First half of the 20th century Sigma Chi

infirmary , sigma chi chapter house, university of mississippi

during first half of 20th century general fraternity expanded in many places. in 1899 fraternity adopted flag design created henry v. vinton. in 1901 grand chapter approved fraternity s pledge pin. in 1903 @ grand chapter in detroit board of grand trustees established. in 1922 alpha beta chapter @ university of california, berkeley held channingway derby led creation of sigma chi derby days . of awards created during time include significant sig award in 1935 , order of constantine in 1948.

coming beginning of 20th century, sigma chi had installed total of 74 chapters 58 still active. having established centralized form of government in 1922, sigma chi installing new chapters @ rate of 1 chapter per year. on april 22, 1922 beta omega chapter installed @ university of toronto in toronto, ontario making sigma chi international fraternity.

the sigma chi foundation created on november 9, 1939 when sigma chi endowment foundation incorporated in colorado. educational endowment first discussed in 1898 alumni wanted assist undergraduates financially finish undergraduate studies.

the world wars of 20th century took lives of 103 sigs in world war , 738 in world war ii. great resurgence in undergraduate activity followed world war ii due increase in chapter memberships. increase caused men returning military service went school usual addition of new brothers.

during world war ii became apparent general fraternity officers few alumni few undergraduate chapters believed of prerequisites membership in sigma chi outdated , should changed or eliminated. led first discussions membership within fraternity continued until in 1970. until time, membership requirements had specified potential member must bona fide white male student . after first discussion in 1948 @ grand chapter in seattle, committee on constitutional amendments tabled issue pending further study of problem reported 1950 grand chapter. study showed issue hot on 13 campuses sigma chi chapters , lukewarm on dozen other campuses.

during time period, remaining 4 founders of sigma chi (of original seven) died; daniel william cooper last founder die. cooper s death led fraternity gaining 1 of priceless objects, cooper s sigma phi badge. cooper s body sent train final resting place in pittsburgh, , beta theta chapter @ university of pittsburgh given privilege administer memorial service. on december 13, 1920, cooper s body conveyed beta theta chapter house beta theta consul donald e. walker removed cooper s sigma phi badge , replaced own. beta theta pro-consul, regis toomey, sang hymn sacred circle broken before cooper taken final resting place.