Brotherhood In Baltimore: Phi Mu Delta's NGLA Experience

When our founders gathered in 1918—during the tumultuous times of the Spanish Flu pandemic and World War I—they envisioned a Brotherhood that would stand for democracy, service, and fellowship. Little did they know that over a century later, their vision would still be thriving, particularly on display at events like the Northeast Greek Leadership Association (NGLA) Annual Conference.

This February, a contingent of Phi Mu Delta brothers descended upon Baltimore, Maryland, bringing our unique brand of Brotherhood to the 2025 NGLA Annual Conference. For four days, our undergraduate leaders and staff members immersed themselves in an experience that embodied the very principles our founders championed during challenging times.

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Our Brothers in Baltimore
Thanks to the generosity of our alumni and supporters, Phi Mu Delta provided scholarships for five outstanding undergraduates to attend this year's conference: Nathan McCue, Brennan Fitch and Joel Perez Olivares from Mu Alpha Chapter (Susquehanna University), Nico Cianci from Mu Sigma Chapter (Rutgers University) and Adam Ferry from Mu Zeta Chapter (Lock Haven University). Dalton Segar, President of the Mu Chi Provisional Chapter, also attended, sponsored by Stevenson University.

These brothers didn't just attend—they participated, they connected, and they brought valuable lessons back to their chapters. As Nathan McCue reflected, "There was a lot I got to take away from the conference, not just to better the chapter I am a part of but also to better myself professionally. The closing keynote was absolutely my favorite speaker. His story was downright inspiring and his mindset of winning the day-to-day battles with yourself is a great one to have and one I want to take with me."

Rediscovering Our "Why"
A common thread emerging from our brothers' reflections was the importance of remembering their "why"—that fundamental reason for joining and remaining committed to Phi Mu Delta. As Nathan noted, "Another huge takeaway for me was the idea of every fraternity member having a 'why?'.

Joel Perez Olivares shared, "One of the most important things that I took away from this conference was, 'What's our why?' Talking about why we joined? Why are we still here? What does your why look like? Is this why still your same why? It focused on turning that why into purpose and action, to which I thought was a great reminder for people to just think about."

This focus on purpose aligns perfectly with our Founder's Creed, which emphasizes democracy, service, and brotherhood. It's a timely reminder that our organization isn't just about social connections—it's about making a meaningful impact in our communities and developing leaders who carry these values into their professional lives.

Leadership in Action
Our Executive Director, Sam Waltemeyer, exemplified this leadership by presenting two workshops at the conference. One, co-hosted with Villanova University's Program Specialist, Taylor Ritzert, focused on using digital communications to influence young adults through praise and celebration—a skill increasingly important in today's connected world. His second presentation offered guidance to graduate students about launching successful careers in professional fraternity and sorority advising.

Sam's contributions extended beyond presentations as he assisted Order of Omega with the installation of honorary members, showcasing Phi Mu Delta's commitment to recognizing excellence in the broader Greek community.

Competitive Spirit
The competitive spirit of our Brotherhood was on full display as Nathan McCue and Joel Perez Olivares represented Phi Mu Delta in the conference's case study competition. This event, hosted by Order of Omega International Headquarters, challenged students to tackle complex real-world scenarios and present solutions before a panel of judges.

Nathan found this experience so valuable that he's now looking to bring similar case study competitions to his campus. "I participated in the case study, and it was a great time," he shared. "Afterwards, I talked to the organizers and got in touch with them to use a bunch of case study resources because I want to bring one to my campus's Greek Life. I think there's a lot of benefits to that and I know Order of Omega has been trying to come back to Susquehanna University for a while now."

Making Lasting Connections
For many of our brothers, the connections formed during NGLA proved to be just as valuable as the formal programming. Adam Ferry noted, "I also formed better relationships with the other organizations that are at my own university. Because we spend so much time focused on our own, we rarely get caught up on what is going on in the other fraternities and sororities that are working right next to us on our campus. The conference gave us that time away from our own chapters to form connections that we can continue to build even now that the conference is over."

These connections extend beyond student interactions. Adam mentioned how speaker Nicki Joiner "was especially helpful in her presentations and set aside some time to meet with me to figure out how to recruit for my chapter better in our situation." This kind of personalized guidance is invaluable for chapter leaders facing unique challenges on their campuses.

