From The Archives

From The Archies

A Monthly feature highlighting our Archives

 

July 2023

Embossed Coat of Arms

 

Included for your viewing are two accessions from the archives. To the right is an embossed Theta Delta Chi coat of arms. The coat of arms was officially adopted in 1910. These large format sheets are in the collection as stand-alone items and can be seen embedded in various proclamations hung at the Central Fraternity Office. This close-up shows the details of the crest and the ornate supporters.

The second is a printed description of a proposal for the heraldic design and symbols used in the crest of the Fraternity. It is unsigned and undated. The design of the crest you see differs from the description. At the 52nd Convention in 1900, a three-person committee was appointed to prepare a coat of arms. The proposal includes a written description of each quarter of the design from Richard B. Lockwood, the well-known Heraldic and College Engraver.

The pages also reference a letter that hung in the N.Y. Graduate Club. That letter inspired Letters in Egypt, a story published in the Shield Vol. 8 on page 42. In the story, a brother is at the Astor House, the old headquarters of the Fraternity, and recaps his visit to the largest pyramid in May of 1858, where after going into the upper chamber sees in huge letters, “the three letters which fire our hearts on all occasions, TDX.” While some may have interpreted this claim literally, it is more likely that the letters were not in the largest pyramid. Rather, the characteristics of the tombs were emblematical of what he saw the Fraternity to hold—reverence for age, history, and the eternal. Included in the proposed heraldic Blazon first is a "A sphynx and pyramid proper." They were selected in "an attempt to symbolize our own legend."

The coat of arms was officially adopted ten years after the committee was charged with preparing a Fraternity coat of arms. Many of the distinctive elements changed.

Below is an excerpt from the 16th edition of the Theta Delta Chi Handbook that contains the formal description of the 1910 coat of arms.

The emblems surrounding the ruby were at one time enumerated during the presentation address read to the President of the Grand Lodge, at the time of his taking office. The address is no longer a part of the installation ceremony, having been replaced by a ritual whose content is limited to initiated members. The following quotation is taken from the last presentation:

"This is an emblematic monogram containing the insignia of our beloved Fraternity. Its colors black, white and blue symbolize secrecy, purity and loyalty (the same is true of the flag and pledge pin). The diamonds surround the ruby, the emblematic gem of our Brotherhood; their splendor and brilliance symbolize the infusion of new and prosperous life into our Association through your earnest and conscientious personal efforts while you are at its head. May the stars and the lamp, typifying the light of nature and the light of art, represent the thoughts which hereafter are to guide you. The arrows and swords, the forces which you may be called upon to use to protect the members of our (sodality) from those who are hostile to its existence. The open book must again remind you of the necessity of earnestly guarding our Constitution from profane eyes."

"May the skull and bones admonish you of the always existing secrecy that necessarily surrounds the proceedings connected with the initiations into our honored Brother-hood, whereby we distinguish those who have been deemed worthy and well qualified beyond all others to wear the emblems of our dear-to-heart Fraternity."

"May the fasces and clasped hands recall that fact that upon you pre-eminently of all members of the Society is imposed the duty of ever maintaining the harmony in the organization."

"The motto is taken from Homer’s Iliad." It is pronounced homophrona thumon ekontes, and in idiomatic English translates as Our hearts are united."

 1841 coat of arms Page 1
 1841 coat of arms Page 2s
1841 coat of arms Page 3

 

 

 

Grand Lodge Staff Transition

Grand Lodge Staff Transition

NEW! Charge Consultant: Nick Flores, Beta Deuteron '22

 

Heading into my sophomore year at Iowa State University, I was looking for a fresh start. Having struggled being away from home–Glendale Heights, IL–one of my best friends and now brothers, Kenny Phillips, suggested I check out Theta Delta Chi. He had joined our spring semester of freshman year (2019) and felt I’d be a great fit. At first, I was skeptical, but once I arrived at the house during a cookout, I quickly got to know my future brothers and finally felt at home.

I can recall meeting brothers Ethan and Alec Avitia, Rico Tinielu, Jeffrey Johnson, and even CFO member Drew Johnson. I felt like I could be my authentic self with everyone from the first time we met and that was something I personally value and really appreciated about Beta Deuteron. I was joined alongside a new member class of ’22, and with a large senior class that year, we were to be the future of the house. Knowing this, I quickly began to think about how I could make a positive impact on the Charge and decided that joining the Exec Board was the best way to do so.

I served as New Member Educator from the fall of 2020 through the fall of 2021 and spent my final semester as Vice President during the spring of 2022. I also worked with the student newspaper, the Iowa State Daily, worked at the ISU Writing Center, was involved in intramurals and was involved in Greek Week activities like Lip Sync and Yell Like Hell.

Nick Flores

Post-graduation in May 2022 I moved to Laredo, TX to pursue a career in sports reporting. Since I spent my four years in college studying Journalism and worked with the newspaper covering soccer, basketball, swimming etc., joining the Laredo Morning Times was the next step in that chapter of my life. I covered high school football, soccer, track, and more. I also got to cover college sports for Texas A&M International University. This experience also gave me the opportunity to cover the National Premier Soccer League as the Laredo Heat were on their way to a National Title run that summer. I was also blessed to be able to freelance for the NPSL and was able to connect to some top soccer players in the country, including MLS midfielder Emmanuel Iwe (Minnesota United).

