History of Greek Life at the 'Berg
Rudy Ehrenberg, Dean of Students
Issue date: 4/14/05 Section: Focus
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Fraternities have had a significant presence at Muhlenberg College for nearly 140 years. Almost from the College's inception in 1848, Greek organizations and members have had an important role in the vitality of the College Community.
Organizationally, they have been active in the Allentown community through volunteer service and outreach. For many individuals, being part of a Greek organization is a key component in their individual growth and an important part of their educational experience; unquestionably life-long friendships have been developed through membership in a fraternity.
In 1867, two years after the end of the Civil War and nineteen years after Muhlenberg College was formed, the first social fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta, was chartered on the campus. Most charter members of the first fraternity were born in the 1840s; some members had likely served in the Civil War. At that time the College was an all male institution with most of the 67 students preparing to be teachers or clergy. During the later part of the nineteenth century, three other social fraternities joined the College, including Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) in 1881.
By the beginning of the twentieth century, the College had established a strong reputation. In 1904, the College relocated to its present site on 52 acres of farmland west of Allentown. Between then and the beginning of World War II, there was considerable growth in the Greek community with the addition of fourteen new or merged fraternities including Phi Kappa Tau (PKT) (1918) and Sigma Phi Epsilon (SPE) (1938). The other two current fraternities were chartered at Muhlenberg College in the latter part of the twentieth century: Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) in 1988 and Delta Tau Delta (DTD) in 1998.
In the early 1950s when the College found itself struggling financially, the Lutheran Church stepped in and offered to provide a substantial loan in exchange for the College's agreement to become co-educational. The first class of women entered Muhlenberg College in 1957, and three sororities were chartered in 1984: Alpha Chi Omega, Delta Zeta and Phi Sigma Sigma; Phi Mu became the fourth sorority at Muhlenberg College in 1992.
Organizationally, they have been active in the Allentown community through volunteer service and outreach. For many individuals, being part of a Greek organization is a key component in their individual growth and an important part of their educational experience; unquestionably life-long friendships have been developed through membership in a fraternity.
In 1867, two years after the end of the Civil War and nineteen years after Muhlenberg College was formed, the first social fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta, was chartered on the campus. Most charter members of the first fraternity were born in the 1840s; some members had likely served in the Civil War. At that time the College was an all male institution with most of the 67 students preparing to be teachers or clergy. During the later part of the nineteenth century, three other social fraternities joined the College, including Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) in 1881.
By the beginning of the twentieth century, the College had established a strong reputation. In 1904, the College relocated to its present site on 52 acres of farmland west of Allentown. Between then and the beginning of World War II, there was considerable growth in the Greek community with the addition of fourteen new or merged fraternities including Phi Kappa Tau (PKT) (1918) and Sigma Phi Epsilon (SPE) (1938). The other two current fraternities were chartered at Muhlenberg College in the latter part of the twentieth century: Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) in 1988 and Delta Tau Delta (DTD) in 1998.
In the early 1950s when the College found itself struggling financially, the Lutheran Church stepped in and offered to provide a substantial loan in exchange for the College's agreement to become co-educational. The first class of women entered Muhlenberg College in 1957, and three sororities were chartered in 1984: Alpha Chi Omega, Delta Zeta and Phi Sigma Sigma; Phi Mu became the fourth sorority at Muhlenberg College in 1992.