About Delta Zeta Sorority
Delta Zeta History
1902
- Delta Zeta Sorority was founded at Miami University in Oxford,
Ohio.
1903 - Julia Bishop and Luella Crugar conducted "rush" which
consisted of taking prospectives pledges for rides around Oxford, with a hired
"livery rig" horse and buggy.
1907 - Led and directed by Elizabeth
Culter, 10 Delta Zetas met at the Algonquin Hotel in Dayton, Ohio at the First
National Convention of Delta Zeta. Reorganized as the Alpha chapter, the group
approved the creation of the constitution, named Alpha Lloyd in charge of the
organization, and assigned Elizabeth Coulter to be in charge of
extension
1910 - The Installation of the Zeta chapter at the University
of Nebraska and the Eta chapter at Baker University, Kansas. Delta Zeta now had
enough chapters to be qualified for admission into the National Panhellenic
Council. In June, the third National Convention was held at Columbia Club in
Indianapolis. Alpha was re-elected President to head a Grand Council of six
members and Alpha chapter surrendered its status as head of the sorority.
Business of the convention established a sorority magazine, The Lamp of Delta
Zeta, to be edited by Ruth Gaddis - Alpha; the first issue appearing in the fall
of 1910.
1912
- Fourth National Convention met at Westminnnster Hotel in Indiana. Comparative
scholarship reports from chapters presented and a National Scholarship Cup
authorized for presentation at the next convention. Formation of alumnae
chapters approved. Founder's Day officially declared October 24. Elizabeth
Coulter Stephenson elected as Delta Zeta's second Grand President.
1914 -
The Kappa chapter at the University of Washington installed. Fifth National
Convention met at the Columbus Club. Elizabeth Coulter Stephenson re-elected as
President. The convention adopted its first National Constitution and a pledge
service.
1916 - Installation of Xi chapter at the University of
Cincinnati, Ohio and Omicron chapter at University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Sixth National Convention held at the University of Nebraska. Martha Railaback,
Delta, elected President. Indiana delegates reported on a a new project, State
Day. First initiation during a national convention held, initiating a pledge
from the Zeta chapter.
1922 - Ninth national convention held at Cornell
University, New York. Rene Smith re-elected President. The first central office
opened in Muncie, Indiana with Grace Mason - Epsilon, as first Executive
Secretary. First National Philanthropic project adopted - a community
center and school in Topmost, Kentucky.
1929 - Founder Mabelle Minton
Hagerman died. Sorority has 54 chapters.
1938 - Special song or
initiation, words by Dorothy Munford Williams - Alpha Zeta, and music by
Virginia Balleseyus - Mu, officially adopted.
1939 - The Delta Zeta
Creed, written by Dorothy Munford Williams - Alpha Zeta, adopted. New award, to
be called, Council Award, established to recognize a chapter consistently
excelling in all aspects and over a long period of time. Elizabeth Coulter
Stephenson, Delta Zeta's first pledge, died.
1941 - In July, Beta Phi
Alpha Sorority merged with Delta Zeta. National council members attended the
Beta Phi Alpha convention to conduct initiation for those present. Seven new
chapters added. bringing the roll of DZ chapters through Beta Omega.
From Beta Phi Alpha came the gavel, to open national convention, and the song
"Convention Lights", to close convention.
1952 - Three founders, Julie
Bishop Coleman, Alpha Lloyd Hayes, and Mary Collins Galbrath, initiated after
fifty years. Order of the Golden Rose, established to commemorate the
golden anniversary, first received by these three founders. Memorial
Plaque presented to Miami University in October during Golden Anniversary
observance.
1956 - In August, Delta Zeta and Delta Sigma Epsilon merge in
one of the most extensive of such unions adding 34 new chapters about bringing
the chapters up through the Greek alphabet to Epsilon Omega. Membership reported
at 32, 800.
1962 - Theta Upsilon merged with Delta Zeta adding nine
chapters. Violet Sharratt Whitfield - Tau, was elected President. Official
Daughter-Granddaughter pennant approved. The Delta Zeta Foundation is
established. Founder Alpha Lloyd Hayes died.
1083 - The House Ear
Institute in Los Angeles, California was adopted as the second national
philanthropy with the building and furnishing of a parents conference
room.
1994 - Spectrum, the name given to DZ's total membership. Education
program introduced at the summer leadership conference. Now have 171 chapters
with 161, 126 members.
1997 - First annual training conference held
for College Chapter Directors with over 100 CCDs in attendance
About Delta Zeta Members Fun Facts Officers Campus Involvement What Delta Zeta Means To Us
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