Founding Date

Sep 28th, 1946

The University of Denver (DU) is the oldest private university in the Rocky Mountain Region of the United States. Founded on March 3, 1864, the university was established as the Colorado Seminary by John Evans, the former Governor of Colorado Territory, who had been appointed by President Abraham Lincoln. By 1880, the Colorado Seminary had been renamed the University of Denver. Evans founded the school to help civilize the newly-created (1858) city of Denver, which was little more than a mining camp at that time. The university, set on a slight rise in the terrain, always has the Rocky Mountains in view from the campus. In 1889, fraternity and sorority life was established on the University of Denver campus. The increased enrollment of women in colleges after World War II provided opportunities for new chapters to enter almost every campus. One of these opportunities was at the University of Denver. Denver alumnae Grace Connor Beatty, Alpha Pi-Arizona, and Jane Kettering Henry, Phi-Colorado, visited Dean of Women Gladys Bell, on October 1, 1945. The dean stated the university was just starting to consider asking other sororities to come on campus. She was enthusiastic about Delta Gamma's interest. After receiving approval from the university, and a favorable vote from the Province alumnae and collegiate chapters, Delta Gamma was ready to establish. Fraternity Expansion Chairman Dorothy Knight Wildasin, Alpha Omicron-Miami (Ohio), and a committee of Denver alumnae, selected 12 women as a nucleus for the new colony in March of 1946. At the 1946 Convention in Pasadena, California, three members of the colony, including the president, were initiated. The other 16 members and seven patronesses were initiated the afternoon of September 28 in the living room of Phi-Colorado chapter house. Members of Phi and Beta Delta-Colorado College assisted Fraternity officers with the ceremony. Buses stood by to take everyone to a banquet room in Wayne's Café. The theme of this installation banquet was "Treasure Chest of Delta Gamma" with Beta Chi being the newest jewel in the chest. The highlight of the banquet was a speech by Fraternity President Florence Bingham. "Jewels," she said, "are precious because of their lustre, because they are rare, because they enhance other beauty, and because they are a safe investment. Like them, our college and Fraternity memories will be treasured." Then Mrs. Bingham presented the charter to Madelyn Miller, chapter president. Dorothy Holsinger presented certificates of membership to the new members. A beautiful tea reception with several hundred guests was held in the Renaissance Room in the library on Sunday afternoon. Just like true “Pioneers,” the nickname of the university, the new chapter exemplified this spirit. In 1979, Beta Chi won four of six intramural championships on campus. Additionally, four women won trips to represent their university and compete in the intramural Olympics held in Miami. The four women representing Beta Chi were Ann Donahue Moore, Lisa Griffin McGill, Anne Patricia Munch, and Martha Neimeyer Gart. The team placed seventh in national competition. The current Beta Chi house is located adjacent to campus, on the corner of Josephine and Warren. It currently houses 37 women.