In March of 1979, a group of Tennessee Tech men began discussing the possibilities of starting a new Fraternity on Tech's campus. On May 3, 1979, Delta Theta Chi, local fraternity, was officially recognized by the TTU Student Affairs Committee with fifteen men as its members. These fifteen men, later the founders of a Delta Colony of Phi Gamma Delta, expressed their ideals and goals in the preamble to the Delta Theta Chi constitution.

Upon local recognition, the International Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta was contacted concerning possible colonization. On September 8, 1979, the founding brothers of Delta Theta Chi became pledges of the Delta Colony of Phi Gamma Delta.

The first house was located at 421 N Walnut Avenue in September of 1979. On February 28, 1981, the Delta Colony of Phi Gamma Delta received its charter and then became known as the Theta Tau Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta. The Chapter then moved into the current house located at 527 N Peachtree Avenue in August of 1985, and purchased the house in 1988. In the spring of 1998, the Brothers of the Theta Tau chapter voted to become one of the Fraternity's first Alcohol Free Housing chapters.