History of the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity (Continued)

The Development of a Fraternal Organization

In the fall of 1905, Tonsor and Boskey worked out the theme of the initiation ritual. They incorporated the sphinx as a major symbol of the Fraternity because it had been previously adopted as such by the members.

1949 Delta Sig Convention

In April 1907, Boskey, having conceived the idea of a national magazine to bind the chapters together, published the first issue of the Carnation with his own funds. Thereafter, he produced the magazine at irregular intervals as a small pamphlet of only a few pages until the Convention of 1915 authorized its regular publication as the official magazine of the Fraternity. Upon the opening of his law firm in Manhattan in 1907, and until 1913, Boskey used his office, without compensation, as the communication center of the national organization, and he was annually re-elected secretary of the Fraternity.

Tonsor and Boskey, determined to keep the idealism of the Fraternity alive despite the desertion and defections, installed Iota at the University of Pennsylvania in 1908. At the 1908 convention, they and others sought to bridge the gap between the two disputing sides by a preamble to the constitution that expressed the philosophy of tolerance to opposing viewpoints. In 1909 Tonsor and Boskey attended the meeting of fraternities at the University Club in New York City at which the National Interfraternity Conference was formed. Delta Sigma Phi is a founding member of the NIC.

Milestone Years

Early Delta Sigs from UCLA

At the 1923 Convention in Dallas, the adopted a ceremony for the dedication of new chapter houses and instituted the Pilgrim’s Degree, a special ritual for those making the pilgrimage to a National Convention. The convention also authorized the publication of The Sphinx, which has been issued since 1924 to convey confidential information to members.

In 1923, the first and only honorary member of the Fraternity was initiated. He was the Honorable. James J. Davis, Secretary of Labor in the Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover Cabinets. Initiated at the request of Omega Chapter, Brother Davis became an enthusiastic and loyal member.

In 1926, Alpha Chi Chapter originated the Sailors Ball, which has become traditional throughout the Fraternity. That year also saw the adoption of an official Fraternity flag by the Board of Governors.

The golden anniversary Convention was held in 1949. The goal of 50 chapters in 50 years had been more than fulfilled. There were 63, and all were represented at the Convention. The delegates took momentous action. They adopted a new constitution that provided for major changes in the national government of the Fraternity, expanding the Board of Governors to 18 members representing 18 regions, and leaving the interim affairs of the Fraternity in the hands of an executive committee.

The 1951 Convention voted to create the Delta Sigma Phi Foundation , a non-profit educational foundation. The final step in universal life membership was taken, with a resolution authorizing such membership of every initiate at the time of initiation, the practice followed today.

Delta Sigs in 1960

Under the direction of Executive Director E. Allen James, Rho, the Fraternity made rapid improvements. Over several years, the professional staff was increased in size to provide more services to chapters. The national headquarters was relocated from Denver to Indianapolis, Indiana in 1981. This move was accomplished in order to place the headquarters in a more central location for a majority of our chapters, and to take advantage of certain favorable tax laws. In 1984, the national offices were moved into the Taggart Mansion, which had been restored to its original grandeur to serve as the Fraternity's permanent seat of operations. It was formally dedicated at the 1985 convention that was held in Indianapolis.

In 1993, the fraternity established the college of Engineered Leadership, now called the Leadership Institute (LI), a corporate-style leadership experience for top undergrads, based on Hoge and Kinnison’s 1954 concept.

For more than a century, chapter quality and average size has increased dramatically as undergraduate members realized the potential of their own greatness. Many dormant chapters have been revived, and many new chapters have been added as Delta Sigma Phi has grown increasingly important in the fraternity movement.

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