History
Founding
The first attempt to introduce a fraternity on WPI campus came in 1886. A national Latin Fraternity known as Q.T.V Thomas Club for debate and discussion was established. Though in 1889, the chapter fell through and cease to exist. A few years later in 1890 a student, Archibald MacCullagh, a member of the Beta chapter of Phi Gamma Delta at the University of Pennsylvania transferred to Worcester Tech. He gathered two of his friends and encouraged them to start a Chapter. The three individuals then began to recruit other members; primarily from the previously disbanded Q.T.V Fraternity. The club initially met together to work on math assignments and other academic work. Though recognizing the need for a greater social existence, they joined together in secret and petitioned to the Grand Chapter for a charter to the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta.
Under the auspices of the Iota Mu (MIT) Chapter, the Pi Iota Chapter at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Mass on the evening of November 28, 1891, was ushered into existence. The following chartering members of Pi Iota were instilled as officers, Albert E. Culley; Hugh Southgate; Fred A. Morse; Wm. Nelson; Wm. N. Starks, and C. E. R. C. Cleveland. Little did these founders know, that they had begun a legacy for all Greek members in the WPI community.
Installation took place at the Quincy House Hotel in Boston. The Quincy House, pictured on the left as it would have looked in 1891, was one of the most famous and luxurious hotels in Boston at the time. The picture on the right shows the MIT brothers in 1891 who would have been among the hosts present that evening.
Archibald McCullagh served as the legate appointed by the Grand Chapter and was the installing officer. Delegates from Harvard, Cornell, Columbia, Pennsylvania, Lafayette, Washington, and MIT were present. “No pains were spared, and a hearty banquet followed the exercises, the likes of which the writer had seldom seen.” The MIT account states the festivities and celebration continued well into the early hours of the next morning.
Quincy House Hotel – Boston c. 1885
These members remained committed to the Chapter, as the Chapter has records of correspondence from these members up until the 1950s. Though unfortunately one chartering member, Fred A. Morse, was able to remain as committed as his fellow chartering Brothers. A year after he graduated F.A Morse became ill and passed Ad Astra. Thus, when the Chapter established a housing corporation to begin the search for a Chapter House, the housing corporation was named “F.A Morse Association” in dedication to F.A Morse’s contributions to the Chapter. The association still exists to this day, managing the daily upkeep of the Chapter House and seeing that the Chapter House satisfies the needs of the Undergraduate Brothers.
Composites of the first Executive Board members of the Chapter
Housing
Soon after the Chapter was ushered into existence a special meeting was held in Boynton Hall on December 8, 1891, at which a committee was appointed to look up such a room or rooms for meetings and social intercourse. One room was finally settled upon and rented at 41 Knowles Building, Worcester. During the following year meetings were held there and also in Pilgrim Hall and the old Knowles Building, neither of which are now in existence. In the fall of 1893, the Chapter took possession of its first house, located at 7 Highland Street. In tho years' time, this home was outgrown, and in 1895 a larger house, that at 7 Everett Street, was secured. This was described in a Chapter letter as a "great improvement" over the other.
The first step towards building of a chapter house was the formation of a building association. The F.A Morse associations was established on April 4th 1898. The association was incorporated under the laws of the State of Massachusetts. A provision of the constitution stats that: “Any person who is a member of Pi Iota Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta may, on signing these Bylaws, become a member of this corporation.” The first Board of Directions consisted of the following: Geo. W. Eddy, President; Warren E, brooks, Vice-President; Robert. S. Parks; R.C. Cleveland, and E.H Brown. H.W. Southgate was treasurer of the Association, and D.F. O’Regan clerk.
F.A. Morse was named after Fred A. Morse, class of 1892, who was the first graduate Brother to pass away Ad-Astra. He died on May 29th, 1894, after inhaling poisonous fumes while employed at the Nichols Chemical Works in New York. Morse was cited by the WPI Newspaper as being very popular at the Institute and a fine all-around athlete, having excelled in football and boxing. Phi Gamma Delta magazine
described him as a loyal and staunch Fiji. The bearers at his funeral were all founding brothers of Pi Iota, and Badges were draped on campus for a period of 15 days out of respect for his memory.
January 22, 1898, was a date fraught with significance for the fraternity here. On that day Pi Iota held a reunion banquet at the Bay State Hotel, the chief purpose of which was to arouse enthusiasm among the alumni for a new house. Bro. T. A. Vernon, Yale, '75, who was the principal speaker, described the Yale house and offered to head a subscription list for a new home for Pi Iota. After the banquet, a committee of three alumni and the undergraduates, with George W. Eddy'96, chairman, was appointed to formulate plans. A corporation was formed and names F. A. Morse Association after on its founders, the first qui fuit sed nunc ad astra. The records show on March 1st, 1899, the lot on the corner of Boynton and Salisbury Street was bought from Steven Salisbury. Then came the start of the actual construction, the completion of the house, its furnishing, and finally its formal opening in October 1899. The formal opening of the new house in October 1899, was said to be a splendid affair, some four hundred guests being present, and only words of praise were heard for the house and its furnishing. The house and property cost $12,000 and the furniture and furnishing nearly $2000 more.
