Alumni & Chapter News

Founding is in the Genetics

By Anthony W. Haddad —

The Delta Xi Chapter designation has been at Virginia Polytechnic and State University (Virginia Tech) since 1973. The designation utilized in both 1992 and in 2019 with strong groups of men looking to make a difference on Virginia Tech’s campus. A similarity between the ‘92 and ‘19 groups was the name Murphy.

Sean T. Murphy, Delta Xi (Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University) 1993 was initiated as a Founding Father in 1992. The Chapter that he helped start in 1992 was on Virginia Tech’s campus for 18 years. The opportunity arose for Zeta Beta Tau to once again be represented at Virginia Tech in 2019 when a familiar name popped up at the Greek Showcase. Dylan K. Murphy, Delta Xi (Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University) 2023, son of Sean T. Murphy, decided he wanted to become a Founding Father.

Dylan says, “I joined Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity because it gave me an opportunity to be a part of something different on campus.  I wanted to be a part of something on campus that was meaningful to me, and ZBT gave me that opportunity. Here I feel as though my brothers and I can set a new standard for Greek life at Virginia Tech. At first, I was hesitant to join this Fraternity because I did not want to follow exactly in my father’s footsteps. I wanted to have a different college experience to him. I joined even though I still had my reservations, and it was probably one of the best decisions I have made since being in college. My dad has also been helpful with his advice as he knows what it is like to start a new colony. I could not have asked for a better group of brothers and I am excited to start something new with them and to make it our own.”

With the help from his father, fellow alumni and his other brothers, Dylan is “looking forward to continuing to grow and establishing our name on campus.  I am excited to meet new potential brothers and participating in campus wide events as a colony.  Long term, however, I am most excited for establishing a better and different fraternity on campus.”

Other alumni brothers, such as Chapter Advisor Dr. Sean C. D. Colbert-Lewis, Delta Xi (Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University) 1992 and Zeta Beta Tau Foundation Vice-President Bret W. Hrbek, Delta Xi (Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University) 1996 have been monumental to the colony’s success at Virginia Tech. Hrbek said, “it is an amazing feeling to see your Chapter come back to life.  To see a new generation of ZBTs at Virginia Tech and know that one (and hopefully more) of the next generation will be made up of our own sons is incredible.  I’m very excited for Sean and Dylan to not only be father and son AND brothers but have a shared founding experience. I look forward to seeing more of my Chapter brothers–and myself–have the same opportunities to call our own sons brothers.”