History

Delta Gamma was founded in 1873 in Oxford, Mississippi, at the Lewis School for Girls near the University of Mississippi. The early growth for Delta Gamma was confined to women's colleges in the South.

Within a few years, Delta Gamma was established in the North and then later expanded to the East. In 1891, Delta Gamma was one of the seven charter members of the National Panhellenic Conference when the first inter-sorority meeting was held in Boston.

As the population moved West, so did Delta Gamma. What began as a club in the South soon became an international fraternity in both scope and thinking as Delta Gamma established itself not only in the United States, but also in Canada. Through the years, goals and achievements have grown as Delta Gammas continue to live by the motto set forth by the Founders, "Do Good."

History of Eta Alpha-Pepperdine University

In February, 1996, Pepperdine University declared they would open their doors to national fraternity and sorority expansion. This news was highly anticipated and warmly welcomed by Delta Gamma Fraternity as they had been watching for the possibility to expand at Pepperdine for many years considering the strength of several other collegiate chapters in California as well as the broad base of involved alumnae. Several local women’s chapters expressed interest in obtaining a Delta Gamma charter.

In April, 1996 the local women’s group known as the “Anchor Club” petitioned Delta Gamma Fraternity. Twenty-nine young women became new members when their petition was accepted and nationals responded in August with a letter of enthusiasm to explain further the dedication needed to gain a charter of Delta Gamma. At this point five other strong national NPC chapters had come on to campus including, Pi Beta Phi, Tri- Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Alpha Phi, and Gamma Phi Beta. Letters were sent out by Anne Signore, the Coordinator of Expansion to fifteen of the Pepperdine’s surrounding area zip codes in order to arouse local alumnae interest that would support the new colony in its early stages. The responses were many and highly enthusiastic.

Eta Alpha held its first formal recruitment on November 1, 1996. On October 10, 1996 an Inspiration ceremony was performed by the Eta Alpha expansion team including VP Development; Paula J. Ellwein, VP Collegians; Dorris Sonnie Flint, VP Alumnae; Carole Bekke Soper, NPC Delegate; Martha Cheely Brown, Coordinator of Expansion and Installation Chairman; Anne C. Signore, Council Appointed Coordinator; Marie Curry Allen, Collegiate Development Consultant; Emily Rahn, and Advisory Team Chairman; Tara Suanders. The ceremony was performed in a circle of all the new members with the expansion team dispersed throughout. Each of the three founders were detailed as beautiful young women whose devotion to one another created the Delta Gamma Fraternity we know of today. On October 13, 1996 twenty eight women of the Eta Alpha chapter were initiated with a special luncheon installation program. With several Fraternity representatives in attendance and the presentation of their Eta Alpha charter was many of the many happy highlights of the day.

A Delta Gamma transfer wrote this letter to our newsletter about what she found in the Eta Alpha chapter;