This article is about the national fraternity founded at Miami (Ohio). For the unrelated local fraternity formed at Amherst College, see Sigma Delta Rho (local).
Sigma Delta Rho (ΣΔΡ) was a small American's men's fraternity founded on January 8, 1921 at Miami University of Ohio, the fifth general social fraternity to be formed at that school. It "disintegrated" in the spring of 1935 due to pressures of the Great Depression and "absence of strong leadership." About half its chapters were absorbed into other fraternities.[1]
History
Sigma Delta Rho was founded at Miami University on January 8, 1921 under the name of Delta Sigma Rho, and had received recognition from the university as a new local fraternity under that name. However, it was discovered that there was a previously existing national recognition (~honor) society of the same name, thus after several months, when plans were made for expansion into a national organization the chapter changed its own name, switching the order of the first two letters, to avoid confusion.[1][2]
Incorporated then as Sigma Delta Rho under the laws of the State of Ohio, the chapter was the fifth social fraternity to be founded at Miami.[3] Sigma Delta Rho honored five founders:
Gilbert L. Stout
Albert O. Grooms
Aurthur Baker
Herbert Ansteatt
Roe Bush
The fraternity joined the NIC as a junior member in 1930. Five of its eventual nine chapters were placed in Ohio.
Demise
Disagreement developed among its chapters as to the policies of the fraternity. [1] Additionally, financial problems caused by the Great Depression and a lack of strong leadership all led to a downfall in the spring of 1935.[1]
The national fraternity Alpha Kappa Pi absorbed the chapters at Franklin and Marshall, Toledo, and Cincinnati. This national later merged with Alpha Sigma Phi. The Illinois chapter banded together with a faltering chapter of Beta Psi to form a new chapter of Pi Kappa Phi.[4] The Tri-State (Trine) chapter eventually joined Sigma Phi Epsilon. The others "gradually disappeared."[1][5]
Symbols
Sigam Delta Rho's badge was a cross paté formé purpure (formed of purple) with edges or (gold), connected by four chains of five links each; this was superimposed with a mascle (a lozenge-shaped device), or (also gold), enclosing the letters Σ, Δ and Ρ on a field of argent (silver).[1][5]
E. Helen Butterfield designed the fraternity's coat of arms in 1925.[6] It featured a shield with three crosses and a single chevron.[6] Above the shield is a griffon with spread wings. Below the shield is banner with the fraternity's motto.[6]
Chapters
The fraternity chartered nine chapters formed between 1921 and 1934.[5][1] Active chapters that either merged into Alpha Kappa Pi, or withdrew to another successor organization at the time of dissolution are noted in bold, inactive chapters or those that appear to have disbanded rather than merge are in italics.
^Alpha chapter may have formed at the end of 1920; Baird's notes that year for the Fraternity's predecessor organization, while accepting the date January 8, 1921 for its establishment under the latter name. Upon ΣΔΡ's dissolution in the midst of the Great Depression, there was no apparent successor for this chapter.
^This chapter originated as Zeta Omicron (local) in 1921. After the dissolution of ΣΔΡ, became the Alpha Delta chapter of Alpha Kappa Pi in 1937, and eventually Alpha Sigma Phi's Beta Rho chapter.
^This chapter originated as the Oneoga Club (local) in 1922. After the dissolution of ΣΔΡ, it revived the Upsilon chapter of Pi Kappa Phi in 1935, taking that name.
^This chapter originated as Kappa Alpha Chi (local) in 1925. After the dissolution of ΣΔΡ, became the Alpha Epsilon chapter of Alpha Kappa Pi in 1937, and eventually Alpha Sigma Phi's Beta Sigma chapter.
^Zeta chapter originated as Delta Chi Alpha (local) in 1927. This chapter closed a decade after national dissolution, in the midst of WWII; no apparent successor.
^Eta chapter originated as the Torch Club (local) in 1927. It later absorbed another local group called Alpha Pi. After the dissolution of ΣΔΡ, became Alpha Gamma chapter of Alpha Kappa Pi in 1936, eventually Alpha Sigma Phi's Beta Pi chapter.
^Theta chapter originated as Beta Alpha Delta (local) in 1924. Upon ΣΔΡ's dissolution, no apparent successor.
^This chapter originated as Phi Sigma Chi (local) in 1927. After the dissolution of ΣΔΡ, reverted to their local name of ΦΣΧ between 1936–1949. A decade later the group then renamed itself again, becoming ΑΓΥ between 1949–1968. In 1968 they chartered as ΣΦΕ to become the Indiana Theta chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon.
References
^ abcdefgAnson, Jack L.; Marchenasi, Robert F., eds. (1991) [1879]. Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (20th ed.). Indianapolis, IN: Baird's Manual Foundation, Inc. p. VIII–21. ISBN978-0963715906.
