Delphic Fraternity

The Delphic Fraternity, Inc. - Gamma Sigma Tau
ΓΣΤ
Founded October 13, 1871 (1871-10-13)
SUNY Geneseo
Type Social
Emphasis Multicultural
Scope National
Motto Friendship, Fellowship, & Fidelity
Maxim Unity AmonGST All
Colors

     Red
     White

     Royal Blue
Symbol Delphic 7
Flower White Rose and Dahlia
Jewel Ruby
Mascot Dragon
Publication The Delphic Oracle
Philanthropy American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Chapters 14 (3 active undergraduate, 2 active graduate, and 9 inactive)
Nickname Delphics, GSTs, DGST
Headquarters New Paltz, NY
Homepage Official Delphic website

The Delphic Fraternity, Inc., also known as Delphic of Gamma Sigma Tau, is a historic multicultural fraternity originally founded in New York State in 1871.

History

The Delphic Society was founded on October 13, 1871, at the Geneseo State Normal School (today SUNY Geneseo) in upstate New York.[1] With affiliations at other schools, the college literary society became known as The Delphic Fraternity.[2] Delphic eventually became a regional fraternity with chapters at Oneonta, Jamaica, Cortland, New Paltz, Plattsburgh, and Potsdam, New York, and Mansfield, Pennsylvania. Each chapter had its own rich history, with the oldest at SUNY Cortland tracing its formation back to the Young Men's Debating Club in 1847.[3]

By the late 1930s, only the Zeta chapter at the State Teachers College at New Paltz (today SUNY New Paltz) remained officially active. In the early 1950s the chapter became briefly associated with a larger national fraternity.[4]

In 1962, the organization became a legal not-for-profit membership entity by incorporating in the state of New York as the Delphic Fraternity of New Paltz, Inc. On March 11, 1987, the fraternity was re-established as Delphic of Gamma Sigma Tau.[4] In 2003, the Theta chapter at Binghamton University was founded, becoming the first Delphic chapter established in the 21st century. In 2009, the first Delphic chapter outside of the northeast region was chartered at the University of Virginia. The Kappa Chapter of Delphic is also the first multicultural fraternity established at UVA.

Today the autonomous organization is incorporated as The Delphic Fraternity, Inc. and does business as Delphic of Gamma Sigma Tau Fraternity[5] via three active undergraduate chapters and two active graduate chapters.

Diversity

The organization has incorporated multicultural themes into its membership process and actively recruits members of diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Since the 1960s, Delphic brothers have been of African, Asian, Caribbean, Eurasian, European, Latino, and Middle Eastern descent.[6]

Mission

This organization honorably pursues the sustained dignity, equality, and unity, amonGST all races and creeds.[7]

Philosophy

The fraternity is named for the ancient Greek city of Delphi, the site of the renowned Delphic Oracle of the god Apollo.[8] Its temple was inscribed with the maxim "Gnothi Seauton" ("Know thyself.")

Chapters

Active undergraduate

Active graduate

Inactive

Notable alumni

See also

References

  1. ↑ The Normalian (1915), SUNY Geneseo Yearbook, p. 57.
  2. ↑ Grimm, R. (1963), A Brief History of Fraternities and Sororities at the State University College at Oneonta, New York.
  3. ↑ Bessie L. Park (1960), Cortland - Our Alma Mater: A History of Cortland Normal School and State University of New York Teachers College at Cortland.
  4. 1 2 Velez, P. (2004), The Delphic Fraternity, Inc. - A Historical Perspective
  5. ↑ Division of Corporations, NYS Department of State
  6. ↑ Fraternity History Homepage
  7. ↑ Official Fraternity website
  8. ↑ Fraternity information packet
  9. ↑ William George Butler
  10. ↑ Henry Albert Dickinson
  11. ↑ Dr. John H. Doane
  12. ↑ Arthur J. Gmeiner
  13. ↑ George Strait

External links

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