History of Greek Life at Miami

For 190 years, fraternities and sororities at Miami University have contributed to campus tradition, success, and pride. This rich heritage benefits both fraternity and sorority members and the broader university community.

In 1833, the first fraternity to be established at Miami was Alpha Delta Phi, an organization that originated as a literary society at Hamilton College in Clinton, NY. With the formation of the Miami chapter, Alpha Delta Phi became the first fraternity to establish a chapter west of the Appalachian Mountains, a distinction of importance in those years before the rapid expansion of the western part of the United States. Following this, five social Greek-letter organizations were founded at the University: Beta Theta Pi (1839), Phi Delta Theta (1848), Sigma Chi (1855), Delta Zeta (1902), and Phi Kappa Tau (1906). The founding of these fraternal organizations has earned Miami University the nickname "Mother of Fraternities."

Today, the University hosts over fifty fraternity and sorority chapters. Each chapter is committed to the Principles of the Greek Community: Scholarship & Learning, Service & Philanthropy, Leadership, Community, and Brotherhood & Sisterhood.

Approximately one third of the undergraduate student population are members of the fraternity and sorority community. Members are involved in all areas of the University, including events, programs, and student organizations.

Miami University Greek History Walking Tour

Take a look into Miami's history and how Fraternities and Sororities have helped shape the Miami we all love today!

Central Campus

Shriver Center

The Phillip R. Shriver Center is the former Miami University student union, once catering to the needs of students with a bookstore, food court, and offices for student organizations. Though replaced by the Armstrong Student Center in January of 2014, for several decades, Shriver Center hosted offices for the Interfraternity Council, the National Pan-Hellenic Council, and the Panhellenic Association. These three groups serve as the student governing boards for Miami's fraternities and sororities.
Shriver Center Commemorative Benches

Behind the Shriver Center are a number of concrete monument benches. These commemorate various anniversaries of the Miami chapters of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Beta Phi, and Zeta Tau Alpha.
Beta Theta Pi Bell Tower Plaque

An additional plaque on the Beta Theta Pi Bell Tower notes that Beta was the first college fraternity to be founded west of the Allegheny Mountains.
Shriver Center Benches - Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Sesquicentennial Chapel

Sesquicentennial Chapel at Spring and Maple was a gift from alumni and friends in observance of Miami's 150th anniversary in 1959. The chimes were a gift of Delta Zeta sorority, the first sorority on campus. Services are held weekly during the academic year.
Delta Zeta and Delta Sigma Epsilon Merger Plaque

Located inside the Sesquicentennial Chapel is a special plaque commemorating the merger of two sororities, Delta Zeta and Delta Sigma Epsilon, founded at Miami in 1956.

Central Quad

Central Quad

Central Quad is bordered by five residence halls housing primarily sophomore students and framed by the grand MacCracken Hall at the south end. When fraternities began renting and building houses for chapter use at the turn of the 20th Century, sororities never moved to off-campus living. Today sororities are granted corridors and lease chapter suites in the residence halls bordering Central Quad. The Sorority Living-Learning Community allows almost twenty sororities to build community through programming and service.
Delta Delta Delta Sundial

The Delta Delta Delta Sundial was dedicated in 1962 as an anniversary monument and tells the correct time four times a year. Delta Delta Delta was established at Miami University in 1911. At the time, there were several sororities on campus, but only Delta Zeta and Tri-Delta were national sororities.
Delta Delta Delta Sundial Plaque

The Delta Delta Delta Sundial tells the correct time four times a year as indicated on the bronze plaque below the monument.
Delta Sigma Epsilon Fountain and Patio

By 1914, Miami boasted more than a dozen sororities. Dr. Harvey Minnich, Dean of the School of Education, saw the opportunity to create a co-curricular sorority that would advance both the personal development of its members and the field of education. Minnich himself selected seven female students to form Delta Sigma Epsilon. DSE quickly became a national organization by spreading to numerous institutions with strong teacher education programs. </p> <p>At the time of its merger with Delta Zeta in 1956, Delta Sigma Epsilon had chartered 52 chapters and initiated over 13,000 women.
Delta Sigma Epsilon Fountain

Close up image of the Delta Sigma Epsilon Fountain and the inscription of the sorority's name on the pedestal.
Delta Sigma Epsilon Fountain and Patio

A stone marker commemorates the dedication of the Delta Sigma Epsilon Fountain and Patio.

