Trophies decorate the mantel and bookshelves inside Kansas University’s Phi Delta Theta fraternity. And a shiny new one is coming soon.

“This was just a phenomenal year for us,” said Scott Baker, the chapter’s president.

The house earned the Harvard Trophy – the honor bestowed by the national fraternity on the best overall large chapter in the nation. It’s the first time the chapter has received the award since 1981.

The trophy goes to the chapter that racks up the most points for good grades, philanthropy and participation in campus activities and intramurals.

And bringing it home wasn’t easy, members said.

The house last year revised its policies to meet the national fraternity’s expectations.

They raised the bar for the number of hours of community service members must complete. And then they surpassed their own goal, averaging more than 40 hours of community service per person.

They revised the academic probation policy and set the minimum grade-point average at 2.5.

They called on all members to participate in at least two campus organizations or activities.

And they set clear punishments for hazing. Now those caught hazing can be fined, barred from a social function or expelled from the house, depending on the severity of the action.

Phi Delta Theta fraternity at Kansas University is making room in their trophy case for the Harvard Trophy, which is based on grades, conduct and philanthropy. Fraternity brothers, from left, Tommy Sahli, Overland Park senior; John Larson, Kansas City, Mo., junior; Miles Pringle, Oklahoma City senior; and Jack Swab, Tulsa junior, are pictured Tuesday with the trophies their fraternity has won in the past.

The clear system of punishments replaces the old practice of having the executive board vote on what a punishment should be.

Once the members changed their goals, they worked to meet them.

They picked up trash along highways for community service. They volunteered for the Humane Society. They started a new walk supporting the disease often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

And they spent long hours preparing for the Rock Chalk Revue, a student-run philanthropy and variety show. The house swept several categories and was named best overall show.

The Harvard Trophy is a source of pride for the men who often wear polo shirts and consider theirs to be among the best houses on campus.

“We felt like we were finally reaching a level that we wanted to reach,” said Tommy Sahli, the chapter’s vice president.

The changes required to reach the goal didn’t come without a bit of grumbling.

“At first, there was some complaining,” Sahli said. “Once they got involved, they saw it wasn’t that bad.”

Greek houses have turned to philanthropy over the years in an effort to improve their image and show they’re about more than just partying.

“It’s a choice that the greek community had to make,” said Cory Lagerstrom, a KU alumnus and advisor to KU’s Phi Delta Theta chapter. “It’s either be better members of your community or no longer be there.”

Baker said the men try to hold themselves to a higher standard than the typical college student. And they swear to aim for the higher standard during initiation.

“It’s a great direction that the whole greek community is moving in right now,” Baker said. “It’s definitely not easy. It won’t happen overnight. Every year we’re trying harder and harder to make just a little step.”