get more involved.

“I learned about [Phi Delta Theta] from the InterFraternity Council,” said Psychology major Mitch Morrison. “I’m really looking for a way to take advantage of all of the leadership training I already have and put it to use.”

Before the organization can be deemed whole, it must follow some guidelines and a timeline. Once a base of 25 members is secured at the university, an interview process will take place for staff members of Phi Delta Theta to meet interested students. Good said he hoped this would take place by Feb. 25.

That group of 25 will make bylaws and a constitution, elect officers and then be deemed a colony. They will go for a semester testing the waters and creating programs to attract more members. Finally, the colony will become initiated and the university will recognize Phi Delta Theta as a fraternity.

U of L is not the only campus in the nation starting fresh with this group. Phi Delta Theta is also expanding to schools like the University of Wisconsin, the University of California-Irvine, Kent State University and Wilfrid Laurier University.

“We’re always looking for new opportunities,” Wagner said.