In the Spring of 1947, Dr. J. Broward Culpepper drafted a letter to several national fraternities expressing the universities desire to establish a men's fraternity on campus. A faculty-fraternity expansion committee formed by President Doak S. Campbell studied all of the applications received from the national fraternities.

The interested fraternities first formed groups with Greek letter designations and upon approval by the fraternity expansion committee, the groups were allowed to be colonized by their respective national fraternities. On September 14, 1947, the committee allowed eleven fraternities to colonize at Florida State. They included Delta Tau Delta, Alpha Epsilon Pi, Alpha Tau Omega, Delta Sigma Phi, Kappa Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Phi Kappa Tau, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Theta Chi, and Tau Sigma Rho. Prior to colonization Delta Tau Delta's name was Delta Delta.

Of the eleven fraternities that were colonized, the university gave permission for eight to establish chapters. Alpha Epsilon Pi, Delta Sigma Phi, and Tau Sigma Rho were, unfortunately, unable to meet the requirements. With the university's blessing to go ahead and establish chapters, all of the fraternities agreed to initiate their members on Saturday March 5, 1949 at 8:00 a.m. This was done so that no one fraternity could claim that they were "the first fraternity at Florida State." Fraternity Council history however, reveals that one fraternity "pulled a fast one" and caused quite an uproar among the other fraternities by initiating their pledges on Friday, March 4, 1949 at 8:30 p.m. and thus becoming the first fraternity at Florida State by twelve hours. That fraternity was the Delta Phi chapter of Delta Tau Delta.

Delta Phi officially received it's charter on March 5, 1949 at 1:30 p.m. The following men were initiated, and thus compose our founding fathers:

Fred Kenneth Honour
George Wilbur Reed
Ibert B. Rebles
Thomas Pierce Smith, Jr.
Isham Anderson
Herman Gustav Arndt
Wendell Forrest Chapman
Russel Bradford Hicker
Francis Leland Jackson
Dennis Beecher Parront
Ronald Patten Wildes, Jr.
Jerry Provine DeGurmo
Francis Evy Scott
James William Yan
Robert N. Sedore
Charles Leon Clapp
Clayton Rudolph Wilkes

Also included in our founding fathers list are five transfer students from the University of Florida who already been initiated at our Delta Zeta Chapter. They include:

Charles Anderson
George Anderson
Charles Darrel Drake
Clifford Cleveland Shuman
Julian Watson

During the early years, all eight of the fraternities were housed in an old army barracks on the west side of campus, behind Kellum and McCollum Halls. Some of these barracks are still being used by the communications department and for other university purposes.

Dean of Students, Dr. Otis "Wormer" McBride, was put in charge of the new fraternities and soon found that fraternities didn't take long to learn how to throw a good party. Less than one year after they had been chartered, Dean McBride sent out a letter to the fraternities in an attempt to curtail some of their more questionable behavior. Below are some timeless excerpts from that letter:
1. Drinking. There has been more drinking than we have ever had. Every weekend and fairly often throughout the week, we get complaints from the good residents of the neighborhood and around the University that there has been noise, carousing, profanity, vulgar singing, and drunkenness at 2:00 and 3:00 in the morning.
2. Off campus dances at country clubs. Many of the cars come loaded for a big evening with a generous supply of liquor. Cars have been found with tubs of ice in the trunk ready to operate a full bar on a regular basis.

Despite the general nature of the fraternity systems wild partying, or perhaps in spite of it, the fraternity system continued to grow at FSU. Prior the birth of the Greek system at the university, then president Doak Campbell had sought funds to build eight small dorms to function as individual social units that would sponsor parties and intramural teams. As the dorms were being completed, Dean Culpepper and Dean McBride convinced President Campbell into allowing the fraternities to move in. The dorms were offered to the fraternities on a first come, first serve basis. The houses signed in order were: Kappa Alpha, Alpha Tau Omega, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Delta Tau Delta, Theta Chi, Phi Delta Theta, Phi Kappa Tau, and Lamda Chi Alpha. Some of these fraternities remain in the same houses. At that time, we were in what was until 1999 the Sigma Nu house. We moved into that house on January 14, 1952. That same year, legendary Delt brother Ted Agellis brought an old fire truck up from Lakeland, Florida. The Delts became campus icons, roaring around on their on the fire truck on their way to football games, intramural games, and other events.

In 1953 the fraternities continued to provide headaches for Dean McBride. As result of the fraternities behavior he issued a statement regarding the drop in already low fraternity grade point averages. The dean blamed, as one of the culprits, the regular weekend beach parties at St. George and Alligator point. There were rumors at the time that the fraternities would throw huge parties at these locals and serve a healthy amount of beer.

