Delta Chi Rho Endowed Memorial Scholarship

In the fall of 1954 a group of General Motors Institute students began meeting regularly with the idea of forming a fraternity. This group called themselves The Eleventh Fellowship.

There were already ten fraternities at GMI, but this group was looking for something else. The fellowship they sought was based on rather high ethical and moral standards. The founding date of The Eleventh Fellowship is given as June 7, 1954. David Arnst from Saginaw Gray Iron and Parks Hendry from GMC Truck and Coach are credited as the founders. This group created The Declaration of Principles upon which the fraternity was based.
The fraternity chose turquoise and silver gray as its colors. The blue iris, standing for chivalry, the spirit of knighthood, was selected for the official flower.On June 18, 1955, The Eleventh Fellowship formally became Delta Chi Rho. The Fraternity’s Greek name represents Development of Character and Religion. The State of Michigan granted Delta Chi Rho a corporate charter on July 25, 1955.

After GMI received national accreditation, Delta Chi Rho recognized the desirability of affiliating with a national fraternity. After much scrutiny, fact finding, and decision making, Delta Chi Rho became Eta Mu chapter of Sigma Nu on May 5, 1963. The Fraternity has continued to develop as a leader in the diversified areas highlighted in the Declaration of Principles.

It was unusual that a local fraternity should establish itself spiritually, physically, and financially as excellently as Delta Chi Rho did. Honest statements of belief in higher moral guidance are also rare in fraternities, and it is gratifying that Delta Chi Rho made the efforts that it did to follow its self-established principles. Delta Chi Rho is officially gone, but her record stands as testimony to her integrity of purpose. The men who wore the circle and triangle of a pledge and then the diamond-shaped badge of a member carry experiences of trial, initiation, and fellowship that are unique.

Retired Naval Commander Neldon Whitty (8/29/1935 - 3/2/2022)

Championed by alumnus Neldon Whitty '57, this scholarship is awarded to individuals who have the following characteristics:
1. Entrepreneurial spirit
2. Demonstrated leadership abilities
3. Strong religious affiliations
4. Community service interests
5. Demonstrated academic abilities
6. Strong hands-on work ethic
7. Goal-oriented
8. Motivated to achieve objectives
The scholarship is renewable through graduation if the student maintains academic standards.

More than $93,000 has been raised for this scholarship, by alumnus Neldon Witty '57 and the generous men of Delta Chi Rho.