Chapter History

Gamma Pi was the first Delta Gamma chapter in Virginia. Roanoke College, once a university for only men, officially admitted women in 1941. When Roanoke opened to national sororities the local, Sigma Kappa Phi petitioned Delta Gamma. The Dean of Women reported that this was the “outstanding group” on campus. Sigma Kappa Phi was awarded the campus scholarship trophy 8 out of 12 times in 6 years. 

Two fields secretaries traveled to Salem to conduct pledging on Thursday, June 2, 1955 in the freshman women’s dormitory. The 24 new pledges had just found out a few days before that their petition to Delta Gamma had been accepted. Gamma Pi was the only chapter chartered in 1955 and became the 81st Delta Gamma Fraternity Chapter.

Initiation and installation was held on November 5th, 1955 in the Hotel Roanoke. Beta Theta Chapter, Duke University, performed the initiation ceremony at 1:00 p.m. The Dean of Women, Helen W. Hobart, and two advisers were initiated along with 18 of the women who had pledged in the spring. It was unusual for a Dean of Women to be initiated, as women in this position were likely to maintain impartial affiliation with Greek groups. The installation banquet was $4.50. A reception was held Sunday at the Roanoke Country Club.  

Before going to Greenbriar for the National Panhellenic Conference, the Delta Gamma council met at the Hotel Roanoke for the Fall Council meeting, before they attended the Gamma Pi installation. Chi Omega and Phi Mu were also installed in 1955. During the first rush for these three groups, Delta Gamma pledged its quota – all first choice women. The chapter’s first AnchorSplash was held in 1984. 

Today, 1,236 women have been initiated into Gamma Pi. Of these women, four alumnae from Gamma Pi have served on Council.