Our History

In 1916 a group of five women at SMU decided to organize as a secret society called The Pick Wick Club. In December of 1920, the desire to affiliate with a national fraternity was felt by its members and the group reorganized naming itself Rannau, and in 1922 they again renamed themselves as Lambda Rho. On October 16, 1926, the Alpha Upsilon chapter was installed on the SMU campus. Sarah Tilghman Hughes, the guardian angel of Alpha Upsilon, was toastmistress of the Installation banquet. Alpha Upsilon has continuously served the campus and the community since its founding.

Quick Facts

  • Fraternity Established : 1873
  • Chapter Established : 1926
  • Founders : Eva Webb Dodd, Anna Boyd Ellington, Mary Comfort Leonard
  • National Philanthropy : Service for Sight
  • Colors : Bronze, Pink & Blue
  • Motto : “Do Good”
  • Symbol : The Anchor
  • Flower : Cream Colored Rose
Trigger

Chapter Accomplishments & Awards

2023 Southern Methodist University 

  • Chapter of the Year Award

2017 Delta Gamma Convention:

  1. Patricia Peterson Danielson Award for demonstrating overall achievement of excellence in all areas of chapter life.

2016 Delta Gamma Convention:

  1. Patricia Peterson Danielson Award for demonstrating overall achievement of excellence in all areas of chapter life.

2015 Delta Gamma Convention: 

  1. Patricia Peterson Danielson Award for demonstrating overall achievement of excellence in all areas of chapter life.

2014 Delta Gamma Convention

  1. Patricia Peterson Danielson Award for demonstrating overall achievement of excellence in all areas of chapter life.
  2. Maggie Award-Recognizes an outstanding chapter newsletter in either paper, electronic or traditional format.
  3. Region 6 Award for Outstanding Advisory Team
  4. Region 6 Award for Excellence in Fraternity Ritual
  5. Region 6 Award for Financial Responsibility Excellence

School year 2013-2014

  1. Third place Sing Song winners with Beta Upsilon Chi
  2. Sing Song Best Vocal Performance
  3. Sing Song Best Female Lead-Harley Jones

School year 2012-2013

  1. Patricia Peterson Danielson Award for demonstrating overall achievement of excellence in all areas of chapter life.

Convention 2012

  1. Roberta Abernathy Award – selected by Executive Offices staff as the one chapter demonstrating the qualities of responsibility, cooperation, dependability and initiative.
  2. Region 6 Award for Excellence in Recruitment Innovation
  3. Region 6 Award for Excellence in Chapter Administration

School year 2011-2012

  1. Sing Song Winners 2012 with Beta Theta Pi

Individual Member Awards:

Anna Bender

  • The M Award, Spring 2018: The “M” Award is the most highly prized recognition bestowed upon students, faculty, staff and administrators on the SMU Campus. The recipients’ efforts have been continuous during their years at the University and are not limited to a narrow vested interest. The “M” Award honorees are an inspiration to others, giving unselfishly of their time and talents in order to make the University, and indeed the world, a better place for all of us to live.

Allie Rutherford

  • Presidential Awards of Excellence- Presidential Scholar/Leader: Awarded to an outstanding student leader with a 3.5 grade point average or higher who has shown qualities of leadership which have benefited the SMU community.

Jamie Hinz

  • The M Award, Spring 2016: The “M” Award is the most highly prized recognition bestowed upon students, faculty, staff and administrators on the SMU Campus. The recipients’ efforts have been continuous during their years at the University and are not limited to a narrow vested interest. The “M” Award honorees are an inspiration to others, giving unselfishly of their time and talents in order to make the University, and indeed the world, a better place for all of us to live.

Katelyn Hall and Kenna Rood

  • The M Award, Spring 2015: The “M” Award is the most highly prized recognition bestowed upon students, faculty, staff and administrators on the SMU Campus. The recipients’ efforts have been continuous during their years at the University and are not limited to a narrow vested interest. The “M” Award honorees are an inspiration to others, giving unselfishly of their time and talents in order to make the University, and indeed the world, a better place for all of us to live.

Antonea Bastian

  • The M Award, Spring 2014: The “M” Award is the most highly prized recognition bestowed upon students, faculty, staff and administrators on the SMU Campus. The recipients’ efforts have been continuous during their years at the University and are not limited to a narrow vested interest. The “M” Award honorees are an inspiration to others, giving unselfishly of their time and talents in order to make the University, and indeed the world, a better place for all of us to live.
  • John L. Freehafer Award: This award is given to one or more sophomore, junior, or senior students who demonstrated an interest in people, student life, student activities, and student government and have a special interest in how students govern themselves.

Elisabeth Knutzen

  • Presidential Awards of Excellence- Presidential Scholar/Leader: Awarded to an outstanding student leader with a 3.5 grade point average or higher who has shown qualities of leadership which have benefited the SMU community.

Kari Rood

  • The M Award: The most prestigious of the University awards, the M Award is given to ten students and five faculty/staff members for their outstanding contributions and service to the University above and beyond the call of duty.
Trigger

Scholarship

Trigger

Campus Involvement

Delta Gammas are involved in many campus organizations and activities.  Look for us on campus in these organizations:

  • Panhellenic Executive Board
  • Rho Gamma
  • Order of Omega
  • Tau Sigma Honors Society
  • Latinx Fashion Leadership Council
  • Honor Council
  • Student Senate
  • Program Council
  • Student Foundation
  • SMU Ambassador Program
  • Student Affairs Advisory Board
  • Alpha Kappa Psi
  • Alpha Epsilon Delta
  • Delta Sigma Pi
  • Relay for Life Board
  • Dance Marathon
  • Stampede Guides
  • Residential Commons Council
  • Boulevard Bulletin
  • SMU Cheer Team
  • SMU Pom Squad
  • SMU Varsity Rowing
  • SMU Equestrian
  • SMU Track and Field
  • SMU Club Athletics
  • SMU Peer Academic Leader Program
  • SMU Med-Life
  • SMU Look
  • Her Campus
  • Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)
  • Engaged Learning
  • Global Brigades
  • Mustang Heroes
  • Best Buddies
  • Outdoor Adventures
  • Undergraduate Research
  • Habitat for Humanity
  • Society of Women Engineers
  • Women in Economics
  • President Scholar
  • Hunt Scholar
  • Hilltop Scholar
  • BBA Scholar
  • National Society of Collegiate Scholars
  • University Honors Program
  • Temerlin Advertising Institute