2005 marks the 150th Anniversary of the foundation of fraternities on Tufts’ campus. The Kappa chapter of Zeta Psi was founded at Tufts in 1855 with the assistance of a chapter at Harvard. Four years later, Theta Delta Chi chartered a chapter at Tufts. Both organizations suffered major casualties during the Civil War, but were able to regain strength and membership after the war and continue to thrive. In 1889, the Beta Mu chapter of Delta Tau Delta was chartered at Tufts. Before the end of the 19th century, these three chapters had six alumni who would serve on the Tufts faculty and two alumni who would go on to be presidents of the institution!

Tufts became a coeducational university in 1892, and the first sorority, Alpha Delta Sigma was organized just three years later. Within a year of Alpha Delta Sigma’s charter, a second group had formed: Alpha Kappa Gamma.  Alpha Delta Sigma formed “Delta Sigma” in conjunction with a sorority at Brown University and the University of Maine in 1901.  Several years later, in 1908, this organization was entirely absorbed by Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority, which remains on Tufts' campus today.  The legacy of these original groups lives in on in the three Panhellenic groups which Tufts currently recognizes: Alpha Omicron Pi, Alpha Phi, and Chi Omega.

For the past 150 years, the Greek system has continued to grow and represent the best and brightest students at Tufts University. Between social gatherings, philanthropic fund-raisers, and an overall G.P.A. higher than the Tufts’ average, Greek members have plenty of reasons to be proud. Their rich history and strong roots will continue to make the Greek system a powerful force on campus for the next 150 years!