Delta Epsilon Sigma () is an American scholastic

honor society In the United States, an honor society is an organization that recognizes individuals who rank above a set standard in various domains such as academics, leadership, and other personal achievements, not all of which are based on ranking systems. ...

that was established for students of

Catholic universities and colleges The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2025. It is among the world's oldest and largest international instituti ...

. It was established at

Loras College Loras College is a private Catholic college in Dubuque, Iowa, United States. It has an enrollment of approximately 1,600 students and is the oldest post-secondary institution in the state of Iowa. Loras offers both undergraduate and graduat ...

in Dubuque, Iowa in 1939. Delta Epsilon Sigma has 119 chapters across the United States.

History

In October 1938, Reverend E. A. Fitzgerald, dean of studies at

in Dubuque, Iowa, surveyed his peers to see if there was interest in establishing a scholastic

for

students A student is a person enrolled in a school or other educational institution, or more generally, a person who takes a special interest in a subject. In the United Kingdom and most commonwealth countries, a "student" attends a secondary school ...

.Robson, John, ed. (1963). ''Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities'' (17th ed.). Menasha, Wisconsin: The Collegiate Press, George Banta Company, Inc. pp. 609-610. He presented his findings to the College and University Department of the National Catholic Education Association (N.C.E.A.) in 1939. This led to the creation of a 32-member Committee of Founders, with Fitzgerald as the chair. The committee selected the name Delta Epsilon Sigma and created a motto, insignia, and constitution. This work was shared with all Catholic colleges and universities before a Constitutional Convention in Kansas City on March 29, 1940. During this convention, a provisional constitution was adopted, and 32 chapters of Delta Epsilon Sigma were chartered. Delta Epsilon Sigma was established as a national scholastic

for male and female students at

. Fitzgerald was selected as its national secretary-treasurer. In 1947, the society began publishing the ''Delta Epsilon Sigma Bulletin'', now the ''Delta Epsilon Sigma Journal''. In 1962, it had chartered 82 chapters and initiated more than 7,000 members. Delta Epsilon Sigma joined the Association of College Honor Societies in 1969. It changed its constitution, bylaws and induction rituals on May 28, 1976. By 2012, it had 53 active chapters, one alumni club, 2,118 active members, and 90,347 total initiates. The society holds an annual National Undergraduate Writing Competition and a Fellowship Competition. It also presents the J. Patrick Lee Prize in Ethics, the Distinguished Lecturers Award, and the National Undergraduate Student Award. As of 2024, Delta Epsilon Sigma has 119 chapters in the United States. Its national headquarters is in Ashton, Pennsylvania. It is governed by an executive committee that is elected at its annual convention.

Symbols

Delta Epsilon Sigma's colors are gold and maroon. Its membership badge is a key with the Greek letters , a lamb of the catacombs in the lower left corner, and the Greek letters in the upper right corner. Its publication is the ''Delta Epsilon Sigma Journal''.

Membership

Membership is by invitation sent from the college or university's chapter. Undergraduate students must be ranked in the top twenty percent of their class and have completed at least half of the credit requirements for their

baccalaureate degree A bachelor's degree (from Medieval Latin ''baccalaureus'') or baccalaureate (from Modern Latin ''baccalaureatus'') is an undergraduate degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to six years (d ...

. Graduate students must also have a minimum

GPA Grading in education is the application of standardized measurements to evaluate different levels of student achievement in a course. Grades can be expressed as letters (usually A to F), as a range (for example, 1 to 6), percentages, or as num ...

of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and have completed at least half of the credits for their degree. Candidates must also have a record of dedication to intellectual activity and

community service Community service is unpaid work performed by a person or group of people for the benefit and betterment of their community contributing to a noble cause. In many cases, people doing community service are compensated in other ways, such as gettin ...

. Local chapters may also elect faculty, administrations, and staff for membership; alumni are eligible for membership if the previously met the requirements of membership or graduate cum laude.

Chapters

As of 2024, Delta Epsilon Sigma had chartered 119 chapters in the United States.

Notable members

* Bernadette Armiger, Roman Catholic nun, nurse and academic * Helen Dyer, biochemist * John Robert Greene, historian * Dixon Hearne, educator and writer * Robert Magliola, philosopher * Aureta Thomollari, luxury consultant * Don Wooten,

Illinois Senate The Illinois Senate is the upper chamber of the Illinois General Assembly, the legislative branch of the government of the State of Illinois in the United States. The body was created by the first state constitution adopted in 1818. Under the ...

References

External links

* {{Authority control Association of College Honor Societies Student organizations established in 1939 1939 establishments in Iowa Catholic student organizations