Founding Date

Sep 26th, 1987

The University of Rochester was founded in 1850 as a Baptist-sponsored institution. In 1848, the Baptist Education Society planned to move Colgate University (then known as Madison University) to the city of Rochester but was halted by legal action in Hamilton. Dissenting Colgate trustees, faculty, and students founded the University of Rochester with a charter granted from the Regents of the University of the State of New York on January 31, 1850. Classes began that November, with approximately 60 students enrolling, including 28 transfers from Madison. In 1853, the campus moved east to a then-suburban location on what is now University Avenue. Local businessman and Congressman Azariah Boody donated 8 acres of land for the new campus, and the University purchased a additional 17 acres from him. UR would remain on this campus until the current River Campus was constructed in 1930. The university became coeducational in 1900. Delta Gamma’s interest in UR began in 1977, but it wasn’t until the mid-‘80s that establishing a chapter became a reality. In 1986, the Associate Dean and Director of Greek Affairs William Spelman recognized the desire of 17 women to form a local sorority under the letters Omega Delta Psi. These women wished to affiliate with a national organization. In November 1986, the university Panhellenic voted to extend the campus and allow another National Panhellenic Conference chapter to establish on campus. In January 1987, the Fraternity present to campus Panhellenic about bringing Delta Gamma to UR. By March, the Fraternity was ecstatic about being invited to establish at UR. On March 21, 1987, 49 collegians pledged to form the new Delta Zeta chapter. Collegians from Rho-Syracuse assisted with establishment. On Saturday, September 26, 1987, 45 women were initiated by Fraternity President Maureen Syring, Nu-Idaho, Province Collegiate Chairman Leanne Hamilton, Rho-Syracuse, Province Alumnae Chairman Mary Ann Hansel Zipfel, Epsilon-Ohio State, and Expansion Coordinator Tamra Balding, Epsilon-Ohio State. Delta Gamma Fraternity’s 122nd chapter received its charter at a lovely luncheon following initiation at the Oak Hill Country Club. President Syring made the presentation, along with a Zeta Delta gavel to Beth Fried, first chapter president, as a gift from Council. The Rochester Alumnae Club presented a generous check to the chapter designated to aid in the payment of ritual equipment. Upon Installation, Delta Gamma became the fifth National Panhellenic Conference member on campus. In 1988 Zeta Delta held its first Anchor Splash®. The women also began a volunteer program with the Aid to the Blind and Visually Impaired of Rochester. When the chapter began, they were living in a single hall in one of the resident dormitories. Soon, they were occupying a complete floor, consisting of four suites, a large decorated living and dining area and two balconies in 1994. There, 24 chapter members were able to live together. In 2017, the Zeta Delta chapter celebrated its 30th anniversary, a celebration that was later featured in the national Delta Gamma magazine, the Anchora. The chapter now hosts a bi-annual Anchor Games to raise money for Service for Sight. In the past, the Anchor Games have consisted of such events as Anchor Slam, Anchor Spike, and Anchor Madness, all of which are looked forward to by the many campus organizations that participate.