Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity

Websites

UCB Chapter: http://www.cal-adphi.net/

Year Founded

UCB Chapter: 1908

Additional Information

Chapter Summary/Information: Samuel Eells, the provident founder of Alpha Delta Phi, most eloquently expressed the principal purpose of the fraternity. It was his intent that “this new association, with a true philosophical spirit, looking to the entire man, develop his whole being - moral, social and intellectual.” Since its beginning at Hamilton College in 1832, The Alpha Delta Phi has sought to provide a comprehensive growth experience for young men at leading universities and colleges in Canada and the United States.

Chapter History: But during the year of 1899, upon this dark age of fraternity history began to dawn the light of the renaissance. Various groups of non-fraternity students, each containing among its number several men prominent and respected in college life, were organized into chapters of national Greek letter societies therefore unrepresented upon the campus. By 1902, numerous fairly prominent fraternities were established at Berkeley, and the time seemed opportune for an attempt to secure a charter for Alpha Delta Phi. Two additional circumstances contributed their influence to make the occasion appear propitious. The University itself was at the threshold of expansion, and the newly installed President of the University was one of the most loyal and devoted of Alpha Delts expansion, and the newly installed President of the University was one of the most loyal and devoted of Alpha Delts –Brother Benjamin Ide Wheeler (Brunonian, 1875). Under these circumstances, and appreciating the unusual appeal which a possibility of membership in Alpha Delta Phi would make to many men who would have been indifferent to adverse to joining an ordinary Greek letter society, a small group of friends began to discuss in a cautious and conservative way the possibility of organizing for the purpose of petitioning the governing body of Alpha Delta Phi for a charter. The entire group decided with unanimity and enthusiasm to abandon all intension of affiliating with any other fraternity and to seek admission into the one which was undeniably the best. Their meetings resulted in its being decided to submit a proposal to Pres. Wheeler, to learn whether any other petitioners were in the field, and, if possible enlist his support. At the end of his Class Day speech in 1900, Pres. Wheeler was approached and flanked by Brothers Roland and Vanderbilt, and apparently engaged in earnest conversation. How these two Brothers accomplished it, they alone knew; assuredly angels might well have feared to tread in such a situation. Not ten men on campus realized the significance of that conference, though probably many wondered what important errand could have warranted such an intrusion. The results of the conversation where that Pres. Wheeler intimated that he would not be adverse to the installation of a chapter of his fraternity at Berkeley; that provided the petitioners were worth, he would endorse their application; and he further suggested the type of men whom the petitioning body should be composed before it could secure his support. Who will ever forget his immortal words: “Get strong men. Men of character, leaders in the university, officers of the student body. And of the classes, literary men, debaters, athletes of the right kind. But above all, GET MEN!”

Address: 2422 Prospect Street, Berkeley, CA, 94704

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