History of the Virginia Zeta Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon (1960-1975)

The first recorded meeting of Delta Pi Zeta as a fraternal body was held on April 13, 1960, in Brodie Hall. This meeting marked the transition of on of the original Brodie Hal dorm clubs into a local social fraternity.

The first significant step towards the goal of moving off campus was taken in the fall of 1960, when the Fraternity rented a cabin on the New River for the school year 1960-61. The fraternity at this time also accepted the members of Kappa Delta Sigma dorm club into the brotherhood of Delta Pi Zeta. Less than one month later, the Fraternity signed a lease with the owner of the first Zeta house, which was located on McConkey Street.

On January 19, 1961, Delta Pi Zeta and three other fraternities formed an interfraternity council.

In the fall quarter of 1961 Delta Pi Zeta showed its interest in University activities by building and entering a float which won first place in the Homecoming parade. Unfortunately, it was the University's policy at this time not to extend official recognition to social fraternities.However, Delta Pi Zeta was able to obtain a certificate of incorporation from the State Corporation Commission on March 20, 1962. Due primarily to the efforts of one brother, the annual IFC weekend was revived in the spring of 1962.

Spring quarter of 1968 brought the Zetas the most sought-after prize of any fraternity, the IFC trophy for the Most Outstanding Fraternity. In addition to proving their superiority in athletics, the Zetas achieved the distinction of being awarded the QCA trophy for having the highest QCA of any fraternity in the Interfraternity Council.

The school year 1970-71 was significant in several respects. Delta Pi Zeta became in the fall a colony of Delta Upsilon National Fraternity, an unhappy relationship that Delta Pi Zeta chose to dissolve some fifteen months later. That spring the Zetas won the IFC trophy for the Most Outstanding Fraternity for the second time. At the end of the quarter, the Zetas moved to their present house on Roanoke Street from their former house on Turner Street.


At the IFC spring picnic in 1972, Delta Pi Zeta won the third-place trophy in the competition for the IFC Most Outstanding Fraternity award. During the spring, the fraternity had decided to seek official University recognition. This recognition was granted on August 14, 1972.


In keeping with University recognition requirements, an alumni house corporation was set up in the spring of 1974. We also came in third for the IFC Outstanding Fraternity trophy for the second time.


Our initial contacts with Sigma Alpha Epsilon National Fraternity took place in the spring of 1974. Province Gamma held its provincial meeting in Blacksburg in October. Shortly thereafter, the brothers of Delta Pi Zeta voted to petition SAE for a charter.