Arriving at IU Indianapolis in Fall 2021, I faced the challenge of adjusting to college life away from home. Although I was initially unsure about joining a fraternity, attending a Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji) recruitment event changed my perspective.
I enjoyed meeting the brothers and found that the fraternity’s values — friendship, service, morality, knowledge and excellence — matched my own. By the end of the second event, I was committed to joining Phi Gamma Delta and the Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) community at IU Indianapolis.
Memorable experiences
Throughout my time in Phi Delta Gamma, there have been several events that have stood out to me:
- Zeta Tau Alpha’s Big Man On Campus: As the largest philanthropy event on campus, BMOC features fraternity members performing talents to raise funds. In my first year, I played a key role in this event, dedicating many Sundays to rehearsals with our coach, Valerie Vasko. We raised nearly $34,000 for breast cancer awareness.
- Phi Mu’s Teeter-Totter-a-Thon: This 36-hour event in Taylor Courtyard supports Riley Children’s Hospital. In 2023, Phi Mu involved the FSL community extensively. My brothers and I participated by spending time with them, playing games and providing snacks. The event, which included a kickball tournament and a Toy Story screening, raised over $13,000.
- Delta Sigma Phi’s Queen of the Canal: This Panhellenic dance performance showcases sorority talents. In 2022, Fiji brothers attended to support the performers, raising nearly $15,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association.
Philanthropy and leadership
Philanthropy is a core value of Phi Gamma Delta. Each semester, we host events to support the United Service Organizations (USO), which aids active-duty service members and their families. Our events include grill outs, Pie-a-Phi bake sales and our major event called Homers for Heroes. We are proud of these efforts and look forward to participating in Regatta week’s philanthropy events.
Why Phi Gamma Delta matters
Joining Phi Gamma Delta has been a transformative experience. It has offered personal growth, meaningful connections and community contribution. If you’re considering any sort of campus involvement, I highly recommend it. The diverse and welcoming environment at IU Indianapolis provides numerous opportunities to find your place and build lasting friendships and skills.