Nothing, however, could stop the growth of the fraternity system. As the system progressed, it became more oriented towards campus leadership, community service, and academics in addition of its already established traditions of athletics and partying. The 50's were a time of accomplishment for Delta Phi as they consistently placed among the top in academics and intramurals. The first alumni newsletter, the Seminole Delt, was published for the first time in 1950. In 1951, the Delts began an annual tradition of providing a holiday dinner for underprivileged children. 1954 saw the advent of the Delta Tau Delta "Sorority of the Year" trophy, which became a much sought after prize. It was also during this time that one of our most famous alumni, Reuben Askew, served as Student Body President (1950-1951). Brother Askew would later go on to become Governor of Florida and one of the top ten American Governors of all time, according to a Harvard University study. Finally, never to be outdone when it comes to throwing the best parties on campus, the Delts closed out the fifties by bringing in legendary guitarist Bo Diddley to play in 1959.

The early sixties began with much promise as fraternities and sororities united to plan the first "Greek Week" in 1961. This event consisted of a street dance and an IFC/Panhellenic dance. That same year sororities began making repeated complaints against the fraternities for their "drunken parties and loud obnoxious behavior." The fight continued until 1962, when the fraternities voted unanimously to stop all socials and parties with sororities. Soon thereafter the complaints from the sororities stopped.

The late sixties erased all promise and hope that the early sixties created. It was a bad time for the nation and for the entire fraternity system. We were at war with the Viet Cong in 'Nam and with ourselves it seemed here in the United States. Many fraternity enrollments dropped to the point that they could not pay rent. The university sent out five eviction notices to fraternity presidents in the summer of 1968. The rampant and destructive use of drugs ushered in by the "Hippies" began to sweep college campuses, and Delta Phi was not immune. Drugs became a major problem among the brothers of Delta Tau Delta, and it began to affect the entire fraternity. To this day, it is rumored that some brothers dug out a space beneath the old shelter for the purpose of smoking marijuana and playing poker. As the problem grew, its effect on the chapter increased. Brothers became split over the issue of drugs and many began to ignore their commitment to chapter involvement and financial integrity. Out alumni, even vigil of the chapter's problems, became unwilling to support such activities, which were rightly deemed "unbecoming of a Delta Tau Delta Chapter."

Without the support of actives and alumni, our finances began to suffer immeasurably. Our decline became apparent to others on campus. Our G.P.A. plummeted to the bottom of the fraternity average and we dropped out of the top 5 in intramurals. In the Fall of 1969, the few remaining dedicated Delts attempted to forge on. Rush parties were held and bids were extended to a new pledge class. Only three men from the Fall '69 pledge class would be initiated.

On October 8, 1969 the three men of the Fall '69 pledge class became the last initiates of the original Delta Phi chapter of Delta Tau Delta. Five days later, on October 13, 1969 Carl Steip, then Southern Division Vice President of the International Fraternity, walked into our house and pulled our charter, giving four reasons for his decision to do so. These reasons were:
1. The use of drugs
2. The lack of brotherhood
3. The lack of financial stability
4. The lack of alumni support
At this time the Delta Phi chapter ceased to exist.

No longer recognized by our International Fraternity, the university would not recognize us either. Everything in the house was either given away or sold to pay past due debts. Only a few traces of the old Delta Phi chapter exists. Our fire engine was bought, and until recently, was being used by another fraternity of much less stature and of a false sense of brotherhood. The alligator that was "borrowed" from the University of Florida football field still resides inside of Ken's Tavern. The writing in the cement outside the old parking services building by the '69 pledge class is but one of the few reminders of the old Delta Phi. Demoralized and kicked off campus, the last of the Delts rented a house and finished their college careers as independents.

As time passed, many Delta Phi alumni began clambering about a revitalized Delt chapter at Florida State. Among the supporters of this idea was Florida Governor Reuben Askew. Finally, our Arch Chapter decided that Florida State was ready again, and in 1976, sent the Director of Chapter Services, Keith Steiner, to Tallahassee, to look into the possibilities. Steiner turned to the help of sororities, asking them for the names of young men who weren't already in a fraternity but would be interested in joining one. Delta Zeta, in particular was very helpful. In fact they hand sewed our first Delt flag for us. We were re-installed at Florida State on March 24, 1979. Big brothers at Delta Zeta sorority along with their friends and roommates, most of whom lived in Salley Hall, comprised most of our founding fathers. These men were:

Michael T. Jordan
Gilbert B. Isgar
Scott Mitchey
Martin E. Colwell
Vincent S. Ross
David Bruce Erwin
Kevin V. Phelan
Rex A. Thompson
Mark E. Goheen
Mark R. Sorrentino
Thomas Vogelsang
Max William Croft

Delta Zeta donated a plaque commemorating the event and the above men, which can be found at our present shelter.

