About Phi Gamma Delta

Phi Gamma Delta, commonly known as FIJI, is a secret Greek letter fraternity founded on May 1, 1848, at Jefferson College in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. The organization was established by six college students—John Templeton McCarty, Samuel Beatty Wilson, James Elliott Jr., Ellis Bailey Gregg, Daniel Webster Crofts, and Naaman Fletcher! These men were seeking a brotherhood built on friendship, moral integrity, and academic excellence to focus on building courageous leaders and responsible men.

These founders, known as “The Immortal Six," aimed to establish a fraternity that stood out from others by emphasizing high moral standards, personal development, and lifelong loyalty among its members. The fraternity adopted the motto "Friendship, the sweetest influence," which still defines our mission today.

FIJI quickly expanded beyond Jefferson College, establishing chapters at other universities across the United States and Canada. We place a strong emphasis on our main values, friendship, knowledge, service, morality and excellence. Unlike other fraternities, FIJI avoids the use of Greek letters in casual reference, preferring "FIJI" or "Phi Gam" as its identifiers.

Today, Phi Gamma Delta has over 150 active chapters (undergraduate and graduate) and colonies and more than 215,000 initiated brothers worldwide since its founding. Its members include numerous prominent figures in politics, business, sports, and the arts.

VALUES

  • FRIENDSHIP

    We believe in FRIENDSHIP

    It is the basis of our brotherhood. Because of it, we accomplish far more than we do as individuals. Friendship is the sweetest influence.

  • KNOWLEDGE

    We believe in KNOWLEDGE

    It is the key to a fuller, richer life. We gain it through education, the harmonious development of the powers of the individual.

  • SERVICE

    We believe in SERVICE

    We have the ability, the opportunity and the duty to serve our fellow human beings. Our reward is the satisfaction that comes from serving.

  • MORALITY

    We believe in MORALITY

    As gentlemen of quality, we must do what is right as individuals and as a group. Moral behavior is the basis of society's existence

  • EXCELLENCE

    We strive for EXCELLENCE

    It is attained only when we fulfill our total potential. Mankind benefits when each of us becomes all that we can be.