Slant Walk

Phi Delta Theta Gates

The Phi Delta Theta Gates, donated by the fraternity in 1973 to commemorate the 125th anniversay of the chpater founding at Miami, stand at the historic entrance to campus. They replaced the brick Centennial Gates the fraternity also donated in honor of the university's centennial celebration in 1903.
Phi Delta Theta Gates Plaque

This plaque commemorates the founding of Phi Delta Theta on December 26, 1848 at Miami University.
Delta Gamma Kiosk

Along Slant Walk you will find an advertising kiosk that Delta Gamma donated to commemorate the sorority’s 50th anniversary.
Delta Gamma Kiosk Plaque

This plaque on the Delta Gamma Kiosk, commemorates the chapters Golden Anniversary in 1974.
Kappa Kappa Gamma Memorial

The Kappa Kappa Gamma centennial marker sits on top of the remains of Thobe’s Fountain, a prominent early twentieth century Miami landmark. Learn more about Henry Thobe and his fountain from the Miami Alumni Association.
Alpha Delta Pi Memorial Bench

King Library sits to the Southwest of the Slant Walk. Opened in 1966, it is the main hub of five libraries on Miami’s campus. South of the King Library entrance is the Alpha Delta Pi memorial bench, celebrating the sorority’s 150th anniversary.
Alpha Delta Pi Memorial Bench Marker

This marker was placed in 2001 to commemorate Alpha Delta Pi's 150th anniversary.
Delta Zeta Memorials

On the north wall of King (the faux column side, facing the Slant Walk) are several concrete memorials for the Alpha chapters at Miami donated by Delta Zeta in honor of its centennial.

Academic Quad

Beta Theta Pi Bell Tower

Arguably the most recognized structure on Miami’s campus is the landmark Beta Theta Pi campanile. This 128 foot tall, free-standing brick bell tower was designed by Charles F. Cellarius (a Beta at Yale) in 1939 to commemorate the fraternity’s founding. The four bells, each individually inscribed with the letters Beta, Theta, Pi, and Alpha were hung in Old Harrison Hall until the new campanile was completed in May 1941.
Beta Theta Pi Bell Tower Plaque

A plaque on the Beta Theta Pi Bell Tower denotes the fraternities founding at Miami on August 8, 1839.
Beta Theta Pi Bell Tower Plaque

An additional plaque on the Beta Theta Pi Bell Tower notes that Beta was the first college fraternity to be founded west of the Allegheny Mountains.
Beta Theta Pi Bell Tower 125th Anniversary Plaque

Another plaque was added to the Beta Theta Pi Bell tower to commemorate the fraternity's 125th anniversary in 1964.
Beta Theta Pi Bell Tower 150th Anniversary Plaque

A final plaque was added to the Beta Theta Pi Bell Tower in 1989 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the fraternity's founding and lists the names of the original founders.
Alpha Phi Sculpture

At The Hub, you can view a piece of modern art placed there by the Alpha Phi sorority to commemorate the chapter's 50th anniversary at Miami.
Alpha Phi Sculpture Plaque

A plaque at the base of the Alpha Phi sculpture at The Hub commemoraters the chapters Centennial.
Alpha Phi Sculpture Plaques for Alpha Omicron Pi and Beta Theta Pi

An additional plaque at the base of the Alpha Phi sculpture located at The Hub recognizes the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority for their work in the development of The Hub. A second section of the plaque was donated by Beta Theta Pi and includes the famous anonymously authored quote and unofficial motto of Miami: “To think that in such a place, I led such a life.

