THE EXPERIENCE

Fraternity membership is one of the most valuable extra-curricular experiences available to college men. What makes Delta Upsilon different from the rest? While our mission and vision remain true to our founding purpose, we are not stuck in the past. Our aim is to provide a modern fraternity experience that creates men of character no matter the era.

Our Vision

Our Vision is that Delta Upsilon is the premier men’s fraternity committed to Building Better Men for a global society through service, leadership development and lifelong personal growth for our diverse membership.

Delta Upsilon is Non-secret

Put simply, Delta Upsilon builds good men who are difference makers. The experiences we offer are relevant and better prepare men for the world than the typical college experience. We are proud of what our Fraternity stands for, and we proudly share that with others. No secrets required.

Our History

For years, the Texas Chapter was a spot of pride in Delta Upsilon. Originally beginning as a local group called the 1834 Club, two years after its inception, it was installed as Delta Upsilon’s 66th chapter on Oct. 2, 1949. Throughout the course of the next five decades, the chapter would succeed in a number of areas and receive a DU Trustees Excellence Award in 1971, a precursor to the Sweepstakes Award. Over time, 872 men would be initiated into the chapter.

The chapter closed, however, in 2000 due to failing chapter operations, followed by an unsuccessful recolonization attempt in 2002. When returning to campus in 2016, the alumni and colony members committed themselves to success and set a goal to recharter within one year.

Recolonization efforts began in August 2016 and were led by International Fraternity staff. Russel Harp, Kansas State ’16, spearheaded the efforts with assistance from fellow Leadership Consultants Jacob Ellis, Purdue ’16, and Hayden Rahn, Oregon ’16. Within a few months, the group had met its recruitment goals, and the Colonization Ceremony was held Oct. 30, 2016, with 45 associate members.

The Texas Chapter’s Reinstallation and Initiation Ceremonies were held Nov. 12, 2017, in the auditorium of the Texas State Capitol, the same building where 68 years prior, the chapter was first chartered (that time in the Senate Chamber). Nearly 30 guests attended the ceremonies, as well as a reception at the chapter house. Guests included numerous Texas Chapter alumni, DU alumni, and The University of Texas at Austin Sorority and Fraternity Life staff.

Sixty-five men were initiated into the chapter with Delta Upsilon Executive Director Justin Kirk, Boise State ’00, serving as Master; Chapter Advisor William Bryant, Texas ’80, as Examiner; Chapter Advisor Jay Juba, Texas ’85, as Chief Marshal; and International Fraternity Board member Timothy Dowd, Oklahoma ’75, as Chaplain. The Charge was given by the Chairman of the International Fraternity Board of Directors, Robert Lannin, Nebraska ’81.

In his Charge, Lannin commented on the Fraternity’s history and the current climate of the interfraternal community. He challenged the men to focus on Delta Upsilon’s Four Founding Principles and shared his hope that the Principles could shape and guide the men throughout their lives. When they conduct themselves as a principled man, they can overcome the media stereotype and build a safe, supportive membership experience.

Wills Layton, Texas ’20, the chapter Vice President of Finance, sees great things on the horizon for the Texas Chapter.

“I see us making great strides in the service and philanthropy areas of our Fraternity,” Layton said. “The Texas Chapter is going to be a Sweepstakes contender within the next four years. You heard it here first. We are a doggedly determined and focused group.”