Each year at Yale University during the 1840's, certain members of the sophomore class were elected to two junior societies, Alpha Delta Phi and Psi Upsilon. In the spring of 1844, due to undergraduate politics and a division in the sophomore class, a number of men of high character and scholastic attainment did not receive bids from the two societies. So unfair, in fact, were the selections that some men who did receive bids promptly rejected them.

On Saturday, June 22, 1844, fifteen Yale sophomores, rejecting the status quo, met and formed a new junior society which they called Delta Kappa Epsilon. Very quickly DKE became more than just another junior society. Its predecessors' criterion of academic distinction, while still highly respected, was expanded to include the qualities of good fellowship and compatible tastes and interests and thus attracted a wider range of prospective members. More fraternal than its rival societies, DKE proceeded to recruit men who combine "in equal proportions the gentleman, the scholar, and the jolly good fellow" -- criteria which have remained unchanged to this day.

We are proud of our fraternity and the more than 70,000 men who have become our brothers since DKE was founded in 1844. Dekes come from every walk of life. Many have gone on to distinguish themselves in politics, the arts, sciences, sports, education, and the humanities. Five U.S. Presidents have been Dekes, the most of any fraternity. The first man to reach the North Pole was a Deke and a Deke has carried our flag to the moon. In every corner of the world you will meet fellow Dekes, but whatever their background or station in life, all are united by the shared experience of membership in DKE.

Seven young men paved the way for Delta Kappa Epsilon at NYU. Those men, along with the first pledge class after them, were all initiated together at the University of Pennsylvania's Delta Kappa chapter on November 20, 1993. The Beta Gamma chapter officially received its charter on June 12, 1994 at the 150th Convention of Delta Kappa Epsilon in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Beta Gamma found success quickly, winning Best Fraternity in 1995 for its philanthropic activities. One of the earliest of the chapter's charities was "Broadways Moments," a broadway revue that raised money for Youth AIDS. Held every year between 1994-2000, the event raised more than $40,000 for charity over its lifespan.

As a reward for the chapter's benevolence, it was given a fraternity suite in Third Avenue North Residence Hall in 2000. Delta Kappa Epsilon resided there from 2000 to 2004, at which time the fraternity moved to the Lafayette Street Residence Hall along with the rest of Greek Life.

Delta Kappa Epsilon was awarded Best Fraternity by the Office of Student Activities in 2006 on the strength of an increased membership and effective community service to the New York City Rescue Mission, Relay For Life, and various other events such as a Sherbert Fesitval in which DKE gave away free sherbert to NYU students on the day before finals.

On the strength of the chapter being awarded Best Fraternity at NYU, Beta Gamma won the Lion Trophy, the highest chapter award in Delta Kappa Epsilon, at the 162nd convention in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Find Top Fashion Design Schools and Colleges