Founding Date

Mar 31st, 1996

Salisbury University, originally called the Maryland State Normal School, opened on September 7, 1925 as a two-year institution to train elementary school teachers to help fill the teacher shortage in the state of Maryland. The original class of 105 students was greeted by Salisbury's first president, Dr. William J. Holloway, an experienced educator and the driving force behind the creation of the school. The curriculum was influenced by those established at Columbia's Teachers College, alma mater of six of Salisbury Normal School's eight original faculty. During the Great Depression, Maryland extended the required course of study at Normal Schools from two years to three years, and to four years in 1934, paving the way for the institution to become Maryland State Teachers College one year later. There have been a number of name changes since the university’s founding. In 1935, its name was changed to Maryland State Teachers College, and in 1963 to Salisbury State College. In 1988, the name was again changed to Salisbury State University. Finally in 2001, the college became Salisbury University. In the late 1980s there were three NPC groups at Salisbury State: Alpha Sigma Tau, Zeta Tau Alpha and Phi Mu. In 1989 Delta Gamma began receiving petitions from local sororities for national affiliation, but Delta Gamma’s expansion was extremely busy at the time and was not able to colonize. In the early 1990s a women’s interest group was formed at Salisbury State University. This group, later known as the official organization “Women’s Interest Group” (WIG), began writing to Delta Gamma for consideration for affiliation in the fall of 1994. In the fall of 1995, Delta Gamma was asked by the university to make an official expansion presentation on campus. The presentation was scheduled for October 19, 1995 for interest groups and the Panhellenic Council. In November 1995, Delta Gamma chose the “WIG” organization for affiliation and began the colonization process. After a five-week pledge period, the installation of Zeta Psi was scheduled for February 1996, but due to the “Blizzard of ’96,” the installation was cancelled. Finally, on March 30-31, 1996 the installation of Zeta Psi chapter took place. Installation festivities began on Saturday with an evening of inspiration in the Campus Student Center, including a candle passing. After an evening of inspiration on Saturday, colony members spoke of an enriched educational experience during the previous months of being a colony. The Initiation of thirty-five women took place on Sunday morning, March 31, 1996 in an auditorium on campus led by Betsy Lynn Teti, Vice President: Development. Other important members of the installation team included: Coordinator of Expansion Anne Signore, Council Appointed Coordinator Tracey Doebling and Colony Consultant Kim Johnson. Fran Spence was present for alumnae support. Graduate student Valerie Baker, who had worked with the chapter since it began as an interest group, became an alumna initiate. Following the Initiation, the installation banquet took place in the Salisbury Room with over 120 people attending, including local alumnae, parents, the Dean of Students and the Greek Advisor. Chapter President Genie Marchesiello accepted the charter. Previous Chapter President Jennifer Allocco also received recognition for leading the original women’s group through affiliation. Collegiate Colony Consultant, Kim Johnson, was also thanked for her help in leading the colony through the months preceding installation. Delta Gamma Fraternity became the fourth National Panhellenic Conference group to be established on the Salisbury State campus. The new chapter immediately decided to be active in the community and started working with students who were visually impaired. Their first Anchor Splash® was planned the following fall semester, and the chapter added fifteen new pledges during second semester rush. By spring 1996 the chapter received recognition for its impressive campus leadership at the All-Campus Awards Banquet. They were named the Most Outstanding Student Organization and Most Panhellenic Organization also. Chapter Vice-President: Social Standards received the honor of Most Panhellenic Woman. The chapter won Salisbury University Chapter of the Year for the 2011-2012 academic year.