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Fraternity and Sorority Life

Fraternity and Sorority Life is a critical area within the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement. Ultimately, the office supports students who have an interest in seeking membership into of one of our active chapters representing a national fraternity or sorority. Through engagement with fraternity and sorority life, students are:

  • Provided with opportunities for advisement, leadership development, training, and program planning and execution
  • Ingrained with the fundamentals of accountability, social responsibility and public service
  • Able to provide a framework for self-assessment, greater achievement of organizational goals, and the development of programs and practices that will lead to substantial enrichment of the fraternity and sorority experience
  • Equipped to lead campus in a safe and healthy manner

Below is a complete listing of our fraternities and sororities, separated by their corresponding councils (NPHC or CIO). Please note that the organizations are further delineated as “Active” or “Inactive.” Organizations classified as “Inactive” do not have opportunities for membership at this time. 

The National Pan-Hellenic Council

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) was founded on May 10, 1930 at Howard University in Washington, DC. The chartering organizations were: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. In 1931, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., joined the council, followed by Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. in 1937. The NPHC incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois in 1937. Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. joined the NPHC as its ninth (9th) affiliate member in 1997

The purpose of the NPHC shall be to foster cooperative actions of its members in dealing with matters of mutual concern. To this end, the NPHC promotes the well-being of its affiliate fraternities and sororities, facilitates the establishment and development of local councils of the NPHC and provides leadership training for its constituents

Advisor: Mrs. Chandra Owens, cowens [at] desu.edu
Co-Advisor: Mrs. Shelia Davis, shela55 [at] yahoo.com
Instagram: @delawarestate_nphc   
Email: dsunationalpanhelleniccouncil [at] studentsdesu.onmicrosoft.com

NPHC Active Organizations

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American Men, was founded at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York by seven college men who recognized the need for a strong bond of brotherhood among African descendants in this country.

The Gamma Sigma Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was founded February 7, 1948 on the college campus what was then known as, Delaware State College (DSC).12 charter members were sponsored by Dr. Luna I. Mishoe, President of DSC at the time and also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

It is located in the Eastern Region of Alpha Phi Alpha where in recent years, have been awarded Regional Chapter of the Year while also becoming known as one of the premiere chapters known for national and regional step show teams. The brothers are also committed to community organizing and service from New York to Maryland annually.

Since its founding on December 4, 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has supplied voice and vision to the struggle of African Americans and people of color around the world. https://apa1906.net

Advisor:  Mr. Raquan Rose, rrose [at] desu.edu  
Instagram: @gsalphas
Email: www.gammasigma09 [at] gmail.com

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

The purpose of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated is to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, to promote unity and friendship amongst college women, to study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and women in order to improve their social stature, to maintain a progressive interest in college life and to be of service to all mankind.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated had its humble beginnings as the vision of nine college students on the campus of Howard University in 1908. Since then, the sorority has flourished into a globally-impactful organization of nearly 300,000 college-trained members, bound by the bonds of sisterhood and empowered by a commitment to servant-leadership that is both domestic and international in its scope.

Charted in April 1955, as the first undergraduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in the state of Delaware, Delta Lambda chapter is located on the campus of Delaware State (College) University (DSU).  At the time of its chartering, Lillian R. Sockum was the President of Epsilon Iota Omega chapter, the supervising chapter for Delta Lambda chapter, Marjorie H. Parker was the North Atlantic Regional Director and Dr. Jerome Holland was the President of DSU. 

As Alpha Kappa Alpha has grown, it has maintained its focus in two key arenas: the lifelong personal and professional development of each of its members; and galvanizing its membership into an organization of respected power and influence, consistently at the forefront of effective advocacy and social change that results in equality and equity for all citizens of the world. https://aka1908.com

Advisor: Mrs. Candace Moore, cmoore [at] desu.edu
Instagram: @deltalambda_1955

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Omega was founded November 17, 1911 on the campus of Howard University by founders: Ernest E. Just, Edgar A. Love, Oscar J. Cooper and Frank Coleman.

