ABC’s of UMD: Letter G

G is for GREEK LIFE!

Greek Life is an important component of campus life for over 16% of the student body at the University of Maryland. The first fraternity established at the Maryland Agricultural College was Gamma Pi, which later became Sigma Nu, recognized on September 18, 1913. Gamma Pi was followed by Alpha Phi, recognized in October 1913, and Iota Sigma, which became Sigma Phi Sigma in 1916, in January 1914.

Gamma Pi fraternity, from the 1914 Reveille yearbook

The first sorority was Kappa Kappa Gamma. The chapter, originally known as Sigma Delta, was formed in 1920, only four years after women were admitted to the university. The group lost its charter on May 14, 1992, and is no longer active on campus.

Sigma Delta sorority, 1920 Reveille yearbook

Currently there are 57 Greek chapters on campus.

You can find other Greek firsts and learn more about campus history in our encyclopedia University of Maryland A to Z: MAC to Millennium..

This is the seventh post in our series on Terrapin Tales called ABC’s of UMD! Posts will come out twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays, throughout the semester.

Do you have other ABC’s about campus? Let us know in the comments below!

Check back on Friday, September 25, for Letter H!