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 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 that 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, more than any other 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.

A Few Important Dates in DKE History:

� June 22, 1844 - National Founding at Yale

� 1854 - The world's first fraternity lodge was built by the Lambda chapter of DKE at Kenyon University in Gambier, Ohio

� 1856- Beta Phi chapter at the University of Rochester was founded. 

� March 14, 1881, Brother Rutherford B. Hayes of DKE's Delta Chi chapter at Cornell University became the 19th President of the United States and the first President to belong to a greek organization.

� 1901 - Theodore Roosevelt, a Deke from Harvard, became the second Deke to become U.S. President

� April 6, 1909 - Robert Peary from Bowdoin's Theta chapter of DKE carried a Deke flag to the North Pole as he was the first to reach the Pole.

� November 19, 1969 - Alan Bean, a Deke from the University of Texas, planted a Deke flag on the moon as the fourth man to walk on the moon.

� 1974 - Gerald Ford became the third Deke in the White House.

� January 20, 1989 - George H.W. Bush from DKE's mother chapter, Phi at Yale, became DKE's fourth U.S. President

January 2000 - George W. Bush followed in the DKE tradition as our fraternity's fifth President.

History of the Beta Phi chapter

        November 22, 1856. It was on this date that the Beta Phi chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon was founded at the University of Rochester. This was due to the hard work of nine outstanding young men: George P Draper ’57, Thomas Rogers ’58, William Harkness ’58, Francis Pierce ’59, John Wesley Heath ’59, John Purdy ’60, Charles Barton ’60, Thomas Heron ’60, and Samuel Pierce ’60.

         Just as Beta Phi was growing up out of its infancy, the Nation became engulfed in the Civil War. In fact, the first officer killed was a DEKE, Theodore Winthrup from Yale. In all, Beta Phi gave sent twenty-seven of her members to the northern army. Of these, six were charter members and had distinguished careers.

         William Harkness served as a surgeon at the second battle of Bull Run. Francis Pierce served as a Colonel in the 108th New York Infantry. Thomas Heron enlisted as a private in the 87th New York Infantry. Charles Barton served as a captain in the 98th N.Y. Volunteers. John Purdy served as 1st Lt. in Company G, 40th Wisconsin Infantry. Finally, Samuel Pierce served as Colonel of the 3rd N.Y. Cavalry.

         Following the close of the war in 1865, the first of four DKE National Conventions was held Rochester with Beta Phi serving as the host chapter. This was the first convention since the start of the war.

         The DKE National Convention returned to Rochester again in 1884, with Beta Phi again serving as the host chapter. This convention so stimulated the enthusiasm of both the active chapter and the alumni that in 1888 the chapter house at 285 Alexander Street was purchased. This was the first fraternity house at the University of Rochester.

         It was at this house that around the turn of the century Theodore Roosevelt (at the time Governor) was entertained. Governor Roosevelt attened breakfast at the chapter house at 7 a.m.

         This was not that last famous celebrity to dine at the DKE house. In 1907 a dinner was given at the Chapter house by the alumni and active brothers to honor Commander Robert Edwin Perry a DEKE from Bowdoin. This was exactly a year and a half before Perry placed the DKE flag beside the Stars and Stripes at the North Pole, himself being the first man to ever reach it.