Alpha Phi Delta Fraternity
  • Home
  • About
    • National Convention 2023
    • The Fraternity >
      • Our Governance
      • Districts of the Fraternity
      • Our Past National Presidents
    • Founding Years >
      • The Beginning
      • Founders Video
      • Founder's Day
    • Headquarters and Staffing >
      • Central Office
      • Committee System
      • National Officers and District Governors
      • Our National President
    • National Award Applications >
      • Outstanding Chapter Award Application
      • Most Improved Chapter Award Application
      • Outstanding Alumni Club Application
      • Outstanding Alumni Association Application
      • Outstanding District Award Application
      • Outstanding Community Service Award Application
      • Outstanding Undergraduate Award Application
      • Outstanding Alumnus Award Application
    • Resources >
      • Our Fee Schedule
      • Our Forms >
        • Form C - Brothers Graduating or Leaving School Form
        • Form C1 - Restore Brothers to Undergraduate Status Form
        • Payments
        • Form CE - Chapter Self Evaluation Form 2017
        • Form D - Report of a Brother in Financial Arrears
        • Form D1 - Officer Reimbursement Form
        • Form DP - Report of Discipline and Probation Form
        • Form F - Faciamus Pin Award
        • Form G - Community Service, Philanthropy and Charitable Work Report Form
        • Form GPA - Academic Report Questionnaire
        • Faciamus Pin
        • Form I - Undergraduate Chapters and Colonies Change of Officers Form
        • Form IFP - Initiation Fee Payment
        • Form IR - Undergraduate Chapters & Colonies Change of Officers Form Revisions
        • Form I-2 - Alumni Club and Association Change of Officers Form
        • Form I-3 - District / District Convention Change of Officers Form
        • Form K - Kleos Submission Form
        • Form L - Prospective Member Questionnaire Form
        • Form LC - Correction of Membership Card/Certificate Form
        • Form LX - Membership Card/Certificate Order Form
        • Form NC - National Council Delegate Registration Form
        • Form W - APD Website News Reporting Form
      • Our Education and Risk Management Resources
      • Our Publications >
        • Constitution and Bylaws
        • Ecce Signum
        • Kleos
        • The Kleos
        • Annual Reports
        • Chapter Leadership Guide
    • News >
      • APD on Facebook
      • Fraternity News
      • Interfraternal News
      • Italian Cultural News
      • Our Calendar
    • Miscellaneous >
      • 12 Days of Alpha Phi Delta Christmas
      • Activities Page
      • Undergraduate Membership Status Chart
      • Our Heraldry
      • Our Songs
      • Frank Sinatra's Birthday
      • Christmas
      • Feedback
  • Undergrads
    • Our Chapters
    • Chapters in Action
    • Starting a Chapter of Alpha Phi Delta
  • Alumni
    • Our Alumni Clubs >
      • Brooklyn Alumni Club Page
      • Chicago Alumni Club Page
      • Connecticut Alumni Club Page
      • Colorado Alumni Club Page
      • Delaware Valley Alumni Club Page
      • Long Island Alumni Club Page
      • Lower Hudson Valley Alumni Club Page
      • Merrimack Alumni Alumni Club Page
      • Naples Alumni Club Page
      • New York Alumni Club Page
      • North Jersey Alumni Club Page
      • Pittsburgh Alumni Club Page
      • South Florida Alumni Club Page
      • Steubenville Alumni Club Page
      • Youngstown Alumni Club Page
    • Our Alumni Associations >
      • Beta Eta Alumni Association Page
      • Beta Lambda Alumni Association Page
      • Beta Sigma Alumni Association Page
      • Gamma Iota Alumni Association Page
      • Gamma Mu Alumni Association Page
      • Gamma Omicron Alumni Association Page
      • Gamma Pi Alumni Association Page
      • Gamma Rho Alumni Association Page
      • Gamma Sigma Alumni Association Page
      • Delta Epsilon Alumni Association Page
      • Delta Theta Alumni Association Page
      • Delta Xi Alumni Association Page
      • Delta Rho Alumni Association Page
      • Epsilon Gamma Alumni Association Page
    • Update Contact Info
    • Starting an Alumni Club or Association
    • Alumni Network
  • Foundation
    • Memorial2
    • Donate-Now
    • Foundation Home
    • APD Cares
    • Cultural Heritage
    • Chapter Histories >
      • Template History
      • Alpha
      • Beta
      • Gamma
      • Delta
      • Zeta
      • Epsilon
      • Eta
      • Theta
      • Iota
      • Lambda
      • Mu
      • Nu
      • Xi
      • Omicron
      • Pi
      • Rho
      • Phi
      • Chi
      • Psi
      • Tau
      • Theta Beta
      • Beta Beta
      • Beta Gamma
      • Beta Delta
      • Beta Epsilon
      • Beta Zeta
      • Beta Iota
      • Beta Lambda
      • Beta Xi
      • Beta Rho
      • Beta Sigma
      • Gamma Zeta
      • Gamma Lambda
      • Chapter Template
    • Cultural History
    • Leadership Fund
    • Philanthropy
    • Publications
    • Scholarship
  • Shop
    • *NEW* History of Alpha Phi Delta 1914-2020
    • APD 2019-20 Yearbook
    • APD Bookstore for Fraternity Books
    • APD Jeweler - Herff Jones
    • Central Office Store
    • Shop APD
    • Spirit Recognition
    • Christmas Catalogue 2016
    • Graduation Stole
  • Contact
    • Contact
Picture

