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Delta Tau Delta's situation is a little strange, because in the early days of the Fraternity, if the Alpha Chapter failed -- which ours did -- the next chapter to "govern" the Fraternity took the Alpha designation.
So, the original Alpha at Bethany College (then part of Virginia -- now West Virginia) is now called the Theta Founding Chapter. It was founded in 1858. The present Alpha is the third or fourth to have that designation and is located at Allegheny College (University?)
Both chapters are presently active, but both have been closed and recolonized in the past.
The longest continuously active, multi-member chapter is Beta Chapter at Ohio University (my chapter) which has been in continuous existance since 1862. I say multi-member because there is another chapter, a part of which was founded shortly before Beta, but had to resort to a final member transfering to another college and re-forming the chapter to survive.
The problem is exaserbated by the fact that many of the original records of the Fraternity were lost when one of the early Alpha's failed during the turbulent Civil War period when many groups closed because all of the members went off to the Army. Had it not been for Beta and a couple of other similar cases, Delt might have disappeared during that period.
Confused? Welcome to the club.
ETA: Do you suppose making pledges learn this stuff when it's so confusing really is hazing?
Just kidding.
__________________
Fraternally,
DeltAlum
DTD
The above is the opinion of the poster which may or may not be based in known facts and does not necessarily reflect the views of Delta Tau Delta or Greek Chat -- but it might.
Last edited by DeltAlum; 01-09-2004 at 11:34 AM.
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