Delta Epsilon Mu

Delta Epsilon Mu, Incorporated () is an American professional fraternity for students and professionals in clinical or applied practice with interests or focus in pre-health or health-related fields. It was established at Binghamton University in 1996.

History

In the fall of 1995, Binghamton University students Marianna Strakhan, Teri Broklawski, Debbie Amste, and Ellen Hoffman began planning a pre-health fraternity to unite students interested in entering various pre-health professions on campus. Broklawski recruited Sherine Banton, Wendy Cooper, Wendy Goldstein, and Keri Weintraub to help solidify the foundations of the fraternity. These eight students presented the Student Association of Binghamton University (SABU) with 100 student signatures in support of the formal establishment.

In January 1996, the SABU formally recognized Delta Epsilon Mu fraternity as a student organization. The coed fraternity advocates for health care and education by participating in fundraising, outreach programs, and service activities.

In February 1996, the fraternity hosted its first formal recruitment event, selecting 36 students of various pre-health interests to become the founding members of Delta Epsilon Mu. Its National Founders' Day is recognized on May 3, 1996, in commemoration of the date the first ratification documents for the fraternity were signed.

Though the founders had no expectations of the future growth of the organization, word of the fraternity's establishment met the ears of students at the University of California, Davis, which eventually formed the ''Beta chapter'' in 2003. From 2003 to 2009, active charters were issued to the University of Maryland at College Park, the University of Central Florida, the Virginia Commonwealth University, and the University of California, Merced.

The fraternity's first national convention was held at the University of Maryland at College Park in 2013, where the first national bylaws were ratified. The first recognized national executive committee, headed by newly-elected national president John "Jake" Koster and national vice president Bradley Dmuchowski, brought on a new vision for continued growth and establishment of infrastructure. In 2015, the national fraternity was recognized as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation by the IRS.

Delta Epsilon Mu is a member of the Professional Fraternity Association.

Symbols

The letters Delta, Epsilon, and Mu were selected for specific meanings. Delta represents fellowship, loyalty, and connection with a shared creed and ideology. Epsilon was selected because it is the astrological name of several nearby stars; it stands for achieving distant goals through cooperation and hard work. Mu represents barely visible entities that have normal influence but have the capacity for significant impact when brought together.

The fraternity's founding principles or pillars are Loyalty, Dedication, Friendship, and Support. Its motto is "Helping People, Together".

The fraternity national emblem was redeisgned in 2013 by the Ashley Gofraternityta chapter and represredesignedre-health fields. The colors of Delta Epsilon Mu are crimson red, white, and black. Red symbolizes a passion to succeed. Black and white represent duality and the bringing together individuals of different backgrounds. Graduating members can wear the fraternity's cord, consisting of black and red cords knotted together with tassels at each end.

Activities

The members of Delta Epsilon Mu serve the community by advocating health education and care, and through active participation in service activities, fundraising, and outreach programs. Members are allowed to directly participate in health-oriented workshops and discussions, thereby attaining access to pertinent academic and career information through association with professors, advisors, career professionals, alumni members, and fellow active members.

The fraternity supports summer camps for children with medical needs, including Camp Dragonfly Forest, Camp Korey, and Camp Tall Tree.

Membership

Delta Epsilon Mu focuses on pre-health students in the fields of dentistry, medicine, nursing, psychology, and veterinary studies. However, its membership is open to students in all majors.

Governance

Delta Epsilon Mu maintains a National Executive Committee, with a national president and eight vice presidents, and nineteen directors. It also has a National Membership Council that meets monthly and holds a national convention annually.

Chapters

In the following list, active chapters are indicated in bold and inactive chapters are in ''italics''.

See also

* Professional fraternities and sororities
* Honor cords

References

External links

*

{{Professional Fraternities

Student organizations established in 1996
1996 establishments in New York (state)
Professional fraternities and sororities in the United States
Professional Fraternity Association