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.
Alpha Phi Delta National Archives
257 E. Camden-Wyoming Ave. Suite A
Camden, DE 19934
- 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.
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
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.
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The 70s to 90s (1971-1996)
The Early Years (1930-1963)
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The Current Years (2012 - Present)
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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
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.
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