Buddy Gay and Bob Shepard, Delts from Zeta Xi at West Georgia, were instrumental in the early days also. The present Delta Chi house became the next Delt Shelter. In 1981, the Delts won the Gold division intramural championship and moved into the Garnet division, where we still sit to this day. In Fall 1981 we moved from the present Delta Chi house into the recently vacated Lamda Chi Alpha house. Ted Agellis, who was then President of the Delta Phi Housing Corporation, dedicated that shelter on October 31, 1981.

The eighties saw the formation of a strong alliance between the Delta Phi chapter and Phil Barco, a Delta Phi alum. Mr. Barco selflessly dedicated much of his time and talents towards building our chapter since May 30, 1980. In that time we have earned three Hugh Shields Flags. He attended six Karnea's, representing Delta Phi in several different areas. He served as Chapter Advisor until the Fall of 1991, and has also served as President and Treasurer of Housing Corp. In 1981 he increased living capacity in our former shelter from nine to forty-one. He was appointed to serve as Southern Division Vice President in 1981, with responsibilities for Delta Phi and Zeta Iota. However, he has not limited his services to those chapters only. He has assisted chapters throughout the International Fraternity, conducting chapter retreats, and speaking at fraternity functions whenever possible.

Another important facet of Delta Phi's growth has been the contributions Dan Cashin. Dan Cashin was instrumental in the formation of Housing Corp., which has been responsible for our ascent in our housing arrangements. While serving as Chapter Advisor and the sole member of Housing Corp., Cashin was able to recruit the aid if five other Delt alumni. These men were Dave Beshears, Don Dewoody, John Medina, Kevin Mangum, and Rob Murphy. Of the original five only two men continue to serve the chapter as members of Housing Corp., Kevin Mangum as President and Rob Murphy as Vice President. With the help of Dan Cashin, alumni Hank Barnett and then President William Lewallen, the Housing Corp. spent many months searching for property, considering options, and arranging funds.

In the Spring of 1994, at our annual chapter retreat, the Housing Corp. made their presentation to the brothers of Delta Phi, revealing that a selection had been made. Much to the approval of the entire chapter, the Delts would be moving into the Phi Kappa Psi house. The dream of getting "out of the valley" and moving into a new house on the other side of campus became a reality. Our current shelter was dedicated on November 26, 1994, the day of the Florida-Florida State football game, which we tied 31-31.

Since moving into our current shelter, we have worked hard to create a house second to none on the FSU campus. The Spring '98 pledge class donated a new sign for the front line, and built a volleyball court in the backyard. The entire house has been painted inside and out, and new doors and windows have been added. The old kitchen has been remodeled into a full service, high-capacity service area. A wooden deck has been built around the basketball court and has been host to several of our famous football day cookouts. A wooden fence has been built around the entire rear perimeter of the backyard. Furthermore, with the instruction of Brother Lee Hudgins, extensive repairs were completed on the room in the summer of 1999.

Since 1989 Delta Tau Delta has been a force to be reckoned with at Florida State. Our proud tradition has grown since that time to include four consecutive years of IM Soccer Championships, four consecutive Track Championships, as well as being three time Garnet division all around intramural champions, 1991, 1996, and the 2001 defending champs. Our success has not been limited to the athletic arena. We have gone on to capture several Hugh Shields Awards, bringing our total to four. We have been awarded several Court of Honor awards proving that the International Fraternity recognizes our commitment to a life of excellence. Dan Cashin was awarded Chapter Advisor of the Year in 1995 and in 1996. Our IFC accomplishments don't end there, with our claim to IFC President of the Year being captured by Anthony Prieto in 1996. In March 1998, Matthew Felix helped found the "Seminole Party" which has become the campus leader among student political organizations. Felix Was also selected Student Body President in 1998. In 1999 Brother Aaron Godwin distinguished himself and our chapter by winning the Kershner Honor Scholarship. Brother Michael Bailey has claimed our most recent claim to campus dominance. In 2002 Mike was named IFC Vice President of Finance. Our Fraternity continues to grow and uphold the traditions which has made Delta Phi one of the finest chapters in the nation.