DELTA BETA
Northern Michigan University

FOUNDED ON
5.3.1969

LOCATION
Maquette, MI

HISTORY
Northern State Normal School was established in 1899. In the 1950’s and 60’s, the curriculum was diversified and the school attained university status in 1963. By 2005, the University enrolled over 8,600 students and claimed approximately 43,000 alumni.

Several members of Delta Omega Nu, a local fraternity, wished to affiliate with a national fraternity and left their organization. They formed a club which became Alpha Sigma in May 1968. John Showerman, Northern Michigan ‘69, was among the leaders of the club, and attended the 1968 National Convention of Alpha Sigma Phi. The group submitted a petition, which was accepted, and the group was chartered with 42 members as the Delta Beta.

Chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi on May 3, 1969. Grand Councilor Robert Allen, Purdue ‘43, and Executive Secretary Ralph F. Burns, Ohio Wesleyan ‘32, attended the installation. John Showerman, Northern Michigan ‘69, was the Founding Chapter President and served on the Grand Council of Alpha Sigma Phi. The Chapter won Summa Cum Laude Awards for 1968-69 and 1969-70. After a brief decline, the Chapter ceased operations in 1984-85 and the charter was revoked in August 1985.

An interest group was formed by Scott Mental and four other men at Northern Michigan University in January 2004. Fraternity staff member Albie Bell, Michigan ‘98, assisted with the development of the group. By spring of 2006, the group had grown to 28 members, the second largest fraternity on campus at the time. Under 2% of the undergraduate students were members of the three other fraternities and four sororities on the campus in 2005. Gus Rydholm was appointed Grand Chapter Advisor to the Colony.

Re-chartering was approved and the Ceremony was held on November 4, 2006. Grand Councilor Mike Young, Murray State ‘94, presented the charter. Undergraduates from Delta Rho (Central Michigan), Delta Chi (Elmhurst), and Epsilon Rho (App State) assisted in the initiation of the 28 charter members. Over 15 alumni of the earlier chapter were present for the re-chartering. 

The Delta Beta Alumni Association was formed in May 2009, marking the 40th anniversary of the original chartering. 

Delta Beta won the Manigault Award for Outstanding Ritual Exemplification for 2009, the Service Award for 2006, Summa Cum Laude Awards for 1970, 1969, 1968, 1967 and 1966 and the Tomahawk Awards for 1969 and 1968.

CHAPTER AWARDS
Records show award name and year(s) received.