Delta Tau Delta: A History of Brotherhood, Integrity, and Influence

Introduction

Founded in 1858 at Bethany College, Delta Tau Delta (ΔΤΔ) emerged from a crucible of integrity and a shared commitment to justice. This article delves into the fraternity's rich history, from its humble beginnings to its nationwide presence, exploring its core values, significant milestones, and enduring impact.

The Genesis at Bethany College

Originally settled in 1769, Bethany had been inhabited by the Mingo and Shawnee nations. The Town of Bethany was given its name by the founder of Bethany College, Alexander Campbell, in 1827 so that a post office could be located here. Campbell’s home, sheep farm, family cemetery, a substantial portion of Campbell’s private library and many 19th century documents were given to the college for preservation and use. The Campbell Home, home to Bethany College founder Alexander Campbell, was built between 1795 and 1840. The household gathered for worship twice a day in the old parlor. The cook prepared hearty meals for extended family and guests. Guests in the Campbell home included Jefferson Davis, future president of the Confederacy; James A. Garfield, and Henry Clay.

Situated on a hilltop overlooking the campus, Pendleton Heights is the oldest building at Bethany College. Through the years, Pendleton Heights has been home to Bethany presidents, faculty, and students. Pendleton Heights was built in 1841, by William Kimbrough Pendleton (1817-99), one of Bethany’s first faculty and the College’s second president. Pendleton is credited with the design of the house and for keeping careful record of all costs and materials. The structure had Gothic architectural additions made in 1872 with funds from Ms. Katherine Pendleton. Bethany College purchased the 9,340 square foot, 20-room house in 1887 from President Pendleton when he retired. Since that time, Pendleton Heights has served as the traditional home of Bethany’s presidents, Deans, and even as a dormitory. The house received significant renovations in 2002 with donations from Dr.

The Spark of Injustice

In 1858, a seemingly small act of injustice ignited a flame that would grow into a national fraternity. At the time, Bethany College fostered intellectual discourse through literary societies, including the Neotrophian Literary Society. These societies provided a platform for students to hone their skills in poetry, public speaking, and essay writing. However, the Neotrophian Society was marred by a fraudulent vote for an oratory prize. Eight undergraduates, united by their outrage at this corruption, decided to take action.

The Founding Principles

Angered by these unscrupulous tactics, they responded by forming a secret society at the college. Its initial goal was to wrestle control from the Neotrophian Society away from a group of unjust students and return it to the control of the student population, as well as to bond the student body through respect and common values. These men were drawn together by common aims and brotherly regard. They came to be known on the campus only by the Greek letters Delta Tau Delta. They founded an organization based on the principles of truth, courage, faith and power. These principles guided the Fraternity through its beginnings. The eight young men responded by forming a secret society of their own in Delta Tau Delta. The purpose of the new society was to see that the Neotrophian award was returned to the deserving participants.

The Fraternity was founded to right an unjust situation; Delta Tau Delta was born from the knowledge that integrity is essential. Its eight founders were outraged that one group of students could choose in advance the winning participant, regardless of the participant's actual performance in the contest. This injustice presented the first opportunity for Delts to realize the importance of accountability.

It was here that eight Bethany College students first met in the fall of 1858 to found Delta Tau Delta, a social fraternity. The Bethany group was the principal undergraduate chapter of Delta Tau Delta from 1859-61. After the Civil War, the chapter returned to Bethany but financial difficulties caused the national fraternity to revoke the charter.

The eight founders, whose names are etched in Delta Tau Delta history, were:

Henry King Bell
Alexander Campbell Earle
Eugene Tarr
John Calhoun Johnson
Jacob S. Lowe
William Randolph Cunningham
Richard Havener Alfred
John Lucius Newton Hunt

Early Expansion and the Civil War

Delta Tau Delta did not initially aspire to become a national fraternity. However, its ideals resonated with students at nearby institutions, leading to the establishment of chapters at West Liberty College, West Virginia University, and Jefferson College in Pennsylvania.

The Civil War, however, posed a significant threat to the fledgling fraternity. Many members left to serve in the armed forces, and in 1860, a fire destroyed much of Bethany and all of the early Fraternity records. Additionally, the Civil War thinned the ranks of the three Virginia chapters to such an extreme that the future of the Fraternity was in grave danger. In 1862, two Jefferson College Students, Rhodes S. Sutton and Samuel S. Brown, rode horseback down to Bethany College in order to be initiated into Delta Tau Delta. This was known as “The Ride”. These two men then established the fourth chapter at Jefferson College in Canonsburg, PA.

