Why Phi Phi?

You already know the impact Greek life has—because you lived it. The term ‘social fraternity’ might give the impression that the Greek experience is superficial. But research shows that personal connections and friendships are the keys to happiness.  

These lifelong relationships are only part of what makes the fraternity experience so transformational. From our career trajectories to our family’s values, our Phi Ph experience played a key role. Our experiences helped make us into the people we are today.  

Here is an eBook of some of the best responses to recent a survey of Greek communities across the country. These quotes illustrate why Greek life is and will remain a key part of the higher education experience. Click HERE to read the eBook and keep reading to see what Phi Ph members had to say. 

---

• “The chapter had a very diverse and accomplished membership. I felt like everyone had an individual story, personality, and interests. Still, the brothers got along very well and had a great time. The fraternity experience helped me realize the importance of engaging people. Our chapter was comprised of brothers from different cities, socioeconomic backgrounds, and ethnicities. Everyone had different educational pursuits and career ambitions. This appreciation for diversity and people has really helped me build my company.” – Veeral Rathod ’01

 

• “I chose Penn because I thought it was a fun school for smart people. I wanted to join a fraternity that had a mix of people—that wasn’t all athletes or all business majors. Phi Phi Chapter had a great group of diverse brothers who worked hard and played hard at the same time. The fraternity helped in a few ways: the ability to work with a group of people, building team camaraderie (a skill you need wherever you go), and the ‘work hard-play hard’ lesson. In addition, when I graduated, there were brothers I spoke to on regular basis to share lessons learned and ask for advice. I was also house manager for one year, which helped me gain organizational skills. You have to run the house and manage bills, so you have to be organized yourself and then organize other people. That experience clearly carries over to leading organizations. The friends you make when you’re in college are often the ones you keep for life.” – Wayne Firsty ’85

 

• “It brought me into contact with people from diverse backgrounds. I met rich preppies from New England and brothers from South Philadelphia. I never met a brother that I didn’t like. This was a time when the chapter had the potential to fail and it prospered, instead, due to our decision to embrace diversity. Many of them became great assets to the fraternity. You can learn a lot by being in the fraternity. When I was there, we ran a dining room and hired people, and kept it clean. These are the basic skills of life. I’ve also felt a bond a loyalty to the fraternity that I wouldn’t have found otherwise.” – David Eisenberg ’67