Category Archives: About
Facts and History
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.
The date was October 24th, 1902 and the event is still changing lives today. It was on this day that the Delta Zeta Sorority was founded. Its founders, six extraordinary women, Alfa Lloyd, Mary Collins, Anna Louise Keen, Julia Lawrence Bishop, Mabelle M. 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.
Delta Zeta is one of the sororities with the largest number of college chapters. Our 162 college chapters and 2 colonies are distributed from coast to coast while our 250 alumnae chapters offer continuing association in 50 states, including Hawaii and Alaska, as well as the United Kingdom and Canada.
Delta Zeta was founded on October 24, 1902 by six women: Julia Bishop, Anne Simmons, Anna Keen, Alfa Lloyd, Mabelle Minton, and Mary Collins. It is the first national sorority at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
Delta Zeta is one of the sororities with the largest number of college chapters. Our 165 college chapters are distributed from coast to coast while our 250 alumnae chapters offer continuing association in 50 states, including Hawaii and Alaska, as well as the United Kingdom and Canada.
Our colors are rose and green.
Our flower is the pink Killarney rose.
Our emblem is the Roman lamp.
Our official jewel is the diamond.
Our mascot is the turtle.
Delta Zeta National Headquarters is located in Oxford, Ohio.
Delta Zeta has a National loan fund and many scholarships to aid members who may need financial assistance to finish their education.
Delta Zeta’s quarterly magazine, The Lamp of Delta Zeta, is sent to all collegiate and alumnae members.
Delta Zeta college chapters receive supervision from national officers, regional directors and local alumnae advisory boards.
