Founding Date

Apr 14th, 1991

Delta Omega Phi was started by six girls in January 1988 and was initially known as “The Laurier Girls Club.” This group contacted Delta Gamma regarding affiliation in 1988 and 1989, but was turned down both times because of our filled expansion schedule. Unable to find an appropriate fit with another NPC group, this local, the only group of its kind on campus, again contacted Delta Gamma in the summer of 1990. This time they met with success and Zeta Omicron colony of Delta Gamma was approved. At the expansion presentation, Delta Gamma presented to the local club and the local club presented to Delta Gamma’s expansion team. A match of ideals and goals was found and Delta Gamma colonized Zeta Omicron chapter on January 26, 1991. The chapter was the first and only NPC group on campus, with only Sigma Chi Fraternity as the other Greek organization. The student union (an autonomous student run organization) needed to recognize Delta Gamma before the university would recognize the new chapter. After three months of dedicated effort on behalf of the new colony, Zeta Omicron was installed on April 14, 1991. The weekend began on Saturday evening with an inspiration ceremony at the chapter house, located just off campus. Thirteen patronesses joined the colony pledges in an emotional candle passing ceremony. The group surprised the installation team by singing several Delta Gamma songs and the proud colony enthusiastically gave Fraternity President Marilyn Fordham a house tour. On Sunday morning, the Initiation Ceremony was held in the Heritage Room at the Walper Terrace Hotel. Twelve alumnae were present for the celebration and the fourth degree was very touching as the initiates used a small quilt, which featured a patch to represent each stage of the colony’s progress to become a Delta Gamma chapter. The initiation banquet followed the ceremony in the hotel’s Crystal Ballroom with Barbara Bartlett Probst, VP: Development, acting as toastmistress. More alumnae arrived, including Peg McKelvey, former Toronto House Corporation president. Members were presented the chapter with a contemporary crystal vase. Three members of Sigma Chi Fraternity attended, a Nick Jimenez, a charter member of the Sigma Chi chapter and Student Union President spoke and gave greetings from the university to welcome Delta Gamma to campus and the newly formed Greek system. Marilyn Fordham inspired the collegians and guests with a wonderfully motivating speech. She then installed Zeta Omicron chapter of Delta Gamma and presented the chapter president, Rita Cossa, with the chapter charter and Council gift.