In the final months of the nineteenth century, a group of young men had begun meeting between classes at the City College of New York. Many had been friends before coming to school and wished to continue their friendship in the formal structure of a fraternity, however, these students were a mixed group of Christians and Jews, and there were no fraternal orders at the time that would have granted membership to all the young men. Instead of conceding defeat, these intrepid friends set out to begin their own organization, one that would honor “the principles of friendship and brotherhood among college men, without respect to race or creed,” and on December 10, 1899 they founded Delta Sigma Phi (Delta Sig).
From the small, tight-knit group over 110 years ago, Delta Sig has grown to encompass over 125 chapters and colonies across the United States and Canada, and more than 115,000 members. While all Delta Sigs value hard work and high achievement, many have developed particularly successful careers on the ideals learned from the Fraternity, including John P. Bilbrey (President & CEO; The Hershey Company), Charles R. Walgreen III (Former President & CEO; Walgreens), Jared Veldheer (NFL Offensive Lineman; The Oakland Raiders), Giti Khalsa (Drummer; Seven Mary Three), and Mike Duke (CEO; Wal-Mart). With Brothers like these, no wonder so many men want to wear the Delta Sig green and white!
The Brothers of Delta Sig are capable of giving more, doing more, and being more, and through support of the Delta Sigma Phi Foundation, they are able to make a difference in their communities and to the future. A charitable and educational tax-exempt organization, The Delta Sigma Phi Foundation fulfills its mission by raising funds to support the educational programs and leadership initiatives of the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity, investing wisely to provide for tomorrow’s educational and leadership needs, and granting money to worthwhile leadership and educational initiatives to benefit undergraduate members of Delta Sigma Phi, their chapters, and campuses.
The Badge of Delta Sigma Phi contains the image of the Sphinx, a symbol of the timeless values of brotherhood, unity, and service to others that the founders hoped to convey to all members throughout the years. By joining the ranks of Delta Sig, Brothers are committed to a lifetime of living the core values of Culture, Harmony, and Friendship, making for better men and better lives.