delta tau delta

{\| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" align="right" width="250px"
align=center colspan=2 bgcolor="purple" \| Delta Tau Delta
align="center" colspan=2 style="border-bottom:3px solid gray;" \| Motto: 'Committed to Lives of Excellence'
align=center colspan=2 \| 150px
Founded:	1858 at Bethany College (Bethany, West Virginia)
Founders:	William R. Cunningham Alexander C. Earle Richard H. Alfred Henry K. Bell John C. Johnson Jacob S. Lowe Eugene Tarr John L. N. Hunt
Colors:	Royal Purple, White and Gold
Yell:	"Rah, rah Delta. Delta Tau Delta. Rah, rah Delta Tau, Delta Tau Delta"
Flower:	Purple Iris	}

Delta Tau Delta (ΔΤΔ, DTD, Delts) is a U.S.-based international college fraternity. DTD was founded on March 5, 1858 at Bethany College, Bethany, West Virginia. It currently has around 120 student chapters nationwide, as well as over 25 alumni associations organized regionally.

History

The history of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity began in 1858 at Bethany College in Bethany, West Virginia. The social life on campus was typical of the small colleges of the day, with activities centered around the Neotropian Society, a literary society. As of 1858, it is believed that at least one secret group was operating an attempt to gain control of the society and its honors, though this cannot be verified as a fire in 1859 destroyed many of the records of that period. From a report given by Jacob Lowe in 1859 (as well as others that were present at the time), a group of students met in the Dowdell boarding house (in Lowe's room) to discuss actions to retake control of the Neotropian Society and return control to the students at large in lage 1858. A constitution, name, badge, ritual and motto were divised, and Delta Tau Delta was born. This incarnation of the Fraternity did not outlast the graduation of the Founders from the fraternity, and it was not re-created until 1864, at which time the U.S. Civil War once again interrupted the ability of the Fraternity to function. It was recreated in 1867 at Bethany. It has existed uninterrupted ever since, though control of the Fraternity did not remain constant.

Founders

The eight men considered to be the Founders of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity (who attended the two formal meetings which led to the founding in 1858) are:

Mission And Values

The stated mission and values of Delta Tau Delta attempt to summarize those values which the founders believed were integral to the creation of the society. The Mission is "Committed to Lives of Excellence", while the stated values are listed as follows.

Truth, Courage, Faith and Power are Our Foundation
Integrity is Essential
Accountability is Fundamental to All Committments
Life-Long Learning and Growth are Vital
Strengthening Community is Essential to Our Vitality
Brotherhood Sustains Us

The Delt Creed

The Delt Creed is yet another interation of the values of the fraternity. I believe in Delta Tau Delta for the education of youth and the inspiration of maturity so that I may better learn and live the truth. I believe in Delta Tau Delta as a shrine of international brotherhood, her cornerstone friendship, her foundation conscience, her columns aspiration, her girders self-restraint, her doorway opportunity, her windows understanding, her buttresses loyalty, her strength the Everlasting Arms. I believe in Delta Tau Delta as an abiding influence to help me do my work, fulfill my obligations, maintain my self-respect, and bring about that happy life wherein I may more truly love my fellow man, serve my country, and obey my god.