Collection inventory

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Delta Kappa Epsilon (Syracuse University Chapter) Collection

An inventory of the collection at the Syracuse University Archives

Finding aid created by: Nicole Morello
Date: 2018

Revision history:

Historical Note

The Phi Gamma chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon was chartered in 1871 and was the first fraternity at Syracuse University. The origins of the Phi Gamma chapter start with the Scroll and Pen Chapter of an organization known as the Mystic Seven. An attempt to start a chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon was initiated at Genesee College by the Mystics but the charter was denied due to the tenuous status of the college. When Syracuse University opened with a promising start, the Mystics moved their group to Syracuse and Delta Kappa Epsilon approved their charter, establishing Phi Gamma's presence on the University campus.

The Phi Gamma brothers of Delta Kappa Epsilon were the first ringers of the Crouse College Chimes and continued the tradition until 1985. During their tenure, the brothers handed the task of ringing over to the sisters of the Phi Alpha sorority during World War II, since most brothers entered military service. The Delta Kappa Epsilon brothers resumed their role after returning from the war.

The national fraternity of Delta Kappa Epsilon identifies several prominent alumni including Dick Clark of the Phi Gamma chapter and five United States Presidents. At Syracuse University the original chapter house built by the fraternity was located at 1011 Walnut Avenue and is now the Goldstein Alumni and Faculty Center. The current chapter house is located at 703 Walnut Avenue.

Scope and Content Note

The Delta Kappa Epsilon (Syracuse University Chapter) Collection spans from 1878 to 1958 and is predominantly made up of alumni correspondence. Included in the collection are letters concerning collection of alumni dues and subscriptions for projects related to building or repairing and refurnishing the chapter house. The collection also contains financial reports from the 1940s and programs, menus, and invitations from special events such as banquets and reunions.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions:

Please note that the collection is housed off-site, and advance notice is required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Reading Room on campus.

Use Restrictions:

Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

Related Material

The University Archives holds a clipping file on Delta Kappa Epsilon and photographs related to the fraternity can be found in the Syracuse University Photograph Collection.

Selected Search Terms

Names

Delta Kappa Epsilon. -- Phi Gamma Chapter (Syracuse University)
Syracuse University -- History.
Syracuse University.

Subjects

Greek letter societies.
Syracuse University -- Alumni and alumnae.
Higher education.

Types of Material

Correspondence.
Invoices.
Menus.
Programs (documents)

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Delta Kappa Epsilon (Syracuse University Chapter) Collection,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Gift of the Brannock Shoe Company, 1999. The materials appear to have originally been collected by Charles Brannock, Class of 1925, who was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon and served as President of its Alumni Association in the 1940s.

Processing Information

Materials were rehoused in archival folders and boxes.

Arrangement

Folders are arranged alphabetically.

Table of Contents

Files

Inventory