Our Chapter
The history of the Alberta chapter began soon after the University of Alberta began to recognize fraternities on its campus in 1930. In the autumn of that year, eight men under the urging of Ted Baker, decided to solidify their already long friendship by forming a social organization called Pi Epsilon. A year later the group applied for recognition from the University Administration but were turned down by the authorities, who stated that five fraternities on this campus were too many. However, at this time, Dr. William Hardy Alexander (Doc Alex), then a professor of classics, became interested in the group and under his persuasion the administration relented.
Pi Epsilon's next step was to petition for affiliation with an international fraternity. Dr. Alexander was a member of the Toronto Chapter of Delta Upsilon and it was found that the ideals of his organization coincided with the ideals of Pi Epsilon. Thus, in 1932, a petition was drawn under the sponsorship of Dr. Alexander, S. Dickson, and C. Holmes, all Toronto alumni.
The first petition was turned down by the International Convention. Not discouraged, the Pi Epsilon group petitioned again, this time packing a car full of Canadian Rye Whiskey and headed off with nine sponsors to Williamstown Massachusetts, where they were then finally accepted at the Centennial International convention. The Installation Banquet for the Alberta Chapter was held on the cold night of January 19, 1935. The temperature was -43oF and was described as being "rather bracing". Twenty-nine men became the first Alberta DU's and on that same day, ten men formed the first pledge class.
The first DU house on campus was then purchased. However, during the next few years, the growing chapter moved to many houses in the Garneau area. Rutherford House was the home of Dr. Alexander C. Rutherford, the first Premier of the province and latter Chancellor of the University. Shortly after Dr. Rutherford's death in 1941, his home and the three lots surrounding it were put up for sale.
The Alberta Alumni of Delta Upsilon engineered a $10 000 mortgage, then sold the extra lots to pay off most of this. During World War II, the house was rented to Air Force servicemen but immediately after the wars end in 1945 returned to its former role, our chapter house. The mortgage was finally burned in 1956. In 1968, as a result of future expansion by the University of Alberta, the DU's were expropriated from this location and were forced to relocate to 110 street and 86 avenue. Here the Fraternity temporarily occupied two very old houses while plans for a permanent future facility were prepared. Construction of the permanent facility began in 1972-73 and the Fraternity moved to is present location for the 1974-75 academic term.
Just recently Rutherford House was declared a provincial historic site. Delta Upsilon has participated in this preservation by donating over $40 000 to renovate the basement, ensuring that Delta Upsilon's presence in the house is never forgotten. September of 1995 saw the official recognition by the University of Alberta of Delta Upsilon's presence in Rutherford House with the unveiling of a plaque (found in the pedway between HUB and Tory) commemorating both the history of the Rutherford House and of the members who inhabited it. The plaque, along with two commemorative benches were donated with funds raised by Marg Andrekson (wife of Brother Andy Andrekson '54) and a coalition of friends and alumni of Delta Upsilon.
The original petition made by Pi Epsilon and an edition of the 1935 Quarterly, which contains an article about the inception of the Alberta Chapter can be found at our new house located at 11020 - 86 Ave. Edmonton, Alberta.
The Grand Opening of our newly renovated house was in January of 2001. Through tremendous alumni support, they managed to raise over $600 000 to complete the desperately needed renovation and expansion of our current house. Our new house was modeled after our original house, Rutherford house, and is a stunning edition to the neighborhood.
In 2008, Alumni and Actives celebrated the update of the house kitchen including new stove and microwave and individual storage cabinets.