Pi Delta Psi

Pi Delta Psi Fraternity ΠΔΨ Fraternity’s Crest Motto: "Excellence Through Brotherhood." Founded February 20, 1994 (1994-02-20) SUNY Binghamton Type Social/Cultural Interest Scope National Emphasis Asian-American Cultural Awareness Scope National Chapters 29 Active, 1 Alumni Branch Colors      Red      White      Black Publication The Unicorn Four Pillars Academic Achievement Cultural Awareness Righteousness Friendship/Loyalty Nickname PDP, PDPsi Philanthropy Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Address P.O. Box 520269 Flushing, New York USA Homepage http://www.pideltapsi.com

Pi Delta Psi (ΠΔΨ) is an Asian-American Cultural Interest Fraternity founded at Binghamton University on February 20, 1994. The mission of Pi Delta Psi is to break down cultural barriers by fostering individual growth in the areas of "Academic Achievement, Cultural Awareness, Righteousness, Friendship and Loyalty". Today this organization consists of over 1,500 members spanning 29 undergraduate chapters and 1 alumni chapter.

This organization is a member of the National APIA Panhellenic Association (NAPA).

History

Pi Delta Psi Fraternity was founded at Binghamton University (SUNY) on February 20, 1994.

Pi Delta Psi Founding Founders

Mr. David Lee	Mr. Philip Hunt
Mr. Sammy Wong	Mr. Spencer Seto
Mr. Ronny Chow	Mr. Damien Lee
Mr. Thuan Luong	Mr. Chester Huang
Mr. Christopher Murata	Mr. Tracy B. Tabije
Mr. Michael Son

The founding fathers of Pi Delta Psi consists of 11 individuals from a variety of Asian ethnicities. These individuals saw that although Asian-American attendance in higher education institutions was gradually increasing in the early 1990s, they continued to lack unity on campuses throughout the country; where Asian-American subgroups tended to segregate amongst other ones whom did not share the same Asian ethnicity (ie Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Filipino, Taiwanese, and Vietnamese). These 11 individuals believed that this disunity amongst Asian-Americans was directly related to the level of awareness and understanding they had of each other's cultures. It was in this environment that the 11 founding individuals envisioned creating an Asian-American organization that could serve to educate its members in the area of cultural awareness, help bridge the gap between all various subgroups, and bring about Asian-American unity.

An early picture of Pi Delta Psi's Founding Fathers, Binghamton University Spring 1994.

A year after its founding, Pi Delta Psi was officially incorporated in the State of New York on April 19, 1995.

After 5 years, the fraternity had expanded too large for the Pi Delta Psi National Council to maintain. Thus in 1999, it was decided by the National Council to restructure itself in an effort to grow in proportion to the fraternities expansion rate, standardize chapters nationwide, and increase inter-chapter cohesion. The National Council was also renamed the "National Executive Board" during this period.

After 16 years, this fraternity has expanded to 29 campuses spanning 12 States (New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, California, Florida, Washington, D.C., Colorado, and Minnesota.)

Mission statement

Pi Delta Psi and its members seek to bring about Asian-American unity by breaking down cultural barriers amongst Asian communities by upholding and/or instilling the Fraternities pillars: Academic Achievement, Cultural Awareness, Righteousness, and Friendship/Loyalty.

The mission of Pi Delta Psi Fraternity, Inc. is to maintain its Fraternal existence by instilling values that nurture and perpetuate the continual growth and development of the individual through Academic Achievement, Cultural Awareness, Righteousness, Friendship and Loyalty while fostering ethical behavior, leadership, and philanthropy. Pi Delta Psi was founded on these principles to help promote Asian Awareness amongst ourselves and throughout the community. We envisioned this to be possible by going out of the boundaries of an organization and creating a Fraternity on the basis of common goals and ideals in the form of a brotherhood. We believe that through education, we can become more knowledgeable about the different Asian cultures, overcome obstacles of racism and discrimination, therefore unifying us as a whole.

Chapter Locations

Main article: List of Pi Delta Psi Chapters

National Executive Board

National Executive Board 2007-2008 with the State of New York's District 22 Assemblyman Jimmy Meng and his daughter, Assemblymember Grace Meng.

The Pi Delta Psi National Executive Board is an annually elected group of Pi Delta Psi representatives whom are entrusted responsibility of the functionality and maintenance of the fraternity nationwide.

National Executive Board 2010-2011 President - Kenji Yanagisawa Vice President External - Andy Meng Vice President Internal - Peter Tu Vice President Finance - Winston Chu Director of Expansion - Dennis Ngin Director of Membership Development - Peter Le

Note: Positions on the National Executive Board not listed here includes the Undergraduate Advisory Board, Directors of Chapter Services, and National Board of Directors.

National Events

National Convention (Spring)

Brothers posing for a photo at Convention 3 at Rutgers University, Spring 2005.

Pi Delta Psi holds an annual National Convention during the month of March each year. The National Convention is a formal 2-3 day gathering of members where the National Executive Board meets and discusses relevant fraternity issues with active members from all various chapters. Issues discussed during the National Convention are geared towards active members that usually involve an overview of the fraternity, creating general goals and discussion on national expansion. Cultural, Career, and/or Leadership workshops aimed at educating active members are often set up by the National Executive Board or the Host Chapter when meetings are not in session during the Convention. The location of each years National Convention is usually determined in the previous convention and is subject to change annually. The National Convention is a private event for Pi Delta Psi members and invitees only.

