Sigma Delta Chi (sorority)
Sigma Delta Chi (ΣΔΧ) sorority was a collegiate organization operating in Missouri from 1902 until 1915.
| Sigma Delta Chi | |
|---|---|
| ΣΔΧ | |
| Founded | April 1902 Northeast Missouri State University Kirksville, MO |
| Type | Social |
| Scope | Missouri |
| Colors | Turquoise and Wine |
| Symbol | Bow and arrow |
| Flower | White carnation |
| Chapters | 4 |
History
In April, 1902, on the campus of Northeast Missouri State University, four girls formed a "friendship club". The club grew to nine members and the name T.T.C. was adopted. When the club grew to twelve members, the name was changed to A.O.T. It is reported that one member "could not keep her pledge," so a more "permanent" organization was formed. Thus begins the Alpha chapter of Sigma Delta Chi sorority.[1]
In the summer months of 1902, the "initiatory and christening service" were crafted, along with important documents. In the fall of 1902, the Beta chapter at Warrensburg Teachers College (Central Missouri) was chartered. Two years later, the Gamma chapter was chartered at Forest Park Academy and Delta at Northwest Missouri State University.[2]
Conclaves were held every two years, beginning in 1906. The final conclave, in 1912, ruled that the sorority would only charter at normal schools. The Gamma chapter was lost as a result.[2]
The Delta chapter dissolved in 1915 per a university ban on secret organizations. Northwest Missouri State University records gave its final date as March 18, 1914.[3]
With only two chapters left, members decided to petition a national sorority. In October 1915, Alpha chapter sent a petition to Sigma Sigma Sigma. On November 11, 1915, it was installed as the Mu chapter of Sigma Sigma Sigma. Ryle's history book stated, "All indicators point to a very pleasant evening, yet the girls must have thought of the old Sigma Delta Chi, now taking its place permanently in the history of the college."[4]
Chapters
Chapters and their outcome. [2]
| Name | Chartered | Institution | Location | Status | Notes | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha | April 1902 | Truman State University (originally NE Missouri State) | Kirksville, MO | Merged in 1915 | Became Mu chapter of ΣΣΣ on November 11, 1915 | |
| Beta | October 1902 | University of Central Missouri (originally Warrensburg Teachers College) | Warrensburg, MO | Merged in 1915 | Become the Nu chapter of ΣΣΣ in 1915. | |
| Gamma | 1904 | Forest Park Academy (a prep academy, or high school) | St. Louis, MO | Disbanded in 1912 | The sorority adopted a rule it would only expand to "normal schools," that is, teachers colleges, forcing a closure. | [5] |
| Delta | 1904 | Northwest Missouri State University | Maryville, MO | Closed in 1915 | NW Missouri State banned secret societies in 1914, briefly. |
Insignia
The emblem of A.O.T. was a crescent encircling a clover, with the club's initials on the leaves.[1]
The pin of Sigma Delta Chi was a gold bow and arrow; the colors turquoise and wine; the flower the white carnation.[1]
Footnotes
- Ryle (1972), p. 619.
- Ryle (1972), pp. 619–620.
- Tower (2000), p. 161.
- Ryle (1972), p. 620.
- This school no longer exists; it may have been named for a popular World's Fair exhibition of the era that eventually became the campus of Washington University in St. Louis.
References
- Ryle, Walter H. (1972). Centennial History of the Northeast Missouri State Teachers College. Kirksville, MO: Northeast Missouri State Teachers College. OCLC 762262.
- Tower Yearbook. Maryville, MO: Northwest Missouri State University. 2000.