Delta Chi Fraternity Celebrates 50th Anniversary at University of Pittsburgh Johnstown Campus12/15/2022 Johnstown, PA - On Saturday October 15th 2022 the Johnstown Chapter of the Delta Chi Fraternity celebrated their 50th Anniversary.
On October 15, 2022 the Brothers of Delta Chi - Johnstown celebrated and remembered the founding of both organizations and recognized the men who have guided the organization to success for over half a century making it the oldest local and oldest surviving international greek organization at Johnstown. "In the Bond" Friday CocktailsOn Friday eventing October 14th there was an "In the Bond Meet n Greet" held at Tap 814 Pub and restaurant, formally known as The Gingerbread Man, at 800 Scalp Avenue. There was a very strong turnout of alumni from the 1970's many of whom had not seen each other together in decades. There was quite a bit of catching up own each others lives and families as well as a toast to several of those brothers who had passed. Ritual ReviewAlumni and active brothers met on Saturday morning at 10am for a Ritual Review at Blackington Hall. Active brothers went through the ritual as well the recent changes made at the 2022 Convention to the Delta Chi ritual. UPJ Convention delegates and other brothers conduct this review and some where quite surprised how much many of the the alumni form 30 to 40 years ago remembered and even explained their understanding of some local traditions and interpretations. Mimosa BrunchStarting at 11:30am and running until 1:30pm brothers, their wives and significant others gathered at at UPJ's Living Learning Center for a Mimosa Brunch. One again, different groups gathered at the various round tables to recall their undergrad experiences and the cemetery that had once occupied the place where the Living Learning Center is now located in what was formerly the E&S Lower Parking lot. Alumni where welcomed by David Janusek, Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement and Giving. The Campus TourThe Campus Tour began outside the Living Learning Center after brunch with visits to to visit the The Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center, the PPAC, the Murtha Center, the Nursing School, a stop by the Panther Statue. With the helped of Founding Fathers Carl Brinkoff and Larry Widmer, the group visited the original room in Biddle Hall where the Phi Delta Psi men decided to become a part of the International fraternity of Delta Chi. According to Brother Widmer, Johnstown was still effectively a two year school when he pledged Phi Delta Psi, and literally the entire group of upper classmen whom his group had pledged under had moved the Pittsburgh to continue their education. It was made very clear to his group while pledging that it would be in the best interest of the fraternity to become aligned with a national organization instead of remaining a local fraternity. The outside tour continued past the dorms including Oak hall, the original home of Phi Delta Psi, and Laurel Hall where the idea of becoming part of a national greek organization was first developed. Many of the group then visited the Log Cabi and Zamias Aquatic Center while some others took a break from the tour to relax at the the Larkspur house. The groups met up again near the former home of Delta Chi at Briar Lodge only to finish up at Foxfire lodge for a reminiscing time touring the three levels of the house and Adirondack shelter. 50th Anniversary Dinner at SunnehannaThe 50th Anniversary Dinner started with some opening remarks from Roger Ritter, Founding "A" of the Johnstown Chapter via video. It was followed by a Recognition of the Founding Fathers and a moment of silence for those brothers that we had lost. We then offered the microphone to any brother who wished to recognize any of their departed brothers. Needless to say, that there where several tears shed and several laughs remembering those of our brothers who had passed away while we enjoyed our dinner We where honored to host several guest for our celebration. This included Dr. Jem Spectar, President, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, who spent some time thanking everyone for attending an was quite gracious in complimenting our brotherhood for our recognition of those that had departed. Dr Spectar also thanked the many alumni in the room form the 1970's who where instrumental in the fundraising to build not just the Foxire Lodge but the entirety of the North Lodges which was an effort for all Greeks to have housing. Patrick Alderdice, the current “AA” of Delta Chi Fraternity followed Dr Spectar and talked about the significance of the 50th year mark. He was followed by Steve Bossart, the 49th "AA" of Delta Chi Fraternity. Brothers John Wozniak & John Rafferty, Former Pennsylvania Senators, made presentations from the Pennsylvania State Senate and House of Representatives honoring the significant milestone of celebrating 50th years as an organization. That was followed by Patrick Alderdice presentation to chapter and Cyle Martindale, Delta Chi Johnstown's current "A" providing an update on the chapter. Brother Bernard Martin, acting as MC for the evening, explained that there was some extra funds that where raised from the weekend events and some of those monies would be spent on fixing the composites that where being stored in the house, as there was no room to hang them in Larkspur, albeit plenty of room to hang them in Foxfire, which lead to a big round of applause in the room. The evening was followed by quite a bit of dancing. Special thanks to Jessica Vamos, Assistant Director of Annual Giving, for the photography she contributed to all of the Saturday activities.