Chartered as first Greek organization on the campus of then Delaware State College; Psi Epsilon chapter was chartered on December 17, 1946 in Delaware Hall. It was organized with fourteen charter members: Henry “Clay Aldridge, John E. Cottman, James Curtis, William M. Freeman, Clifton Harman, James Harris, Nathaniel Johnson, Felmon D. Motley, Malachi A. Raisin, Hampton M. Turner, Jarriet W. Warner, Taylor S. Wheeler, Harry B. Williams, and Morris Wilson

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. continues to flourish, largely because the founders were men of the highest ideals and intellect and selected/attracted men of similar ideals and characteristics. The organization’s motto is “friendship is essential to the soul”. https://oppf.org

Advisor: Mr. Michael Rogers, mrogers [at] desu.edu

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide assistance and support through established programs in local communities throughout the world. A sisterhood of more than 200,000 predominately Black college educated women, the Sorority currently has over 900 chapters located in the United States, England, Japan (Tokyo and Okinawa), Germany, the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Republic of Korea. The major programs of the sorority are based upon the organization’s Five Point Programmatic Thrust:

The Sorority was founded in 1913 by 22 students at Howard University. These young women wanted to use their collective strength to promote academic excellence; to provide scholarships; to provide support to the underserved; educate and stimulate participation in the establishment of positive public policy; and to highlight issues and provide solutions for problems in their communities.

The Epsilon Alpha chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated was chartered in 1958 at Delaware State College. Under the sponsorship of Dover Alumnae Chapter with Maye Grant as undergraduate advisor, our chartering members decided that there needed to be a chapter at Delaware State College. These illustrious women believed that their campus could benefit from the ideals and principles of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. https://www.deltasigmatheta.org

Advisor: Mrs. Jane Hicks, jhicks [at] desu.edu
Instagram: @ea_deltas

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity was founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C., January 9, 1914, by three young African-American male students. The Founders, Honorable A. Langston Taylor, Honorable Leonard F. Morse, and Honorable Charles I. Brown, wanted to organize a Greek letter fraternity that would truly exemplify the ideals of brotherhood, scholarship, and service.

Gamma Upsilon chapter was chartered April 17th 1962 at Delaware State College by 5 men who exemplified the ideals of Brotherhood, Scholarship, and Service. And since its charter many decades ago, Gamma Upsilon has proven it’s rightfully apart of the “People’s Fraternity” who sought “Culture for Service, Service for Humanity”.

Today, Phi Beta Sigma has blossomed into an international organization of leaders. No longer a single entity, members of the Fraternity have been instrumental in the establishment of the Phi Beta Sigma National Foundation, the Phi Beta Sigma Federal Credit Union and The Sigma Beta Club Foundation. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, founded in 1920 with the assistance of Phi Beta Sigma, is the sister organization of the Fraternity. https://phibetasigma1914.org

Advisor: Mr. Khalil Brown, kebrown [at] desu.edu

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was founded January 16, 1920, at Howard University, Washington, D.C.  It was within this environment that five coeds envisioned a sorority which would directly affect positive change, chart a course of action for the 1920s and beyond, raise consciousness of their people, encourage the highest standards of scholastic achievement, and foster a greater sense of unity among its members.  These women believed that sorority elitism and socializing overshadowed the real mission for progressive organizations and failed to address fully the societal mores, ills, prejudices, and poverty affecting humanity in general and the black community in particular.

On September 30, 1961, the Upsilon chapter was chartered here on the campus of Delaware State College. Sedalia Gaines, Doris R. Newby, Geneva Vaughn, Joyce George, Jay Waters, Cynthia Moody, and Jeanette Palmer were women who had high standards and principles, and a good scholarly average.

Zeta‘s national and local programs include the endowment of its National Educational Foundation community outreach services and support of multiple affiliate organizations.  Zeta chapters and auxiliaries have given untotaled hours of voluntary service to educate the public, assist youth, provide scholarships, support organized charities, and promote legislation for social and civic change. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. is poised for perpetual service to mankind into her second century and beyond. https://zphib1920.org

Advisor: Mrs. Latasha Daniels, ldaniels [at] desu.edu
Instagram: @upsilonzetas 
Email: zphib.upsilon [at] gmail.com

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Our organization was founded on November 12, 1922 on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. is the only National Pan Hellenic Council (NPHC) sorority to be founded on a non-Historically Black College/University (HBCU); making us quite unique!

