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.
Delta Sigma Epsilon | |
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ΔΣΕ | |
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Founded | September 23, 1914 Miami University, (Oxford, Ohio) |
Type | Social |
Affiliation | NPC (former) |
Scope | International |
Member badge | ![]() |
Colors | Olive green and Cream |
Symbol | Cornucopia, Friendship Circle |
Flower | Cream tea rose |
Publication | The Shield |
Chapters | 54 installed; 43 active at merger, 34 joined ΔΖ |
Merged with | Delta 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
- 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.
- "Zeta Chapter". Arethusa.org. Retrieved 2020-11-25.
- State University College at Buffalo (1946). New York State Teachers College at Buffalo: A History, 1871-1946. p. 153.
- As noted in The Manual of Delta Sigma Epsilon, printed in the 1949 issue of The Shield.
- 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.
- 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.
- "Delta Sigma - Northwest Missouri State Teachers College". The Lamp. 1967. p. 20.
- "Songs, Cheers Of Past Make Up Greek History". Rotunda. Vol. 44, no. 7. Nov 18, 1964. p. 5.
- The Bronze Book. 1951. pp. 146–147.
- Tower. 1952. p. 128.
- Archive. 1956. p. 129.
- Periscope. Vol. 1956. Wisconsin State College at Eau Claire. 1956. p. 122.
- Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (multiple volumes)