Summer 2026 Delta Upsilon Quarterly

In spring 2025, Delta Upsilon announced the creation of the Justice in Action Service Grant Program that is designed empower DU chapters to create meaningful, service-based projects in their communities. After submitting grant proposals and presenting to a panel of judges at the 2025 Leadership Institute, the Arlington and Purdue chapters were granted the inaugural Justice in Action Service Grants for projects to be held in the 2025-2026 academic year.

Arlington

The Arlington Chapter used its grant money to work on two different projects. The first was called Gobble Wobble, where the chapter worked with its long-standing partner, South Davis Elementary, to provide Thanksgiving meals to students and their families. With the grant money and additional alumni support, the chapter purchased and distributed 85 turkeys to families facing food insecurity. Through the partnership, the chapter worked with the Arlington Independent School District who provided warehouse storage for distribution day, as well as South Davis staff who directed traffic and coordinated recipient check-in.

The chapter also purchased PE equipment and supplies for the school, which were presented in January 2026.

For its second project, the Arlington Chapter worked with Arlington Life Shelter on a project called Ham It Up! On five different dates throughout the academic year, the chapter worked to make and distribute ham sandwiches and personal hygiene kits to shelter residents. In total, the chapter provided 1,000 sandwiches.

As part of the grant program, chapters receiving funds must submit an impact report after completing the service project. Between both projects, the Arlington Chapter reported that the service strengthened brotherhood; deepened the chapter’s understanding of justice, friendship and culture; and developed their character to build a lasting tradition of service rooted in partnership and responsibility.

South Davis Elementary’s principal Kelly Kalisse said, “The South Davis Gobble Wobble makes a real difference for our families every Thanksgiving. The event was organized, respectful and efficient. Many parents expressed deep appreciation—some shared that this would allow them to use limited funds for other immediate needs like utilities and school supplies. We are grateful for the chapter’s partnership.” 

Purdue

The Purdue Chapter used its Justice in Action funds to promote science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to third grade students at McClelland Elementary School in Indianapolis. This particular school is a Title 1 school with 72 percent of its students coming from a low-income household. The chapter connected with McClelland thanks to Lee Stuart, Purdue ’98, who works at the school.

For their project, the chapter purchased STEM kits that focused on engineering, elementary coding and natural science/chemistry. Chapter brothers then visited the school every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from Sept. 30-Nov. 19 to help the students work through the kits.

On Tuesdays, students used autonomous toy cars to learn how to create letter patterns using colored mats and robots as a way to introduce them to coding in an easy-to-understand, physical way. On Thursdays, the kits were used to help build bridges and other small construction projects. Then on Fridays, natural science and chemistry demonstrations/experiments involved concepts like pH, acidity, and basic carbon dioxide reactions.

Throughout the course of the project, 18 brothers consistently participated every week, with additional brothers joining when available. Ten women from Kappa Delta also joined the DUs. The brothers—many of whom are STEM majors—enjoyed getting to serve through the project.

“Being able to connect with the kids and make an impact was really special,” said chapter member Gabe Goffin, Purdue ’28. “You could see how much the kids loved the experience. Coordinating with Lee Stuart and the other teachers of McClelland Elementary was a fantastic learning opportunity. I can’t wait to see how this project adapts with time.”