History Narrative

The idea for IFI was conceived by Richard R. Fletcher, former Executive of Sigma Nu Fraternity and Herman B Wells, former President of Indiana University, who was at the time an officer of Sigma Nu Fraternity. Dick Fletcher and Herman Wells thought something should be done to strengthen the relationship between campus professionals and fraternity headquarters staffs. They talked about the possibility of offering a rigorous one week educational experience for student affairs and headquarters staff alike. To explore the idea further, they quickly involved Dr. Robert H Shaffer, Professor of Higher Education and former Dean of Students at Indiana University. With Dr. Shaffer’s assistance, a framework for the first Interfraternity Institute was developed. In 1970, it was a struggle to find 35 individuals interested in attending. Times have certainly changed, as now more than 2000 campus and headquarters professionals have attended the institute.

Since the beginning of the Interfraternity Institute, fraternities, sororities and their foundations have invested substantially in providing scholarships and staff support toward the promotion of the program. Initially, Indiana University invested a substantial amount of seed money for the program, but those funds have long since been repaid. The program is fully self-sufficient.

Throughout the years, IFI participants have lived together as a community in an Indiana University fraternity or sorority house and have served one another through the sharing of kitchen / meal responsibilities. As a result, the autographed IFI apron has become a popular souvenir of the week.

In 1987, the first IFI Fellows were invited to join the Institute faculty. The IFI Fellows are typically seasoned campus and headquarters professionals who are charged with serving as mentors and facilitators for the small “Dot Groups” during the IFI process.

Though the original aim of connecting campus and headquarters professionals remains the same, the Interfraternity Institute strives to remain relevant and progressive in its approach to professional development. In 2006, the first vision, mission and set of outcomes was developed for the institute. 2007 saw an identity update and construction of the first-ever IFI website. In 2008, more additions were made to the curriculum and to the website. Additionally, the institute experience was augmented to create an atmosphere which promoted learning, critical discourse and the development of a professional philosophy.

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Former IFI Chairpersons

  • Wilford A. Butler, Delta Upsilon

  • William D. Jenkins, Phi Kappa Tau

  • Maurice E. Littlefield, Sigma Nu

  • Gary Angstadt, Phi Kappa Psi, 1983-85

  • Robert M. Sheehan Jr., Alpha Sigma Phi, 1986-67

  • William A Martin III, Phi Gamma Delta, 1988-1990

  • Daniel A. Smercina, Delta Sigma Phi, 1991-94

  • Darold Larson, Acacia, 1995-97

  • Steve Zizzo, Alpha Sigma Phi, 1998

  • Ginny Carroll, Alpha Xi Delta, 1999-2000

  • Jon Hockman, Delta Sigma Phi, 1999-2002

  • Cari Cook, Delta Delta Delta, 2001-2002

  • Bob Baney, Phi Gamma Delta, 2002

  • Laurel Raimondo, Alpha Delta Pi, 2003

  • Paul Lawson, Triangle, 2004-2006

  • Sara Nash, Alpha Xi Delta, 2004

  • Drew Thawley, Alpha Sigma Phi, 2007

  • Justin Kirk, Delta Upsilon, 2008 –

  • Krystal Slivinski, Alpha Sigma Alpha, 2008 –

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Former IFI Fellows

1987

  • Dr. Stan Levy, University of Illinois
  • Mr. Gayle Wilkerson, Delta Tau Delta

1988

  • Dr. Robert H. Shaffer, Indiana University (Sigma Chi)
  • Mr. Robert Miller, Phi Delta Theta

1989

  • Mr. Robert Etheridge, Miami University (Ohio)(Phi Delta Theta)
  • Mr. Maurice E. Littlefield, Sigma Nu
  • Ms. Marcia Bond, Kappa Alpha Theta

1990

  • Dr. Ed Whipple, Eastern Montana College (Phi Delta Theta)
  • Ms. Nancy Leonard, Alpha Chi Omega
  • Mr. Jim Vredenburgh, Theta Xi

1991

  • Dr. James Scott, University of Florida (Omega Psi Phi)
  • Mr. Steven J. Gerber, Delta Upsilon
  • Ms. Margaret H. Watkins, Delta Gamma

1992

  • Dr. Bridget Guernsey, University of Pittsburg (Alpha Chi Omega)
  • Ms. Deb Ensor, Zeta Tau Alpha
  • Mr. John M. Green, Phi Kappa Tau

1993

  • Dr. Edward M. King, Bradley University (Sigma Chi)
  • Ms. Diane C. Gregory, Alpha Xi Delta
  • Mr. Thomas A. Helmbock, Lambda Chi Alpha

