Denison University - Adytum Yearbook (Granville, OH)

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CHAPTER ROLL Alpha, 1855 Ohio Wesleyan University. Beta, 1873 University of Wooster Zeta, 1866 Washington-Lee University. Eta, 1857 Mississippi University. Theta, 1863 Pennsylvania College. Kappa, 1864 Lewisburg University. Lambda, 1858 Indiana University. Mu, 1868 (died 1876; revived 1880) Denison University. Xi, 1859 Indiana Asbury University. Omicron, 1859 Dickinson College. Pi, 1872 Howard College. Rho, 1866 Butler University. Sigma, 1875 College of New Jersey. Tau, 1872 Roanoke University. Phi, 1867 Lafayette College. Chi, 1871 Hanover College. Psi, 1860 Virginia University. Omega, 1869 Northwestern University. Gamma Gamma, 1874 Randolph Macon University. Delta Delta, 1874 Purdue University. Delta Chi, 1880 Wabash College. Zeta Zeta, 1876 Centre College. Theta Theta, 1877 Michigan University. Kappa Kappa, 1881 Illinois State University. Sigma Sigma, 1872 Hampden Sidney College. Zeta Psi, 1882 University of Cincinnati. Chi Psi, 1882 University of Louisiana. Alpha Eta, 1882 Iowa State University. Alpha Theta, 1882 Mass. Institute of Technology, Alpha Gamma, 1882 Ohio State University. 11

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The Sigma Chi fraternity was founded at Miami University, June 28th, 1855, by Thomas C. Bell, James P. Caldwell, Daniel W. Cooper, William L. Lockwood, Benjamin P. Runkle, Frank H. Scobey and Isaac M. Jordan. They had all been members of Delta Kappa Epsilon, but, owing to want of harmony in the chapter, left and founded a fraternity which they called Sigma Phi, the motto signify- ing a chain of friendship. Sigma Phi met with strong opposition at the hands of the other four fraternities, until finally one of them stole the constitution, which contained the motto, grips, pass-words and signs, indeed all the secrets of the fraternity. Thus died Sigma Phi ; but Sigma Chi was soon in working order to take its place, Sigma Chi suffered gl:eatly during the war, but is at present growing rapidly, being equal in number of chapters to Delta Kappa Epsilon, while probably before this reaches the public she will number thirty-one chapters, thus standing third in the list of fraternities. The next convention of Sigma Chi will be held in Chicago, begin- ing November 14th, 1882. The 8igma Chi, a bi-monthly magazine, devoted to the interests of the iraternity, is published by Theta Chapter, at Gettysburg, Pa. 10

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iiim lllilliliilli|f|l||lilllllfll iin In October, 1867, six students of Denison University pledging themselves to each other, signed and submitted to the parent chapter at Delaware, a petition for a chapter of Sigma Chi. Owing to some delay, one of the six, fearing the petition would not be granted, and being somewhat afraid of the faculty, who opposed the one fraternity then in existence in the University, withdrew, afterward joining Kappa Phi Lambda, which exploded, and later becoming one of the charter members of Alpha Eta Chapter of Beta Theta Pi. Another man was substituted and the petition granted, and March 2d, 1868, Mu Chapter was instituted, with the following charter mem- bers: J. G. Dye, ' 68 ; Chas. L. Allen, 70; Geo. C. Coon , 70 ; R. G. Howell, 72; J. B. Ellis, 72; and R. L. Bell, 72. The chapter moved along quietly but prosperously until 1876, when it died, in obedience to the anti-fraternity laws passed by the Board of Trustees, having initiated twenty-two men. In the winter term of 1880 Mu Chapter was revived, and existed sub rosa, nominally at least, until commencement, 1881, when the anti- fraternity laws were repealed. 12