The Objects and Purposes of Delta Phi Epsilon are set forth in Article III of the Constitution of the Fraternity that was adopted in 1921, which reads as follows:
• To promote good fellowship among persons studying or engaged in Foreign Service;
• To promote among its members a high conception of the duties of those engaged in Foreign Service;
• To encourage and inspire honor and scholarship and a serious-minded purpose in the lives of the members of the Fraternity;
• To raise and maintain the standards of American citizenship at home and abroad;
• To create and develop a spirit of loyalty to our respective Alma Maters or institutions of learning;
• To aid in the development and maintenance of the international commerce of the United States;
• To support the Constitution of the United States of America;
• To encourage and foster relationships of friendliness and good will between the United States and all other nations and, in the furtherance of that end, to aid in the formation of similar national fraternities in those foreign countries whose world position, civilization and education warrant our support and cooperation in the organization of an International Hellenic Council befitting the new world of business.
• To promote among its members a high conception of the duties of those engaged in Foreign Service;
• To encourage and inspire honor and scholarship and a serious-minded purpose in the lives of the members of the Fraternity;
• To raise and maintain the standards of American citizenship at home and abroad;
• To create and develop a spirit of loyalty to our respective Alma Maters or institutions of learning;
• To aid in the development and maintenance of the international commerce of the United States;
• To support the Constitution of the United States of America;
• To encourage and foster relationships of friendliness and good will between the United States and all other nations and, in the furtherance of that end, to aid in the formation of similar national fraternities in those foreign countries whose world position, civilization and education warrant our support and cooperation in the organization of an International Hellenic Council befitting the new world of business.
Our History
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ETA CHAPTER
In June 1929, a local fraternity called “Delta Phi” at The George Washington University, in Washington, D.C., petitioned the Board of Governors of Delta Phi Epsilon for installation as a chapter. On October 15, 1929, Delta Phi Epsilon accepted their petition and authorized installation of the group as Eta Chapter. The ceremonies took place on December 14 and 15, 1929 at the Alpha House in Washington. The installation team consisted of Bros. Edward Breyere (Chairman), Harold Dotterer, Harold DeCourcy, Carl Bahr, Lawrence Cain, Leo Schaben, Edward Shields, Carl Voss, and Walter Jaeger. The first president of the new Eta Chapter was Bro. J. Harold Stehman, who later served as the Fraternity’s National Treasurer for two terms (1934-38). The first National Vice President for Eta Chapter was Bro. John Levi Donaldson, a George Washington University faculty member, who later served as National President of Delta Phi Epsilon from 1934-36. Eta Chapter was the last new chapter installed by the Fraternity for a decade. The chapter enjoyed a period of activity until 1943, when World War II forced the chapter’s activity to be put on hold. This period did not last long into the post-war years, and in 1944 the Eta chapter was re-started by Bros. James Charrier, Peter Zahüte, Charles Daugherty, and Donald Page. The Eta Chapter again became inactive from 1955 to 1964, when it was once again reestablished, only to soon become a casualty of the fervent anti-war and anti-establishment sentiment of the latter part of the 1960’s. This era had a corrosive effect on fraternal organizations across the country, but especially on GW’s campus. As a result, the Eta Chapter became inactive in 1969. With the exception of a few unsuccessful attempts at reviving the Eta chapter, it would remain inactive until April 2004, when future bros. Elliot Gillerman, Adam Rosen, Daniel Balke, and Peter Fu made contact with the Alpha chapter about reviving the fraternity at GW. This original group of four grew to become thirteen, and the group returned to campus in the fall determined to re-establish the chapter. They contacted Ambassador Edward “Skip” Gnehm, an Eta brother and GW faculty member, for his guidance in re-chartering the chapter. With the motto “Third Time’s the Charm” inked on their paddles, the 53rd line was initiated on November 13,2005 at the Alpha house. The line consisted of Daniel Balke, Noah Kai-Cherry, Peter Fu, Elliot Gillerman, Joseph Greely, Christopher Hanley, Adam Rosen, Michael Schmitz, Michael Scrimenti, Eric Soucie, Andrew Fromknecht, Brian Gallo, and Michael Ray Huerta. Elliot Gillerman was elected as the newly established Eta Chapter President, and Adam Rosen was elected as the National Vice-President. Since then the chapter has grown, reached out to its alumni base, and re-established the proud traditions practiced decades ago. Under the leadership of future brothers, the Eta Chapter will continue its growth and development for many years to come. |
