Westminster College’s Delta Tau Delta Chapter Celebrates 75th Chapter Anniversary

Pictured above – Steve and Betsy Humphreys ’83, Jim Russell, Lynn “Mom” Norberg, Susie and Cory Ridenhour ’92 at the 75th Anniversary celebration.

The Delta Omicron Chapter of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity at Westminster College celebrated its 75th chapter anniversary Alumni Weekend with eight decades of Delts represented at the gathering.

“For 75 years, our Delt Shelter has provided over 1,000 Delt men of Westminster College a place to learn community living skills that have been used in their careers after leaving Fulton,” says Bill Felder, ’80, member of the Board of Directors of the Delt House Corporation and member of the Westminster Board of Trustees.

The strong gathering of Westminster Delts included the Rev. Harold (Jack) Ogden, ’40 who was one of the original members of the Delta Omicron Chapter, installed by President Paul Hoffman on Dec. 2, 1939.  Rev. Ogden, who is 97 years old, traveled from his home in Seal Beach, CA for the celebration and delivered a stirring benediction without notes at the conclusion of the dinner.

Jim Russell, William Felder ‘80, Dr Tom Shields ‘52, Rev. Harold “Jack” Ogden ‘40, Brock Ayers ‘82, Frank Turner ‘84

At the celebration members of the Delta Tau Delta Association of Fulton MO (House Corporation) announced the launch of “The Can DO Campaign” with a goal of raising $150,000 over the next ten months.

The funds will be used to install an automatic fire sprinkler system, replace and upgrade the central fire alarm system and add air conditioning to the House quarters known as the Delt Shelter.

“We at the Delta Omicron Chapter are very excited to be celebrating our 75th anniversary this year, along with the successes that have occurred during that time,” says Lake Moore, President of the Delta Omicron Chapter and a senior from Muskogee, OK.  “The events over Alumni Weekend were a huge success, especially the kickoff of our new capital campaign, the Can DO Campaign.  I am honored to currently be serving as the Chapter’s President and play a small part in its continued success over the next 75 years.”

The evening celebration included a tribute to Brock Ayers of Ballwin, MO, Class of 1982, who was inducted into the Distinguished Service Chapter (DSC), the highest service award available to a member of Delta Tau Delta and dates back to 1930.

“To be named to the DSC was a total surprise and an incredible honor,” says Ayers.  “I was very honored and proud to be a member of the Delta Omicron chapter and now the Distinguished Service Chapter of Delta Tau Delta.  My affiliation with Delta Tau Delta provided a great foundation for me as an undergrad and has been a positive influence in my professional and personal life ever since I graduated from Westminster.  I am very pleased that the fraternity continues to provide positive support and structure for young men today.”

The DSC is awarded to Delts who have been alumni for a minimum of 20 years and provided exemplary serve to the fraternity beyond their own chapter.

Ayers is only the second Westminster Delt to be cited by the DSC.  The other was the late Hoyt Gardner, former international president of Delta Tau Delta, who was inducted in 1992.  Ayers is the 431st man inducted from the more than 170,000 men initiated since Delta Tau Delta was founded in 1858 at Bethany College in western Virginia.

Crawford King ‘47, Earl O’Rourke ‘51, Dr Tom Shields ‘52, Gene Hamilton ‘64 at the 2014 75th Reunion

The Delta Omicron Chapter of Delta Tau Delta at Westminster College was founded December 2, 1939.

Founded nationally in 1858, Delta Tau Delta has 136 chapters and colonies in 39 states today with a membership of more than 9,000 undergraduates and 117,000 living alumni.  The fraternity posts a national GPA of 3.01, making it one of the highest achieving men’s fraternities academically.

Brad Bergeson ’92, Matt Loomis ’98, Kevin Hewgley ’95, Russ Knocke ’96, Dan Westhuse ’93, Mark McKeachen ’93, Scott Fitzgibbon ’96, Chris Piazza ’95, Collin Campbell ’96, Ryan Nance, ’95