The Gamma Delta Alpha Sigma Phi Chapter at Davis & Elkins College celebrated a major milestone with a re-founding ceremony on Nov. 5. Active members, alumni, College leaders and national Alpha Sigma Phi representatives marked the occasion with a dinner and program in Myles Center for the Arts.
“Today is indeed an auspicious day,” David Eron, assistant director of Provisional Chapter Development for Alpha Sigma Phi, said. “Just as Alpha Sigma Phi’s founders Louis Manigault, Stephen Ormsby Rhea and Horace Spangler Weiser did at Yale University on December 6, 1845, we are gathered to formalize your intentions to establish a chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity here at Davis & Elkins College.”
Founded at D&E in 1949, the Gamma Delta Chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi saw many successful years with a growing brotherhood. However, as the new millennium dawned, the organization began facing financial difficulties. Luckily, alumni brothers came to the rescue.
The re-chartering process dates back to 2013 when Dick Seybolt ’63 paid a visit to the president and chief executive officer of the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity. Additional alumni stepped in to guide, mentor and provide monetary support. Robert T. Gregory, Capt., U.S. Navy (retired), ’59 played a leading role in efforts that secured more than $50,000 for the chapter endowment, paid off chapter debt, and created a fund to cover a member’s initiation fee.
“The Gamma Delta Chapter has experienced significant growth in undergraduate membership, in large part due to Brother Gregory’s efforts,” D&E Vice President for Institutional Advancement Scott Goddard, who served as the fraternity’s advisor, told the group.
Additional financial support to the chapter was announced at the ceremony. Grand Chapter Advisor David Kubichek ’99 presented a $1,000 check from his business and another $1,000 personal gift, while Jim Fritz ’89 offered a $400 academic scholarship to each fraternity member in their senior year at D&E.
The ceremony also included remarks from Davis & Elkins College President Chris A. Wood and Chapter Presidents Trevor Gauckler and Andrew Shand, who each focused on themes of leadership and brotherhood.
“Alpha Sigma Phi made me feel like I was in my home away from home,” Shand said. “I am grateful to call all these guys my brothers.”
Eron reminded the fraternity members that the ceremony is a time of reflection on the journey where they now take an official distinguished place in the history of the re-founding fathers of the Gamma Delta chapter.
“As you contemplate the honor of membership in Alpha Sigma Phi, I hope that you recall that membership in this brotherhood comes with a responsibility,” Eron said. “A responsibility to exemplify the values of silence, charity, purity, honor and patriotism. A responsibility to perpetuate this brotherhood by inviting new men to join the fraternity. A responsibility to each other, to be your brothers’ keeper. We give credit to Alpha Sigma Phi for uniting these men as they strive to ‘Better the Man.’ Congrats to the Gamma Delta chapter.”
The re-founding ceremony of the Gamma Delta Chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi at Davis & Elkins College brought together a group of alumni, current members, their guests and Davis & Elkins College administrators and staff.
