Delta Phi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You have new messages (last change).
ΔΦ - Delta Phi
Motto "Semper Ubique"
Symbol The Maltese Cross
Founded November 17, 1827 at Union College
Type Social
Scope National
Headquarters P.O. Box 81521
Athens, Georgia, USA
Chapters 14 Active Chapters
Homepage http://www.deltaphi.org

Delta Phi (ΔΦ) is a fraternity was founded in 1827 at Union College in Schenectady, New York. Founded as part of the Union Triad, along with the Kappa Alpha Society and Sigma Phi Society, Delta Phi was the third and last member of the Triad. Because of Delta Phi's long history, it has, along with the other members of the Union Triad, helped shape the modern fraternity.

Contents

[edit] 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.

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 debadged and continued on as underground organizations. Delta Phi refused to go underground and it is because of this that Delta Phi is the longest continuously running 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 organizations 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. Some of Delta Phi's chapter houses are also known as "St. Elmo's Hall."

[edit] Delta Phi Today

Delta Phi remains a small fraternity, with only fourteen active chapters and few chapters with many members. It has resisted the urge to expand to create an "intimate, personal experience" [1] for its members. The chapters of Delta Phi are all located in close proximity with each other. Its current expansion policies are to reactivate its dormant chapters.

[edit] Founders

The insignia of Delta Phi Fraternity
The insignia of Delta Phi Fraternity

[edit] Active Chapters

[edit] Notable Alumni


[edit] External links


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 Kappa Epsilon  • 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  • 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 Kappa  • Phi Sigma Phi  • Pi Kappa Alpha  • Pi Kappa Phi  • Pi Lambda Phi  • Psi Upsilon  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon  • Sigma Alpha Mu  • Sigma Chi  • Sigma Lambda Beta  • Sigma Nu  • Sigma Phi Delta  • Sigma Phi Epsilon  • Sigma Phi Society  • Sigma Pi  • 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
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../d/e/l/Delta_Phi_79b5.html"