Pictured: Brother Dover, General Secretary of the Fraternity 1928-1961

One of the great benefits of choosing to be an undergraduate brother of Zeta Beta Tau is the richness of our programs and variety of the educational opportunities offered. The Fraternity experience has increasingly become more important as a supplement to the work a student does in the classroom – Fraternity can offer hands-on learning and social skills above the standard.

ZBT is proud to offer some of the best programs among all fraternities. Weaving history and traditions into these opportunities makes each event special.

Over next January and February, ZBT will celebrate brotherhood and learn a little too at the upcoming Dover Days regional programs.

Dover Days is named in honor of Brother Leon D. Dover from Alpha Delta at the University of Southern California. He graduated 100 years ago, this year, in 1925.

The Dover Days regional leadership program is named after Brother Dover. Many alumni will have attended a conclave or Regional Officer Institute (ROI) program over the years; Dover Days are similar, an education-centered time in the middle of the academic year for ZBTs to connect in Brotherhood, leadership and chapter operations.

Brother Dover was the second General Secretary (now CEO) of Zeta Beta Tau, serving from 1928-1961. He is credited as being one of the primary architects of the modern Fraternity. Dover guided the Fraternity through two World Wars and the Great Depression, times that were fatal to many national Greek organizations.

Dover advocated that ZBT brothers were men of integrity and men of learning, and we continue that mission today.

Dover Days is a complement to other programs and initiatives, such as THE JOURNEY. Since ZBT became a Brotherhood of Equals with no pledge process in 1989, our brotherhood program THE JOURNEY has educated undergraduate brothers on what it means to be a ZBT.

Per the request of several current chapter leaders, a workgroup of brothers last year generated some updates to the new brother education aspects of THE JOURNEY. Starting this fall, new ZBTs take part in a new 30-day education curriculum, First Semester Brotherhood Experience. FSBE hones in on the important parts of our Fraternity such as traditions, history, gentlemanly ways and Brotherly Love as a new section of THE JOURNEY.

To reiterate both of the above, the Fraternity has also returned a historic publication, the Blue Book. Many alumni will have received this onboarding publication, long ago called A Primer for Pledges, and more recently the Introduction to Our Brotherhood book. The introductory book was digital only for a few years, but the Fraternity has returned the investment in our newest brothers by resuming the print publication of the Blue Book.

The book is complimentary to all new brothers initiated this fall and will continue into the next semesters. Alumni and upperclassmen undergraduates can buy their own copy of the book at ZBTshop.com.

The rich history and traditions of ZBT are what make our Fraternity special. These updates and investments are intended to ensure ZBT lives forever.

Dover Days needs YOU!

ZBT is asking alumni to volunteer to speak with current undergraduates with a career development lens. There are four Dover Days coming up early next year in major ZBT hub areas. Please come to lunch and chat with the undergrads about resumes, internships and more. Click here for dates and registration information.

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