​Alpha Phi Delta Foundation
Theta Beta Chapter History

September 3, 1930 - 65+ Years Active: 1930-1943, 1945-1961, 1971-1998, 2012-present 

As part of the Cultural Heritage Fund initiative, we are putting together an on-line history of our chapters.  If you have any historical information, articles, pictures, documents and stories from your chapter, we want to see it!   Please reach out to the cultural heritage committee at this link and we will add it to the below.
  • Any photos from your undergrad days, alumni reunions, physical memorabilia (or pictures of memorabilia) like mugs, glasses, jackets, anything that is about your chapter.   
  • Do you have interesting stories/anecdotes?  Send them, we'll format them and include them in your history.
  • Are there distinguished/famous brothers from your chapter?   Let's acknowledge them.  We can profile them here, in the Kleos, or if their contributions are significant they can be considered for our Century  Society.
Send all information to the cultural heritage committee at this link. Send any physical items to our National Archives at:
    Alpha Phi Delta National Archives
    257 E. Camden-Wyoming Ave. Suite A
    Camden, DE 19934


Founding & FIrst Reactivation: NYU was the first Alpha Phi Delta chapter with two chapters at different locations at the same University.  Theta Chapter, at the University Heights campus was formed a few years earlier.  Hence, this was the second, or Beta, chapter at NYU, Theta.  There were 3 periods of inactivity, with subsequent reactivations.  Before WWII the chapter fell inactive, but on April 8th 1945 through the efforts of alumni Frank Cavallaro, Victor Vasi and 6 other Theta Beta alumni were able to reactivate the chapter. During this period, PNP Al Palazzo was initiated into Theta Beta. 

Second Reactivation (1971-1998): The chapter was dormant throughout the 60's until 1971 when it was reactivated by Vincent Palazzo, Tom Livelli and Frank Casetti. The chapter was active once again through 1996.   Many Theta Beta alumni remain active post college with their primary destination being the Brooklyn Alumni Club.   But Theta Beta brothers can be found in numerous ACs around the country, include New York, North Jersey, Pittsburgh, Long Island, Lower Hudson Valley, and South Florida to name a few.​

Third Reactivation (2012-Present): The chapter remained inactive for 16 years until it was yet again reactivated on April 1, 2012 by five young men, Anthony Galli, Rahul Kheskwani, Rosario Giarratana, Tony Chau & Victor Tumambing. The current period has seen over 72 brothers inducted.

See below for historical pictures, paddles, programs sorted by each era above.   To see more current information and to speak to many active brothers, visit the Theta Beta Facebook page here.

​Throughout it's long history Theta Beta brothers have been at the forefront of APD leadership positions. Two brothers, Frank Cavallaro and Al Palazzo, were Past National Presidents (1954-56) and (1974-76), respectively. Brother Cavallaro was also a long time Expansion Chairman throughout the 1960's until the late 1970's during which time the fraternity saw the installation of many new chapters and the reactivation of others. Brothers Vincent Larcy (1938-1956) and Neil Anastasio (1978-1984) served as Kleos editors. Brother Charles Fiore has held the offices of Vice President of Good and Welfare, General Counsel and most recently Chairman of the Scholarship Division. Brothers Paul Bonzani and Emil Coscarelli served as Chairman and Co-Chairman, respectively of the Undergraduate Coordinating Committee back in the 1970's.  Several brothers (Fiore, Gaudiuso, Iacovelli, Palazzo) have been honored with the Outstanding Alumni Award.

