Phi Chapter Needs You
Phi at Yale is the founding chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon. It is the only Yale fraternity which has never closed! Not that we haven’t struggled. In the 70s after the Winthrop Trust deeded the York House to Yale, the chapter managed an underground existence in the Colleges. Then in the early 80s when we bought the two Lake Street properties there were many times when we came close.
The Rampant Lion Foundation, the National educational foundation, took over and operated the two houses on Lake Place across from the Payne Whitney Gym and made contributions to them tax deductible. The only reason that DKE has been able to maintain its leadership over the past quarter century is substantial capital support from a number of alumni who kept the faith over the years. Seventeen Brothers currently live in the DKE houses year around and pay rent to fund the mortgage, taxes and utilities. There are common areas in 79 Lake Place for meetings and social.
What is the status of Yale DKE today? We are a 114 man strong unit. As in my day we have a strong athletic contingent. A total of 71 varsity athletes, including the Captain of the Football Team, Tom McCarthy, wear our diamond pin. There are 43 football players, 17 varsity baseballers, 3 soccer, 3 track, 2 crew, 2 golf and 1 tennis player, the captain Connor Dawson.
Twenty three of our seniors are in a society. We have one former Navy SEAL. DKE has organized a team for Relay for Life at Yale the last 4 years. We are involved in Special Olympics, HOPE Organization (Helping Orphans Prosper through Education – this was started by DKEs. It raises funds to build and oversee orphanages in Africa), Headstart Tutoring Club, and Bulldog Buddies Tutoring Program.
Our members are in the Yale Political Union, the Skeet and Trap Club, Polo Club, Athletes in Action, Just Add Water Improv Group, Cheerleading team, Powerlifting Club, Rugby Club, Soccer Club, Hockey Club and others too numerous to mention.
We maintain our strong standing on a campus with several competitors. Unlike the the Seventies when the fraternities disappeared, today’s Yale has chapters of: Zeta Psi, Alpha Delta Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Sigma Nu, and Sigma Chi. And the sororities: Kappa Alpha Theta, Pi Beta Phi, and Kappa Kappa Gamma.
The missing ingredient is that we have been without a strong alumni association since the Winthrop Trust. We substituted the National Foundation to run our houses and maintain our connections. It is now time to create a strong Yale alumni association - Welcome, Mother Phi Foundation, Inc. This brand new 501(c)(3) organization is taking title to the two Lake Street Properties from the Rampant Lion Foundation, which we all supported, into a new exciting Yale based adventure. We are doing this by assuming the mortgage payment to Bank of America.
Be sure to take your time to enjoy our full feature webpage. This is interactive and tells the Yale DKE story. There will be a members - only section, alumni and undergraduates will reconnect. Our plan is to host social outings and educational sessions in New York at the Yale Club. The future may feature a Phi cruise, regional gatherings, job postings, blogs, whatever. There is even a plan to put together a DKE cookbook!
Our presence on Lake Place is secure, but now we need to focus on substantial renovations and capital repairs to these two old houses and improve the quality of life for our active brothers while helping them to recruit new members. As Yale University continues to improve campus housing, we need to continue to ensure that the condition of our houses and the amenities we offer can compete for resident brothers and entice new recruits.
Both 73 Lake Place and 79 Lake Place require substantial exterior work and paint. With your help, we can ensure that DKE will have an attractive, welcoming, long-standing home at Yale University. Stay tuned for forthcoming information on this exciting project.
Here’s how you can get involved now:
• Check out our brand new alumni community where you can reunite, at any time of the year (bookmark www.motherphi.org now, and be sure to update your email address so we can notify you when the site is up and running).
• Be on the lookout for a printed newsletter to arrive in your mailbox in April. Take advantage of the opportunity to get published, send a shout out to your brothers and let them know what’s new with you! Send your submissions using the form and envelope that are enclosed.
• Make plans to come back for one of our upcoming alumni events, where you can reunite with old DKE friends and make new ones.
• Volunteer. We’re looking for alumni to become involved with both our building and social committee. If you’re interested in serving to further improve our active and alumni chapters, contact me using the info below.
Our new program will be funded by an annual fundraising drive: the annual fund. In honor of your experience at DKE, and to contribute to our legacy at Yale University, please support our renovation and alumni relations efforts by making a tax-deductible contribution to Mother Phi Foundation, Inc. There are three ways to make an annual fund gift: you can return the recently sent form with a check or credit card contribution, donate online, or call 800-975-6699 to make a secure credit card gift over the phone.
Thank you to the alumni brothers who have helped us to get the Mother Phi Foundation off to a successful start and those who have helped us keep DKE alive at Yale since 1982. Help us to keep the momentum going…make a gift today!
Fraternally,
James D. Bishop ’56
motherphi@gmail.com
P.S. Remember, your email address is just as valuable to us as your financial contribution, as it allows us to communicate with you more frequently and cost effectively. Please verify yours on the back of the enclosed form. It will be used solely for DKE communications.