Page Created By: Brittany Lingle 

This page describes and highlights the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity at W&J College. From this page, you can learn more about the organization and how to get involved.

Profile: Gamma Chapter

The Gamma chapter of Delta Tau Delta has been an important part of the W&J community since its W&J founding in 1861. Since its start, Delta Tau Delta has grown into an international fraternity with more than 118 chapters across North America. Historically, the Delts have been successful in many aspects of life, including academics, philanthropy, and brotherhood.

W&J's Gamma Chapter of Delta Tau Delta is the oldest fraternity chapter in continuous existence. Delta Tau Delta International Fraternity is more than a social organization, but also a great way to meet new people. Delta Tau Delta's mission states they are "Committed to Lives of Excellence", which drives their actions and efforts in all aspects of fraternity life. Delta Tau Delta fulfills many purposes like honing their members' leadership skills, to helping them grow personally and supporting one another in their collegiate and post-collegiate experiences. Even after college, fraternity brothers help support brothers through job opportunities and networking. Getting involved in a fraternal organization helps to develop people skills which are valuable throughout life.

With currently 40 active members, the chapter maintains the fraternity's founding traditions. The chapter remains an important part of Washington and Jefferson's Greek community and participates in many philanthropic events within the city of Washington. The fraternity's involvement includes many other opportunities, like the Leadership Academy, conferences and conventions, service learning through Adopt-A-School and other community service events which benefit the community.

Not only is Delta Tau Delta a social fraternity, but they also enjoy involving themselves in positive activities for the public. In the past, the brothers have been involved in Make-a-Wish, Big Brothers--Big Sisters, and Save the Music. On a larger scale, their major philanthropic efforts include a Bachelor Auction, brother head shaving fundraiser, and the see-saw marathon with the Delta Gamma sorority. Not only is it important to have fun while being involved in a fraternity, but it is also important to "do good" for the community.

In 2005, the college constructed new fraternity houses on East Chestnut Street for all the fraternities and sororities. The new facility is a big improvement for the brothers and will better allow them to continue to positively impact the W&J community.

Delta Tau Delta is administered under the Inter-Fraternity Council (IFC). The IFC is in charge of all W&J men's social fraternities. The IFC is administered by a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and chief justice, which are elected from any of the men's fraternities. Each voting member represents one of the six campus fraternities, making up the council.

IFC is in charge of addressing issues that concern W&J fraternities and planning events for the Greek organizations. The IFC also plans Greek Week, Greek recruitment activities, and various other programs for all Greeks; with the Panhellenic Council, the department for W&J women's social sororities.

Hugh Shields Award

In the winter of 2008, W&J's chapter of Delta Tau Delta won the celebrated Hugh Shields Award, for recognition in fraternity excellence. Along with the prestigious honor, the award comes with recognition as the fraternity's top chapter in the world. Not only is this only an honor for the fraternity itself, but also for W&J as a whole.
The Hugh Shields Award for chapter distinction is given once a year to the top ten Delta Tau Delta fraternity chapters. The award is based on overall performance within the organization. The chapter is examined in different areas of excellence: academic excellence, chapter organization, community service, campus involvement, leadership development, social responsibility, management of finances, recruitment, new member development, membership education, ritual ceremony performance, and other various chapter activities.

Brothers attended the 2008 Eastern Division Conference in Syracuse, New York to participate in an annual regional meeting for the fraternity leadership award and banquet. The Brothers then learned they finished first among the more than 115 Delt chapters worldwide! This was exciting recognition for Delta Tau Delta, and comes along with bragging rights.

Because of their impressive win, the chapter was honored with a Hugh Shields Award and flag, which it had not won since 2002. The Delts were given the purple and gold Hugh Shields flag, a purple and gold flag with the Greek word protimoi, which means "first among equals", on it. Once a chapter has won five Hugh Shields Awards, the chapter is given a permanent flag to display and retire in its chapter house.

After receiving the Hugh Shields Award in 2008, the chapter was given their second flag for the house. Excitingly enough, the Gamma Chapter of Delta Tau Delta has now won the award a total of ten times, with hopes of winning many more in the years to come. This award could not have been achieved without the help from all the brothers, which they all shared in together.

Interview with Chris Baratz

I became a brother of Delta Tau Delta for a lot of different reasons. I transferred to W&J from Gettysburg College in the fall of 2006. I'm from the area and was definitely familiar with W&J, and wanted to get involved. I decided to rush Delt in the spring of 2007 because I got to know some of the brothers and had a lot fun with them at their house. Once I became a brother, I knew that I made the right choice.

Being a part of a fraternity is definitely something worth doing. Without DTD, there probably wouldn't be a lot to do on the weekends at W&J. There are always things going on at the house or something else going on with my brothers on the weekends. Being in a frat allows me to meet new people and make long-lasting friendships. Not only are their social things to do, but Greek life also does a lot of good things for the community. We get involved in fundraisers, like seesaw marathon and head shaving fundraiser. Anchor Splash is also a really fun activity we're involved in during Intersession.

Joining a frat has made my college experience at W&J a lot more fun. I definitely like the brotherhood and camaraderie that comes with joining Delt. There are always people to eat with at The Commons, and things to do .It's nice to know that you always have someone to talk to and hang out with, no matter what. I've met a lot of people that I may never have met without joining DTD. I think it's important for people to find a place where they feel comfortable with people they want to be around. For me, that place was DTD and it's going to be weird not seeing all these people next year when I graduate.

Based on an interview with Chris Baratz, class of 2009, in December of 2008.

Getting Started

In the spring semester, Delta Tau Delta will be looking for a new 2009 pledge class. Any interested students should attend the rush week activities offered by the brothers to express interest in the fraternity. To find more information and a schedule of activities, students should contact the Delta Tau Delta President, Drew Aloe (aloeaw@washjeff.edu). Or, stop by the house (211 Chestnut Street) to learn more!

Learn More  

W&J: Delta Tau Delta
Delta Tau Delta Homepage
Wikipedia: DTD