McDaniel’s Maryland Beta chapter of the Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity wins awards at biennial convention

McDaniel College’s Maryland Beta chapter of the Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity was recognized with four awards during the fraternity's biennial convention held in Atlanta from June 19-22.

Among the honors received by the chapter were the Gold Star Award for excellence in chapter operations, Excellence in New Member Education, Excellence in Risk Prevention, and the Biggers Ritual Award, recognizing the chapter's commitment to Phi Delta Theta's ritual and values. 

Additionally, the Alumni Club of Metro Detroit, which is chaired by Don Schenk ’71, was recognized as Best Alumni Club. Schenk is also the chair of the Maryland Beta chapter advisory board at McDaniel. 

Marketing major Sylvan Eichenlaub of Hope, Maine, represented McDaniel as a voting delegate at the convention, which brings together chapter delegates from across the United States and Canada. A rising senior, Eichenlaub serves as president of the Maryland Beta chapter.

About his experience at the convention, he said, “This was a fantastic opportunity to engage with brothers from across North America and to represent McDaniel College on the national stage. I’m proud of the role our chapter plays in upholding the fraternity’s mission and values.”

Phi Delta Theta was founded in 1848 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and the Maryland Beta chapter was established in April 1971 at McDaniel (formerly Western Maryland) College. Currently, the chapter has nearly 750 members.

In 2024, McDaniel's chapter established a scholarship fund for its members through generous alumni gifts. The fraternity also supports families impacted by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), known as Lou Gehrig's disease, and the Maryland Beta chapter assists an ALS family in Hampstead, Maryland, each semester with chores and house projects.