On Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, the Phi Lambda Theta chapter of the Chi Phi fraternity at Bucknell University hosted the Biff Hoffman Memorial Lectureship, marking the return of a tradition that had been on pause in recent years due to the pandemic. This year’s lectureship followed the fraternity’s celebration of four significant anniversaries during Homecoming last fall.
The Phi Lambda Theta chapter marked its 100th anniversary at Bucknell, while the national Chi Phi fraternity celebrated its 200th anniversary. Additionally, the Thomas R. Deans Chapter House commemorated its 50th anniversary, and the chapter also recognized the 40th anniversary of its merger with the national Chi Phi organization. These milestones provided a fitting backdrop to the day’s discussions. The event, held in honor of Black History Month, featured three distinguished speakers: Devin Halliburton ’24, Harley Bennett ’64 and Frank Wood ’62, each of whom provided insight into the themes of fraternity, diversity and leadership.
Shea Finney ’26, the current President of the Phi Lambda Theta chapter, introduced the lectureship, and Diversity and Inclusion Chair Gabriel Huaman ’27 called each speaker to the front to share their experiences and perspectives.
Halliburton, a recent graduate from Bucknell and former president of the Xi Kappa chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., opened the event with an engaging presentation on the “Divine Nine,” the historically Black fraternities and sororities that have played a pivotal role in shaping Black Greek life and culture across the country. Halliburton introduced the origins, mottos and traditions of each organization within the Divine Nine, placing special emphasis on Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., both of which have active chapters at Bucknell. He highlighted the resilience and perseverance of their founders in the face of racial adversity.
“Racism was very prominent when these organizations were founded, and many of them had to fight to make these fraternities and sororities possible on college campuses,” Halliburton shared. His personal connection to Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. was evident as he proudly described his fraternity’s values, including its motto, “Achievement in every field of human endeavor.”
For Halliburton, the bonds formed through the Divine Nine are lifelong. “Membership is for life,” he said. “The network is incredible. You run into brothers across the country, and they’ve got your back no matter where you are.”
In his talk, Halliburton also highlighted the philanthropic efforts of the Divine Nine, such as the partnership Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. has with St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Bucknell’s chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. raises approximately $1,000 annually for the charity, part of a larger national effort that raises $1.5 million each year.
Bennett, President of the Chi Phi Board of Directors and a 1964 Bucknell graduate, followed Halliburton by sharing the history of Lloyd S. “Biff” Hoffman, the namesake of the lecture. Hoffman, who graduated in 1932 with a chemical engineering degree, dedicated his life to Chi Phi and embodied the fraternity’s mission to “Build Better Men.”
“This lectureship is named after Biff not because he made a single large gift to the fraternity, but because of the countless small gifts that he and his wife, Mary, selflessly gave in the name of universal brotherhood,” Bennett said.
Bennett detailed Hoffman’s efforts to sustain and rebuild the fraternity through difficult times, including the Great Depression, World War II and the loss of the fraternity house in 1939. After the war, Hoffman played a key role in re-establishing the fraternity on campus, securing a house and strengthening alumni connections through his famous “Round Robin letters.” These letters helped brothers stay in touch across the globe, including those serving in the military.
“The goal was to allow a small group of men to experience true, unbiased brotherhood,” Bennett emphasized. “Through the years, Biff took the time to get to know alumni on a personal basis. It was the kind of genuine generosity that you just don’t forget.”
The final speaker, Wood, was the first Black president of a fraternity at Bucknell and shared his experiences as a Black student in the 1950s and 60s. Wood, a former swimmer and ROTC cadet, recalled how his parents instilled in him the importance of excelling despite societal barriers.
“My parents said, ‘If you’re Black in America, you have to be number one. If you’re number one, you can’t be overlooked,’” Wood shared. This mindset fueled his drive to take on leadership roles, including spearheading an exchange program between Bucknell and Howard University.
Wood also reflected on a painful moment from his time as Chi Phi president. “Three guys burned a cross in a tree in front of our house,” he said. “I got this letter from the president of Bucknell saying he was pleased with how we handled the situation and kept it from getting out of hand. It was on the front page of ‘The New York Times.’” The individuals responsible were expelled, but the experience reinforced the challenges of being a Black student leader at that time.
Despite these challenges, Wood’s fraternity experience shaped his career. He went on to work for Union Carbide, traveling across Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe. He concluded his speech with a clip of Denzel Washington delivering a commencement address on the importance of taking risks, a sentiment he echoed in his own words: “If I didn’t take risks, I never would have achieved what I did. My time at Bucknell taught me this.”
The Biff Hoffman Memorial Lectureship was more than just an event—it was a reaffirmation of the values of brotherhood and diversity that continue to define Chi Phi’s legacy at Bucknell. As the evening concluded, it was clear that the Chi Phi fraternity, through its deep-rooted history and commitment to universal brotherhood, continues to inspire generations of men to carry forward the ideals of service, leadership and integrity.
