Delta Sigma Epsilon (sorority)

Delta Sigma Epsilon (ΔΣΕ) was a national collegiate social sorority founded at Miami University, operating in the United States from 1914 to 1956. It was originally a member of the Association of Education Sororities (AES) before the AES's merger with the National Panhellenic Conference, and most of its chapters were located at teaching colleges. The sorority was absorbed by Delta Zeta sorority on August 21, 1956.

For other uses, see Delta Sigma Epsilon (disambiguation).
Delta Sigma Epsilon
ΔΣΕ
FoundedSeptember 23, 1914 (1914-09-23)
Miami University, (Oxford, Ohio)
TypeSocial
AffiliationNPC (former)
ScopeInternational
Member badge
Colors  Olive green and   Cream
SymbolCornucopia, Friendship Circle
FlowerCream tea rose
PublicationThe Shield
Chapters54 installed; 43 active at merger, 34 joined ΔΖ
Merged withDelta Zeta (1956)

History

Delta Sigma Epsilon was organized at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, on September 23, 1914. Dean Harvey C. Minnich, of the College of Education, selected several young students to form this organization. He selected them based on their academic records and character. These seven ladies were:

  • Marie Cropper
  • Ruth Gabler
  • Josephine McIntire
  • Virginia Stark
  • Charlotte Stark
  • Opal Warning
  • Louise Wolfe.[1]

Throughout the next few decades, the sorority added chapters and joined an umbrella organization. In 1917, the fifth chapter, Epsilon, was installed. The sorority was now admitted into the Association of Pedagogical Sororities. "From that date Delta Sigma Epsilon played a leading role in determining and perfecting the policies of that national association, later renamed Association of Education Sororities."[1] Local chapters absorbed included the Zeta chapter of Arethusa/Sigma Gamma Phi at the State Normal and Training School (currently SUNY Buffalo State College) in 1926.[2] In 1941, Pi Delta Theta, a fellow associate sorority, merged with Delta Sigma Epsilon.[3] This was the first and only merger within the Association of Education Sororities (AES).[1]

In 1947, the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) granted membership to the six remaining members of the AES. The AES disbanded. ΔΣΕ was now part of the NPC.

By 1949, ΔΣΕ had installed 46 chapters in "leading colleges throughout the United States."[1]

On August 21, 1956, at the conclave in New Orleans, the absorption of ΔΣΕ by Delta Zeta was announced. Several members of the ΔΣΕ Grand Council held position on their new sorority's grand council.[1]

By the time of the merger, Delta Sigma Epsilon had installed a total of 54 chapters, of which 43 groups were active at the time of the merger. Deleting duplications, 34 chapters either became new Delta Zeta chapters or merged into existing chapters on their campuses, making this the largest merger in Panhellenic history. A few chapters were released to join other national groups: Tau chapter at Kent State would eventually join Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Delta chapter at Southern Illinois eventually joined Alpha Gamma Delta, and the Beta Gamma chapter at Marquette University would eventually join Alpha Delta Pi.

Creed

I believe in Delta Sigma Epsilon and her power to develop character, scholarship, and leadership. I believe in the highest standards of womanhood which she maintains and the close friendship which she fosters. I believe in her power to give direction to the thoughts and lives of those women who are so fortunate as to be affiliated with her.[1][4]

Symbols

The cornucopia and the friendship circle were the most prominent symbols. The letters Omega and Phi were part of the secret motto. The official colors were olive green and cream. The flower was the cream tea rose.[1]

"The coat of arms consisted of an olive green cream and shield with the mantle around the upper half. Seven stars, in honor of the founders, occupied the band across the shield, while the ring adorned the love green section and the Omega Phi is on the lower portion. Above the shield is the cornucopia. At the base a furled ribbon shows the inscription of Delta Sigma Epsilon in Greek letters."[1]

"The official seal was affixed to national charters and to all legal documents. It was a circle within a circle. Between the circles is the open motto of the fraternity. In the inner circle is a seven-pointed shield bearing the Greek letters ΔΣΕ, the friendship circle, and the cornucopia."[1]

Pins

According to Florence Hood Miner's descriptions from her 1983 book, Delta Sigma Epsilon had the following pins and badges:[1]