A number of Theta Beta brothers have also served as trustees of the Alpha Phi Delta Foundation. Over the years several Theta Beta men have served as District Governors and Alumni Club Presidents in the NYC area with our very own Peter Gaudiuso setting a record for the most consecutive years as President of the Brooklyn Alumni Club (over 20 years at the helm).   

Last, Theta Beta has been a foundational chapter in the almost 50 year history of the Brooklyn Alumni Club Softball team with 24 Theta Beta men participating, including three founding players (Emil Coscarelli, Neil Anastasio, and Charles Fiore), current players Gaudiuso, Iacovelli, Manniello, Bruno, and current Team Player/Coach, Mike Iacovelli.   
 

Photos provided by Emil Coscarelli, '74

Theta Beta Founding Fathers - 1929
Vincent Walter Amoroso
Francis A. Cassino
Vincent Larcy
John B. Nicosia
Gerald J. Palmeiri
Louis Joseph Scaramelli
John W Tarte
John W Tarte Giavanni Tartaglia
​Silvio Harry Vecchio

Their Military Draft cards are below:

The Theta Beta Chapter Song
Shine Theta Beta

By Brother Charles T. Gabriele, Theta Beta '40

Shine Theta Beta,
Show your colors true,
We are yours forevermore,
Sons of N. Y. U.

Alpha Phi Delta,
Our Fraternity.
Shine Theta Beta,
With bonds of friendships true.

​About the Author:  Gabriele's "Christopher Columbus Suite" was designated the official music of the 500th anniversary of the Italian explorer's arrival in the Americas and was broadcast worldwide to kick off the celebration.

Some additional information on the composer is in this article.
One of our Founder's Storys:
​Dr. John B. Nicosia, Theta Beta ’29.  Although neither his obit nor his wedding announcement refer to his undergraduate activity, his date of death and his MD title match what Fr. Lentini is showing in the database.  His draft card indicated he was born in NYC in 1910 which lines up. 


Not only was he a Surgeon, he was also, the Mayor of East Chicago (Indiana), an Army Captain and recipient of the Purple Heart.  He was also a member of the Moose, Elks, VFW, Fraternal Order of Police, American Legion and Knights of Columbus.

Not to mention several medical societies.

He is probably our only brother to ever be named both Sagamore of the Wabash by the Governor of Indiana and Kentucky Colonel by the Governor of Kentucky.
It is a personal tribute usually given to those who have rendered a distinguished service to the state or to the governor. Among these who have received Sagamores have been astronauts, presidents, ambassadors, artists, musicians, politicians, and ordinary citizens who have contributed greatly to our Hoosier heritage.

Pledge Paddles
Each pledge is given a big brother (some chapters call this a Godfather).   During the pledge period, the Big Brother receives a paddle from their pledge.  Below are some examples of how paddles have changed over years.  In the 40s and 50s, the paddles were simple in design.  In the 70s, 80s, and 90s, the Big Brother provided a design to their pledge.   As you can see, some pledges do better than others.

The 70s to 90s (1971-1996)
The Early Years (1930-1963)
The Current Years (2012 - Present)

 Ways to Donate to the Cultural Heritage Initiative
Be sure to note your funds should be directed to the Cultural Heritage Initiative with your donation

1) Mail a check or wire funds payable to Alpha Phi Delta Foundation, Inc.

Send to:
​    Alpha Phi Delta Foundation, Inc.
    P.O. Box 23188
    Pittsburgh, PA 15222-6188



2) ​Venmo: The easiest and quickest way to make a contribution up to $5,000. 

Venmo us at:
        @AlphaPhiDelta-Foundation
3) ​Paypal or Credit Card: Click on the below Donate link to use a credit card or paypal.
Picture
Does your company match donation?  Not sure?  Click on the link below to find out how you can double your donation to the Foundation!
Matching Gifts

Site Navigation
Home
About Us
Undergrads
Alumni
Foundation
Shop
Contact

Picture
Picture
Picture

Contact Alpha Phi Delta
By mail: 
Alpha Phi Delta Fraternity
Central Office
257 E Camden Wyoming Avenue, Unit A
Camden, DE 19934
​
Or, use our online contact form by clicking here