The period of time from 1995 to 1997 was a gloomy time for Zeta Beta Tau at Rutgers. The alumni were sad and there was no brotherhood to be had. During this interim period, there was no ZBT at Rutgers. Gone were the glory days of the Beta Delta Chapter, gone were the lingering echoes of the ZBT Dance Marathons of bygone years, and gone were the images from the old Zebe house on Union Street.

The new Chapter house at 10 Union Street.

     Then, with a bing and a bang and a boom, ZBT came storming back to the Banks. Spearheaded by the efforts of sophomores Michael Dobrow and Brian Gelbert, both from the class of 1998, a dedicated group of 14 gentlemen began meeting on a weekly basis and laid the framework of fraternity. Brought together by a desire for brotherhood without pledging, these men met wherever they could find room- be it the Rutgers Student Center, the Multi-Purpose Room, or a small apartment on Bartlett Street. They talked about business and had social gatherings.  They hosted what would become the Fraternity's first annual Date Night. After nearly a year, the group met again, dressed in suits and ties this time, and made their way to the New Brunswick Hyatt. There, they were met by Bret Hrbek from ZBT National, the Beta Tau Colony from St. John's University, and Bob Opitz ('92), a Rutgers ZBT alumnus. On that day, May 10, 1997, this group of 14 men was bestowed the title of colony, and they were given the designation of Beta Delta, thereby re-establishing their namesake from 1947.

Thanksgiving over City Bakery

     The following year marked the first of many where the fraternity grew and developed.  Based out of an apartment at 176 Easton Avenue over City Bakery, the fraternity grew to 24 members in their inaugural year as a colony, initiating three new classes during the course of the year.  These new brothers helped bring an unmistakable diversity to the fraternity, and helped perpetuate ZBT as "not just another fraternity."  Beyond parties and brotherhood events, this year also saw the continuance of the Date Night as well as the birth of the annual Beta Delta Thanksgiving Football game and Turkey Dinner.  Overall, ZBT went 3-3 during the season, since one split squad was always guaranteed a win.  Dinner was attended by over 30 people, and featured specials such as "Timdogg's Famous Mashed Potatoes," "Rosenstein's Riveting Pies," and a really big bird.   Everyone left feeling well filled and happy, and looking forward to the next year's event.

     Year two for the Beta Delta Colony saw tremendous growth and the achievement of many major goals set forth by the Founding Fathers.  Having moved to a larger house at 10 Bartlett Street, which now housed 11 brothers, ZBT set out to make a huge splash at Rutgers.  On October 27th, 1998, the colony was officially recognized by the Rutgers Inter-Fraternity Greek Council, making ZBT an officially sanctioned fraternity at Rutgers.  During the course of the year, we added two more classes and seven new brothers to our brotherhood.  Thanksgiving was another success, this time including 3 turkeys, and a return of Timdogg's potatoes.  We held our first wine and cheese mixer, joined by the women of Phi Sigma Sigma Sorority.  The annual Date Night/formal was held at the Excelsior in Marlboro, and was capped off by the brothers demonstrating their musical talents with the fraternity song.  The highlight of the year was in April, where on an early Saturday morning on the 24th, Beta Delta petitioned and was given our charter by a unanimous vote of the National Zeta Beta Tau Supreme Council in Boston.  It was the last weekend that we would ever say "For the Good and the Welfare of the Beta Delta Colony." Now, it was "For the Good and Welfare of the Beta Delta Chapter."

     In addition to all of the social activities for this year, ZBT also became heavily involved in the Rutgers Dance Marathon, resurrected after a number of years.  Weekends were spent canning at intersections for donations.  We also had a number of dancers who sacrificed their bodies for 32 hours of non-stop dancing at the Marathon to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network and Children's Specialized Hospital.  Brothers also attended to them and other dancers throughout the entire period providing morale and extra energy as members of the Morale Committee.  In sports action, ZBT managed to come away with a .500 record after our first Keller (Intramural Greek League) Season of softball.  Even with all of this, we still managed to hold the second highest GPA of all Rutgers Fraternities.

     What's in store for Beta Delta this year?  Plenty, we hope.  Having moved to a brand new house right on Fraternity Row, located at 10 Union Street, there are plans in the works for big alumni events, big rush events, and a year that will knock your socks off.  If you've never been a part of Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity, this is the time to do it.

Chapter history written by Steven Springer, Historian '99

Email Questions/ Comments to Steven Springer
Last updated: April 26th, 2000