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. Guy Potter Benton was elected as the new President of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. One of the first things that Dr. Benton did was to allow young women to enroll in the currently all-male University.

That coming fall, six of the newly admitted female students organized the first sorority chapter, an idea that was widely accepted due to the three fraternities that already existed.

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 the 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 preparation of a ritual, badge, and colors. Four pledges soon became part of the sisterhood, Elizabeth Coulter being the first. Dr. Benton was named as Grand Patron, and became the first and only man to ever wear the Delta Zeta badge.

The year 2002 marked the 100th year and Centennial Celebration for Delta Zeta. Chapter nationwide celebrated the event as well as a special convocation during the summer at the Delta Zeta National Convention. Today, with over 180,000 alumnae and college members and 160 chapters in the United States and Canada, Delta Zeta is a testament to lifetime sisterhood and cherished ideals and will continue to grow and touch the lives of many through their spirit, service and sisterhood.

The idea of starting a sorority at Texas A&M began with some members of the Alpha Tau Chapter at the University of Texas. They sent letters to several people at Texas A&M and on November 9, 1974, three girls from A&M, Patsy Hedges, Elaine Bennett and Martha Bassett met with the girls from the Alpha Tau Chapter and with Mrs. Carolyn Gullatt, then Province Collegiate Director for 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 Gullatt met with the girls a third time on November 25, 1974. 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 girls, along with meetings and parties, 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 long hard 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 178th chapter of Delta Zeta, the chapter of Lambda Xi.

Charter Members:

Jo Adamietz	Sharon Chasion	Jan Moore
Bev Barnes	Bettye Cloud	Debbie Petterson
Ellie Barrett	Susan Donaho	Debbie Read
Martha Bassett	Susan Gest	Becky Runkles
Cay Beard	Carol Goehl	Rosemary Scarmardo
Mary Bedgood	Patsy Hedges	Susan Scott
Elaine Bennett	Terry Henshaw	Sharon Sloan
Bev Brademan	Susan Kelly	Roxanne Smith
Karen Broom	Debbie Killough	Sheryl Taylor
Candy Burt	Jacque Kimiecek	Many Tindall
Carol Cangelosi	Cheryl Langford	Leigh Williams
Caron Catropia	Edith Matchus	Becky Woodruff