Gamma-Rho Chapter Fraternity History

When the local Delta Phi fraternity affiliated with Kappa Sigma in 1915 as the Gamma-Rho Chapter of Kappa Sigma Fraternity at the University of Arizona, its members established a tradition of excellence and brotherhood, which has been cherished and nurtured by each succeeding generation of members. We were the first fraternity or sorority founded in the State of Arizona.

There have been 2,284 members initiated into Gamma-Rho Chapter of which 1,117 alumni and are still active. Our members have watched the campus grow from 463 students when we started in 1915 to over 40,000 students.

Year after year, individuals and as a group, the men of Gamma-Rho have distinguished themselves for high academic standards, community service, excellence in varsity and intramural sports, campus leadership, and of course for having a good time. Yes, we surrendered our charter and left campus from a few times but we have stood proud for most of our history.

Our chapter has produced hundreds of successful and influential professionals in architecture, business, criminal justice, education, entertainment, finance, government, law, medicine, professional sports, public service, technology, and other fields. Many have owned or managed thriving manufacturing, retail and service businesses.

Members from our chapter wrote the school Alma Mater song, co-founded the Bobcat Senior Honorary, designed the original Wilbur, and co-founded the ZonaZoo.

The dimension of brotherhood has always been the chapter’s greatest strength. Many close ties, which began at one or more of the Gamma-Rho Chapter houses, have flourished for entire lifetimes. Some of these bonds of brotherhood extend across an entire class; others have continued in small groups and some even across many decades of alumni. Our alumni live in almost every state in the U.S and in many countries. The common interests of Gamma-Rho brothers have changed in many cases, but the beginnings of friendship will always go back to our association in the fraternity.

Our Centennial Program from 2015