National Winter Conference

Pi Delta Psi holds an annual National Winter Conference during the month of January each year. The Winter Conference is a one day leadership retreat where the National Executive Board meets and discusses relevant fraternity issues with 2-3 representatives from each undergraduate chapters. Topics discussed during the Winter Conference are focused towards the goals of each chapter and individual leadership. The location of each years Winter Conference is usually located in the New York metropolitan area. The Winter Conference is a private event for Pi Delta Psi members only.

National Summer Weekend

Pi Delta Psi holds an annual National Summer Weekend during the month of July each year. The National Summer Weekend is a 2-3 day series of events that includes the National Summer BBQ, National Summer Conference, and National Summer Banquet.

• National Summer BBQ
  The National Summer BBQ is normally held at Alley Pond Park in Queens, New York each year. Sporting events such as basketball, football, soccer, softball, and handball are often held during the BBQ. Many chapters fund raise during this event by setting up booths at the BBQ to sell fraternity related accessories and apparel. This event is the largest public gathering of Pi Delta Psi members and is open to the family and friends of the fraternity.

Brothers attending the National Summer Conference in New York City, Summer 2007.

• National Summer Conference
  The National Summer Conference is a half day event where the National Executive Board meets and discusses relevant fraternity issues with active members from all available chapters. Issues discussed during the National Convention are geared towards both active and alumni members and usually involve an annual review of the fraternity, national goals, national philanthropy, national expansion, and/or the promotion or demotion of chapters. Elections for the following year's National Executive Board also takes place during this event. The Conference is normally held in the New York metropolitan area. The National Summer Conference is a private event for Pi Delta Psi members and invitees only.

• National Summer Banquet
  The National Summer Banquet is a formal dinner event for Pi Delta Psi members. Advanced reservations are usually required for members to attend. This event is normally held near the location of the National Summer Conference. National announcements such as awards and scholarships are presented during this event. The National Summer Banquet is a private event for Pi Delta Psi members, members dates, and invitees only.

Cultural Awareness

Brothers of Tau Chapter performing their annual lion dance on campus.

Pi Delta Psi's primary mission is to spread Asian-American Cultural Awareness in an attempt to bridge the gap between various Asian-American subgroups. As a cultural fraternity, Pi Delta Psi tries to educate the community so as to prevent future bias and judgmental conclusions. The fraternity believes that by promoting the education of different cultures,it can expand the horizons of its members and not only better the individual but future generations as well.

At the Chapter level, each Chapter is required to host a set number of Cultural events on campus each year depending on the Chapter’s size; failure to achieve this annual criterion will result in the Chapter losing its Chapter status. Along with hosting cultural events, many members are also leaders or supporters of various cultural student organizations. On top of this, the Pi Delta Psi National Executive Board sponsors and/or promotes a number of large scale cultural events each year that garner participation from chapters throughout the United States.

Examples of Chapter Cultural events

Zeta Chapter imPACT Show Theta Chapter Asian Awareness Weekend Kappa Chapter Spoken Word event Lambda Chapter Pride Cultural Dance

Mu Chapter Chinese New York Celebration Xi Chapter Asian Spring Festival Sigma Chapter Asian American Amazing Race Tau Chapter Lion Dancing

Philanthropy

Brothers posing with California's Governor Schwarzenegger during a philanthropy event.

Pi Delta Psi is an organization that has committed itself to helping local communities and educating others. At a National level, the National Executive Board sponsors various annual philanthropy events that garner participation from chapters throughout the United States. The national philanthropy of Pi Delta Psi for 2009 was the March of Dimes, in which the fraternity is still an official team youth partner. Pi Delta Psi Fraternity was able to raise $18,718 in 2009 for the March of Dimes philanthropy.

Currently, Pi Delta Psi's national philanthropy is the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America program. With the new national philanthropy, all chapters are expected to work closely with the Big Brothers program in their own campus community and make a difference in children's lives. At the Chapter level, each Chapter is required to participate in a set number of philanthropy events each year depending on the Chapter's size; failure to achieve this annual criteria will result in the school losing its Chapter status. Pi Delta Psi is a long time sponsor and supporter of the APIA Vote campaign.

Aside from the philanthropies mentioned above, Pi Delta Psi nationally awards two scholarships per year for outstanding members. Some chapters also offer scholarship awards to students at their own universities that illustrates skills and promise that follows along the line of the fraternity's pillars.

Alumni Network

Pi Delta Psi has a young and growing alumni network that values entrepreneurship and career orientation. After college, many members have chosen to continue their commitment to advocate their Asian-American heritage via these enterprises; whether it may be providing products and services to better communities or bringing Asian-American products, talent, and services to the American mainstream.

External links

• Pi Delta Psi National Website
• New York City Pi Delta Psi Alumni
• National Asian Pacific Islander American Panhellnic Association (NAPA)
• Pi Delta Psi on Greekopedia.com
• March of Dimes National Partnership Page