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Chapter History
The Chester A. Cole Senate of the Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity was chartered at Drake in 1921. The first law fraternity at Drake, Delta Theta Phi made early and significant contributions to the law school and its student body. Since then, the fraternity has played a major role in enhancing the cohesiveness of each entering Drake class.
Throughout the 1950s, for example, the members of the fraternity would meet monthly for dinner and afterward would listen to one of Iowa’s top attorneys discuss a headline-generating case in which that attorney had been involved. Alternatively, there would be discussions of other current issues or even trial techniques being developed at that time. Those very popular events became known as Delt Nights and were a social and professional focal point for the law school for years.
In 1981, a new era in the fraternity was launched when a variety of tutorial, recreational, and social activities were launched by the fraternity which were designed to benefit all law students, and to strengthen the Law School itself. The recreational activities included an annual all Law School golf tournament, a racquet ball tournament, and a tennis tournament. The tutorial programs developed to help students compete successfully in the first year include; preparation for moot court arguments, outlining seminars, and test taking seminars Socially and professionally, Delt Nights were reintroduced in the 1980's and top-notch speakers who have litigated major cases met informally and off the record with members of the fraternity over dinner and have shared their experiences and advice.
Since the 1920s, the fraternity has prided itself on attracting outstanding members. It has billed itself as the “leadership fraternity,” based on the fact that Delts have consistently held leadership positions in the law school, including editor-in-chief of both the Drake Law Review and the Drake Journal of Agricultural Law, president of the Student Bar Association, and president of the Moot Court Board.
 Forty-five years ago, a law student named Robert D. Ray, who had been elected student body president while an undergrad at Drake, was one of the leaders of the fraternity while in law school. In fact, he was one of those who developed Delt Nights. Ray went on to become governor of Iowa for five terms and served as chairman of the National Association of Governors. It is interesting to note that Ray’s daughter joined the Delts as soon as she arrived at Drake. The fraternity’s tradition runs deep at Drake and other children of Delts are now joining. And, of course, a whole new generation of lawyers will begin a tradition for themselves by joining Delts.
In October of 2003, Delta Theta Phi gave its most distinguished member the highest honor by renaming the senate the Robert D. Ray Senate. In addition, the first Delta Theta Phi undergraduate senate in the country was formed at Drake, also bearing his name.
Today, Delta Theta Phi is the only professional law fraternity at Drake University. Nearly two-thirds of the law school students are Delts. Delts are engaged academically and host a variety of tutorial programs, including Peer Mentors. Delts also are concerned about our world and devote time and money to charitable organizations such as Habitat for Humanity. And, of course, Delts enjoy socializing with each other while participating in weekly events, including Delt Nights.
Delta Theta Phi has shaped and molded Drake Law School for the past eighty years. It literally serves as the mortar adhering the bricks of Cartwright Hall. Today, the tradition of Delts has never been stronger. Become a part of the tradition, become a part of the Delts.
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 Upcoming Events
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Friday 2/27 |
Delt Initiation |
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Thursday 4/9 |
Delt Karaoke Night |
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