Wikipedia

Sigma Delta Chi (sorority)

Sigma Delta Chi (ΣΔΧ) sorority was a collegiate organization operating in Missouri from 1902 until 1915.

Sigma Delta Chi
ΣΔΧ
FoundedApril 1902; 122 years ago (1902-04)
Northeast Missouri State University
TypeSocial
AffiliationIndependent
StatusMerged
Merge DateNovember 11, 1915
SuccessorSigma Sigma Sigma
ScopeMissouri
Colors  Turquoise and   Wine
SymbolBow and arrow
FlowerWhite carnation
Chapters4
Headquarters, Missouri
United States

History

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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]

Symbols

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The sorority's colors were turquoise and wine. Its symbol was th bow and arrow. Its flower was the white carnation.

Chapters

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Following are the chapters of Sigma Delta Chiand their outcome.[2]

Name Chartered Institution Location Status Notes Reference
Alpha April 1902–November 11, 1915 Truman State University (originally NE Missouri State) Kirksville, MO Merged (ΣΣΣ) Became Mu chapter of ΣΣΣ
Beta October 1902–1915 University of Central Missouri (originally Warrensburg Teachers College) Warrensburg, MO Merged (ΣΣΣ) Become the Nu chapter of ΣΣΣ
Gamma 1904–1912 Forest Park Academy (a prep academy, or high school) St. Louis, MO Disbanded Closed by the national as this was a high school [a][5]
Delta 1904–March 18, 1914 Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, MO Disbanded Closed by the school [b]
  1. ^ The national sorority adopted a rule it would only expand to "normal schools," that is, teachers colleges, forcing a closure.
  2. ^ NW Missouri State banned secret societies in 1914, briefly.

Insignia

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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

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  1. ^ a b c Ryle (1972), p. 619.
  2. ^ a b c Ryle (1972), pp. 619–620.
  3. ^ Tower (2000), p. 161.
  4. ^ Ryle (1972), p. 620.
  5. ^ 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

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  • 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.
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