National and Chapter History

The Oldest Continuous Fraternity

Founded in 1827, Delta Phi (ΔΦ) was the 3^rd social fraternity in history and is the oldest remaining today.  It was the final member of the Union Triad, a group of Greek-letter secret societies founded at Union College in the late 1820s.  The other members are Kappa Alpha (ΚΑ) Society and Sigma Phi (ΣΦ).  Delta Phi has the distinction of being the oldest continuous social fraternity because, unlike the other Union Triad organizations, it has been active for its entire 180 year history.

Saving the Greek System

In the 1830s, public animosity toward secret societies, particularly the Freemasons, pressured the other two fraternities in the Union Triad to put away their badges.  The brothers of Delta Phi resisted and, when the president of Union College attempted to disband all Greek organizations, Delta Phi brother John Jay Hyde argued against the decision convincingly enough to save the Greek system at Union College, after which all future Greek organizations would be modeled.  Hyde designed the distinctive blue and white badges that our pledges still wear today.

Expansion

Delta Phi has a conservative expansion policy that rarely accepts the colonization of new chapters.  This policy is reflected in local chapters, which accept only a few new members each year.  Our small size allows us to form lasting friendships with one another instead of cheapening the meaning of brotherhood with hundreds of brothers that are little more than acquaintances.  In Delta Phi's long history, there have been 26 chapters founded, 14 of which are still active.

University of Pittsburgh

The Omega (Ω) Chapter formed at the University of Pittsburgh in 1968.  Our first brother was Dick Snoby, Ω1.  We are a small fraternity, usually allowing less than 10 students to pledge each year.  We choose to remain small because it gives brothers the opportunity to form a close friendship with every other brother.  Our alumni are brothers for life, and we have many active and dedicated alumni working with us to strengthen our chapter.  Several in the Pittsburgh area still regularly attend fraternity events and are integral to our community.