National History
Delta Gamma was founded in 1873 in Oxford, Mississippi, at the Lewis School for Girls by three young women who were unable to go home for the Christmas break. Together, Anna Boyd, Mary Comfort and Eva Webb created a club of “mutual helpfulness.”
They chose the Greek letters Delta and Gamma because of their desire to “Do Good.” It remains Delta Gamma’s motto today and a driving force in all we do. Delta Gamma is a sisterhood built on a commitment to making the world better through not only service, but also a deep appreciation for each individual.
What started with three women in Oxford, Mississippi, has since grown into an international Fraternity with 145 collegiate chapters and more than 220 alumnae groups. Delta Gamma’s sisterhood continues to inspire women through the values that were built into our very first Constitution. Article II, written by our Founders in 1873, states:
“The objects of this Fraternity shall be to foster high ideals of friendship among women, to promote their educational and cultural interests, to create in them a true sense of social responsibility and to develop in them the best qualities of character.”
While the Constitution spells out the values of a Delta Gamma woman in Article II, you can’t tell the story of Delta Gamma without speaking of hope. The original pin of the Fraternity was the letter “H,” which the Founders meant to stand for hope. A few years before she died, Founder Mary Comfort Leonard described the first pin:
“We went to a local jeweler and had our pin made-the letter ‘H,’ which stood for hope, for we hoped great results and have not been disappointed…” – The Shield
Delta Gamma Fraternity does not discriminate in its membership selection on the basis of race, religious affiliation, color, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, or physical disability.
Delta Gamma Fraternity is a dynamic organization committed to diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability or other characteristics protected by state or federal law. Similarly, Delta Gamma Fraternity does not discriminate in its membership selection on the basis of race, religious affiliation, color, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, or physical disability. All efforts are in place to guarantee those selected for membership in Delta Gamma have good scholarship, are of good character and standing, have an interest in activities which will enhance the academic atmosphere at the college, university, or community, and have a sincere desire to contribute to the work of Delta Gamma. Delta Gamma encourages an atmosphere which will foster the high ideals of friendship among college women, promote their educational and cultural interests, create in them a true sense of social responsibility, and develop in them the best qualities of character. The Executive Offices will continue to work with the individual chapters to ensure that all policies and procedures are followed at all times.
For a complete list of our policies, please visit our library.
Our Chapter History
Beta Psi recolonized in the fall of 2011 extending bids to 224 women. Though the Delta Gamma mansion was a work in progress during Beta Psi’s first year, the chapter still excelled in several area including awards for Miss Sorority Row, Homecoming and Greek Week dance competitions. At the conclusion of the first year on campus, Delta Gamma earned every award available to a new chapter at the fraternity’s bi-annual convention. The ribbon cutting ceremony for the Delta Gamma mansion was held in August of 2012 and was attended by numerous significant UA personnel, including former University President and Beta Psi alumnae, Judy Bonner. The installation of Beta Psi was supported by the entire fraternity including the Delta Gamma International Fraternity President, Beth Searcy. Now housed, DG made immediate strides including winning the homecoming lawn decoration competition, increasing the funds raised for the foundation to $15,000; placing in the Greek Week competition and improving on the chapter GPA.
In their third year at UA, Delta Gamma continued to demonstrate what an outstanding group of women DG had attracted as the chapter concluded the year with a GPA that well surpassed the all women’s GPA at UA, completion of roughly 3,500 hours of service for sight, and raising $20,000 to support the DG foundation and the local organizations the chapter supports. Further, Beta Psi was able to sponsor several members in attending leadership training programs and its members received multiple scholarships awarded by the foundation. At the 2015 Greek Excellence Awards, Delta Gamma won the award for Outstanding Service and Philanthropy for the 2014-2015 year. Our wonderful adviser, Appie Millsaps, took home the award for Outstanding adviser and sister Jenny France won Outstanding UA Panhellenic Executive Board Member! Beta Psi could not be more excited about the possibilities for the future with our outstanding new members!
Delta Gamma - Beta Psi 