Delta Zeta - Zeta Nu Chapter at Ferris State University

Delta Zeta Sorority was founded at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1902. Miami is dubbed the “Mother of Fraternities” because of the many prominent men’s fraternities which were founded there.

When six young women came together in 1902 to form a social sorority, they had a vision of lifetime sisterhood fostered by ideals that they cherished. These friends bonded quickly as they faced the challenges of starting a sorority on a male-dominated campus (women had just been given full status as students at Miami University in 1902).

Although fraternities were well-established by the time Alfa Lloyd, Mary Collins, Anna Keen, Julia Bishop, Mabelle Minton, and Anne Simmons met with Dr. Guy Potter Benton, then president of the university, to make their idea a reality, they faced derision from the male students of the university. This adversity served to bond them even closer.

They applied for and received the Articles of Incorporation from the State of Ohio. The date of incorporation, October 24, is Alfa Lloyd’s birthday and that date is a tribute to her, for she quickly showed a leadership that was effective.

Soon the men’s fraternities, seeing that the Delta Zeta Founders were in earnest, looked upon Delta Zeta with pride as another organization to establish one more Miami tradition. The Founders then went on to lay the foundation for the Sorority which would have a national reach.

Today, Delta Zeta has over 207,000 alumnae and collegiate members in the United States and Canada. The Delta Zeta Foundation, a non-profit organization, makes possible gifts and support for scholarships, leadership, philanthropy, and education.

To the world,
I promise temperance and insight and courage,
To crusade for justice,
To seek the truth and defend it always:
To those whom my life may touch in slight measure,
May I give graciously
Of what is mine;
To my friends,
Understanding and appreciation;
To those closer ones,
Love that is ever steadfast;
To my mind,
Growth;
To myself,
Faith
That I may walk truly
In the light of the Flame.

–– Dorothy Mumford Williams, Alpha Zeta (1939)

Delta Zeta was founded on October 24, 1902 by these six women: Julia Bishop, Anne Simmons, Anna Keen, Alfa Lloyd, Mabelle Minton and Mary Collins. It is the first national sorority at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.
Delta Zeta’s 158 collegiate chapters are distributed from coast to coast while over 200 alumnae chapters offer continuing association in 49 states, including Hawaii as well as the United Kingdom and Canada.
Surfing Sisters is our first virtual (online) alumnae chapter, established in 1998 as an option for alumnae who do not live near an established college or alumnae group.
The sorority badge is the Roman Lamp.
Its official jewel is the diamond.
The sorority colors are rose and green.
The flower is the pink Killarney rose.
The turtle is the official mascot.
The LAMP of Delta Zeta is the official magazine. It is published three times a year and mailed to
all initiated members whose addresses are current at National Headquarters.