User:Wduckett

(2.23.09) After having a terrible time finding anything for my new page, I Google searched: "phi gamma delta epsilon chapter"

Google returned four (4) results:

'''- This source is too new. It will be helpful when writing a current history, but only a short snippet.'''

RE3.org: 10.2008 The Phi Gamma Delta, Epsilon Chapter of UNC-Chapel Hill has gone green - and beyond. Earlier this year the brothers of Phi Gam realized that not only would ... re3org.blogspot.com/2008_10_01_archive.html

'''- This is an NC law manual, with only a brief mention of Phi Gam. Not helpful.''' Full text of "North Carolina manual [serial]" ... North Carolina Bar Association; American Bar Association; American Judicature Society; Phi Gamma Delta (Epsilon Chapter, U. N. C.) ; Phi Alpha Delta Law ... www.archive.org/stream/northcarolinaman1955nort/northcarolinaman1955nort_djvu.txt

- Ditto (see above).

Full text of "North Carolina manual [serial]" ... Phi Gamma Delta (Epsilon Chapter, U. N. C); Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (Kinston Lodge No. 740). ... www.archive.org/stream/northcarolinaman1957nort/northcarolinaman1957nort_djvu.txt

'''- This is an 'archived' history of Phi Gamma Delta. I never knew this existed. Good find.'''

North Carolina's Phi Gam Historic Sites Phi Gamma Delta's Epsilon Chapter arrived in 1851 (see related story) but lasted for three years. An 1859 revival was short lived due to the Civil War. ... fiji.hea.biz/history/Sites/carolina.htm

Wduckett (talk) 20:14, 24 February 2009 (UTC)

(3/18/09)

The Epsilon Chapter of the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta was established on March 4, 1851 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The chapter was founded by Felix Grundy McGavock who transferred to Carolina after the close of the University of Nashville in 1850. The chapter endured a tumultuous early history, ceasing to exist in the spring of 1852, resuming in 1859, ceasing again in 1862, being re-chartered on October 31, 1887 and ceasing in 1898 before finally being revived again in 1926. To this day the Epsilon Chapter survives as one of the most prominent fraternities at the University of North Carolina.

Early History
The University of North Carolina was chartered in 1789 and opened in 1795, and is therefore celebrated as the oldest public university in the United States. (The University of Georgia was chartered in 1785, but did not open until 1801.) Fraternities found an early foot-hold; Phi Gamma Delta and Delta Kappa Epsilon both established chapters here in 1851.

The chapter at Jefferson College noted in its minutes of December 21, 1850 that "a letter from Nashville was read, giving us the hope of having a Chapter established at the University of North Carolina." The University of Nashville had closed in October and Felix Grundy McGavock prepared to transfer to Chapel Hill. Along with six other young men, McGavock established the chapter and the Grand Chapter granted a charter on March 14, 1851.

The brothers were of the highest standing in the University. The valedictorians of 1851, 1852, and 1854 were Phi Gams, as was the salutatorian in 1852. Of the six founding editors of the University Magazine, five were brothers; so were half of the next fourteen editors.

Despite the success of its members the chapter itself lasted just over one year. In later May or early June, 1852, the Grand Chapter recorded that "A communication was received from Chapel Hill, stating that for various reasons they had concluded to disorganize their chapter and return their charter.” The exact reason remains a mystery.

The Epsilon Chapter returned to Chapel Hill in November, 1859. Luther Rice Bell (Virginia 1860) transferred to Chapel Hill and reestablished the chapter with four other men. The brothers were again of high caliber; the valedictorian and salutorian of 1862 were brothers.

The chapter grew more slowly than before. There were more men at Carolina (436 in 1859-1860) but also more competition from seventeen fraternities. By March 1860 the chapter had seven members; a year later there were twelve. By the end of 1862 almost every living student and alumnus of UNC had volunteered for Confederate military service. The University continued to operate throughout the war, sustained by dwindling numbers of young men not old enough for service. The constant turnover made it impractical for any fraternity chapter to survive, and the Epsilon Chapter was no exception.

The University closed during Reconstruction and then reopened with a ban on fraternities. The ban was lifted in 1885 and Epsilon was rechartered on October 31, 1887, and was reinstalled November 23, 1887. Twelve years later, the chapter closed. Membership had dwindled in the face of faculty-imposed recruitment restrictions. In 1926, the chapters in the section converged on campus to recruit new members. Their efforts led to a new Epsilon Chapter that year. The chapter has endured many subsequent years, honors, and tribulations and survives still on the Chapel Hill campus.

Recent History
Wduckett (talk) 17:42, 18 March 2009 (UTC)

All of the editions are done. I tried my best to include references but there is still a warning on them... I added many pictures, recent history, and a large list of brothers who fought in the American Civil War as well as Cabinet members from 1974-2009. Wduckett (talk) 01:58, 21 April 2009 (UTC)