  • Membership pin: "The official plain or pearl badge was a gold pin, shield shaped, having seven points, the edge being of pearls or of gold. ΔΣΕ, the friendship circle, the cornucopia, and the secret motto in gold on a black background."
  • Pledge pin: "...a small silver cornucopia bearing the letters ΔΣΕ"
  • Patroness pin: " small gold friendship circle having the letters ΔΣΕ across the center"
  • Mothers pin: "...black enamel and shaped like a shield. It was set with one ruby and bore the letters ΔΣΕ across the center"
  • Recognition pin: "a small gold cornucopia bearing the letters ΔΣΕ"
  • Grand Council badge: " a gold circle set with diamond circumscribing the official pin. The gold circle denoted eternal friendship and the diamonds denoted the numbers of terms of service on the Council, the maximum number limited to seven in honor of the founders."

Chapters

Delta Sigma Epsilon was a member of the Association of Educational Sororities (AES). Its chapters were traditionally located on the campuses of normal schools or teachers' colleges. Some of its early chapters include:[5][6]

Chapter Institution Location Date Chartered Notes
Alpha Miami University Oxford, Ohio September 23, 1914
Beta Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indiana, Pennsylvania 1916
Gamma University of Northern Colorado Greeley, Colorado 1916 Became Delta Xi chapter of Delta Zeta
Delta Northwestern Oklahoma State University Alva, Oklahoma 1916 Became Delta Omicron chapter of Delta Zeta
Epsilon Emporia State University Emporia, Kansas 1917 Became Delta Pi chapter of Delta Zeta
Zeta New Mexico Highlands University Las Vegas, New Mexico 1919 Became Delta Rho chapter of Delta Zeta
Eta Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, Michigan 1920
Theta Pittsburg State University Pittsburg, Kansas 1920
Iota Truman State University Kirksville, Missouri January 31, 1921 Became Delta Sigma chapter of Delta Zeta[7]
Kappa Temple University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1921 Became Delta Tau chapter of Delta Zeta
Lambda Marshall University Huntington, West Virginia June 14, 1921 Became Delta Upsilon chapter of Delta Zeta
Mu Ohio University Athens, Ohio 1922 (Inactive 1933)
Nu Western New Mexico University Silver City, New Mexico 1922
Xi Northeastern State University Tahlequah, Oklahoma July 11, 1923 Became Delta Phi chapter of Delta Zeta
Omicron California State University, Chico Chico, California 1924 Became Delta Chi chapter of Delta Zeta
Pi University of California, Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, California May 23, 1925 Became Delta Psi chapter of Delta Zeta
Rho Fort Hays State University Hays, Kansas October 3, 1925 Became Delta Omega chapter of Delta Zeta
Sigma Western State College of Colorado Gunnison, Colorado October 9, 1925 Became Epsilon Alpha chapter of Delta Zeta
Tau Kent State University Kent, Ohio February 13, 1926 (Inactive 1939) Released, joined Alpha Chi Omega
Arethusa Upsilon Buffalo State College Buffalo, New York March 4, 1926
Phi Northwestern State University Natchitoches, Louisiana March 26, 1926 Became Epsilon Beta chapter of Delta Zeta
Chi Drake University Des Moines, Iowa 1926
Psi University of Central Missouri Warrensburg, Missouri 1927 Became Epsilon Gamma chapter of Delta Zeta
Omega Concord University Athens, West Virginia 1928 Became Epsilon Delta chapter of Delta Zeta
Alpha Alpha California State University, Fresno Fresno, California 1928 Became Epsilon Epsilon chapter of Delta Zeta
Alpha Beta Drexel University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1928 Became Epsilon Zeta chapter of Delta Zeta
Alpha Gamma Teachers College of Indianapolis Indianapolis, Indiana 1928 (Inactive 1935)
Alpha Delta Southern Illinois University Carbondale Carbondale, Illinois 1928 Released, joined Alpha Gamma Delta
Alpha Epsilon Harris Teachers College St. Louis, Missouri 1930 Became Epsilon Eta chapter of Delta Zeta
Alpha Zeta Clarion University of Pennsylvania Clarion, Pennsylvania 1932 Became Epsilon Theta chapter of Delta Zeta
Alpha Eta Fairmont State University Fairmont, West Virginia 1934 Became Epsilon Iota chapter of Delta Zeta
Alpha Theta University of Wisconsin Whitewater Whitewater, Wisconsin 1936 Became Epsilon Kappa chapter of Delta Zeta
Alpha Iota Southwestern Oklahoma State University Weatherford, Oklahoma 1939 Became Epsilon Lambda chapter of Delta Zeta
Alpha Kappa University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, Mississippi 1940 Became Epsilon Mu chapter of Delta Zeta
Alpha Lambda Missouri State University Springfield, Missouri 1941 Became Epsilon Nu chapter of Delta Zeta
Alpha Mu Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, Michigan 1941
Alpha Nu Eastern Illinois University Charleston, Illinois 1943
Alpha Xi Arkansas State University Conway, Arkansas 1944 Became Epsilon Xi chapter of Delta Zeta
Alpha Omicron Northern Illinois University DeKalb, Illinois 1944 Became Epsilon Omicron chapter of Delta Zeta
Alpha Pi Ball State University Muncie, Indiana 1944
Alpha Rho Southeastern Louisiana University Hammond, Louisiana 1945
Alpha Sigma Western Illinois University Macomb, Illinois 1946
Alpha Tau Black Hills State University Spearfish, South Dakota 1946
Alpha Upsilon Henderson State University Arkadelphia, Arkansas 1946 Became Epsilon Pi chapter of Delta Zeta
Alpha Phi Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, Missouri 1947 Became Epsilon Rho chapter of Delta Zeta
Alpha Chi Wayne State University Detroit, Michigan 1947 Became Epsilon Sigma chapter of Delta Zeta
Alpha Psi Longwood College Farmville, Virginia May 1949 Became Epsilon Tau chapter of Delta Zeta[8]
Alpha Omega University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, Oklahoma April 22, 1950 Became Epsilon Upsilon chapter of Delta Zeta[9]
Beta Alpha ?
Beta Beta University of Detroit Detroit, Michigan Became Epsilon Phi chapter of Delta Zeta[10]
Beta Gamma Marquette University Released, joined Alpha Delta Pi
Beta Delta ?
Beta Epsilon Saint Louis University February 1956 Became Epsilon Psi chapter of Delta Zeta[11]
Beta Zeta University of Wisconsin Eau Claire February 1956 Became Epsilon Omega chapter of Delta Zeta[12]