Pi Iota occupied several residences in Worcester before building Old 99. They first rented a room in the Knowles building on Main Street in Worcester, then rented a house at 7 Highland Street where the Worcester courthouse condos are now, and then rented a house at 7 Everett Street over the John Street area, behind Highland Street. All three of these locations no longer exist. The Knowles building burned down in the 1920s, the Highland Street house was demolished to build the Worcester Courthouse, and there is a brick apartment building standing where 7 Everett Street was located. It should be also noted, that during World War the Chapter house was repurposed as a barracks for office, and so the Chapter House was temporary moved to 17 Dean St, which currently resides as the Sigma Pi Chapter house today.
Notable Graduate Brothers
Robert Foisie
1956
Mr. Foisie was a successful entrepreneur whose generosity made it possible for hundreds of students to attend WPI. The largest donor of WPI, with a +$40 million gift to WPI. Business school and building named after him. More Info
George P. Dixon
1912
First Graduate Advisor to the Pi Iota Chapter (Purple Legionnaire). Founder of the Senior Honor Society "Skull". More Info
Ted Coghlin Jr
1956
Third generation Pi Iota. One of WPI's most dedicated graduates and a volunteer who helped shape the Worcester community as a civic, business, and philanthropic leader. More Info
Mark O'Neil
1980
Chairman of the board, president and CEO of Dealertrack Technologies in Lake Success. *Board of Trustees.
More Info
Bill "Tuna" Trask*
1965 *Honorable Brother
Tuna has been remembered by multiple generations of WPI students as a trusted confidant, wise advisor, and loyal friend. Noted as WPI's greatest advocator for the greek community. More Info
Stephen Rubin
1974
Stephen E. Rubin ’74, former chairman of the WPI Board of Trustees, a remarkable friend and colleague, dedicated family man, and successful entrepreneur. Campus center named after him. More Info
George Oliver
1982
CEO of Johnson Controls and generous donor to WPI. A lecture hall inside of Foisie Innovation Studio is named after him and his wife. *Board of Trustee. More Info
Windle Priem
1959
A generous donor to WPI, who matches the Senior Class gift every year. Recently made a $1 million commitment to WPI, endowing the Senior Gift Challenge. *Trustee Emeritus . More Info
Harry Dadmun
1891
"Worcester's Fastest Human", held the record for the fastest half of 1:59.2; a record which held for 60 years. Charter member of WPI Athletics Hall of Fame.
Raymond Dunn
1978
Dedicated Graduate Brother, Head of Plastic Surgery at UMass Memorial and generous donor to WPI. More Info
Jesse A. Bloch
1901
Jesse Bloch served as a member of the House of Delegates in the 1910s and the state Senate in the 1920s. Most importantly, Jesse cast the decisive vote for the ratification of the 19th Amendment (women's suffrage.) More Info
W. Todd Akin
1971
Former U.S. Representative for Missouri's 2nd congressional district, serving from 2001 to 2013
Leonard P. Kinnicutt
1899
First faculty member to be initiated into the Chapter. Was the Chemistry Department Head. A lecture hall inside of Salisbury Labs in named after him.
Campus Memorials
Given Pi Iota's continued strong influence of WPI over the years, there are many places around campus that are named after or for Brothers; in commemoration of their influence on campus either through donations of direct involvement. No other organization on campus boasts the number of memorials for its members than Pi Iota. It is our hope that in upcoming years of expansion, our Brothers continually remain involved with the Institution and create a name for themselves to be remembered for the many more years to come.
Foisie Innovation Center
Named in memory of Brother Foisie '56
Kinnicutt Hall
Named in memory of Brother Kinnicutt '99
Coghlin Lecture Hall
Named in memory of Brother T, Coghlin Sr. '23 and Brother J, Coghlin '19
Rubin Campus Center
Names in memory of Brother Rubin '74
Library Light Painting
Donated in memory of Walter Knapp '38
Oliver Active Learning Classroom
Named for Brother Oliver '74 and his wife.
Hughes House
Donated by and named in memory of Brother Hughes '14
WPI Awards
Edwin B. Coghlin ‘23
The Edwin B. Coghlin ’23 Award for Community Service is presented annually by WPI to recognize an individual or individuals who, through their involvement in community service activities, has made valuable contributions to WPI and the Worcester community.
John P. Coghlin
WPI Athletics award, presented to a team manager who is eligible for a varsity letter and has carried out invaluable service for his/her team.
Ray Cherenzia Award
Presented to a member of each varsity team that exemplifies the spirit of an "Unsung Hero" - who works hard every day, puts the team first over their personal goals, who does the little things without much recognition, yet are vital to their team's success in competition, in the classroom and in the community. The award recipients must represent their program and the university in a respected and dignified manner.
George P. Dixon Award
Not entirely sure, ask the Skulls...?
Expansion
With the many years of its existence, the Pi Iota Chapter has aided in the continued growth of Phi Gamma Delta in the northeastern region of the country. In the late 1899's Pi Iota helped recolonize it's founding chapter, Iota Mu at MIT. In 1950, the Pi Iota chapter assisted in the chartering of the Kappa Rho Chapter at the University of Rhode Island in 1951. Within the past decade, the Pi Iota Chapter has aided in the colonization of the Eta Mu Chapter at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2014, and the Nu Eta Chapter at Northeastern University in 2018. With the unfortunate departure of many northeastern chapters, e.g Brown University and Amherst College, Pi Iota has remained committed to sustaining the royal purple army in the northeast.
