The Beginning...

The Williams campus, in the rugged hills of northwestern Massachusetts, was Spartan. Men lived in barely heated halls, doing the necessary chores themselves. There were no women students on campus. Life focused on knowledge and discourse, religion, and family. There were no radios or televisions; the electric light nor the phonograph had been invented. Even the telegraph Morse code transmitted by wire - was years away. There were neither trains nor paved roads; the efficient use of internal combustion and "horseless carriages" was a good 60 years in the future. The nearest "large" cities, Troy and Schenectady across the New York border, together sheltered only 20,000. The Union had about 14.5 million citizens and slaves in 24 states. Andrew Jackson was President and Abraham Lincoln was a young man of twenty five. Canada was firmly under British domination. The modern world as we know it today lay undiscovered and barely dreamed.

Consider those men who founded Delta Upsilon at Williams College, on a crisp November day in 1834. What do they have in common with you? Why has their inspiration thrived for more than 165 years? What role will their principles play in your life? What is the import of a non-secret fraternity based on the Promotion of Friendship, the Development of Character, the Diffusion of Liberal Culture and the Advancement of Justice?

For more of Delta Upsilon's history, check out International's History Page at the International Homepage.

The Michigan Technological University Chapter of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity began as a colony in January 1980. The colony was started by five men who lived on the third floor of West Wadsworth Hall, and were dissatisfied with the fraternities on campus at that time. These men were James Clous, Craig Furgeson, Bruce Griffen, Stephen Knapowski, and Charles Wegener. Craig Furguson was already a member of Delta Upsilon, having been initiated with the reorganized Michigan State Chapter when they went through the Fraternity Installation Ceremony. Charles Wegener also had ties to the Michigan State Chapter through his brother Robert Wegener, and spent many hours at the MSU Chapter house. Craig was approached by the other four men, that they were interested in forming an Alpha Delta Upsilon Colony with his assistance.

On January 9, 1980, the Delta Upsilon Fraternity sent a representative to the MTU campus to meet with the petitioners, and campus officials. The petition to colonize was accepted with the condition that the colony increase membership to twenty four men by February. This was accomplished in short order, and by the end of that month the colony was officially designated as an Alpha Delta Upsilon Colony.

Growth of the Colony was quick at first, then painfully slow. By the end of the Fall term of 1981 the Colony membership was at forty eight men. The requirements for Chapter Installation were fifty undergraduate members, a stable Colony organization and good standing with the Fraternity. At forty eight members, the Colony could not go through Chapter Installation. After several close attempts, and low dips in membership, Wilford A. Butler, CAE, the Fraternity Executive Director, sent an ultimatum to the Colony in October 1985. The Colony had until the end of May 1986 to increase its current membership of twenty four, and have fifty or more initiates for the Chapter Installation Ceremony. If the Colony failed, it would cease to exist as a Delta Upsilon affiliate. The challenge was answered by the membership of the Colony, and the Colony presented sixty five men for the Oath of Initiation at the Chapter Installation Ceremonies took place on May 9 and 10, 1986.

This is the Charter granted to the Chapter on May 10, 1986. It hangs in the living room of our chapter house.

This is a picture of all the brothers who were initiated with the installation of our Chapter. The original also hangs in the living room of our chapter house.

As a Colony, there were numerous men who joined, and quit, but the men who stayed perservered through the good times and bad. The Fall of 1981, brought the establishment of a Little Sisters group "The Doves of Delta Upsilon." This group was small and was disbanded two years later. The presence of this group brought a lot of animosity to the colony, and split the Colony membership into "pro" little sisters, and "anti" little sisters groups. Much was said as to the energy being spent on little sisters, rather than becoming a Chapter.

These men played a key role leading the Colony towards becoming a Chapter, however the work was accomplished by all of the membership as a team. The least of which were the twelve pledges of Spring term 1986. The men of the Colony continued to work for the betterment of the Chapter after the receiving the Charter.

Many years have passed since our installation date, and while some years are better than others, we are still continuing on. With luck and dedication, we will continue to thrive and stay on top for many more years.