At Delta Alpha, we strive for excellence in everything that we do. Through hard work and determination to help those in need, Delta Tau Delta has proven to the community many times that it isn’t “just another fraternity.”
Within the chapter, we continually strive to reach new goals each semester. Understanding that the future of Delta Alpha not only relies on new members but also on the future of its alumni, we place a great amount of emphasis on our involvement of our alumni with our undergraduate chapter. Our high expectations ultimately lead to the betterment of Delta Alpha as a whole.
History
Delta Tau Delta was founded in 1858 at Bethany College in Bethany, Virginia, in what is now West Virginia. The fraternity is currently on 200 campuses, more than 130 student chapters nationwide, and comprised of more than 8,000 students. Delta Tau Delta was started by eight gentlemen, and was originally a secret social society that’s initial goals were to bring literary control back to the student population and away from the Neotrophian Literary Society. The Neotrophian Literary Society was organized to demonstrate poetry, public speaking, and writing essay skills. Members of the society held total control and after a fixed vote to keep control, eight men not content in these practices broke off. The men developed a constitution, badge, name, ritual, motto, and colors of royal purple, white, and gold. The secret societies purpose was to bond the student population through respect and common values. They were based on the principles of truth, courage, faith, and power, which all still are used by brothers today. In 1875, Delta Tau Delta founded over 15 chapters, eight of which survive, and many have been reestablished.
The Eight Founding Men
In 1868, William Randolph Cunningham, Alexander Campbell Earle, Richard Havener Alfred, Henry King Bell, John Calhoun Johnson, Jacob Snedeker Lowe, Eugene Tarr, and John Lucius Newton Hunt founded Delta Tau Delta.
To read more about Delt’s history, visit www.delts.org/history.
Philanthropy
Delta Tau Delta’s philanthropic partnership is with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). The JDRF team is the largest charitable supporter of type 1 diabetes (T1D). The goal of JDRF research is to improve the quality of life for all those affected by T1D, and progressing to find a cure. The donations of time and funds from Delta Tau Delta bring JDRF closer to a world without T1D. College campuses have planned events such as volleyball tournaments, home-run derby, singing competitions, and rock concerts to help raise funds for JDRF. Delta Tau Delta has raised more than $100,000 for JDRF research since the start of our partnership.
Links
Delta Tau Delta
www.delts.org
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
www.jdrf.org
University of Oklahoma
www.ou.edu