Founding Date

Oct 22nd, 1988

Boston University is a private institution founded in 1839. The women’s Greek system began at BU in 1882, and was first considered as a possible expansion site for Delta Gamma in 1956. Although, in the 1960s-1970s, women’s groups disbanded at BU due to collegians questioning, and often rejecting, traditional institutions. In the 1980s, Greek groups to campus as reactivated or newly formed chapters. Zeta Zeta started out as “Interest Group A” on the Boston University campus. The original group numbered 18 as they began their search for a national sorority in March 1987. They began meeting with representatives from Delta Gamma Fraternity in April, and Delta Gamma made an official presentation to them on September 10, 1987. Together they decided that a new colony would be formed. Interest Group A petitioned for a charter of Delta Gamma on September 27, 1987. A date for the pledging ceremony was set for October 24, 1987 at the Hyatt Regency in Cambridge. During the interim six new members joined to become the founding colony class. Delta Gamma became officially recognized by Boston University on October 26, 1987. On January 27-30, 1988, Zeta Zeta colony held an open rush and pledged 36 as their colony pledge class. From a chapter history: “Can you imagine the cheering that took place in the Belvidere Ballroom of the Back Bay Hilton Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts on October 22, 1988. Maureen Sweeney Syring, Fraternity President, must have given a special ‘whistle’ for the 45 new members of Zeta Zeta chapter as she welcomed them into Delta Gamma membership of the ‘greatest fraternity in North America.’ Two-hundred fifty guests and members filled the ballroom as the Installation ceremony took place with Zeta Zeta becoming the 123rd chapter of Delta Gamma Fraternity.” Zeta Zeta received their charter from Executive Offices on October 27, 1988. The new chapter immediately made themselves known on campus. The following fall Zeta Zeta participated in its first formal rush at BU and pledged 24 women. The chapter was off to a firm start. They joined other Greeks in the annual Homecoming extravaganza, building their first float with the brothers of Sigma Alpha Mu and winning a prize for Most Creative Float. The following spring, they participated in “Greek Week” and won 4th place. Intramural activities, as well as “ice broomball” rounded out that first year of the chapter. However, the activities were only beginning. They started a “Most Beautiful Eyes Contest” to raise money for the Delta Gamma Foundation and held a ”DG Deck Out Day,” then every Wednesday they would wear their letters on campus to make themselves visible and to show their spirit. Spirit was never a problem with their involvement in other Greek philanthropies’ like “Spring Fest Basketball Toss” or joining a community service project to benefit Boston Children’s Hospital. Together with Sigma Phi Epsilon they created a big game of Musical Chairs in the gym. This has become so popular that they have held it every year since its inception in 1990. Successful rush and programming events kept Zeta Zeta on top at BU. A unique Foundation event was created in 1991 called Anchor Freeze. Instead of holding relay races in a pool, they held them on the ice. Meeting in the Walter Brown Ice Rink Arena, the teams battled it out to become winners of various events. The culmination of Anchor Freeze is a “Thaw Out” party where awards are given to the winning teams and hot chocolate and snacks are served. In 1992 Zeta Zeta won their first Delta Gamma Province 1 Award at Convention for being the most improved chapter in their province. What an accomplishment in four years! The annual Anchor Ball at The Boston Harbor Hotel, attending a Boston Red Sox game as a chapter, holding Pledge/Sister dinners every Thursday in the Student Union, and ending the year with a Holiday Bash all kept the chapter active on campus and gave them a respite from their studies. In 1993, they were thrilled to initiate a patroness, Jan Brubacher, and honored to have Fraternity President Marilyn Fordham, as well as representatives from Executive Offices, speak at their Founder’s Day held at The Charles Hotel in Harvard Square, Cambridge. An educational outing to the Isabella Gardner Museum and weekend retreat at Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, are just some of the events that help the chapter continue to be a strong force on the Boston University campus. Kristen Fahey, chapter Historian in 1994, perhaps summed up the sisterhood of the chapter best, when she wrote, “One can always find us helping each other study, celebrating birthdays or showing support for any sister’s activity. The thing that keeps us together is our belief in the ideals and traditions of Delta Gamma. Each day we strive to keep that tradition strong in Zeta Zeta.”