About MTU Delta Upsilon
The Michigan Technological University Chapter of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity began as a colony in January 1980. The colony was started by five men who lived on the third floor of West Wadsworth Hall, and were dissatisfied with the fraternities on campus at that time. These men were James Clous, Craig Ferguson, Bruce Griffin, Stephen Knapowski, and Charles Wegener. Craig Ferguson was already a member of Delta Upsilon, having been initiated with the reorganized Michigan State Chapter when they went through the Fraternity Installation Ceremony. Charles Wegener also had ties to the Michigan State Chapter through his brother Robert Wegener, and spent many hours at the MSU Chapter house. Craig was approached by the other four men, that they were interested in forming an Alpha Delta Upsilon Colony with his assistance.
On January 9, 1980, the Delta Upsilon Fraternity sent a representative to the MTU campus to meet with the petitioners, and campus officials. The petition to colonize was accepted with the condition that the colony increase membership to twenty four men by February. This was accomplished in short order, and by the end of that month the colony was officially designated as an Alpha Delta Upsilon Colony.
Growth of the Colony was quick at first, then painfully slow. By the end of the Fall term of 1981 the Colony membership was at forty eight men. The requirements for Chapter Installation were fifty undergraduate members, a stable Colony organization and good standing with the Fraternity. At forty eight members, the Colony could not go through Chapter Installation. After several close attempts, and low dips in membership, Wilford A. Butler, CAE, the Fraternity Executive Director, sent an ultimatum to the Colony in October 1985. The Colony had until the end of May 1986 to increase its current membership of twenty four, and have fifty or more initiates for the Chapter Installation Ceremony. If the Colony failed, it would cease to exist as a Delta Upsilon affiliate. The challenge was answered by the membership of the Colony, and the Colony presented sixty five men for the Oath of Initiation at the Chapter Installation Ceremonies took place on May 9 and 10, 1986.
| Craig Ferguson | 1979-80 |
| James Clous | 1980-81 |
| Terry O’Brien | 1981-82 |
| Stephen Knapowski | 1982-83 |
| Darryl Muir | 1983-84 |
| Larry Krause | 1984-85 |
| James DeClerck | 1985-86 |
These men played a key role leading the Colony towards becoming a Chapter, however the work was accomplished by all of the membership as a team, the least of which were the twelve pledges of Spring term 1986. The men of the Colony continued to work for the betterment of the Chapter after the receiving the Charter.
This is the Charter granted to the Chapter on May 10, 1986. It hangs in the living room of our chapter house.
This is a picture of all the brothers who were initiated with the installation of our Chapter. The original also hangs in the living room of our chapter house.