1994

  • Ms. Cindy Garrett, Sigma Kappa
  • Mr. Bill Martin, Phi Gamma Delta
  • Dr. Kathleen Randall, the University of Alabama (Kappa Kappa Gamma)

1995

  • Ms. J. Dale Brubeck, Kappa Kappa Gamma
  • Mr. Mo Littlefield, Sigma Nu
  • Mr. Jerry T. Brewer, University of South Carolina (Pi Kappa Phi)

1996

  • Mr. Ray Galbreth, Delta Chi
  • Dr. Barbara Hollman, The University of Montana (Phi Mu)
  • Ms. Lana Lewis, Phi Mu

1997

  • Ms. Ginny Carroll, Alpha Xi Delta
  • Mr. Bill Nelson, The University of Kansas (Alpha Tau Omega)
  • Mr. Steve Zizzo, Alpha Sigma Phi

1998

  • Dr. David Ambler, University of Kansas
  • Ms. Cari Cook, Delta Delta Delta
  • Dr. Walter Kimbrough, Old Dominion University (Alpha Phi Alpha)
  • Mr. Mark Williams, Phi Upsilon

1999

  • Dr. Kathy MacKay, Iowa State University
  • Dr. Darold Stubbs, Stetson University
  • Mr. Alan Wunsch, Pi Lambda Phi
  • Ms. Bonnie Wunsch, Alpha Epsilon Phi

2000

  • Ms. Ellen Alper, Delta Phi Epsilon
  • Ms. Ceci Brinker, Eastern Illinois University
  • Dr. Jason DeSousa, Savannah State University
  • Mr. Jon Hockman, Delta Sigma Phi

2001

  • Mr. Bob Baney, Phi Gamma Delta
  • Ms. Melanie Doyle, Alpha Omicron Pi
  • Ms. Jennifer Jones Hall, Valparaiso University (Phi Mu)
  • Ms. Eve Riley, NPC Delegate, Delta Delta Delta
  • Dr. Denny Roberts, Miami University of Ohio (Delta Tau Delta)

2002

  • Ms. Ann Goodman, Texas A&M University (Pi Beta Phi)
  • Dr. Teri Hall, Towson University (Delta Zeta)
  • Ms. Dana Katz, NPC Delegate, Alpha Epsilon Phi
  • Mr. Robert Page, University of Kansas
  • Ms. Laurel Raimondo, Alpha Delta Pi
  • Mr. Larry Wiese, Kappa Alpha Order

2003

  • Mr. William Blake, Youngstown State University ( Omega Psi Phi)
  • Dr. Jim Caswell, Southern Methodist University ( Phi Gamma Delta)
  • Mr. Paul Lawson, Triangle Fraternity
  • Ms. Sara Nash, Alpha Xi Delta
  • Ms. Linda Wardhammer, Saint Louis University

2004

  • Dr. Mari Ann Callais, Mississippi State University (Theta Phi Alpha)
  • Ms. Jennifer Jones, Southern Methodist University (Zeta Phi Beta)
  • Dr. Don Mils, Texas Christian University
  • Ms. Amy Vojta, Rutgers University

2005

  • Ms. Diane Blackwelder, Purdue University, (Alpha Chi Omega)
  • Mr. Dan Bureau, University of Illinois
  • Dr. Terry Hogan, Ohio University
  • Virginia LeBlanc, National Pan Hellenic Council

2006

  • Mr. Steve Becker, Beta Theta Pi
  • Mr. Mike Hayes, University of Maryland-College Park
  • Ms. Debbie Heida, Berry College
  • Ms. Monica Miranda Smalls, University of Rochester
  • Ms. Allison St. Germain, Alpha Epsilon Phi

2007

  • Julie Burkhard, National Panhellenic Conference
  • Elysia Balster-Gallivan, Alpha Xi Delta
  • Paul Lawson, Alpha Tau Omega
  • Dr. Bill Nelson, University of Iowa
  • Kaye Schendel, University of Wisconsin – Lacrosse


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This year's Institute is July 19 - 24, 2008

Vision

Greek life will be the foremost vehicle for the development of leadership, citizenship, intellect, and positive relationships among college students.

Mission

The Interfraternity Institute develops informed, committed and connected leadership, grounded in purpose and principle, for the Greek life movement.

Fraternity Executives Association
Indiana University

Contact Information

General inquiries concerning IFI:
Jeremiah Shinn
Email
Call Jeremiah at: 812.855.4311

Questions relating to IFI Registration:
Justin Kirk
Email
Call Justin at: 317.875.8900