About Delta Sig Penn State
Epsilon is a prominent Penn State fraternity carrying a full program of activities with high academic achievements, social activities, athletics, and participation in all aspects of campus life being primary to the fraternity.
Epsilon Chapter Highlights
About 508 Locust Lane
Affectionately known as The Pink Elephant, the house at 508 Locust Lane is the home of Delta Sig PSU.
About Our Brothers
Our Goals For the Future
Our History
Epsilon Chapter of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity was founded in 1905 as the Keystone Chapter – the 5th chapter of Delta Sigma Phi social fraternity founded in 1899 at City College of New York. After several years of activity the chapter became dormant. In 1914 Zeta Theta local fraternity was formed by 12 men and flourished. They shared similar principles and goals as other existing groups to bestow the benefits of a social organization for its members practicing the development of “manly” virtues. The original house was located in the 200 block of S. Allen St. (now the library parking area). The original colors were maroon and white. New members invited to join were in the hands of the “Goat Committee”. Prospective members provided entertainment for the brothers by two informal tests of stamina. In 1916 and 1917 the fraternity won the first ever collegiate championships in intramurals. At the same time they also gained recognition for high scholarship. They held ‘smokers’ to bring the brothers together and began looking for a larger facility to accommodate their larger membership. They also began to search for a National Fraternity to join. However, World War I halted plans as membership dwindled as all except eight brothers responded to the call of duty.
In 1919 with the signing of the armistice and the return of brothers from the service, Zeta Theta was given a new hope of rebirth. Brothers were enthusiastic and found a new house on the north side of the 200 block of E. Nittany Avenue (now vacant land). They then approached Delta Sigma Phi about joining the national fraternity. Delta Sigma Phi accepted our petition to recharter the original Keystone Chapter as Epsilon Chapter of Delta Sigma Phi. Epsilon was chartered on April 20, 1920.
From its establishment in 1920 evolution was fairly normal for fraternities stressing scholarship and athleticism initially excelling in boxing and basketball. Social events were continued and expanded with the first ever Sailors’ Ball taking place in Spring 1938. Alumni Weekend (now Homecoming), Soph Hop, Dad’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Founder’s Day followed. In the late 30s and early 40s about 20 men were initiated each year.
In 1955 Epsilon celebrated its 50th Anniversary on April 30, 1955 with banquets and celebrations with many prominent guests and alums. Annual social events in the 50s and 60s included Pledge Formal, Pink Elephant Ball, Sailor’s Ball, Toga Parties, and Carnation Ball. Disaster struck the chapter the Sunday morning after Pledge Formal in early December 1955 with a fire that destroyed a portion of the interior of the house. Help came from all direction – Greek and non-Greek – with the University providing temporary housing in a recently closed dormitory until April 1956 when the house reopened stronger than ever. Repairs today would cost over $500,000.
Epsilon continued to be a prominent Penn State fraternity carrying a full program of activities for the remainder of the 20th Century with high scholarships, social activities, athletics, and participation in all aspects of campus life being primary to the fraternity.
In 1999 the national fraternity imposed an official policy for a total alcohol-free policy in all chapter houses. As such a policy would have put us in a category by ourselves in the Penn State Fraternity system so far as rushing and pledging was concerned and would severely limit the ability of Epsilon to carry on activities such as Alumni Homecoming and Parents Weekend with success, the Alumni attempted to negotiate a compromise. This was rejected out-of-hand by the national officers/staff even though the compromise would have required high scholastic standing and no significant IFC/National PSU/Boro problems.