A brief look into the past
The Delta Zeta Sorority was founded on October 24th, 1902 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. The six founders of Delta Zeta were: Julia Laurence Bishop Coleman, Anne Luise Keen Davis, Maybelle May Minton Hageman, Anne Dial Simmons Friedline, Mary Jane Collins Galbraith, and Alfa Lloyd Hayes.
They had come together to "build up the chapter and cultivate the truest and deepest friendship among its members," and to "stimulate one another in the pursuit of knowledge and the attainment of a high standard of morality."
Grateful to God for beautiful gifts, rich blessings and tender mercies- to hereby associate ourselves together, under the laws of Ohio- for the incorporation of secret societies.
The Heart of Delta Zeta
"The purpose of this sorority shall be to unite its members in the bonds of sincere and lasting friendship, to stimulate one another in the pursuit of knowledge, to promote the moral and social culture of its members, and to develop plans for guidance and unity in action; objects worthy of the highest aim and purpose of associated effort. The purpose of this sorority shall be advanced through the National Convention, the National Council, and the college and alumnae chapters."
From Past to Present...
Delta Zeta college chapters receive supervision from national officers, regional directors and local alumnae advisory boards.
Delta Zeta is one of the sororities with the largest number of college chapters; 165 college chapters are distributed from coast to coast while our 250 alumnae chapters offer continuing association in 50 states, including Hawaii and Alaska, as well as the United Kingdom and Canada.
Xi Psi Chapter History
Before Delta Zeta existed on Grand Valley State University's campus, there was a local sorority called Chi Omega Delta. They were the first local sorority on campus, when the University was still Grand Valley State College. Their colors were blue and green. Their symbols were the three-leaf clover, which stood for luck, and the yellow rose, which signified friendship. Their letters stood for love, luck and change. Chi Omega Delta was in existence for eight years before it became a colony and affiliated with Delta Zeta on December 3rd, 1988. From the beginning, our sisterhood was formed by a group of women who felt a special closeness and were determined to form themselves into a sorority. Although there are some differences between Chi Omega Delta and Delta Zeta, the original local sorority was based on the same principals, morals, and ideals that Delta Zeta possesses. If it were not for the Chi-Delts, our Xi Psi chapter would not be here today. Our heritage will never be forgotten as long as we pass it on, there is a little bit of Chi-Delt in each Delta Zeta!