History

  • The Founding of Delta Upsilon International Fraternity

     

    "On the evening of November 4, 1834, 30 students - ten men from each of the three classes (freshmen, sophomores, and juniors) at Williams College - "all good men and true," met in the Freshman Recitation Room in West College and formed the Social Fraternity known today as Delta Upsilon International Fraternity. A new era had begun."

     

    The idea of “The Social Fraternity” (a spirited brotherhood based on merit and anti-secrecy) spread rapidly. Within four years, men of similar beliefs set up other groups, at Union College, Middlebury, Hamilton, Amherst, Western Reserve, Wesleyan, Vermont, Rochester and Colby. These early groups thrived, powered by their zeal in battling the abuses of secret societies.

    As “The Social Fraternity” expanded, it adapted the Greek-letter name Delta Upsilon and a slightly modified stance of non-secrecy, rather than anti-secrecy.
    While other early fraternities fiddled with secret grips and recognition signs, Delta Upsilon was promoting friendship and developing character. While the secret fraternities wasted energy guarding their secrets from others, Delta Upsilon fought to advance justice and spread liberal, learned culture.

     

    If you would like to learn more about the history of Delta Upsilon, please feel free to visit Delta Upsilon International's history database.

     

    Symbols of the Fraternity

 

  • DU Coat of ArmsThe Coat of Arms

    Since the fourteenth century an elaborate pattern of heraldry evolved which is still recognized in sovereign countries, municipalities, societies, corporations and families. During the Victorian era, interest in heraldry was revived and has since remained an important part of such close associations as college fraternities.

    The Great Arms, showing the complete achievement, may be used by members in such formal instances as stained glass, award plaques or certificates, chapter stationery and illustrations in college annuals.  The Little Arms, the shield without the supporting bannerets, is more correct for such informal use as chapter seals, chapter house decorations, letter paper and personal items.

  • DU BadgeThe Badge

    The gold badge, formed from a monogram of the Greek letters Delta and Upsilon, was presented to the Hamilton Convention of 1858 by Edward P. Gardner of Amherst, chairman of the Badge Committee.  It was officially adopted by the Convention on May 13, 1858 together with the motto, which appears in Greek form on the arms of the Upsilon.  The Delta is always drawn as an isosceles triangle whose altitude is equal to its base. 

    By Convention mandate and custom, the badge is worn over the heart in an upright position on the shirt or vest.