Beta Omicron

On a cold Ithaca winter in 1889 Charles Dickinson gathered together 11 other Cornell men and introduced them to the idea of a bond beyond friendship and camaraderie; that is, the bond of brotherhood. These twelve men then set out to find an organiztion to help them form their elusive brotherhood. Petitions were sent out to Delta Tau Delta fraternity as well as Sigma Chi fraternity. After one chapter initially rejected the Cornell men's request, a charter from Delta Tau Delta was finally granted to the twelve eager men. These first twelve Cornell Delts were initiated on January 17, 1890 and the Beta Omicron chapter of Delta Tau Delta was incoporated one week later. Shortly after, Dickinson was elected as Beta Omicron's first and still youngest President. After moving between several houses for a number of years, the Cornell Delts finally landed at 110 Edgemore Lane where they built a shelter which would last them for 71 years. During this time many famous Cornell Delts lived in the shelter, such as Willard Straight who worked and became a trusted advisor for J.P. Morgan.

Also during this time Nelson Brayer became a "pillar" of the chapter by faithfully serving Beta Omicron for over 50 years and most importantly leading them financially through the tough years of the Great Depression. During World War II many Cornell Delts fought and died heroically for their country; in this period as well the Delts were forced to move out of their shelter so it could become an army barrack. Following World War II, Delts returning from the war adopted a more serious attitude and hazing was eliminated. In 1949, one of the most successful collegiate a capella groups for male voices was formed by Cornell Delt Jim Casey; this group came to be known as the "Cayuga's Waiters" and their unique styling can still be heard at Cornell and wherever a capella is performed.

The Delts were forced to give up their much beloved shelter at 110 Edgemore Lane due to the age and general condition of the structure.  The fraternity built a new shelter at our current site, 104 Mary Ann Wood Drive, which happened to be where Ezra Cornell (the founder of Cornell University) lived for twelve years. The Cornell Delts received the help of several alumni both in raising funds and designing the new shelter. The 1 Campus Rd. shelter was completed in November 1965 and has subsequently served our chapter soundly ever since.

Values Based Organization

Delta Tau Delta is a value driven organization, and we strive to make all of our decisions based on our mission and values. Our members live by the principles of integrity, accountability, truth and courage. Building a fraternity around these values sets forth the expectations for how the fraternity will run and how the brothers will behave.  Bringing these values into our Brotherhood encourages personal and organizational accountability, promoting overall excellence.  

Who is a Delt?

Join the ranks of thousands of Delts. Over 143,000 men have been initiated into Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. These men are of all professions and enjoy great success at life, in all its aspects.  Becoming a Delt offers you an opportunity to prepare yourself for success as those in the past have done, as well as exposing you to memorable experiences that will enrich and serve you throughout life.  

Delts remain connected after their college experience and give back to their fraternal organization. Delta Tau Delta is the #1 Fraternity in terms of per member giving and has one of the largest Educational Foundations in the fraternity world. Alumni giving has endowed our leadership programming and is establishing the funds to keep us among the leaders in the fraternity world.

DTAA

As men committed to lives of excellence, Delta Tau Delta expects each of its members to respect his health and welfare, as well as that of his fellow brothers and community. The intent of "Delts Talking About Alcohol" is to share specific ways to reduce the risk of any type of alcohol-related problems.

Alcohol is a significant issue in the lives of students in high school, college and throughout our adult lives. Whether you abstain from alcohol entirely or not, it is an influence in our lives and in the lives of our family and friends. Delta Tau Delta is pleased to provide Delts Talking About Alcohol: Powered by GreekLifeEdu as a component of our member education initiatives.

Fraternity History

Delta Tau Delta was founded in 1858 at Bethany College in present day West Virginia. Eight men, angered by a fixed vote for a prize in oratory to be given at the Neotrophian Literary Society (a forum for students to practice and demonstrate skills in poetry, public speaking and writing essays), responded by forming a secret society.

The purpose of the new society, known only by the Greek letters Delta Tau Delta, was to see the Neotrophian Society returned to popular control from the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, and to form an organization of the student body drawn together by common aims, brotherly regard and desire for mutual support.

Delta Tau Delta was born of the knowledge that integrity is essential. The founding principles of Truth, Courage, Faith and Power have provided a guide for both the Fraternity and its membership.

Since 1858 the Fraternity has spread to nearly 200 campuses with over 120 active chapters and colonies comprised of about 6,500 undergraduate members. Over 150 years of activity, Delta Tau Delta has touched the lives of 150,000 men who have become members of the Fraternity.