Colony looks to join Greek community

While some pledges on campus were trying to make it through the infamous “Hell Week” last… While some pledges on campus were trying to make it through the infamous “Hell Week” last semester for their fraternities, the new members of Delta Chi joined their brothers to play a football game on the Cathedral of Learning’s lawn.

Last fall was the first semester for the anti-hazing colony on Pitt’s campus. John Martin, the group’s president, began working to create a Delta Chi chapter at Pitt last May.

“What we were looking for wasn’t quite out there,” Martin said. Originally created as a law fraternity in 1889 at Cornell University, the Delta Chi fraternity embodies the qualities of academic excellence, he said.

The nearest local chapter, at Duquesne University, runs a charity event called “Can the Van,” where they take canned goods to local food banks. Martin hopes Pitt’s group will be able to organize similar charity events in the future.

“We are looking forward to being a part of the Greek Community,” he said.

Matt Killingsworth, director of chapter services for Delta Chi, has worked with the founders of Pitt’s chapter.

“They have taken an active approach – a lot of the members already had experience,” he said.

Delta Chi does not haze pledges before they become full members.

“We feel the best way to establish a fraternity is to build members up, not tear them down,” Killingsworth said. “Unfortunately, with hazing, the perception of it does damage.”

That was one of the factors that led sophomore Matt Barron to join Delta Chi during the fall.

“Hazing really just perpetuates the idea that the status of ‘brother’ must be earned,” Barron said. When Barron came to college, he wanted to join a fraternity. After reading about Delta Chi, he was impressed by the work-hard, play-hard mentality.

“[I hoped to] not join a frat just to join one, but to join one with a long history and a good reputation,” he added.

Some of the famous alumni of the fraternity include President Benjamin Harrison, William Jennings Bryan, Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher.

Martin also pointed out that academics will be one of Delta Chi’s main concerns.

“Everyone is going to have to realize academics remain priority,” Martin said.

But he said he also realizes the need for more than just strong academic achievement in a fraternity.

“We want everyone to be balanced,” Martin said.

Barron said, “The current and future members of Delta Chi have [been], and will continue to be, respected for the quality of their character and the commitment they show not only to Delta Chi, but in all of the goals they pursue.”