Harrison and Elliot

Harrison Hall

Harrison Hall is named for Miami University graduate and 23rd President of the United States, Benjamin Harrison, who was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. The current building is the second structure named Harrison Hall to be located on the site. The original building was constructed in 1816 with various additions made through 1898. Originally dubbed Old Main, the building was the founding site of Beta Theta Pi, Delta Zeta, Sigma Chi, and Phi Kappa Tau. it was renamed Harrison Hall in 1931 before being condemned in 1956 and razed in 1958. The present Harrison Hall was constructed in 1960.
Harrison Hall Plaques: Beta Theta Pi

Plaques dedicated to the founding of Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Chi, Delta Zeta, and Phi Kappa Tau are located inside Harrison Hall. This plaque commemorates the fouding of Beta Theta Pi by John Reily Knox and his associates in 1839.
Harrison Hall Plaques: Delta Zeta

Another plaque located in Harrison Hall commemorates the founding of Delta Zeta on the occasion of the chapter's Golden Anniversary.
Harrison Hall Plaques: Phi Kappa Tau

This plaque in Harrison Hall commemorates the founding of Phi Kappa Tau in 1906 with a list of the founding members.
Harrison Hall Plaques: Sigma Chi

Sigma Chi's founding in Harrison Hall is recognized by this plaque with a list of the founding members.
Elliot Hall

Elliot Hall, formerly known as North Dorm, is one of the two oldest buildings still standing on Miami's campus. One of two original dormitories at the university, Elliot was built in 1825 and serves as a residence hall to this day.
Elliot Hall Plaque

A plaque located in the room in Elliot Hall where Phi Delta Theta was founded denotes the fraternity's founding date and founding members.
Stoddard Hall Plaque

Stoddard Hall is the second of Miami's two original dormitories. Like Elliot Hall it remains in use as a residence hall today. This Delta Upsilon plaque commemorates the founding of the Miami chapter in 1868. The chapter closed when the university did so during the American Civil War, but was re-established in 1908 in the "New Miami" Era. The dedication on the plaque recognizes twelve chapter members who died serving in World War II.

Northeast Campus

Phi Kappa Tau Circle

The Phi Kappa Tau Circle is an anniversary monument located at the northeast corner of Talawanda and High Streets, the start of what used to be dubbed "Fraternity Row". The original structure and central plaque were dedicated in 1981 for the fraternity's Diamond Anniversary. The wall was constructed later to recognize the organization's centennial.
Phi Kappa Tau Circle Plaque

This plaque was part of the original dedication of the Phi Kappa Tau Circle during the group's 75th anniversary celebration.
Marcum Hotel and Conference Center

The Marcum Hotel and Conference Center stands on the former site of Fisher Hall. The original building was the home of the Oxford Female College and The Oxford Retreat Sanitarium before being sold to Miami and converted into a men's residence hall. Fisher Hall hosted a US Navy radio training school during World War II and housed the theater department prior to the construction of the Center for the Performing Arts.
Marcum Hotel and Conference Center Plaques: Delta Zeta

In honor of the sorority's Diamond Jubilee, this plaque in front of Marcum commemorates the founding members of Delta Zeta.
Marcum Hotel and Conference Center Plaques: Delta Chi

A plaque marks the patio behind Marcum, gifted to the university by Delta Chi on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Miami chapter.
Formal Gardens

The Formal Gardens sit behind the Marcum Hotel and Conference Center and feature many benches and other decorative structures donated by Miami fraternities and sororities to celebrate chapter milestones. The 200th anniversary of Greek-letter societies in the United States was celebrated along with the country's Bicentennial in 1976 and was commemorated by the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Association with a plaque at the garden's entrance.
Formal Gardens Plaque: Gamma Phi Beta

This is an example of the many dedicated structures and areas in the Formal Gardens. The Rose Garden section was a gift from Gamma Phi Beta in honor of their centennial year on campus.