Founding Date

Feb 2nd, 1991

In 1936, in response to the rapid growth of the Birmingham metropolitan area and the need for the population to have access to a university education, the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa established the Birmingham Extension Center. The center operated in an old house in downtown Birmingham at 2131 6th Avenue North and enrolled 116 students. In 1945, UA's newly established four-year School of Medicine moved from Tuscaloosa to Birmingham and took over management of Jefferson and Hillman hospitals. By the 1960s, it grew apparent that the extension center was becoming a university in its own right. An engineering building was built close to the medical center in 1962, and in 1966, the Extension Center and the School of Medicine were merged into the University of Alabama in Birmingham. In 1969, the legislature created the University of Alabama System and elevated UAB to the status of an autonomous institution within the system, which also included UA and the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). During the 1984-1985 academic years, the UAB Panhellenic contacted Delta Gamma for serious consideration in expansion on the campus. Zeta Pi, a local sorority, organized on the campus of UAB and then approached Delta Gamma for affiliation. Delta Gamma rejected the offer. The university offered an expansion on campus to Delta Gamma again in January of 1989. Delta Gamma rejected the offer once more due to a full expansion schedule. Yet again, in January 1990, the UAB Office of Student Life contacted Delta Gamma about a possible expansion. Delta Gamma responded favorably and discussion between Delta Gamma and the university began. In the spring of 1990, representatives from Delta Gamma began presentations on the campus of the University of Alabama, Birmingham. These representatives included Barb Probst; Patsy Martens, Delta Lambda-Mississippi State; Kim Martin, Cathy Waggoner, and Beverly Harper. In June of 1990, Delta Gamma was chosen to colonize at UAB in the fall of 1990. Mary Frances Pack, Delta Beta-Kentucky was chosen as the Council Appointed Coordinator for the UAB colony. The Zeta Xi colony established in October of 1990. The weekend of February 1-3, 1991 brought joint celebrations for the Zeta Xi and Zeta Nu-Montevallo colonies. On February 1, both colonies participated in the Inspiration ceremony. On the following day, both chapters were officially installed as Delta Gamma chapters. Four hours after the Zeta Nu installation, 28 women were initiated into Zeta Xi (including one patroness, Mignon Comer Crockard). The Installation Banquet was held at The Club, a beautiful landmark establishment in Birmingham, and was complete with excellent food, service and a gorgeous view of the city. Barbara Probst served as mistress of ceremonies and more than 200 people attended. Carolyn Toler, chapter president, accepted the charter from Fraternity President Marilyn Fordham.