Delta Upsilon International Fraternity Inc

Delta Upsilon International Fraternity Inc is a nonprofit organization and one of the oldest social fraternities in North America. Founded on November 4, 1834, at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, it is the sixth-oldest collegiate men's fraternity.

History

Delta Upsilon was established by 30 men as "The Social Fraternity," primarily in response to the dominance of secret societies on the Williams College campus. The founders aimed to create a non-secret society that would promote friendship and character development among its members.

In the late 1840s, chapters at various colleges formed the Anti-Secret Confederation, adopting the motto "Ouden Adelon," which means "Nothing Secret." The name "Delta Upsilon" was officially adopted in 1864, reflecting the fraternity's commitment to openness and transparency[1][2].

Expansion and Growth

Delta Upsilon experienced significant growth over the years. It became an international fraternity in 1898 with the establishment of a chapter at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. The fraternity successfully navigated through the Great Depression and both World Wars, expanding its reach across the United States and Canada[3][4].

Mission and Purpose

Delta Upsilon is guided by its motto "Δικαια Υποθηκη," meaning "Justice, Our Foundation." The organization emphasizes personal development and leadership through educational programs, including the Regional Leadership Academies and the Leadership Institute[2][4]. The fraternity's focus is on "Building Better Men," with a strong emphasis on merit-based membership and inclusivity[2][4].

Educational Foundation

In 1949, the Delta Upsilon Educational Foundation was established to provide scholarships and educational programs. It is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting the fraternity's mission by funding leadership training and educational initiatives[5].

Governance and Structure

Delta Upsilon operates with an Assembly of Trustees and an Undergraduate Convention that meet annually to govern the fraternity[2]. Chapters are organized into provinces in the U.S. and a Canadian conference, each overseen by appointed governors[2].

Notable Achievements

Delta Upsilon is notable for its non-secret tradition and its commitment to social and educational development. It has been at the forefront of fraternities in promoting alcohol-free recruitment and comprehensive educational programming[1][4].

Members and Chapters

Delta Upsilon has more than 80,000 living alumni and a diverse range of successful members, including U.S. politicians, Supreme Court justices, Nobel laureates, and business leaders[2][3]. As of recent reports, the fraternity had over 68 active chapters across the United States and Canada[2].

[1] https://sites.google.com/cwrudeltau.org/home/about-us/history [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_Upsilon [3] https://www.uvadeltaupsilon.com/fraternity-history/ [4] https://www.deltau.org/history [5] https://www.deltau.org/purpose-and-history