Delta Zeta was founded on October 24, 1902 with the help of Dr. Guy Potter Benton at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. In 1902, Dr. Benton was elected as the new President of Miami University. One of the first things that Dr. Benton did was to allow young women to enroll in the currently all-male university.
Although Miami University was known for its many fraternities, six of the newly admitted female students organized the first sorority chapter. Seeking help in the planning of such an organization, the six women consulted Dr. Benton. He was familiar with the processes of a Greek organization due to his membership in the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, and therefore became a helpful resource for the girls in the establishment of the first Delta Zeta chapter.
It was on October 24, 1902 that that Department of the State of Ohio issued formal Articles of Incorporation establishing the Delta Zeta Sorority. The founding members were stated as follows; Alfa Lloyd, Mary Collins, Anna Louise Keen, Julia Lawrence Bishop, Mabelle Minton, and Anne Dial Simmons.
Dr. Benton aided in the preparation of a ritual, badge, and colors. Elizabeth Coulter was the first of four pledges that soon became part of the sisterhood. Dr. Benton was named as Grand Patron and became the first and only man to ever wear the Delta Zeta badge.
The beginning of the Delta Zeta chapter at Texas A&M University began with three young women, Patsy Hedges, Elaine Bennett, and Martha Bassett, who on November 9, 1974 met with Mrs. Carolyn Gullatt, then Province Collegiate Director of Texas. They discussed the possibility of establishing the first sorority at Texas A&M. On November 19, they had their second meeting with about 15 girls attending. Debbie Raziano, Field Representative, and Carolyn Gullatmet with the girls third time on November 25. With 20 or more attending, they voted not only on establishing the first sorority at Texas A&M, but also that it would be a chapter of Delta Zeta.
After more rushing and pledging of new members, along with meetings and social events, the long awaited day of initiation arrived. The initiation service was held Sunday, April 6, 1975. Debbie Raziano had worked long and hard with the girls and had been their source of encouragement. Initiation was a touching moment when all had realized their dreams had come true.
It was a challenging road for the 36 girls as they sought to add another tradition to the Texas A&M campus by establishing the first sorority. On April 6, 1975, there was deep satisfaction and joy for they had become the newest chapter of Delta Zeta, the chapter of Lambda Xi.
| No events |
