Founded on October 29, 1960 and known as Delta Phi Beta, a group of 9 dedicated men came together to create a very strong fraternity on NIU's campus. For several years, this local group would work together to build something that was valued by all the members of the NIU community.

Having the vision of becoming affiliated with a National Fraternity, these men formally petitioned SAE and in February 1964, Brother Joe Walt had conducted an investigation of the local group to approve the institution.

In September of that year, Delta Phi Beta was approved and officially became affiliated with Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

For the next several months, the colony worked on the expectations and requirements that Sigma Alpha Epsilon National placed on them. Petitioning to the Fraternity's National Convention in Atlanta in June of 1965, 15 men were sent to represent the colony with hopes of being approved by all the delegates for a Charter of Sigma Al pha Epsilon. The colony of Delta Phi Beta was unanimously voted into the brotherhood as Illinois Gamma and on January 29, 1966, the Illinois Gamma chapter would receive its Charter and become the 182nd chapter of SAE . Their brotherhood would continue for 22 more years until their flame would be extinguished.

On August 30, 1994, that flame was rekindled. A group of men gathered to re-organize this Phoenix Colony and once again established itself as a dominating group on NIU's campus. Determined to make a name for themselves, the colony continued to build membership and focused on receiving the Charter they once had.

Many of the brothers of the ILGA colony found themselves balancing fraternal, military and academic responsibilities, which all added to the dynamics and leadership of this group. ILGA received their Charter once again and were installed by the entire Supreme Council on January 24th, 1998.

Since, they have represented the Original Founders vision of Delta Phi Beta and Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

Written by Mike Corelli, ILGA '01