This list is incomplete.

References
  1. Miner, Florence Hood (1983). Delta Zeta Sorority 1902- 1982: Building on Yesterday, Reaching for Tomorrow. Indianapolis, Indiana: Delta Zeta Sorority, Compolith Graphics, and Maury Boyd and Associates, Inc. pp. 148–149.
  2. "Zeta Chapter". Arethusa.org. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
  3. State University College at Buffalo (1946). New York State Teachers College at Buffalo: A History, 1871-1946. p. 153.
  4. As noted in The Manual of Delta Sigma Epsilon, printed in the 1949 issue of The Shield.
  5. William Raimond Baird; Carroll Lurding (eds.). "Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities (Baird's Manual Online Archive), section showing Delta Sigma Epsilon chapters". Student Life and Culture Archives. University of Illinois: University of Illinois Archives. Retrieved 16 November 2021. The main archive URL is The Baird's Manual Online Archive homepage.
  6. Baird, William Raimond (1949). "Delta Sigma Theta". In Baily, Harold J (ed.). Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (15th ed.). Menasha, WI: George Banta Publishing. pp. 378–9. OCLC 7435210.
  7. "Delta Sigma - Northwest Missouri State Teachers College". The Lamp. 1967. p. 20.
  8. "Songs, Cheers Of Past Make Up Greek History". Rotunda. Vol. 44, no. 7. Nov 18, 1964. p. 5.
  9. The Bronze Book. 1951. pp. 146–147.
  10. Tower. 1952. p. 128.
  11. Archive. 1956. p. 129.
  12. Periscope. Vol. 1956. Wisconsin State College at Eau Claire. 1956. p. 122.
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