Delta Sigma Epsilon (sorority)

For other uses, see Delta Sigma Epsilon (disambiguation).

Delta Sigma Epsilon
ΔΣΕ
Founded	September 23, 1914 (1914-09-23) Miami University, (Oxford, Ohio)
Type	Social
Scope	International
Colors	Olive green, cream
Symbol	Cornucopia, Friendship Circle
Flower	Cream tea rose
Publication	The Shield

Delta Sigma Epsilon (ΔΣΕ) was a national collegiate social sorority operating in the United States from 1914 to 1956. It was absorbed by Delta Zeta sorority.

History

The sorority 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, and Louise Wolfe ( Miner, p. 148).

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." (Miner, p. 148)

In 1940, Pi Delta Theta, a fellow associate sorority, merged with Delta Sigma Epsilon. This was the first and only merger within the Association of Education Sororities (AES) (Miner, p. 148).

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 installed 46 chapters in "leading colleges throughout the United States" (Miner, p. 148).

In August 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 (Miner, p. 148).

Creed

(The Manual of Delta Sigma Epsilon, printed in the 1949 issue of The Shield)

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. (Miner, p. 149)

Coat of arms

"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." (Miner, p. 148)

Seal

"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 ΔΣE, the friendship circle, and the cornucopia." (Miner, p. 149).

Pins

(Florence Hood Miner's descriptions from her 1983 book, p. 149)

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."

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.

(Miner, pp. 148– 149)

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.

Chapter	Institution	Location	Date Chartered	Notes
Alpha	Miami University	Oxford, Ohio
Beta
Gamma	University of Northern Colorado	Greeley, Colorado
Delta	Northwestern Oklahoma State University	Alva, Oklahoma
Epsilon	Emporia State University	Emporia, Kansas
Zeta	New Mexico Highlands University	Las Vegas, New Mexico
Eta	Eastern Michigan University	Ypsilanti, Michigan
Theta	Pittsburg State University	Pittsburg, Kansas
Iota	Truman State University	Kirksville, Missouri
Kappa	Temple University	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Lambda	Marshall University	Huntington, West Virginia
Mu	Ohio University	Athens, Ohio
Nu	Western New Mexico University	Silver City, New Mexico
Xi	Northeastern State University	Tahlequah, Oklahoma	July 11, 1923
Omicron	California State University, Chico	Chico, California
Pi	University of California, Santa Barbara	Santa Barbara, California	May 23, 1925
Rho	Fort Hays State University	Hays, Kansas	October 3, 1925
Sigma	Western State College of Colorado	Gunnison, Colorado	October 9, 1925
Tau	Kent State University	Kent, Ohio	February 13, 1926
Arethusa Upsilon	Buffalo State College	Buffalo, New York	March 4, 1926
Phi	Northwestern State University	Natchitoches, Louisiana	March 26, 1926

References

• Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (multiple volumes)
• Miner, Florence Hood (1983). Delta Zeta Sorority 1902- 1982: Building on Yesterday, Reaching for Tomorrow. Delta Zeta Sorority, Compolith Graphics, and Maury Boyd and Associates, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana.