Delta Upsilon
Delta Upsilon (ΔΥ) is an international men's collegiate social fraternity, recognized as the oldest non-secret fraternity in North America, founded on November 4, 1834, at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, initially as the Social Fraternity by thirty students opposing the secrecy of existing Greek-letter societies.[1]
The organization adopted its current name in 1864 after evolving from the Anti-Secret Confederation formed in 1847, emphasizing merit-based membership, openness, and principles of justice and liberal culture, with its original motto Ouden Adelon translating to "Nothing Secret."[1] Today, Delta Upsilon maintains approximately 65 active chapters and colonies across the United States and Canada, promoting personal growth, leadership, service, and substance-free environments while upholding a non-hazing policy.[2][1] Notable among its alumni are figures such as U.S. President James A. Garfield (Williams, 1856) and Charles Evans Hughes, who served as the fraternity's first international president upon its incorporation in 1909 and later became Chief Justice of the United States.[3][1] Delta Upsilon played a foundational role in fraternity governance by co-founding the National Interfraternity Conference (now North American Interfraternity Conference) in 1909 and establishing the Delta Upsilon Educational Foundation in 1949 to support leadership and scholarship initiatives.[1] While committed to non-hazing and transparency, individual chapters have faced disciplinary actions for violations including hazing incidents, as reported at institutions like Grand Valley State University and Indiana University.[4][5]