Academics First

Education. It's the primary reason for the existence of our fraternity, so in turn, Delta Sigma Phi helps each member gain the most from his college education. All of our chapters strive to maintain an academic standing that sets them above the all male average on campus. How do they do this? Our chapter exercises a diverse array of scholastic programs. Today's standard is set by a program allowing the close monitoring of each brother's and pledge's academic progress by the scholarship director. Meanwhile, we attempt to maintain an atmosphere that's conductive to study. Delta Sigma Phi prides itself on a long list of very successful alumni which include university presidents, deans and professors, along with leaders in countless other fields. Our emphasis on scholarship helps make such success possible.

Leadership Development

Through the use of our innovative Engineered Leadership program, Delta Sigma Phi helps prepare members to become today's campus leaders and tomorrow's community leaders. Developed by an undergraduate chapter in 1954, Engineered Leadership has since become a national program emphasizing the development of a balanced schedule of study, work, and play.

The goals of Engineered Leadership are to coordinate the group's efforts and assist individual members in developing an understanding of how to work with others toward a common goal. Each member of the chapter has an opportunity to direct various aspects of fraternity operation - because in Delta Sigma Phi we are all leaders. And, all across the nation, Delta Sigs use the skills they learn within the chapter to become leaders in campus interfraternity councils, student governments and various other student organizations.

Community Service, Philanthropy and Social Development

There are many aspects to the college student's social life. Being able to interact comfortably and casually with others is a valuable asset to every man. Delta Sig social events, such as our formal affair, the Carnation Ball, as well as the Sailors Ball, sorority exchanges and a wide variety of other events, give members the opportunity to develop those skills.

Although parties and other social events are important to us all, there's another important side to social development - becoming socially aware and involved. Working together to promote a stronger community is a vital aspect of the Fraternity's overall program.

In the early 1970's, Delta Sigma Phi adopted the March of Dimes as our national philanthropy. At the 1993 Biennial Convention, Adopt-a-School was endorsed as our national community service program. Chapters across the country hold fundraisers throughout the school year that allow Delta Sigma Phi, cumulatively, to donate in excess $100,000 per year to the March of Dimes for the prevention of birth defects in tomorrow's newborns. Meanwhile, Adopt-a-School encourages each brother of a given chapter to volunteer his time once every two or three weeks to assist in a local elementary school. Tutoring, coaching and positive role modelings are just a few examples of this assistance.

Athletics and Sportsmanship

An integral part of the chapter program. Intramural sports offer us an energetic break from our studies. At the same time, such activities promote a team spirit within the chapter. And though winning is always desirable, the important thing is that men learn to show the ability to win or lose gracefully. The development of sportsmanship, through both individual and team effort, is a valuable asset for any college man to attain.

In Delta Sigma Phi, we encourage all of our members to become skilled in as many activities as possible. We also encourage all athletically talented members to participate in intercollegiate sports as well, for we wish all of our members to strive towards excellence in all that they do.

A Strong, Growing National Fraternity

By pledging Delta Sigma Phi you're not just joining a single chapter, but a national brotherhood of men with common goals, values, and pursuits. Becoming a member of Delta Sigma Phi is truly an experience to be remembered, yet you shouldn't find hazing or any other type of degrading or humiliating experience associated with your pledgeship. Your membership will give you a brother's welcome at any of over 130 chapters nationwide. If that sounds like a lot of chapters, it's because Delta Sigma Phi is one of the nation's largest fraternities.

Our chapters aren't isolated outposts of Delta Sigma Phi. On the contrary, they meet regularly at district conclaves, regional leadership seminars and biennial conventions. Founded on December 10, 1899, at the College of the City of New York and headquartered in the lovely Taggart House in Indianapolis, Indiana, Delta Sigma Phi is among the fastest growing social fraternities in America. It's reassuring to know that by becoming a Delta Sig, you're joining a strong and well-respected national fraternity.

The Delta Sigma Phi Educational Foundation

In 1951 the Delta Sigma Phi Foundation was created to operate as a beneficent, charitable and educational organization with its earnings to be devoted to scholarships, student aid and other worthy purposes. Perhaps the greatest service provided by the Foundation is the College of Engineered Leadership. The College, held annually, provides leadership training for our Fraternity's top undergraduate members.

Another function of the Delta Sigma Phi Foundation is the annual programs of scholarships provided to active members. As a member, you too, would be eligible for consideration. The funds for these and other programs, such as Chapter Officer Workshops, are provided by tax-deductible alumni contributions. The Foundation also has an internship program through which undergraduate members are given the opportunity to work with headquarters staff towards improving educational and charitable programs.

A Strong Spirit of Brotherhood

Your membership in Delta Sigma Phi is a brotherhood for life. Your status as an undergraduate member ends upon graduation, but as an alumnus you're joining well over 90,000 other Delta Sig alumni who maintain warm fraternity friendships and are active in alumni chapters across the nation. The Fraternity also offers something more - the opportunity to find continuing satisfaction working with the other Delta Sigs in the areas of the chapter, alumni and national operations.

One of the best descriptions of the true value of brotherhood comes from one of our alumni, Dr. Robert Felix, former Director of the National Institute of Mental Health, who wrote, "While the Fraternity is of great importance and of enormous constructive significance in the life of the undergraduate, it is also important to the alumnus; and interestingly enough, the older the alumnus the more the Fraternity means, at least so it seems to this alumnus of thirty - five years. As one grows older, the friendships made in youth become even more treasured because they are the ones tried and proven by time. These words take on even more value when one can call such friends 'my brothers.' "