History of Fraternities & Sororities at Illinois

Fraternities and sororities began at Illinois in 1872, only five years post the foundation of the institution. With 150 years of history, our community has grown to encompass more than 90 organizations with a undergraduate student population exceeding 7,500.

Throughout the history of the institution, Illinois had become known as the "Fraternity Capital of the World" when in the 1920's more than half of the student body was affiliated in a fraternity (42% of male student population) or sorority. By 1928, the university was home to 84 social fraternities and 42 social women's fraternities/sororities (including 22 National Panhellenic Conference organizations). Fraternal organizations were truly valuable instruments in shaping ideas and actions of students.

Firsts at Illinois

1872 – Delta Tau Delta Fraternity
The Beta Upsilon Chapter of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity is established as the first fraternal organization at Illinois.

1895 – Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women & Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity
The Illinois Zeta Chapter of Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women and the Delta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity are established as the first fraternal organizations for women at Illinois.

1913 – Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
The Beta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. is established as the first Black Greek Letter Organization for men at Illinois.

1914 – Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
The Gamma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is established as the first Black Greek Letter Organization for women at Illinois.

1988 – Alpha Psi Lambda National, Inc.
The Beta Chapter of Alpha Psi Lambda National, Inc. is established as the first cultural and Latino organization for men and women at Illinois.

1991 – Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc.
The Kappa Chapter of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc. is established as the first Latino fraternal organization for men at Illinois.

1992 – Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc.
The Delta Chapter of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc. is established as the first Latina fraternal organization for women at Illinois.

1992 – Tau Phi Sigma Multicultural Fraternity, Inc.
The Alpha Chapter of Tau Phi Sigma Multicultural Fraternity, Inc. is established as the first multicultural fraternal organization for men at Illinois.

1994 – Delta Xi Phi Multicultural Sorority, Inc.
The Alpha Chapter of Delta Xi Phi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. is established as the first multicultural fraternal organization for women at Illinois.

1997 – Lambda Phi Epsilon International Fraternity, Inc.
The Chi Chapter of Lambda Phi Epsilon International Fraternity, Inc. is established as the first Asian fraternal organization for men at Illinois.

2000 – alpha Kappa Delta Phi International Sorority, Inc.
The Upsilon Chapter of alpha Kappa Delta Phi International Sorority, Inc. is established as the first Asian fraternal organization for women at Illinois.

2002 – Alpha Iota Omicron Fraternity, Inc.
The Beta Chapter of Alpha Iota Omicron Fraternity, Inc. is established as the first South Asian fraternal organization for men at Illinois.

2006 – Delta Kappa Delta Sorority, Inc.
The Epsilon Chapter of Delta Kappa Delta Sorority, Inc. is established as the first South Asian fraternal organization for women at Illinois.

Organizations Founded at Illinois

Campus Buildings & Landmarks Named After Fraternity & Sorority Alumni

Academic Buildings & Corridors

Roger Adams Laboratory, Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity
Named after Roger Adams.

Bardeen Quad, Zeta Psi Fraternity
Named after John Bardeen, Ph.D., an American physicist and electrical engineer and two time Nobel Prize in Physics recipient for his invention of the transistor.

Beckman Institute, Delta Upsilon International Fraternity
Named after Arnold Beckman.

Buell Hall, Chi Psi Fraternity
Named after Temple Buell.

Clark Hall, Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity
Named after Thomas Arkle Clark, the first Dean of Men at a college or university and a co-founder of NASPA. The Clark Award is the highest honor an individual may receive from the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity.

Daniels Halls, The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta & Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity
Named after Arthur Hills Daniels and his wife Mrs. Daniels.

Davenport Hall, Delta Tau Delta Fraternity & Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity
Named after Eugene Davenport, a former Dean for the College of Agriculture.

Foellinger Auditorium, Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women
Named after Helene Foellinger.

Gies College of Business, Delta Chi Fraternity & Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity
Named after Larry and Beth Gies who provided a $150 million gift to the college.

Harding Band Building, Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity
Named after Austin A. Harding, a former Director of the University Band.

Henry Administration Building, Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity
Named after David Dodds Henry.

David Kinley Hall, The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta & Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity
Named after David Kinley and his wife Kate Neal Kinley. David was a former Professor of Economics, Dean for the College of Literature & Arts, Founding Director for the School of Commerce, Dean for the Graduate School, Vice President of the University, Acting President and eventually University President.

Huff Hall, Kappa Sigma Fraternity & Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women
Named after George Huff and his wife Mrs. Huff. George was Athletic Director from 1901-1935 and a coach.

Khan Annex, Huff Hall, Beta Theta Pi Fraternity
Named after Shahid Khan.

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Chi Phi Fraternity
Named after Herman Krannert, an alumnus of the Illinois Class of 1912.

Mumford Hall, FarmHouse Fraternity
Named after D. Curtis Mumford.

Noyes Chemistry Laboratory, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity
Named after Albert Noyes.

Athletic Facilities, Fields & Monuments

Eicherlberger Softball Field, 4-H House Cooperative Sorority
Named after Eila Jean Eichelberger.

Red Grange Statue & Grange Grove, Zeta Psi Fraternity
Named after Harold Edward "Red" Grange, an American football halfback for the University of Illinois and the Chicago Bears.

Shahid & Ann Khan Outdoor Tennis Complex, Beta Theta Pi Fraternity
Named after Shaid Khan and his wife, owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL Team, Fulham F.C. English Football League Championship Team, and Flex-N-Gate.

Zuppke Football Field, Kappa Sigma Fraternity
Named for Robert Zuppke, former Fighting Illini Football Coach from 1913-1941 during which Illinois achieved four National Titles (1914, 1919, 1923, 1927).

Residence Halls

* denotes a building which has been razed

Barton Residence Hall, Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity
Named after Herbert J. Barton.

Babcock Residence Hall, Delta Tau Delta Fraternity
Named after Kendric Babcock, a former Dean for the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.

Bousfield Residence Hall, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Named after Maudelle Tanner Brown Bousfield, the first African American women to graduate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1906.

*Forbes Residence Hall, The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta
Named after Stephen A. Forbes.

Hopkins Residence Hall, Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity
Named after B. Smith Hopkins.

Scott Residence Hall, Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity & Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women
Named after Franklin William Scott and his wife, Mrs. Scott.

Townsend Residence Hall, Delta Tau Delta Fraternity
Named after Edgar Jerome Townsend and his wife Mrs. Townsend.

Trelease Residence Hall, Delta Upsilon International Fraternity
Named after William Trelease.

Wardall Residence Hall, The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta
Named after William Wardall.

Weston Residence Hall, Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity
Named after Nathan Austin Weston.

Student Life Buildings

Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center (BNAACC), Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
Named after Bruce D. Nesbitt, former director of the Afro-American Cultural Program from 1974-1996.

Fred H. Turner Student Services Building, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity
Named after Fred H. Turner, a former Dean of Students. The Turner Award is the highest honor an individual may receive from the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity.