# Sigma Delta Rho

Sigma Delta Rho (ΣΔΡ) was a small American's men's fraternity founded on January 8, 1921 at Miami University of Ohio, the fifth general social fraternity to be formed at that school. It "disintegrated" in the spring of 1935 due to pressures of the Great Depression and "absence of strong leadership." About half its chapters were absorbed into other fraternities.

## History

Sigma Delta Rho was founded at Miami University on January 8, 1921 under the name of Delta Sigma Rho, and had received recognition from the university as a new local fraternity under that name. However, it was discovered that there was a previously existing national recognition (~honor) society of the same name, thus after several months, when plans were made for expansion into a national organization the chapter changed its own name, switching the order of the first two letters, to avoid confusion.
Incorporated then as Sigma Delta Rho under the laws of the State of Ohio, the chapter was the fifth social fraternity to be founded at Miami. Sigma Delta Rho honored five founders:
* Gilbert L. Stout
* Albert O. Grooms
* Aurthur Baker
* Herbert Ansteatt
* Roe Bush
The fraternity joined the NIC as a junior member in 1930. Five of its eventual nine chapters were placed in Ohio.

### Demise

Disagreement developed among its chapters as to the policies of the fraternity. Additionally, financial problems caused by the Great Depression and a lack of strong leadership all led to a downfall in the spring of 1935.
The national fraternity Alpha Kappa Pi absorbed the chapters at Franklin and Marshall, Toledo, and Cincinnati. This national later merged with Alpha Sigma Phi. The Illinois chapter banded together with a faltering chapter of Beta Psi to form a new chapter of Pi Kappa Phi. The Tri-State (Trine) chapter eventually joined Sigma Phi Epsilon. The others "gradually disappeared."

## Symbols

Sigam Delta Rho's badge was a cross paté formé purpure (formed of purple) with edges or (gold), connected by four chains of five links each; this was superimposed with a mascle (a lozenge-shaped device), or (also gold), enclosing the letters Σ, Δ and Ρ on a field of argent (silver).
E. Helen Butterfield designed the fraternity's coat of arms in 1925. It featured a shield with three crosses and a single chevron. Above the shield is a griffon with spread wings. Below the shield is banner with the fraternity's motto.

## Chapters

The fraternity chartered nine chapters formed between 1921 and 1934. Active chapters that either merged into Alpha Kappa Pi, or withdrew to another successor organization at the time of dissolution are noted in bold, inactive chapters or those that appear to have disbanded rather than merge are in italics.
| Name | Chartered | Institution | Location | Status |
| Alpha | January 8, 1921–1935 | Miami University | Oxford, OH | Disbanded |
| Beta | 1922–1932 | Ohio State University | Columbus, OH | Inactive |
| Gamma | 1924–1935 | University of Toledo | Toledo, OH | Merged, (ΑΣΦ) |
| Delta | 1926–1935 | University of Illinois | Urbana, IL | Withdrew, (ΠΚΦ) |
| Epsilon | 1926–1935 | University of Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH | Merged, (ΑΣΦ) |
| Zeta | 1928–1943 | Ohio University | Athens, OH | Withdrew, (local) |
| Eta | 1929–1935 | Franklin & Marshall College | Lancaster, PA | Merged, (ΑΣΦ) |
| Theta | 1934–1935 | Hillsdale College | Hillsdale, MI | Disbanded |
| Iota | 1934–1936 | Tri-State College (Trine) | Angola, IN | Withdrew, (local) (later, to ΣΦΕ) |