by Ben Rosenbaum ’27
Pennsylvania Theta was named the most outstanding emerging chapter at Phi Delta Theta’s 85th Biennial General Convention in Atlanta, Ga., taking home the T. Glen Cary Award on Saturday, June 21, 2025.
The award, presented during the convention’s Awards Luncheon, recognizes one chapter among all new installations for its strength in operations, member growth, and campus leadership. PA Theta earned top honors for its recruitment efforts, community service, THON fundraising, participation in GreeksCare, and placing in Penn State’s Homecoming competition.
“This award opens the door to say, ‘Hey guys, we’re doing really good stuff, let’s keep that up,’” said former Chapter President Alex Ciafone ’26. “We’re going to be doing really well.”
To even be considered for the Cary Award, chapters must earn a Gold Star rating by meeting 90 percent of Phi Delta Theta’s accreditation milestones. That includes excellence in chapter operations, engagement, health and safety, ritual, and membership education. PA Theta checked every box.
“You only get one shot to be in contention for the Emerging Chapter of the Year award,” said Joe DiRenzo ’06, who was also at the convention. “You guys were the most successful new chapter in one of the largest international fraternities in the world. It means you’re standing out amongst giants.”
DiRenzo, who served for more than a decade as alumni association president, said this was his first general convention. He knew PA Theta had won the award the moment the announcer mentioned the chapter’s $34,000 raised for THON.
Current Chapter Advisory Board member Mark Pleiss (PA Gamma, Washington & Jefferson) also attended the event and called the award a clear signal that the chapter’s work hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“PA Theta has moved far from the first steps of being an emerging chapter,” Pleiss said. “It really is a pretty momentous occasion, and it’s a good way to celebrate your successes.”
PA Theta was officially rechartered in 2024. Since then, the chapter has grown to 103 active members, including 39 new Phikeia in the most recent fall and spring classes.
“Everybody loves a comeback,” DiRenzo added.
While winning an award of this magnitude is a major milestone for PA Theta, it also serves as a testimony to the incredible amount of work that was done by all who contributed to the fraternity’s rebirth. PA Theta has been focused on an “all gas no brakes” approach to positive rebuilding since rechartering. Now that the roots are established, the goal is to continue moving forward in the right direction.
“Imagine what it could be like in a year or two years or three years,” DiRenzo said. “We’ve got to keep building off the things we’ve been doing.”
Pleiss echoed that message. “Your undergrad experience is primarily about education, but it’s also learning how to manage different aspects of being in an organization, be in a social fraternity, Greek letter society, workplace, different classrooms, internships, all those kind of things. It really is a good opportunity to learn and have some of those experiences early and kind of prepare you for the next steps in your life.”
Executive Vice President and CEO of Phi Delta Theta, Sean Wagner (Widener ’02), also weighed in on PA Theta’s recognition.
“Early on when discussing the return of Pennsylvania Theta, the goal was to restore its legacy while creating a model, modern chapter at Penn State,” Wagner said. “This award is an indicator that we’re on the right track, leading all other emerging chapters from the biennium and setting the stage for an incredibly bright future.”
The 86th Biennial General Convention is scheduled for 2027. PA Theta is already making its case for what comes next.
“We can do more,” Ciafone said. “Doesn’t it feel good to be recognized?”
