History from The Delta
Conversation
100 Years Ago...
The October 1919 issue of The Delta announced that the 19th Grand Chapter was to be held on December 31st in St. Louis, Mo. When choosing the location, the Fraternity focused on finding a place with a great community and rich history to capture the attention of everyone who planned to attend. St. Louis was known as the “city surrounded by the United States” for its superior hospitality, rich history, and national landmarks. Attendees would be able to see magnificent views of the Mississippi river, some of the most prominent historic structures in the nation, and the Old Court House which was built in 1839. The excitement surrounding the upcoming Grand Chapter was palpable and the Fraternity’s leaders were eager to show off the host city.
50 Years Ago…
This issue recapped the Centennial Dinners and showcased the cities and states they took place in. The dinners were held in 37 cities across the country and were selected based on high concentrations of alumni. The host cities included Atlanta, Birmingham, Cleveland, Denver, Houston, Miami, New York, and Pittsburg, just to name a few. The program at the Centennial Dinners showcased the history of Sigma Nu and included renditions of the famous tune “Sing Sigma Nu!” In attendance at each event was a representative of the High Council, along with alumni who had served as Chapter Advisors, Division Commanders, or members of the General Fraternity staff. Over 70,000 invitations went out from Lexington, Va. to alumni all over the country. The “Centennial Countdown” was played at each event, summarizing where Sigma Nu stood at the century’s end.
25 Years Ago…
The 56th Grand Chapter, along with the commemoration of Sigma Nu’s 125th Anniversary celebrations, took place in August of 1994 in Washington D.C. The 56th Grand Chapter brought 331 collegians from 149 chapters and 97 alumni who represented up to 55 different chapters. Then Regent David C. Ruegg (California) opened the long weekend with a speech about the rich heritage of Sigma Nu and the impact Founders Hopkins, Quarles, and Riley had on the Fraternity. The weekend included a pilgrimage to The Rock and V.M.I., legislation sessions, and educational workshops to aid the collegians in preparation for their year of leadership. The Grand Chapter concluded with the announcement of the theme for the new biennium, “Back to Basics – Vision 20/20.”