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editors note: Below is the emailed newsletter from UPJ delivers November 29th , 2022 A Message from the President: Greetings! I hope you and yours are doing well and looking forward to the holiday season. I am honored to share a few words with you, our alumni, friends and supporters who represent UPJ in the world and make us so proud. I firmly believe that the accomplishments of our alums are a crucial support pillar upon which the University's reputation rests. As we celebrate our enviable position in the top tier of U.S. News & World Report rankings and being selected as a Best College in the Northeast by Princeton Review, we are grateful for the great foundations of excellence you helped to establish. This outstanding legacy was in full display during the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Delta Chi Fraternity at UPJ, an occasion also marked by warm fellowship, nostalgic remembrances, and merriment. As I mingled with the Brothers, past and present, the passion and pride for UPJ was palpable. There was also plenteous evidence of UPJ's power and impact, with so many successful alums from all walks of life. For example, I enjoyed conversations with Dr. Edgar Hartle ('77), a notable pathologist in Charlotte, NC. I was fascinated by the globetrotting ways of Paul Amos ('92), who now resides in Ecuador. I was honored to meet Steve Wexell ('86), Vice President at HW Lochner, ranked by Engineering New Record as one of the nation's premier engineering design firms. The next generation of leaders was also well represented by the current Delta Chi Brothers, including Rob Baumgarten, who displayed his dancing skills as the King of "the Worm!" Quite clearly, UPJ alums worldwide are making a huge impact, making the most of the educational foundation that prepared them for success and leadership. Other Fall highlights included our Fall into Research symposium, where our talented faculty shared their scholarship with members of the university community, and our annual Homecoming celebration topped with a beautiful fireworks display. Our student-athletes continue to leave their mark with tremendous victories in sports such as basketball, volleyball, and of course, wrestling, where Coach P's Mountain Cats recently walloped West Liberty in a dramatic match. Homecoming and Halloween celebrations enlivened the Campus with dazzling fireworks and lots of fun for students and kids from the surrounding communities. The University continues to impact our local community in numerous ways that promote economic development and enhance the quality of life. Our partnership with the Flood City Youth Fitness Academy marked a major milestone with the launch of the CODE 4 STEM learning initiative. In addition, the community sidewalk and wellness trail project dubbed REACHLand is nearing completion, and we are hoping for the grand opening in the next few weeks. Let me conclude by thanking you, our alumni, friends and supporters for all you do to support and sustain Pitt Johnstown through thick and thin. I hope that as you pursue your endeavors, you remember to make time for self-care and that you and yours stay safe and sound. Embrace & Enjoy Our World, Jem Spectar The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown welcomed back 70 alum, along with family, to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Delta Chi on Saturday, October 15th. Traveling near and far, Brothers from all over the world as far as Cuenca, Ecuador once again gathered here on campus for a beautiful fall day of celebrating and reminiscing.
That evening, the Brothers of Delta Chi and guests came together for a dinner celebration at Sunnehanna Country Club. As part of the celebration, they heard from speaker and University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown President, Dr. Jem Spectar and current Delta Chi Johnstown Chapter President Cyle Martindale.
They were presented with Citations from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the Pennsylvania Senate by Former Pennsylvania Senators, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Alumni, and Delta Chi Brothers John Wozniak and John Rafferty as well as a Commemorative Plaque distinguishing the founding of Delta Chi by Delta Chi International President Patrick Alderdice. As history would have it, founding fathers Dawn McKee, Geoffrey Miles, and William Miles formed Phi Delta Psi Fraternity in the Winter of 1962. And, on January 22, 1963, the official Chapter Founding date, Phi Delta Psi became the second Fraternity founded in Johnstown. Eight years later, the Brothers of Phi Delta Psi were sworn into the pledge program of Delta Chi, making them the first international Fraternity at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. And, after 50 plus years, these brothers continue to cherish a friendship formed “in the bond.” by Bernard Martin, ΓΩ -10 The 50th Anniversary of the Delta Chi Johnstown Chapter are well under way. With the help of David Janusek, the Director Of Development at UPJ and Kathleen Clawson, Director of Conferences & Events at UPJ and a Delta Chi Little Sister, an exciting tour of all of the new buildings on the campus is planned. Many of the buildings that you will see date back to the early 1960's when Phi Delta Psi was founded. Dr Theordore Biddle had an architectural plan for the campus that extended to the year 2000. Amazingly many of those buildings now exist. The Campus Tour will start from the Living Learning Center and then proceed to the following venues:
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