U-M’s Phi Delta Chi Chapter Takes Home Top Prize
Last month, nineteen Brothers of the Alpha Chapter of Phi Delta Chi (PDC), with support from the College of Pharmacy and Central Student Government, traveled to Arlington, Virginia for the 71st Grand Council. During the five-day event, Brothers had the opportunity to network, improve leadership, and practice teamwork skills. Chapters of the pharmacy fraternity, which was founded right here at the University of Michigan in 1883, have come together biennially at Grand Council meetings since 1900. This year’s Grand Council attracted a record-breaking number with about 600 pharmacists and pharmacy students from across the country.
The Alpha Chapter took first place overall, out of more than 80 other chapters, in the Emory W. Thurston Grand President’s Cup competition. This was the highest finish ever for the Alpha Chapter. This award, the most prestigious a chapter can receive, is presented to the chapter that has “promoted the profession of pharmacy and Phi Delta Chi to the fullest extent during the preceding year.” The Alpha Chapter accomplished this by placing high in each of the key scoring components: 1st for the Albert B. Prescott Scholarship Report, 3rd for the John D. Grabenstein Leadership Report, 3rd for the Nancy A. Alvarez Professional and Service Projects Report, 3rd for the Ralph L. Saroyan Brotherhood Report, and 1st for the chapter publication, the Alpha Tattler.
During each academic year, chapters compose a chapter publication and four reports focusing on the fraternity’s pillars: scholarship, leadership, professionalism, service, and brotherhood. Each member of the fraternity contributes to the reports by being an active participant in events. A committee of Brothers work directly on the reports, spending months writing articles, editing, compiling statistics, and creating an attractive design to showcase the effect Phi Delta Chi events have on the College, the community, and its Brothers. Since placing 2nd overall in the Thurston Cup last year, the entire chapter was even more passionate about putting together the highest quality reports possible. Not only were the Brothers recognized for their hard work and dedication, but the Chapter advisor, Dr. Peggy Carver, deservingly received the Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award.
As the founding chapter of one of the largest pharmacy fraternities in the country, the Alpha Chapter looks forward to defending its title for next year’s Emory W. Thurston Grand President’s Cup competition. Regardless of the the outcome, the U-M Brothers will continue pursuing Phi Delta Chi’s mission of creating leaders in pharmacy.
