Dear Phis,
I am Sam Moran (Engr ’26), a third-year mechanical engineering student, and I am proud to write to you at the start of my second term as President of Phi Society.
I am even more proud to be writing at a truly great time to be a part of our brotherhood. Active membership is more energized than any of us can remember after a historic rush under the leadership of Rush Chair, Joseph Harrell (Col ’25). During his time in the house, Joe has served as Vice President and has been the recipient of the Cudlip Award (as well as the less-coveted, HK award). His greatest contribution to the fraternity however, took place as he organized pre-rush networking and all rush events. Highlights included renting out the Bold Rock Brewery in Nellysford, VA and a memorable steak dinner at The Fitzroy on the Downtown Mall. Our efforts and those of the fraternity earned us a pledge class of 20 new Phis!
When I spoke with our new members after Bid Day, they made it clear that what drew them to our house was our great events and brotherhood buy-in – but what really stood out was our authenticity. While I was rushing myself, Phi Society stood out to me as being the only house where brothers could depend on each other for genuine connection and support in addition to partying hard. This is a culture we have strived to maintain, and one that has further benefited with the injection of new energy and enthusiasm that accompanies a new pledge class. One University Circle continues to be a place where I can talk politics or sports, study or party, and occasionally make remarkably stupid decisions around remarkably smart people.
A new exec board was elected and Social Chairs, Richard Roehm (Col ’27) and Richard Do (Col ’27) have continued the successful legacy of their predecessors. Under the “Two Dicks” Social Regime we have had several max-capacity late night parties, the latest of which featured most brothers in costume for a Jungle theme. Additionally, we hosted several well-attended mixers and a memorable Valentine’s Day date function. Brotherhood events are more spirited than ever, as Brotherhood Chair, Jaden Rothschild (Col ’26) has continued fan-favorite events such as the basketball tournament and weekly dinners but also introduced the hotly contested lineage beerlympics. We also put together a great lineup of trips – mostly for spring break (the second years went to Myrtle Beach, the third years to Ireland, and fourth years to Puerto Rico) – but also a brotherhood camping trip the last weekend in March.
This year’s officers have transitioned into day-to-day social, brotherhood, and fiscal responsibilities successfully, but are also lending fresh eyes to our ongoing fraternal objectives. At the beginning of my first term, I wrote that my objectives were to 1) maintain the strength of our brotherhood and 2) reinforce our alumni network. A historic pledge class credits the efforts of the active members in the former, and this publication represents one avenue we pursue towards the latter. The Cudlip Award Ceremony, 5-Year Reunions, and Homecoming receptions are other ways to engage with fellow Phis, and I encourage any reader of the Phiner Times to attend any occasion they can or stop by when they are back in Charlottesville.
Yours in the Bond,
Sam Moran (Engr ’26)
Phi Society President, 2025
