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OUr history
Our STORY
It wasn’t a single event that brought about the creation of Delta Sigma Pi more than 115 years ago, but the association of five students at New York University who, coincidentally, used a common path to their homes following classes.
These five men were motivated by the same forces that have caused others to organize fraternities, namely, common goals and the desire to pursue these goals together. Plans were made by these five men in the spring and summer of 1907 to form a social club composed of students in the School of Commerce, Accounts and Finance at New York University, which at the time conducted classes in the evening. Regular sessions were held at one of the ice cream parlors in Central Park, a concession operated by the father of one of the five men.
When fall came, the time set for the formal launching of this club, one of the five members accepted the invitation of a Greek letter organization at NYU and left the group. This incident changed the thinking of the remaining four and the existing plans for a club were abandoned in favor of a Greek letter fraternity. Thus, Delta Sigma Pi was created on November 7, by Alexander Frank Makay, Alfred Moysello, Henry Albert Tienken and Harold Valentine Jacobs.
Harold Valentine
Jacobs
Alexander Frank
Macay
Alfred Moysello
Henry Albert Tienken
Establishing the purpose
Delta Sigma Pi’s purpose was clear from the start, but it wasn’t until 1914, during the fraternity’s nationalization, that an official Statement of Purpose was published. The phrase “social activity” was later added in 1949 to clarify that Delta Sigma Pi was a true fraternity rather than an honor society. Initially established at New York University, the fraternity expanded with the installation of the Beta Chapter at Northwestern University in 1914 and the Gamma Chapter at Boston University in 1916.
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National growth accelerated in 1920 under Grand President H.G. “Gig” Wright, who oversaw the installation of 29 new chapters. To support its expansion, the fraternity established a national administrative headquarters, the Central Office, in 1924, with Wright serving as Grand Secretary-Treasurer. Under his leadership, the office standardized publications, designed official jewelry, and provided national services. Due to the program’s success, Wright was employed full-time, and the Central Office was relocated to a permanent space at 222 West Adams Street in Chicago, where it remained for 30 years, 29 of which were under Wright’s direction.
VALUES AND MISSION
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Deltasig provides opportunities to strengthen leadership skills.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
Our commitment to diversity makes us better business leaders.
SERVICE & PHILANTHROPY
We strengthen our communities by giving time, talent and treasure.
SOCIAL & PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING
Add value to your personal and professional life.
FACTS ABOUT ALPHA KAPPA CHAPTER
01/
Our Chapter was legally incorporated on December 14th, 1952.
04/
Delta Gamma Nu was the name of our chapter nationalizing with Delta Sigma Pi.
02/
Women were first admitted into our national Brotherhood in 1975. Marilyn W. Shower was the first female to be initiated into the Alpha Kappa Chapter on December 4th, 1976.
05/
Brother Francis H. Striker, AK79, has been credited with creating “The Lone Ranger”.
03/
Two Alpha Kappa’s have served the Fraternity by occupying the highest elected office - Brother Franklin Albert Tobber, AK121 (1961) and
Brother Richard John Parnitzke, AK568 (1983).
06/
The City of Buffalo officially named November 7th, 2000 Alpha Kappa Chapter/Delta Sigma Pi Day with the provision of Brother Ray Matthew, AK1394.