The Zeta Delta Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated was founded on March 30, 1974 on the campus of Delaware State College, which is now known as Delaware State University. Six lovely ladies chartered this extravagant chapter: Carlene Jackson, Mary Piper Omega Rho, B. Pat Roberts Olivia Morris, Lizzy Townsend Omega Rho, and Rosemarry Harris Williams.

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority’s aim is to enhance the quality of life within the community.  Public service, leadership development, and education of youth are the hallmarks of the organization’s programs and activities.  Sigma Gamma Rho addresses concerns that impact society educationally, civically, and economically.  The sorority’s flagship programs include: Project Reassurance, Hattie McDaniel Breast Cancer Awareness and Health Program, A34Life, Operation Big Book bag, and much more! https://www.sgrho1922.org

Advisor: Ms. Carlene Jackson, cjackson [at] desu.edu
Instagram: @zetadeltasgrhos

Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.

On September 19, 1963, at Morgan State College (now Morgan State University), 12 students founded what is now the nation’s fifth largest, predominately African-American social service fraternity: The Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Incorporated ®.

The Honorable founders of Iota Phi Theta® were: Albert Hicks, Lonnie Spruill, Jr., Charles Briscoe, Frank Coakley, John Slade, Barron Willis, Webster Lewis, Charles Brown, Louis Hudnell, Charles Gregory, Elias Dorsey, Jr., and Michael Williams. Based upon their ages, heightened responsibilities, and increased level of maturity, this group had a slightly different perspective than the norm for college students. It was this perspective from which they established the Fraternity’s purpose, “The development and perpetuation of Scholarship, Leadership, Citizenship, Fidelity, and Brotherhood among Men.” Additionally, they conceived the Fraternity’s motto, “Building a Tradition, Not Resting Upon One!”

The Gamma Chapter was founded at Delaware State College now known as Delaware State University in the year 1967. This chapter is very historic and continues to bring tradition to the Fraternity and make quality men.

Today, Iota Phi Theta® consists of over 250 chapters located in 40 States, the District of Columbia and the Republic of Korea. The scope of the organization extends throughout the nation, from California to New York; from Wyoming to Florida; and from Wisconsin to The Bahamas Islands.  https://www.iotaphitheta.org

Advisor: Mr. Anthony Pierce, apierce0411 [at] gmail.com

NPHC Inactive Organizations

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Kappa Alpha Psi, a college Fraternity, now comprised of functioning Undergraduate and Alumni Chapters on major campuses and in cities throughout the country, is the crystallization of a dream. It is the beautiful realization of a vision shared commonly by the late Revered Founders Elder Watson Diggs; John Milton Lee; Byron K. Armstrong; Guy Levis Grant; Ezra D. Alexander; Henry T. Asher; Marcus P. Blakemore; Paul W. Caine; Edward G. Irvin and George W. Edmonds. https://kappaalphapsi1911.com

Council of Independent Organizations

The Council of Independent Organizations’ purpose is to serve as a statement of unity and collective voice among independent organization on the campus of Delaware State University.

CIO Active Organizations

Alpha Nu Omega Fraternity, Inc.

Alpha Nu Omega Fraternity, Incorporated is a national Christian fraternity founded at Morgan State University in 1988. Our goal is to effectively meet the needs of the male students and/or faculty on college/university campuses. We are a ministry, in the form of a Fraternity. We believe the brotherhood found among the men that proudly wear the Navy Blue and Gold is essential and second to none.  Through our brotherhood, we demonstrate our commitment to God, to one another, and to our purpose as an organization.  We are strong BROTHERS, strong LEADERS, and strong BELIEVERS.  We are the Eagle Brothers of Alpha Nu Omega Fraternity, Inc. 
http://www.alphanuomega.org

Advisor: Mr. Zackery Rogers, zrogers [at] desu.edu

Alpha Nu Omega Sorority, Inc.