A Legacy of Support
Phi Mu Delta's relationship with NGLA runs deep, reflecting our commitment to leadership development. Since 2009, we have proudly sponsored the Philippi Award for Outstanding Fraternity/Sorority Advisor, recognizing professionals who exemplify exceptional ethical leadership, encourage positive change, act inclusively, and challenge students to think critically.

This year's recipient, Dr. Mat Greer, Associate Director for Fraternity and Sorority Life at Stockton University, has a special connection to our fraternity. Not only does he provide support to the Mu Psi Provisional Chapter, but he was also a student of our National President, Joe Thompson.

Tom Murphy, Phi Mu Delta's former Executive Director who now serves as Executive Director for NGLA, reflected on the significance of our ongoing partnership: "Phi Mu Delta has a deep-rooted and enduring partnership with NGLA, reflecting in our commitment to supporting the Philippi Award for Outstanding Fraternity/Sorority Advisor since 2009. Over the years, Phi Mu Delta has actively participated in NGLA's initiatives, leveraging the conference and related programming to empower its members with the skills and knowledge necessary for success in their fraternal and professional journeys."
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Tom Murphy added that the conference provides invaluable opportunities for our members: "This collaboration has provided opportunities for members to engage with industry leaders, attend impactful workshops, and foster meaningful connections within the broader fraternity and sorority community. Through ongoing support and involvement, Phi Mu Delta continues to strengthen its relationship with NGLA, ensuring that its members benefit from a dynamic and forward-thinking leadership experience."

Why Your Support Matters
The impact of NGLA extends far beyond the four days of the conference. When our brothers return to their chapters, they bring with them fresh ideas, renewed energy, and strengthened leadership skills that benefit the entire Brotherhood.

As Adam Ferry explained, "A lot of what I learned at NGLA will be implemented into how we market our chapter. We'll think of who best fits in with us, where those people are usually located on campus, and target those areas. This would specifically benefit us because we know where to look for people whose values will align more with ours. In those areas, we can spend more time hanging up posters and tabling."

These registration scholarships make it possible for brothers who might otherwise miss this opportunity to participate fully in the conference experience. Tom Murphy emphasized that "the NGLA Registration Scholarship Program has played a pivotal role in expanding access to the conference, ensuring that campuses and chapters with financial constraints can still take advantage of the invaluable learning and networking opportunities available."

Tom Murphy reflected on this year's event with enthusiasm: "This year's NGLA Annual Conference was an outstanding experience, marked by high levels of engagement, dynamic discussions, and an inspiring array of sessions tailored to the evolving needs of fraternity and sorority leaders. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from thought-provoking keynote speakers, participate in interactive workshops, and explore best practices that will positively impact their chapters and communities."

He further highlighted the scholarship program's broader impact: "By alleviating the cost barrier, the program has allowed a more diverse group of fraternity and sorority members to attend, enriching the overall experience through varied perspectives and backgrounds. Scholarship recipients gain exposure to cutting-edge leadership training, engage in critical conversations about the future of fraternal organizations, and build lasting connections with peers and mentors. This initiative underscores NGLA's commitment to inclusivity and leadership development, empowering individuals who may not have otherwise been able to participate to bring newfound insights and strategies back to their communities."

When alumni and supporters contribute to these scholarship funds, they're not just sending brothers to a conference—they're investing in the future of Phi Mu Delta and helping to cultivate the next generation of leaders who will carry forward our founding principles.

Looking Ahead
As Nathan McCue expressed, "I want to thank the sponsors of this scholarship. NGLA provides a lot of great sessions that Greek Life members can take a lot away from. I look forward to applying next year to go again, and I know the brothers I went with are looking forward to this opportunity next year."

The enthusiasm of our brothers to return to NGLA speaks volumes about the value they place on this experience. With continued support from our Phi Mu Delta community, we can ensure that more brothers have access to these transformative leadership opportunities in the years to come.

In the spirit of our Founders, who recognized the importance of democracy, service, and brotherhood, let us continue to support initiatives that strengthen these values in today's world. After all, the legacy of Phi Mu Delta isn't just in our history—it's in the brothers who carry our ideals forward, one leadership conference at a time.