Welcome to the Alpha Chapter of Sigma Pi Fraternity, International. The Alpha Chapter was founded on February 26, 1897 as Tau Phi Delta, a society for literary advancement and became the Alpha Chapter of Sigma Pi and the first NIC fraternity on campus in 1907.
Tau Phi Delta, through a series of expansion in the in the early 1900's, was to become the Alpha Chapter of Sigma Pi Fraternity. In 1911, the Alpha Chapter was closed due to low enrollment at Vincennes University. The Chapter despite having a charter in good standing, was inactive until 1964, when the Corinthian Club was formed at Vincennes University with direct intentions of being chartered as the Alpha Chapter of Sigma Pi. In the fall of 1964, the first pledge class of the Corinthian Club was formally pledged n the blue room of the Green Auditorium, making the first step toward the reactivation of the Alpha Chapter.
Also in 1964, at the urging of Grand Sage Frank C. Fryburg (Theta, Penn State), contacts had been made with the president and dean of students at Vincennes University to re-establish the chapter, after a 55 year hiatus. They were most responsive. The Grand Council then asked Honorary Grand Sage Curtis G. Shake (Alpha, Vincennes) to prepare a formal petition to the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) requesting special dispensation be granted to Sigma Pi for the chapter's reactivation. The NIC House of Delegates granted the request by an overwhelming majority and the Fraternity colonized on the Vincennes campus shortly thereafter. On February 26, 1965, Alpha Chapter was reopened at a chartering ceremony at the Elks Club in Vincennes, Indiana.
The reactivation of Alpha Chapter and its subsequent successful operation led to the elimination of the NIC ban on junior college chapters in December 1970.
The Alpha Chapter is still successfully active today, claiming some of Vincennes University's most famous and successful alumni, including seven Vincennes University Presidents as members including:
In addition, several Sigma Pi alumni have served on the Vincennes University Board of Trustees, Vincennes University Foundation Board of Directors and the Vincennes University Alumni Association Board of Directors. Past members include:
Tau Phi Delta, through a series of expansion in the in the early 1900's, was to become the Alpha Chapter of Sigma Pi Fraternity. In 1911, the Alpha Chapter was closed due to low enrollment at Vincennes University. The Chapter despite having a charter in good standing, was inactive until 1964, when the Corinthian Club was formed at Vincennes University with direct intentions of being chartered as the Alpha Chapter of Sigma Pi. In the fall of 1964, the first pledge class of the Corinthian Club was formally pledged n the blue room of the Green Auditorium, making the first step toward the reactivation of the Alpha Chapter.
Also in 1964, at the urging of Grand Sage Frank C. Fryburg (Theta, Penn State), contacts had been made with the president and dean of students at Vincennes University to re-establish the chapter, after a 55 year hiatus. They were most responsive. The Grand Council then asked Honorary Grand Sage Curtis G. Shake (Alpha, Vincennes) to prepare a formal petition to the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) requesting special dispensation be granted to Sigma Pi for the chapter's reactivation. The NIC House of Delegates granted the request by an overwhelming majority and the Fraternity colonized on the Vincennes campus shortly thereafter. On February 26, 1965, Alpha Chapter was reopened at a chartering ceremony at the Elks Club in Vincennes, Indiana.
The reactivation of Alpha Chapter and its subsequent successful operation led to the elimination of the NIC ban on junior college chapters in December 1970.
The Alpha Chapter is still successfully active today, claiming some of Vincennes University's most famous and successful alumni, including seven Vincennes University Presidents as members including:
- Albert H. Yoder, 1896 - 1900
- James E. Manchester, 1901 - 1904
- Horace Ellis, 1904 - 1914
- William A. Halnon, 1914 - 1923
- Dr. Walter A. Davis, 1924 - 1950
- Dr. Isaac K. Beckes, 1950 - 1980
- John R. Gregg, 2003 - 2004 (interim)
In addition, several Sigma Pi alumni have served on the Vincennes University Board of Trustees, Vincennes University Foundation Board of Directors and the Vincennes University Alumni Association Board of Directors. Past members include:
- Brian Alley - VU Alumni Association & Foundation Board of Directors (Past President) 2007 - Present
- Joseph W. Kimmel - VU Board of Trustees 1933 - 1960
- Byron R. Lewis - VU Board of Trustees 1931 - 1974
- Jimmie L. Morrison - VU Board of Trustees 1992 - 2005
- George S. Ridgway - VU Board of Trustees & Foundation Board of Directors 2013 - 2022
- Curtis G. Shake - VU Board of Trustees 1923 - 1975
- John Stachura - VU Board of Trustees 2006 - Present
