The Brotherhood of Adelphic

Photo of the Adelphic house

OLIVET, Mich.— In the middle of the Civil War, a group of students at Olivet College came together to build something united, a brotherhood rooted in literature, loyalty, and inclusion. Founded on December 15, 1862, it began as a society called the “Clever Fellows,” but in 1865 it was changed to Adelphic. 

“Adelphic Alpha Pi alumni in Detroit put up the money and hired an architect to design our house. Actives stayed over the summer of 1889 to work for local farmers in the area in exchange for the use of their horses and wagons,” said Mike Fales, current advisor and Adelphic Alpha Pi alumnus from 1975.

It was open to all men regardless of race or background. Adelphic Alpha Pi is known for their motto “Semper Fidelis,” meaning, always faithful.   

“With a bunch of guys getting married next summer that kind of shows how much love and respect we have for each other. Also, it doesn’t matter if you are alumni or active. We still care about each other. We went to an Adelphic Alpha Pi alumnus wife’s funeral viewing. I didn't even know the guy, but the brotherhood keeps us together,” said Brayden Craig, a junior and house manager for Adelphic Alpha Pi. 

Adelphic Alpha Pi’s sister house first started with another Greek house on campus, Soronian, but since the 1930s, it’s been Sigma Beta. 

Currently, members of the house are mostly student-athletes that play for the football and baseball teams. Dr. Hiram Archer, Olivet’s first documented student of color and one of the first people of color to participate in collegiate athletics, was a member in the 1880s. Another famous Adelphic Alpha Pi is David “Dave” Cutler, who graduated in 1965. Cutler is known throughout the computer industry for helping develop several commercial systems, like Microsoft Windows, and has two buildings on campus. 

“I think what separates Adelphic Alpha Pi from the other houses on campus is that we are a very diverse group of personalities. Every guy in our house is different and I believe that is what makes us so great,” said the current president, Mikey Kuzara. 

Each of the older Greek organizations on campus began as literary societies so there was an academic reason to pledge as well as a social reason. Adelphic Alpha Pi brotherhood and founding principles are exactly the same as they were to their founders. 

“Our members really enjoy meeting alumni from way back and always remark how much we all have in common,” Fales said.

For those interested in learning more about Adelphic Alpha Pi, its history, or how to get involved, the best person to reach out to is Mike Fales. He is not only the current advisor of Adelphic Alpha Pi but also a former member himself. He has a connection with Adelphic Alpha Pi and years of experience supporting the students in the fraternity. Don’t hesitate to contact him for any questions or wanting to get involved. 

Written by Kyleigh Ramos