Miami Mentions
A Fraternity of Leaders
Created in 2001, the Founders Medal is presented to Delta Upsilon alumni who display extraordinary service to the Fraternity and embody the Four Founding Principles. Five Delta Upsilon brothers have received this honor, the most recent being Frank S. Dodd, Miami ’49.
Brother Dodd has served for over 50 years on the Miami Chapter’s alumni leadership team, and sometimes he was the leadership team!
His civil contributions to the Oxford, Ohio, and Miami University communities have been formidable. Frank has been the president of the Red & White Club, an athletic booster club for Miami University, as well as a member of the Oxford Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, Rotary Club, and named Oxford’s Citizen of the Year.
Frank’s business and community involvement are absolutely representative of his service, dedication, and legacy to the Miami Chapter.
During his undergraduate years as social chairman he devised two Miami Chapter traditions that ultimately became Miami University traditions also. The Indian Date Party, is still held today, and has been held each year since its inception.
The Delta Upsilon Puddle Pull, the last and usually deciding event of Greek Week, is another tradition begun by Frank Dodd. For over 50 years, teams of 10 have lined up to engage in a tug of war.
Brother Dodd’s devotion to the chapter did not stop after graduation, and he immediately became an advisor to the chapter, and then ultimately, formed the 400 East Vine Alumni Organization, the Miami Chapter’s property management corporation. Frank continues to sit on this board, teaching its members lessons of the struggles and challenges he faced. He led a successful reorganization of the Mianli Chapter in 1988, and still attends alumni and chapter meetings.