Every Miami Alpha Delt of every generation knows of our chapter’s storied role in the history of North American fraternities. Now, everyone passing by on South Campus Avenue will know about it too.
The Ohio Historical Society plans to erect an historical marker honoring Miami as “The Mother of Fraternities,” in recognition of the number of Greek organizations founded on campus. Where better for that plaque to live than in the front yard of Alpha Delta Phi, Miami’s first fraternity?
Chris Comer ‘14 worked to bring the marker to 22 S. Campus. The honor was accompanied by a $700 grant from the Historical Society and $1500 from IFC, Panhel, and the Cliff Alexander Office of Greek Life. The flagpole and plaque was dedicated at an April 12 ceremony, with speakers from the Office of Greek Life, the Historical Society, and other dignitaries.
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Text of the marker:
MOTHER OF FRATERNITIES
"In 1833, Samuel Eells founded Alpha Delta Phi (ΑΔΦ),
the first fraternity west of the Allegheny Mountains and the first
fraternity at Miami University. The formation of Miami's Alpha
(founding) chapters followed in the next two decades. In 1839 Beta
Theta Pi (ΒΘΠ) was founded, Miami's first Alpha chapter. Phi Delta Theta (ΦΔΘ) was founded in 1848 and Sigma Chi (ΣΧ) in
1855, completing the Miami Triad. Miami would become home to two more
Alpha chapters with the creation of the sorority Delta Zeta (ΔΖ) in 1902 and what would become Phi Kappa Tau (ΦΚΤ)
in 1906. Following Miami University's precedent, approximately 800
chapters have been formed in the United States and internationally.
Sharing the title with Union College in Schenectady, New York, Miami
University is known as the "Mother of Fraternities.""