The start of a Fraternity

On the afternoon of February 26, 1897 a new fraternity had its first meeting in Vincennes Indiana. When, after a long session, the meeting adjourned, a literary society had been born, though it was yet unnamed. The founders of the Fraternity, all cadets at Vincennes University, were William Raper Kennedy, James Thompson Kingsbury, George Martin Patterson, and Rolin Rosco James. The first three were seniors; James was a freshman. Eventually they took the name Tau Phi Delta

It would be appropriate to say Tau Phi Delta was hardly a fraternity chapter, as that term is now understood. Rather, it was a combination of the fraternity idea and the old style literary society, the like of which flourished in almost every college in the United States in the 19th century. However, in all its outward aspects, Tau Phi Delta possessed the characteristics of a fraternity chapter. It was strictly secret and possessed a password and a grip and included an initiation ritual. Its badge was a simple black shield, with a border of gold, upon which were displayed the Greek letters Tau Phi Delta. The colors were black and gold, and the red clover was the official flower.

A local Fraternity grows

Tau Phi Delta first began to show signs of expansion in about 1904-05. The beginning of the college year found three members of the Fraternity attending the University
of Illinois and seven at Indiana University. In May, 1905, the members at Indiana effected an organization and petitioned the Vincennes chapter for authority to establish a second chapter there. During that year also, the organization first began to officially call itself a fraternity, and steps were taken toward incorporation under the laws of Indiana.

We become Sigma Pi

February 11, 1907, is a significant date in the Fraternity’s history. It was then the members last assembled as Tau Phi Delta and first assumed the name of Sigma Pi Fraternity of the United States. Tau Phi Delta had had limited ambitions for expansion. Soon after the name change, Sigma Pi embarked on a program of establishing chapters on other campuses.

Sigma Pi goes International

In 1984, the Fraternity again changed its name. At the 37th Biennial Convocation, Sigma Pi became an international fraternity by accepting its first Canadian chapter. This international status required the Fraternity to become Sigma Pi Fraternity, International. Today, Sigma Pi is comprised of 118 active chapters, 15 colonies, over 86,000 alumni.

Sigma Pi At UW-Platteville

Originally Delta Chi Epsilon founded in 1965. The member became colony to Sigma Pi and on April 11, 1970 became a full chapter of Sigma Pi.