Founding Date

Apr 22nd, 2006

The University of Texas at Tyler was founded in 1971 as Tyler State College. The school was renamed Texas Eastern University in 1975, and then joined the University of Texas System in 1979 as a result of action by the 66th Texas Legislature. Initially, UT Tyler was a "senior" level institution ("senior" as compared to community or junior colleges), teaching only upper division undergraduate courses for juniors and seniors, as well as graduate level courses and granting bachelor's and master's degrees. Thus, until 1998, all UT Tyler students were transfer students from other institutions of higher learning- junior colleges or other universities. In 1997, the 75th Texas Legislature passed House Bill 1795, signed into law by Governor George W. Bush, authorizing the school to add classes for freshmen and sophomore students. As of the Fall semester 1998, UT Tyler became a 4-year undergraduate and graduate institution, following the full U.S. university pattern, i.e. educating students from the freshman level through graduate and postgraduate levels. In 2005 the university invited Delta Gamma, Alpha Chi Omega, and Gamma Phi Beta to start chapter colonies and bring Greek life to the campus. The three groups worked together to educate the women on the benefits of Greek life and in January 2006 hosted a recruitment style colonization week. This resulted in 24 new members for the Eta Xi colony. On April 22, 2006, Eta Xi became the eighth collegiate chapter in Texas for Delta Gamma Fraternity. Shari Malone, Fraternity President, presented the charter to chapter president Kendall Harraid. Martha Brown, Delta Gamma’s NPC Delegate, presented an NPC pin and the chapter’s president’s badge, which was a gift from the Region 6 team. The day began with an Inspiration ceremony at 11 AM in the University Center, followed by an alumnae reception and the Initiation ceremony. Twenty-nine women were initiated into Eta Xi chapter of Delta Gamma Fraternity on a beautiful spring day in Tyler, Texas. They were part of the history of the university paving the way for a successful Greek Life experience on campus.