Alpha Phi Delta was an independent fraternity at Penn that purchased the building at 3900 Locust Street in the summer of 1920. After successfully petitioning Pi Kappa Alpha National Fraternity (PiKA), Alpha Phi Delta became Beta Pi chapter of PiKA. All the then current members of Alpha Phi Delta were granted membership in PiKA and became the successors of Alpha Phi Delta.
When the University of Pennsylvania seized ownership of 3900 Locust Street by eminent domain in 1968, the titled owner of the property was still Alpha Phi Delta. When Beta Pi leadership accepted the offer from Penn to take ownership of the property at 3916-18 Spruce Street to replace the chapter house at 3900 Locust Street, an Agreement was made by Beta Pi alumni, representing Alpha Phi Delta, to sell the 3916-18 property to Penn with certain reversionary provisions. One of the provisions gave PiKA the ability to fill the residential rooms of the house with PiKA brothers. Renovation of the buildings included combining 3916 and 3918 into a single building.
Now that PiKA is no longer an active fraternity at Penn, it is now necessary to protect our rights, as found in the Agreement, to once again inhabit the Chapter House should there be a successful recolonization of Beta Pi chapter.
In accordance with the by-laws of Alpha Phi Delta, five members called for a special meeting that was scheduled for June 19, 2025, to be held at the law office of Nick Chimicles ’67. The by-laws, that were written prior to the creation of the internet, required a quorum of ten in-person members to validly proceed and conduct business. Appearing in-person were:
Rich Myers ’69 Morty Cohen ’65 Stan Serocca ‘66
Basil Jackson ’13 Nick Chimicles ’67 Rich Buchwald ‘77
Dan Maldonado ’15 Steve Robinson ’74 Mike Troy ‘86
Don Horowitz ’69 Ron Perilstein ’77 Tex Roper ‘76
Bob LaBonde ’69 David Meyer ‘76
Although unable to vote as they did not appear in-person, a large contingent of Beta Pi alumni appeared by ZOOM and were able to participate in all discussions and offer their opinions. They were:
Rich Sussman ’69 Mitch Karig ’76 Rich Schorr ’72
Mark Bodner ’79 Mark Lopatin ’76 Todd Wieseneck ‘72
Bill Kenney ’69 Robert Ball ’78 Steve Leventhal ‘67
Paul Reszutek ’76 Harvey Mackler ’72 Chawner Hurd ’80
Joel Levine ’70 Jeff Kaufman ’80 Ross Weiner ‘80
Mark Berlyn ’77 Bruce Wolfson ’71 Dave Edman ‘73
Obed Antoine ’19 Zev Abraham ’84 Justin Wang ‘22
Gary Sachs ’74 Lawrence Orans ’80 Kristian Correa ‘19
Rich Myers chaired the meeting. The first order of business was an amendment to the Alpha Phi Delta by-laws that allows virtual attendance by members at future meetings. The amendment was passed unanimously.
It was then made clear to all that since the Beta Pi Charter was surrendered to Pi Kappa Alpha Inter/National Fraternity, Beta Pi has officially been designated as a “silent” chapter.
A new Board of Directors for Alpha Phi Delta was elected. They are
Bruce Wolfson Nick Chimicles Joel Catania ‘71
Tex Roper Ross Weiner Chawner Hurd
Basil Jackson Jeff Kaufman Rich Myers
New Officers of Alpha Phi Delta were chosen:
President: Nick Chimicles
Vice President: Basil Jackson
Treasurer: Jeff Kaufman
Secretary: Rich Myers
A committee was formed to review the Alpha Phi Delta by-laws to determine if any further changes need to be made to bring the by-laws in line with advanced technology and communications. Members of this committee are:
Robert Ball Rich Myers Nick Chimicles
Chawner Hurd David Meyer Morty Cohen
Dan Maldonado
In addition, a task force committee was ratified to enter into conversation and negotiation with the University of Pennsylvania regarding the future use of 3916 Spruce Street. The members of this committee are:
Bruce Wolfson Nick Chimicles Kaden Stenger ‘19
Rich Myers Ross Weiner Steve Robinson
Rich Myers stated that he will be filing a new Certificate of Corporate Existence as required by the State of Pennsylvania.
All necessary business having been concluded, a lunch of hoagies, salads, beverages, and desserts, was generously provided by Nick Chimicles for all to enjoy.
