Delta Phi

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Delta Phi (ΔΦ) is a fraternity was founded in 1827 at Union College in Schenectady, New York. Surviving the American Civil War, it is the longest continuously existing Greek letter social fraternity in North America. Founded as part of the Union Triad, along with Kappa Alpha Society and Sigma Phi Society, it helped set the model for the American fraternity system.

History

Delta Phi and the other fraternities of the Union Triad were established during a time of strong anti-Masonic sentiment in America. This sentiment also spilled over to fraternities, which held ritual secrets. The wave of animosity directed toward such secret societies led Phi Beta Kappa, known as the Greek letter fraternity, to abandon secrecy and become an honor society. It is needless to say that the three fraternities at Union College were established in a hostile environment.

In the early 1830's Dr. Eliphalet Nott, president of Union College, called for the dissolution of all fraternities. Under pressure, Kappa Alpha and Sigma Phi disbanded and continued on as underground organizations. Delta Phi refused to disband and it is because of this that Delta Phi claims to be longest continuously existing Greek letter social fraternity in North America,.

In defense of the fraternities John Jay Hyde, a member of Delta Phi, argued the benefits of the fraternity system so convincingly that Dr. Nott relented and permitted the clubs to remain in existence. In addition, Hyde designed the fraternity badge which is based on the Maltese Cross, a symbol also used by the Knights of Malta.

It is because of this shared symbol that Delta Phi is also known as The St. Elmo Club, a name first used by the Omicron chapter at Yale University. The brothers there used the name the name of St. Elmo, the patron saint of mariners and the Knights of Malta. The fraternity's chapter houses are also known as St, Elmo's Hall.

Delta Phi Today

Delta Phi remains a small fraternity, with only fifteen active chapters. It has resisted the urge to expand to create an "intimate, personal experience" [link] for its members. Due to its small size, the chapters of Delta Phi are all located in close proximity with each other. It's current expansion policies are to reactivate its dormant chapters.

Founders

• Benjamin Burroughs, Presbyterian Minister from Savannah, Georgia
• William H. Fondey, Attorney from Albany, New York
• Samuel L. Lamberson, Presbyterian Minister from Jamaica, New York
• Samuel C. Lawrison, United States Navy Surgeon from Pensacola, Florida
• David H. Little, New York Supreme Court Justice from Rochester, New York
• Thomas C. McLaury, Clergyman from Lisbon, New York
• John Mason, Clergyman from Jamaica, New York
• Joseph G. Masten, Mayor of Buffalo from Buffalo, New York
• William Wilson, President of College of Cincinnati from Ireland

Active Chapters

• Beta - Brown University - 1838
• [Gamma] - New York University - 1841
• [Epsilon] - Rutgers University - 1845
• Eta - University of Pennsylvania - 1849
• [Lambda] - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - 1864
• Nu - Lehigh University - 1884
• Xi - Johns Hopkins University - 1885
• [Pi] - Cornell University - 1891
• Rho - University of Virginia - 1908
• [Tau] - University of Illinois - 1920-1990 (reactivated 1991)
• Phi - Kenyon College - 1940
• Chi - Hamilton College - 1950
• Psi - Pennsylvania State University - 1960-1986 (reactivated 1986)
• [Omega] - University of Pittsburgh - 1968
• [Omega Alpha] - College of William and Mary - 1987

Notable Alumni

• John Jay Hyde - Α
• George Low - Λ
• J.P. Morgan, Jr - Ζ
• John Jacob Astor IV - Ζ
• James Roosevelt - Ζ
• Halsey Minor - Ρ - Co-founder and former CEO, CNET Inc.
• Stanley Forman Reed - Ρ - Associate Justice of the Supreme Court

• Charles Scribner - Founder of Charles Scribner's Sons publishing group
• The Harper Brothers - Founders of Harper & Brothers publishing group

External links

• [National Website]
• [History of Epsilon] (Daily Targum, 10/2005)

North-American Interfraternity Conference Acacia | Alpha Chi Rho | Alpha Delta Gamma | Alpha Delta Phi | Alpha Epsilon Pi | Alpha Gamma Rho | Alpha Gamma Sigma | Alpha Kappa Lambda | Alpha Phi Alpha | Alpha Phi Delta | Alpha Sigma Phi | Alpha Tau Omega | Beta Chi Theta | Beta Sigma Psi | Beta Theta Pi | Chi Phi | Chi Psi | Delta Chi | Delta Phi | Delta Psi | Delta Sigma Phi | Delta Tau Delta | Delta Upsilon | FarmHouse | Iota Phi Theta | Kappa Alpha Order | Kappa Alpha Psi | Kappa Alpha Society | Kappa Delta Phi | Kappa Delta Rho | Lambda Chi Alpha | Lambda Phi Epsilon | Lambda Sigma Upsilon | Lambda Theta Phi | Order of Omega | Phi Gamma Delta | Phi Iota Alpha | Phi Kappa Psi | Phi Kappa Sigma | Phi Kappa Tau | Phi Kappa Theta | Phi Lambda Chi | Phi Mu Delta | Phi Sigma Phi | Pi Kappa Alpha | Pi Kappa Phi | Pi Lambda Phi | Psi Upsilon | Sigma Alpha Mu | Sigma Chi | Sigma Nu | Sigma Phi Delta | Sigma Phi Epsilon | Sigma Phi Society | Sigma Tau Gamma | Tau Delta Phi | Tau Epsilon Phi | Tau Kappa Epsilon | Theta Chi | Theta Delta Chi | Theta Xi | Triangle | Zeta Beta Tau | Zeta Psi

 

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