Null would go on to become a NY State Appellate Judge, serving in that role from 1943-'49[2] The Founders stated, "Its purpose is to inculcate among its membership a fine spirit of loyalty, activity and scholarship toward their Alma Mater, to develop the highest ideals of conduct and to promote a close fraternal bond through means of carefully selected associates."[1]
While entering the ranks of national fraternities somewhat later than its national peers, the organization quickly grew with chapters quickly formed at a number of eastern schools.
In 1934, Phi Beta Delta absorbed the UPenn chapter of Omicron Alpha Tau, a smaller Jewish fraternity that was dispersing that year. This group either merged with the existing Phi Beta Delta chapter on the campus, or re-established it. Four of ΟΑΤ's other chapters went to Tau Delta Phi.[3]
Phi Beta Delta effectively merged into Pi Lambda Phi on February 1, 1941. Baird's (19th ed.) notes the merger documents were signed on October 1, 1940. At the time, Pi Lambda Phi had 20 active chapters and Phi Beta Delta had 16. Considering duplications, the combined post-merger fraternity had a net of 33 chapters. All members and alumni of Phi Beta Delta were admitted into Pi Lambda Phi.[5]
Symbols and traditions
The badge was diamond-shaped, and edged with 20 pearls. Across the center it displayed the Greek letters Φ, Β, and Δ in gold on a blue background. Above the letters was a five-pointed star, and below were two crossed keys.
Chapters of Phi Beta Delta included the following, listed in the order of formation. Those noted in bold were active at the time of the merger, those in italics were dormant at the time of the merger:[6][3]
^At its 1934 restoration, this chapter incorporated nine-year old Phi Delta Mu (local) that had formed at Cornell in 1925.
^In 1934Eta chapter absorbed the Lambda chapter of Omicron Alpha Tau as that national fraternity was disbanding. ΟΑΤ had formed on the UPenn campus in 1922, apparently as a colony.
^This chapter originated as Kappa Omega (local), previously established on the University of Chicago campus.
^Another predecessor of ΠΛΦ at MIT had formed in 1897. The Phi Beta Delta merger restored Pi Lamb to the campus, and allows the chapter to claim the earlier founding date.
^This chapter originated as Lambda Beta (local), previously established on the Tandon campus.
^This chapter originated as Sigma Beta Tau (local), previously established at Oklahoma in 1921.
^This chapter originated as the Chi Club (local), previously established at Madison in 1922.
^This chapter originated as Sigma Delta Phi (local), previously established at Drake in 1923.
^This chapter originated as Delta Gamma Tau (local), previously established at Pittsburgh in 1923.
^This chapter originated as Alpha Beta Phi (local), previously established at Denver in 1922.
^This chapter originated as Omega Phi (local), previously established at Lehigh in 1926.
^This chapter originated as Sigma Iota Sigma (local), previously established at Temple in 1924.
^This chapter originated as Phi Delta Gamma (local), previously established at OSU in 1923.
^This chapter originated as The Evergreen Club (local), previously established at USC in 1927.
^This chapter originated as The Pioneers Club (local), previously established at Alabama.
^This chapter originated as Gamma Tau (local), previously established at Indiana in 1927.
^This chapter originated as The Alpha Club (local), established at Boulder in 1929.
^This chapter originated as Delta Pi (local), previously established at Illinois in 1925.
^Feynman, Richard P.; Leighton, Ralph (1992). Hutchings, Edward (ed.). "Surely you're joking, Mr. Feynman!": adventures of a curious character. London: Vintage. p. 30. ISBN978-0-09-917331-1.
^ abAnson, Jack L.; Marchenasi, Robert F., eds. (1991) [1879]. Baird's Manual of American Fraternities (20th ed.). Indianapolis, IN: Baird's Manual Foundation, Inc. p. VIII-13. ISBN978-0963715906.
