In October 1978, with the encouragement and support of both the school and Alpha Delta Phi, a group of six undergraduate students established an expansion affiliate of the Fraternity at Michigan State University.

In September 1979, the affiliate obtained a rental property at 214 Charles Street, in East Lansing. This move provided Alpha Delta Phi with the opportunity to effectively compete for new members with the older, established fraternities at Michigan Sate and served as a signal that Alpha Delta Phi was at MSU to stay.

On October 20, 1979, the Peninsular Chapter at Ann Arbor, Michigan initiated ten members of the affiliate into the mysteries of the Alpha Delta Phi.

In October 1980, the Board of Governors held their fall meeting in East Lansing, giving the affiliate the opportunity to demonstrate to the Board the progress and growth that had occurred at MSU since October 1978. It also demonstrated the commitment of the Board to building a strong chapter at Michigan State.

A substantial amount of the credit for growth of Alpha Delta Phi at Michigan State must also go to alumni Brothers of the Illinois, Miami, Northwestern, Peninsular, Phi Kappa, Rochester, and Stanford Chapters. Indeed, the establishment of the Great Lakes Society, the alumni organization, in April 1981 would not have been possible without the active of these alumni Brothers.

Harry (Hank) W. Skinner, PEN 1946, whose Daniel (Bronco) Skinner, GL 1983, was one of the founding Brothers, poured his heart and soul into the establishment of this Chapter along with a considerable amount of his own funds. He and the Chapter found, negotiated, and, with the help of the International and the Foundation, purchased two houses on Hillcrest Street that became the Chapter’s new home. With the granting of its charter at the Convention in August 1985, Great Lakes became the sixth existing Chapter of the Alpha Delta Phi in the Big Ten.

Unfortunately, the young Chapter soon had problems recruiting for the Chapter, and unfortunately was unable to maintain operations. With deep regret, the Board of Governors and the Convention removed the charter of the Chapter at the Convention in August 2001.