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Originally Posted by MikeBFiji
The Beta Sigma Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta at Ball State University, better known as FIJI, was founded on May 1, 1998. A local group of graduates spearheaded by Jon Scott and Edmund Ball (one of Ball brothers for which Ball State is named) orginally attempted to start a chapter in the 1950s, but the the national fraternity did not think Ball State Teachers College was the right place to expand and the request was declined. Then in 1997 Ball State was looking to expand upon its greek system and Phi Gamma Delta was one of several fraternities Ball State was hoping to attract. Headquarters' staff along with local graduates including Edmund Ball and the son of Jon Scott, Jack Scott, started recruiting members in the Spring of 1998. On May 1, 1998, 150 years after its founding, Phi Gamma Delta pinned 20 pledges to start the colony at Ball State. The chapter went on to become the first to put together an electronic petition for chartering, and was granted its charter on February 24, 2001. The next big step for Beta Sigma FIJI was announced at the five year anniversary dinner. Beta Sigma FIJI will be moving into a new house on fraternity row formally occupied by Beta Theta Pi and built in 1995.
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I was at BSU during this time period, but I think one fact might be a bit off, Edmund Ball's father and brothers are who BSU was named for
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball_Brothers. The elder Edmund Ball passed away in 1925. I had the pleasure of knowing the younger Mr. Ball from my time at BSU when he would come into the YMCA I worked at to swim every afternoon well into his 80's and 90's. He always took time out of his day to speak to everyone he encountered. He learned to fly planes and climbs mountains during his later life and never knew a stranger. He was a true gentleman and one whom I know I, personally, greatly miss.
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