Ultimately, I decided that sports reporting wasn’t the route I wanted to take at the time, and there were many factors that went into that decision. I then returned home to Glendale Heights and worked with NWSL side Chicago Red Stars and at a local Jewel-Osco to earn a living while I figured out what was next for me.

Luckily, I noticed that Theta Delta Chi had a job opportunity open, and I quickly messaged Drew about it. He got back to me, and within a week of reaching out, I was interviewing for the position of Charge Consultant. I’ve now been part of the CFO staff for about a month, and I’m so thankful for the opportunity.

It’s a privilege and an honor to serve the organization that helped me mature and find a new home in Beta Deuteron. As I look ahead to the future, I’m excited to meet all of my brothers across the country and give my best efforts to Theta Delta Chi.

176th Convention

176th Convention Recap

For a full recap please visit our recap site here.

 

Scholarship Awards

Davenport
Brandon Cain, Xi Deuteron 2022
Caleb Peare, Upsilon Deuteron 2024
Andrew Dever, Upsilon Deuteron 2025
Abdi De Leon, Mu Triton 2025

1847 General Awards
Aidan Zuercher, Iota Triton 2022
Jacob Griffiths, Xi Deuteron 2024
Maxwell Barton, Beta Deuteron 2024

Porter Scholarship
Carter Bertsch, Upsilon Deuteron 2026

Larsen Memorial Scholarship
Spencer Callaway, Sigma Deuteron 2026
Charlie Dentz, Sigma Deuteron 2026

Individual Awards

Undergraduate of the Year– Luke Rizzo, Beta Deuteron
Alumnus of the Year-Doug Kwikkel, Beta Deuteron
President of the Year– Aidan Morgan, Xi Triton
Theta Delt of the Year– Justin Shirk, Nu Triton
Theta Delta Chi Achievement Award– Dr. Richard E. Wood, Gamma Triton

Charles P. Schmid Loyalty Cups

Highest Number of Donors – Delta Deuteron (53 donors) Nu Deut (47) Epsilon (46)
Highest Percentage of Donors – Rho Triton 8.37% Upsi Deut 7.37% Nu Deut 7.13%
Douglas G. Southern Development Award – Bob Freeman Nu Deuteron

Convention Awards:

Glenn Marston Travel Cup-Chosen @ Convention-Theta Deuteron
Graduate Attendance Trophy-Chosen @ Convention-Epsilon Triton
Bruce R. Trefz Service and Philanthropy Cup– Upsilon Deuteron
Guy C. Pierce Improvement Cup -Lambda Deuteron
Dr. Richard E. Wood Ritual Improvement Cup – Epsilon Triton
President’s Cup – Gamma Triton
Victory Cup – Sigma Triton

Certificates of Excellence

Finance -Alpha
Risk Management – Sigma Triton
Programming – Upsilon Deuteron
Inter-Charge Relations – Omicron Triton
Recruitment – Omicron Triton
Campus Involvement – Upsilon Deuteron
NME – Tau Triton
Hospitality – Beta Deuteron
Social Media Marketing – Tau Tetraton
Leadership – Mu Triton

LDH Award

Tyler Lewis Rho Proteron 

Flutie Awards:

Sigma Deuteron
Psi Tetraton
Xi
Tau Tetraton

Exceptional Brothers Doing Exceptional Things

Exceptional Brothers Doing Exceptional Things

Exceptional Brothers Doing Exceptional Things

 

July 2023

Thomas W. Scott and Thomas First, Zeta 1989 (Brown) 

 

Thirsty for something cool, refreshing, and non-alcoholic? Have you ever reached for a Nantucket Nectar? You can thank two Theta Delts for creating a brand that brought relief on a hot summer day and is now owned by Keurig Dr. Pepper.

Nantucket NectarAfter graduation from Brown University and Zeta Charge, in 1985, Bros. Scott and First started a small business selling various items to yachts in Nantucket, Massachusetts. The idea for the creation of Nantucket Nectar was born out of a visit to Spain where Brother First had peach nectar. Their success is now studied at Harvard Business School in a case study published in 1998. The duo was featured on the Inc. 500’s list of the 500 fastest-growing companies for five years. While both men no longer work for Nantucket Nectars on a day-to-day basis, they are featured in marketing campaigns on TV and radio.

Brother Tom Scott is currently a film and television producer. He has had his projects selected by both the Cannes and Sundance Film Festivals for his film “Daddy Longlegs.” He has produced an HBO series called Neistat Brothers and most recently produced the documentary film, “Apple Pushers” with Edward Norton. He has also been awarded 14 Emmy Awards for his founding of the Plum TV Television Network.

After selling Nantucket Nectar, Brother First founded the beverage company OWater, which is now a Polar brand. While he is still Chairman of the OWater board, he runs a fund that invests in entrepreneurial businesses in the beverage industry.

The Grand Lodge of Theta Delta Chi Sponsors Hazing Hotline

888.not.haze.tdx

The Grand Lodge of Theta Delta Chi takes hazing allegations very seriously. If you feel that you or someone you know is being hazed, do not hesitate to call the Anti-Hazing Hotline at 1-888-NOT-HAZE. It is toll-free and confidential.

Read the full storyThe Grand Lodge of Theta Delta Chi Sponsors Hazing Hotline

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