Founding Date

Apr 12th, 1981

The University of Tampa was founded in 1931 as a private, liberal arts college with 1,750 students. The first Greek organizations established on campus in the early 1950s, and Greek life thrived until the 1970s. Toward the end of the decade, however, all Greek organizations were removed from campus and their houses were destroyed or converted for other uses. In an effort to bring Greek life back to campus, 60 women formed Alpha Gamma Delta in September of 1979, which subsequently split into three separate groups in March of 1980. Each individual group petitioned a national sorority for a charter. The Deltas petitioned Delta Gamma, and was the first group to receive a response, and was granted a charter in September of 1980. Epsilon Theta chapter was established on January 18, 1981. On April 11, 21 Delta members participated in an inspiration ceremony conducted by members of Delta Kappa-South Florida. Alumnae from Tampa, Clearwater, and St. Petersburg groups were instrumental in the planning and preparation for the establishment and Installation. On April 12, the Delta members were officially initiated in a ceremony conducted again by the collegians of the Delta Kappa chapter. Initiation ceremonies took place in Plant Hall, and numerous alumnae attended. A reception was held poolside at the Riverside Hilton, followed by a formal banquet. New initiates of the Epsilon Theta chapter received their membership certificates, and Council Trustee: Alumnae Betty Bott Shaw, Alpha Lambda-Drake, presented the charter to chapter president Marci Hill. University President Richard Cheshire extended a warm welcome to Delta Gamma and guests. In October of 1981, Epsilon Theta held their first Anchor Splash®. Epsilon Theta rents a suite in Plant Hall on campus.