In September 1889, William A. R. (Billy) Goodwin entered Richmond College to study Greek. Brother Goodwin was initiated a Beta Deuteron at Roanoke College. While at Richmond he desired to establish a new chapter of Phi Gamma Delta to complement the three existing fraternities on campus: Southern Kappa Alpha (1870), Phi Kappa Sigma (1873), and Phi Delta Theta (1875). On March 4, 1890, Brother Goodwin enlisted the help of Harry S. Corey, John E. Etchison, William E. Farrar, Edmund W. Greaner, Charles T. Kincanon, Andrew J. Ramsey, and Maurice W. Thomas to found the Rho Chi (Richmond College) chapter of Phi Gamma Delta.
Rho Chi spent its first twenty-five years on the "old campus" in downtown Richmond. In 1914, Richmond College purchased 300 acres of land 7 miles west of Richmond in an area called Westhampton. This new setting necessitated the first move of Rho Chi. In 1916, the purchase of a lot on Towana Road was made and in October of 1925 the first chapter house was built on that lot. Rho Chi became the first chapter of any fraternity to own a chapter house. During Rho Chi's second quarter-century, several significant events occurred. From December 31, 1924 through January 4, 1925, Rho Chi hosted the 76th Ekklesia at the Jefferson Hotel. This was an especially important Ekklesia as it was a constitutional convention. The chapter displayed its prowess being instrumental in the foundations of the Delta Kappa chapter at Davidson and the Epsilon chapter at the university of North Carolina (Chapel Hill). In 1940, Rho Chi celebrated its 50th anniversary. To honor this occasion, a wooden carving of the Richmond crest was presented and is displayed in the present Brothers' room.
In 1953, the University of Richmond required that all fraternities relocate to the present day fraternity row and that fraternities could no longer maintain off-campus houses. Therefore with Phi Kappa Sigma and Phi Delta Theta, Rho Chi made its third and final move to Old Fraternity Row. All lodges were required to have similar layouts and were built in manners that have stood the test of time. The Phi Gam lodge was a one story brick colonial building to keep with other buildings on campus. The Main room is a large, "living, loafing, and meeting" room. A long front porch for warm weather lounging and a spacious back patio famous for spirited ping-pong games. During this period Rho Chi proved its excellence on campus. Ten of the first twenty-eight Outstanding Richmond College Graduates awards went to Fijis and only once in the first eleven years of competition did Rho Chi not come home with the 1st place Greek Week trophy. The mid-sixties showed athletic excellence as Phi Gams were prominent in all sports especially with captains on the football and basketball teams.
The early seventies gave rise to a new dedication to community service and excellence for the following decades. Rho Chi brothers served as orientation guides, cleaned a brand new Robins Center, and began visiting the Virgina Home for Boys. The 1974 initiation brought the 1000th Rho Chi man into the sacred mysteries of brotherhood. In 1985 the Tyler Haynes Commons was dedicated in honor of one of the most influencial and active brothers ever to have been a Rho Chi. The first century of Rho Chi ended in 1990 and was celebrated with a brand new addition to the lodge was donated to the chapter by our graduate brothers.
The 1990's and now early 2000's have seen Phi Gam continue to be successful on campus, excelling especially well in academics. The 2001 Norris Pig Dinner saw the dedication of the latest improvement to the lodge - a new brother's walk, bronze crest, and iron fencing to adorn the front of the lodge. The effect is to show the permenance of the lodge, as it will always be a home for every Rho Chi Phi Gam.
During first hundred years and the time after, several traditions have become unique for Rho Chi. Most are social events that show the excellence of Phi Gamma Delta or get undergraduates together with graduates so all can see that Fiji is "not for college days alone."
TYLER HAYNES STEAK FRY - Traditionally, each fall the Graduate chapter hosts the undergraduates for an old fashioned steak fry. Formerly held at the Haynes property, the feast has moved to the home of the graduate chapter president where Fijis play the traditional graduate-undergraduate softball game. The major reason to gather is to remember the most prominent Rho Chi Phi Gam, Tyler Haynes.
HOMECOMING - During this weekend at the University of Richmond, Phi Gams get together to go to a football game, a semi-formal dance, and go about a general weekend catching up.
HOLIDAY SOCIAL - Early December brings an early Christmas to the Phi Gam lodge. Traditionally the most recent pledge class throws the party for the entire chapter and gifts are exchanged between big and little brothers.
NORRIS PIG DINNER - The fraternity's oldest tradition occurs in early spring. This celebration is the largest graduate event and consists of the roasting and toasting of a wonderful pig. A prime rib dinner is eaten while listening to a speaker, often a field secretary or archon, and meeting with graduates.
BLACK DIAMOND - This is the classiest and most impressive time ever to be had by a Richmond Phi Gam. Each spring, Brothers and their dates venture to the coast for an evening cruise and formal.
FIJI ISLAND - Surrounded by fifteen feet of bamboo, the Fiji lodge hosts the biggest party on campus all year. The event showcases the prominance and excellence of Phi Gams on campus.
