Written History

Prehistory - The Arizona State University Local
Early in the fall semester of 1992, several engineering students at Arizona State University were contacted by the Theta Tau National Office about starting a local colony. The students were interested, and in spring, were given potential member interviews by national officers and Chi chapter members. The Local members then selected a third letter, the Greek delta, as a symbol of change, to be added to the national fraternity’s name in order to designate the ASU Local. Bylaws, appropriately tentative, were established to set guidelines until the Local achieved Colony status. The purpose of the Local was to grow until it could petition the national fraternity for Colony status. The members held several activities to strengthen their brotherhood and plan the building process ahead. Committees were established to work on the Colony petition and to find other interested engineering students. During the March ‘93 Spring Break, several members attended the Regional Conference at the Chi house in Tucson. The Local members were delighted to find that their goals were mirrored in the other chapters, and became further inspired to become a colony. The pace quickly intensified; community service projects were set up and the first pledge class started. The members initiated the professional development program with a tour of the Ocotillo Power plant. During summer, representatives of the Local went to the national conference in Indiana. What they experienced at the national conference was instrumental in the Local’s further growth. When the Fall ‘93 semester began, the Local organized and submitted the Colony Petition.

The Middle Ages - Arizona State University Colony of Theta Tau
The petition was accepted by the national officers, and on October 23, 1993, Theta Tau Delta became The Arizona State University Colony of Theta Tau. This ceremony filled the members and the then pledges with motivation, brotherhood, and dreams of chapter status. Pledging, community service, and social events consumed the time of the new Colony members. The local high school had a large demand for math and science tutors. The Colony sent representatives to the regional conference at Zeta, and indulged in the wond erful Chi house annual retreat. Spring ‘94 started off a new pledge class and the entry into Intramural Sports. The Colony supported teams in volleyball and soccer, and made the semifinals in soccer. The fund raising program began with a Theta Tau car wash, which was very successful. Car washes have thus become a dependable source of Colony funding. The professional development programs continued, and the Colony held its first semiannual retreat in May. Most efforts during Summer ‘94 were dedicated to planning and preparing for a large potential Fall Pledge Class. The Rush Committee began by mailing out over 200 pamphlets and letters to prospective members. In addition, a handbook was developed to help guide future pledges through their pledge period. The Arizona sun encouraged many car washing fund raisers. Near the close of summer, delegates were sent to the 1994 National Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where the ASU Colony was given the Best Di splay Award. Fall ‘94 started off with the largest recruitment of pledges within ASU Colony history, totaling 19 pledges. This success signaled the beginning of several more achievements that would follow in the next few months. A semester budget was created and carried through nearly to the dollar. The professional development committee organized such things as plant tours, resume writing workshops, and interviewing seminars. Intramurals helped to develop teamwork skills that brought the Colony to the finals in vo lleyball, and semifinals in football. The Fall’94 Retreat showed members and pledges alike how strong the bonds of the colony had become. At Regionals in Dallas, Texas, the nine Colony representatives enjoyed making many new friendships and contacts. Finally, the Fall ‘94 semester was topped off by the successful acquisition of a central office for the Colony on the ASU campus. As the Semester came to a close, the Colony began to bring together the petition for chapter status. A visit from Regional Director Richard ‘Trey’ Wiley coincided with the Gamma pledge class initiation, where the first Biannual Awards were given. At this event, the pledge class presented the Colony with a Theta Tau Gear, constructed from the National Gear blueprints.

The Nuclear Age! Delta Gamma Chapter
Several last minute snafus involving the Chapter Petition’s photography delayed the printing until the very deadline to become the first of the Gamma series, but it was printed. After an appropriate period of stress, Theta Tau colony at Arizona State University was finally installed as the Delta Gamma chapter on May 6, 1995! Thanks to everyone who came out to Arizona to share this special day with the new brothers, and thanks for all the letters of congratulations! Twenty-nine members were initiated, seventeen as Charter members, in the installation ceremony held at the University Club on campus. Following the ceremony and dinner, encouraging speeches were made by Dean Bettinger, Grand Regent; Lee Haas, Grand Vice Regent; Dr. James Bailey, Chapter Faculty Advisor; and Bob Pope, Executive Director. The Charter was accepted by our current Regent, Joseph Gonzales; Delegate-At-Large, Kevin Wong; and Local President, John Hughes. Later on that night, Chi alumnus Jill Jenia and Delta Gamma member John Braunbeck hosted a party to celebrate our new found status; thus, an ending to our first historical event of the Delta Gamma chapter. From Brother Julie Williams: “I was delighted to find at the installation the kind of Brotherhood that I had only shared with my Colony Brothers before. It was an experience that I will always remember.”