The purpose of PiLam is to promote the elements of brotherhood in an environment free of discrimination. The true spirit of brotherhood exists in very few places in today's troubled world. We firmly believe that a PiLam chapter can and in the vast majority of cases does offer as fine an example of brotherly spirit, cooperation and devotion as can be found anywhere. To find out how you can become a part of our brotherhood, visit our Rush Page.
"That all men are created free and equal.
That no society of men can flourish unless members of that society are endowed with the opportunities and privileges of freedom.
That freedom implies the elimination of prejudice - That the elimination of prejudice means a better understanding 'twixt men.
That it is incumbent upon me to fight for such freedom even with my life.
That it is incumbent upon me in my personal life to be devoted to the highest standards of honesty and justice.
That because my country is dedicated to the highest standards of freedom and justice for all men of all creeds I hereby pledge allegiance to my country and to its national symbol."
The Founders Period
Pi Lambda Phi, or "Pilam" was founded at Yale University in 1895 by Louis Levy, Frederick Werner, and Henry Fisher. The Fraternity was founded as the first non-sectarian college fraternity, in response to the college fraternity system, then fully segregated by religion and race. For a time, this new fraternity flourished at Yale, City College of New York, Columbia University, and New York University. By 1901, however, for reasons unclear, the original chapters of the Fraternity ceased to exist and Pi Lambda Phi lie dormant.
The Revitalization Period
In 1908, four students at Columbia University again recognized the need for a non-sectarian fraternity. With the assistance of Pilam alumnus H. Arthur Diamant, these students, Walter Weil, Paul Werner, George Rosenthal, and Aaron Galewski, re-founded Pi Lambda Phi. Within three years of this Revitalization of the Fraternity, new chapters were founded at New York University, Cornell, University of Pennsylvania, University of Michigan, University of Pittsburgh, and Lehigh University.
Growth by Merger - Founders Day
Now in its 104th year, Pi Lambda Phi proudly names over fifty active chapters and colonies in the roll. The Fraternity has grown both through the formation of new Pi Lambda Phi Colonies at colleges and universities, as well as through merger with existing national fraternities. Pi Lambda Phi merged with Phi Beta Delta Fraternity on February 1, 1941, increasing its Chapter Roll from twenty to thirty-three. In November 1960, three chapters of Beta Sigma Tau Fraternity were merged with Pi Lambda Phi. Beta Sigma Rho Fraternity merged with Pi Lambda Phi on December 12, 1972. Each year, we celebrate Founders Day on March 21st, to honor these fraternities which have merged with us.