Phi Beta Delta (fraternity)

This article is about the social fraternity. For the honor society, see Phi Beta Delta (honor society).
Phi Beta Delta
ΦΒΔ
FoundedApril 4, 1912; 112 years ago (1912-04-04)
Columbia University
TypeSocial
Former AffiliationNIC
StatusMerged
Merge DateFebruary 1, 1941
SuccessorPi Lambda Phi
ScopeNational
Colors  Blue and   Gold
Symbolstar. crossed keys
FlowerHyacinth
JewelPearl
PublicationThe Phi Beta Delta News Letter
   The Tripod of Phi Beta Delta
Chapters16 at merger
Headquarters36 Mill Plain Rd, Ste 309
Danbury, Connecticut 06811
United States

Phi Beta Delta (ΦΒΔ) was a college social fraternity for Jewish students in the United States founded at Columbia University on April 12, 1912. In 1941 the fraternity merged with Pi Lambda Phi.

There were eight founders:

  • David H. Cohen
  • Henry C. Fenton
  • William Haas
  • Darcy M. Heinemann
  • Joseph Michtom
  • Samuel Null
  • Julius Rudd
  • Bernard Shapiro [1]

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]

Richard Feynman joined the fraternity in 1935 when at MIT.[4]

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]

  1. ^ a b Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities, 14th Edition, 1940.
  2. ^ "Justices of the Court : Max Bloom". Nycourts.gov. Retrieved 2010-12-18.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Baird's Manual Online was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Feynman, Richard P.; Leighton, Ralph (1992). Hutchings, Edward (ed.). "Surely you're joking, Mr. Feynman!": adventures of a curious character. London: Vintage. p. 30. ISBN 978-0-09-917331-1.
  5. ^ Anson, 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. ISBN 978-0963715906.