The Allegheny Chapter of Delta Tau Delta has stood proudly since 1864, when Edward M. Williams came to Allegheny College with a charter in hand; ready to establish what was then Chapter Theta. At that time, two other fraternities, Phi Kappa Psi and Phi Gamma Delta, were already strongly established, and the Civil War had dramatically decreased college enrollment. Williams faced impossible odds trying to cement Delta Tau Delta’s presence at this time, however he succeeded. By 1866, the then Theta Chapter held strongly with eleven men, a large number considering the enrollment at Allegheny that year was just about eighty five. Yet soon the Civil War ended, and the enrollment at colleges around the nation increased. By 1869 the chapter boasted a robust forty-five members.
    In 1869, Theta Chapter was honored when Delta Tau Delta held its national conference in Meadville. It was here that the Alpha designation (then belonging to Jefferson College) was granted to Ohio Wesleyan, and Allegheny’s Chapter was re-designated Chapter Delta. For many years the Chapter grew and prospered, taking in men each term, and becoming well known on campus for producing men with strong literary skills. The meetings of the fraternity at this time were held in rented rooms at the Colt House, then a hotel in Meadville. The chapter served as a place for brothers to gather and study, socialize, practice their oratory skills, and conduct any business that was necessary. This kind of great prosperity lasted for a long time, until in 1874 the strength of the Chapter, and indeed the entire fraternity, would be tested. In November of 1874 Delta Chapter received a letter from C.B. Wright, of the then Alpha Chapter at Ohio Wesleyan. It stated that the Alpha Chapter, for the betterment of Ohio Wesleyan’s campus, was disbanding. It was because of high strife and rivalries developing on Ohio Wesleyan’s campus among fraternities that this occurred.
    Immediately, and without warrant from the fraternity as a whole, Delta Chapter took action and sent brothers, led by James S. Eaton, to Delaware (where C.B. Wright had sent the majority of Alpha Chapter documents to be stored) and claimed the national documents. Upon his return home, Eaton brought the remains of Ohio Wesleyan's records, as well as the "Alpha" designation back with him to Allegheny. Voluntarily taking the responsibilities, Allegheny Chapter began to grant charters to new colleges, and oversaw a rapid expansion of Delta Tau Delta. Amazed by the vigor of the Allegheny Chapter, the next Convention held in 1875 granted them official rights to the designation Alpha. This designation has stood now for over one hundred thirty years.
    Alpha Chapter took immediate steps and began publishing a national quarterly publication, the third fraternity in the nation to do so. This journal, then called The Crescent, consisted of poetry, essays, scholarly articles, news of general Fraternity business, letters from alumni, and reports from Alpha Chapter. This ideal fraternity life prospered for another several years. However, in 1880, the fraternity had by now managed to establish a large and able bodied group of alumni who were taking interest in the fraternity as a whole. Alpha Chapter had expanded the fraternity so much that it was becoming more unwieldy to manage, as well as maintaining normal student responsibilities. At a Convention in 1883, the motion was passed for alumni to remove the national power from Allegheny’s Alpha, and allow the students to devote more time to educational and service affairs. Many men at Alpha took this news with resentment; however they continued to strive for the excellence set forth by Delta Tau Delta in motto and spirit.
    Allegheny’s Alpha Chapter of Delta Tau Delta  remains strong through the passage of time. Committed to living lives of excellence and devoted to being academically, socially, philanthropically, and morally respected is a goal every brother maintains. Through constant dedication to the Fraternity’s motto, and its values of Truth, Courage, Faith, and Power, the men of Alpha chapter distinguish themselves both among the National Fraternity, and from other Fraternities on campus. The men of Alpha chapter forever share a common goal of keeping alive the spirit and tradition of Delta Tau Delta. Through continual engagement in many of the volunteer projects and social functions held by Alpha Chapter, the men here make strong bonds of friendship that transcend to being familial. Each brother brings his own set of talents that pushes the chapter forward into a brighter, more successful future.