Alpha Nu Omega Sorority, Incorporated is a national Christian sorority founded at Morgan State University in 1988. Our members are purposed to present a Christian alternative to the students and/or faculty on college/university campuses, to minister to the needs of the whole person (spirit, soul, and body), and to promote an attitude of academic excellence among its members. We are a Greek letter organization and along with the ANQ Fraternity, we are committed to ministering through bible study, stepping, and addressing community issues, social activities, health education, community outreach and mental health.  We encourage and support women as role models, students, church and community leaders, entrepreneurs, academics, nurturing family roles and Sorority sisters.  We are the Dove Sisters of Alpha Nu Omega Sorority, Inc. http://www.alphanuomega.org

Advisor: Ms. Jeanel Lofland, jlofland [at] desu.edu

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia is the world’s oldest and largest secret national fraternal society in music. Sinfonia was born on October 6, 1898, at the New England Conservatory in Boston, when a group of thirteen young men under the guidance of Ossian Everett Mills met “to consider the social life of the young men students of that institution [and] to devise ways and means by which it might be improved.” Sinfonia became a national fraternity on October 6, 1900, with the admission of a group of men at the Broad Street Conservatory in Philadelphia. For over a century, Sinfonians in nearly every field of study and professional endeavor have transformed music in America. The opportunity of becoming a Sinfonian is offered to as many men as possible who, through a love for music, can assist in the fulfillment of the Fraternity’s Object and ideals either by adopting music as a profession or by working to advance the cause of music in America. https://www.sinfonia.org

Advisor: Mr. Marty Denson, mdenson [at] desu.edu

Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship, Inc.

Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship, Inc. was founded at Morgan State College (now Morgan State University) on October 12, 1962 by fourteen daring, young, black American men who wanted to change the way we think about brotherhood.

Our founders established the Fellowship with the purposes of promoting academic awareness, ethical standards, and unity among men in undergraduate and graduate college programs; creating intelligent and effective leadership; and studying and helping to alleviate the social and economic problems of society to generally improve the world.
Little did our founders know in 1962 that the fruits of their efforts at Morgan State College would evolve into a thriving movement that continues to play an important role in developing and nurturing what we know as Black America.

 

The Fellowship currently has thousands of members and dozens of graduate and undergraduate chapters across the United States. Our members work in a wide variety of career areas, including accounting, education, engineering, human resource services, local and state government, medicine, law, protective services, information technology, religion, real estate, food service, skilled crafts, music, professional sports, the armed services, and business. https://groove-phi-groove.com

Advisor: Mr. Christopher Joyner, nikjamdrew [at] gmail.com

CIO Inactive Organizations

Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity

Kappa Kappa Psi is a co-educational fraternal organization that advances college and university bands for the benefit of its members and society through dedicated service and support to bands, encouragement of musical growth, lifelong educational experiences, leadership opportunities, and recognition.

Founded on the campus of Oklahoma State University on November 27, 1919, Kappa Kappa Psi is a guiding light with which band students can grow, learn, and develop themselves and their band programs. Kappa Kappa Psi is an organization of opportunity and quality, brimming with historic, well-developed leadership and membership programming that students use to become great leaders, better band members and better adapted young adults prepared for what lies ahead of them. https://www.kkpsi.org

Tau Beta Sigma Honorary Band Sorority

Tau Beta Sigma is a highly respected pre-eminent music organization comprised of over 160 collegiate chapters and more than 3,800 collegiate members with a balanced representation of women and men. Strong leadership thrives throughout our organization and we have a solid financial foundation. We cultivate and sponsor a variety of music education programs for our diverse membership and work closely with collegiate band directors. Our alumni association is an integral part of Tau Beta Sigma, promoting diversity efforts, social networking and assisting members in enhancing their professional leadership and employment possibilities after graduation from college. We are actively engaged in the community through music. https://www.tbsigma.org

Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc.

Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc.® is a non-profit organization dedicated to community service, promoting and achieving academic excellence, and enhancing community and cultural consciousness. Our specific purpose is Supporting Women In Need of Growth, which facilitates the attainment of goals that are necessary for personal and professional growth. Swing welcomes diversity, encourages individuality, and offers a haven for women who feel a strong connection with their ethnic heritage.

As a service-based organization, we are committed to supporting organizations and efforts that parallel the goals of our beloved sisterhood. We proudly partner with national service organizations such as the National Council of Negro Women and participate in community building activities that raise awareness for issues that affect our community. Members donate their time and financial assistance to hurricane relief efforts; contribute to clothing, food and book drives; and volunteer at local women’s shelters and soup kitchens.​

We are a vibrant group of women with extraordinary strength, courage, innovation, and spirit. With 50+ graduate and undergraduate chapters, Swing Phi Swing Social Fellowship, Inc. has proven to be a positive addition to many campuses and communities across the United States https://www.swingphiswing.org