Sigma Theta Epsilon (ΣΘΕ) was an American interdenominational nationalChristianfraternal organization that operated from 1941 to2022. It had 47 chapters across the United States.
Methodist students at theUniversity of South Dakota inVermillion, South Dakota, formed a local a religious fraternity,Phi Lambda Phi, around 1924. They invited representatives from similar organizations at other colleges to meeting inLincoln, Nebraska on February 6–7, 1925, to discuss forming a national fraternity.[1] At that meeting, the delegates drew up articles of federation and elected national officers, establishing a national religious fraternity for Methodist men known asPhi Tau Theta.[1]
On October 8, 1936, Methodist students atIndiana University establishedSigma Epsilon Theta.[1] Edwin Green, a student pastor at theWesley Foundation was its first president.[2] Other founding members included Edward Dodd, Montford Mead, F. Jay Nimitz, and Robert E. Schalliol.[3][4] Sigma Epsilon Theta became a regional fraternity with three chapters.[5]
In 1939, Phi Tau Theta approached Sigma Epsilon Theta about merging.[1] On November 30, 1941, at a meeting inCedar Falls, Iowa held during Thanksgiving break 1941, the two fraternities merged intoDelta Sigma Theta.[6][4] It had the common mission as a fraternity for Methodist men.[4] However, anational sorority with prior usage of the Delta Sigma Theta name, threatened suit against the new fraternity.[1] The fraternity's members selected the new name,Sigma Theta Epsilon, duringEaster break 1949.[1]
The purpose of Sigma Theta Epsilon was four-fold:[7]
"To extend our service projects through programs of action to meet unfilled human needs.
To attempt with the guidance of God to live Christian lives of faith and service.
To provide social activities through service and Brotherhood.
To provide a background for understanding ourselves, our faith, and our world."
Its officers include president, vice president, recording secretary, corresponding secretary, treasurer, chaplain, historian, and alumni secretary.[8]
After a period of expansion, the many chapters became inactive, leading to the 1968 national conclave to appoint a committee to review the fraternity's mission.[1] The committee suggested changing the emphasis on Methodist men to Christian men.[1] However, this change increased the loss of members because of less support from campus the Wesley Foundations.[1] In 1972, the fraternity changed purpose to be religious, service, and social; however, this was reversed in 1975.[1]
In 1975, Alpha Gamma atWest Virginia Wesleyan College and the Epsilon atOhio Northern University were the only active chapters.[9][10] The addition of a chapter atMount Union College in April 1980 stimulated optimism for the fraternity.[11][1] However, by 1988 Delta chapter nearly closed and Alpha Gamma's membership was declining.[11][1] That year, Beta Alpha chapter formed inOklahoma City University.[1] The Beta Alpha designation marked what was hoped to be a rebirth for the fraternity, and all chapters from this point on would be named in succession following Beta Alpha.[1]
However, growth ceased, and inAugust 2022 there was only one active chapter,Our Lady of the Lake University. On November 19, 2022, Sigma Theta Epsilon officially closed. There are no remaining active chapters and all fraternal operations have ceased.
The Greek letters Sigma Theta Epsilon were selected to represent theAncient Greek:Συνεργοι Θεου Εσμεν,romanized: Sunergoi Theou Esman,lit.'Fellow Workers with God'.[7] This is taken from I Corinthians 3:9 and was also the group's motto.[7] The fraternity's insignia included badge, pledge pin, recognition pin, and alumni key.[20] The fraternity's colors were purple, old gold, and white.[20] Its flag consisted of vertical stripes of purple, white, and gold with the Greek letters "ΣΘΕ" and the fraternity's crest in the middle stripe.[20]
Chapters of Sigma Theta Epsilon included the following, with inactive chapters and institutions noted initalics.[5] A state naming system was adopted briefly when there were few chapters still active.