Read also: Discover Bethany Early Learning

The "Ride" and Preservation of the Fraternity

When Civil War conditions ultimately caused the three Virginia chapters to suspend operations temporarily, the historic ride of Sutton and Brown proved to be the means of saving the continuous existence of the Fraternity. This forced the Alpha Chapter to be moved to Jefferson College in Cannonsburg, PA (Alpha Chapter from 1861 - 1869).

Due to the unsteady nature of many colleges at the time, the Alpha Chapter was moved to Ohio Wesleyan College (Alpha Chapter from 1869 - 1874) and finally to Allegheny College in Meadville, PA, where it still resides today.

Growth, Consolidation, and Modernization

Merger with the Rainbow Society

In 1886, Delta Tau Delta merged with the Rainbow Society, a respected Southern Fraternity. Their colors were then adopted by Delta Tau Delta. This union brought together two organizations with similar values and strengthened Delta Tau Delta's national presence.

Expansion and Influence

Since then, Delta Tau Delta has enjoyed a prolonged period of growth. Delta Tau Delta (ΔΤΔ) is a United States-based international Greek letter college fraternity. Since 1858, the Fraternity has spread to nearly 200 campuses, with more than 130 active chapters and colonies comprised of roughly 10,000 students.

Chapter at the University of Missouri

In 1905, a group of undergraduates and faculty at the University of Missouri came together to form the Gamma Kappa Chapter of Delta Tau Delta, in hopes of installing the values of its founding fathers within themselves. The Gamma Kappa Chapter is one of the original fraternities on the University of Missouri Campus and has maintained continuous operation for over a century.

Read also: Global Transformation

Delt at the University of South Dakota

Delt at the University of South Dakota was founded in 1924. Delt strives to be academic weapons in and out of the classroom. Here at the University of South Dakota, we pride ourselves on having top fraternity GPAs for back-to-back years. Delta Tau Delta enhances its members college experience by providing a well-rounded social life.

Philanthropic Partnership

Delta Tau Delta established a philanthropic partnership with JDRF in 2012. Chapters have raised nearly $2 million for T1D research. Last fall, we were able to raise $5,200 for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Symbols and Traditions

The Badge

The Delta Tau Delta badge is square with deeply concave sides. Its background is black enamel and is decorated with symbols and the letters "ΔΤΔ" in gold. Above the letters is an eye, rayed in glory. Below the letters is a crescent moon.

The Coat of Arms

The fraternity's coat of arms includes a shield, a charge, a torse, the crest, and the motto. The shield is decorated with the charge, which includes a white seven-pointed star on a black background, a gold lyre on a green background, five six-pointed white stars arranged in a shape on a purple background, and a white chevron on a red background. Above the shield is the torse, which is a twisted rope in the official colors of gold, royal purple, and white. The crest consists of an eye rayed in glory, located above the torse.

Controversies and Challenges

Like many fraternities, Delta Tau Delta has faced controversies and challenges throughout its history.

Hazing Incidents

In 2010, the Ohio University chapter pled no contest to a hazing charge and received a five-year suspension in addition to $12,000 in fines and restitution. Miami University suspended Frat Until 2034 Over Spiked-Paddle Hazing. Frat suspended after pledge reports hazing ritual with 'scary music,' spike-covered paddle.

Incidents of Violence

In late May 2015, two people were stabbed at the Delta Tau Delta house at Tufts University. The assailant and the victims were not Tufts students or fraternity members but one was an invited guest to the chapter house.

Incidents of Alcohol Abuse

Freshman from Tucson found dead at Wabash College frat.

Sexist Audition Video

In 2016, WVU suspended its Delta Tau Delta chapter after members filmed in the fraternity house what was considered a sexist audition video for the "The Real World" television series.

Mekong Delta-Themed Parties

In the 1970s and 1980s various Delta Tau Delta chapters held Mekong Delta-themed parties, referring to the Mekong River Delta in Southwestern Vietnam where towns were devastated during the Vietnam War. For years, Vietnam veterans spoke out against this event, saying it made light of the war and those who served in it. In 2020, these parties were again brought into the news during the reelection campaign of Congressman Harley Rouda, who had participated in these parties while he was a member of Delta Tau Delta at the University of Kentucky.

Death of Pledge

In 2026, the three members of the Northern Arizona University chapter were under investigation and had charges pressed against them by Flagstaff Police in connection with the death of an 18-year-old pledge at their off-campus fraternity house.

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