A History of Greek Life at Southern Miss
1935
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1937
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1938
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Sigma Theta Kappa (local, sorority) becomes the first sorority on campus. They met in Mississippi Hall.
Kappa Alpha Tau (local, fraternity) founded from the X.X.X. Club.
All social dances for fraternities and sororities exist in the “Pine Haven Lodge” which was located in what
is now the gated parking lot behind AKA in The Village. Pine Haven Lodge used to be the country club
building for the campus golf course
Gamma Delta Tau (local, sorority) founded to become Sigma Sigma Sigma (national, sorority), the first
national sorority on campus.
Mu Omega (local, sorority) founded. They also met in Mississippi Hall.
Kappa Phi Sigma (local, fraternity) founded. They would meet in College Hall.
Sigma Beta (local, sorority) founded.
The “Pan-Hellenic Council” is formed for fraternities &
sororities to govern rush. Some of their initial rules included:
o The men would have rush in November, the women in April
o Chapters would draw dates for their parties from a hat
o No chapter may have more than two rush parties
o No chapter may issue invitations to their parties until after the Pan-Hellenic party
o No chapter may persuade a person to leave another chapter’s rush party
o No chapter may spend more than $25 in rush. Each chapter will submit
documentation of their expenditures including alumni donations
Sigma Beta becomes Alpha Sigma Alpha (national, sorority), the second national sorority on campus.
Delta Sigma Sorority (local) is founded.
1940
Delta Sigma (local, sorority) becomes Delta Sigma Epsilon (national, sorority).
1941
Kappa Phi Sigma becomes Zeta Sigma (national, fraternity), the first national men’s fraternity.
1942
Kappa Alpha Tau Fraternity closes.
1946
Ole Southern Club (local, fraternity) is founded as non-Greek-letter fraternity.
1947
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1948
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1949
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Zeta Sigma disbands nationally following World War II.
The Mississippi Southern College chapter changes its name to Sigma Zeta Fraternity (local, fraternity.
Alpha Delta Mu Fraternity (local, fraternity) is founded.
Beta Kappa Tau Fraternity (local) starts to become Phi Kappa Tau (national, fraternity), the second national
fraternity on campus.
Ole Southern Club membership splits up to become Kappa Sigma (national, fraternity).
Remaining members of the Ole Southern Club become Kappa Alpha Order (national, fraternity).
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Sigma Zeta becomes Alpha Tau Omega (national, fraternity)
The Colonial Club starts to become Pi Kappa Alpha (national, fraternity).
Sigma Theta Kappa becomes Kappa Delta (national, sorority).
Mu Omega becomes Chi Omega (national, sorority)
1950
Phi Mu (national, sorority) founded.
1951
Delta Delta Delta (national, sorority) founded
1952
Alpha Delta Mu becomes a colony of Theta Chi (national, fraternity). Unfortunately, it would close within the year.
1953
Sigma Phi Epsilon (national, fraternity) founded.
1954
The Panhellenic House was created. It was located in what is now a parking lot behind Mississippi Hall, across from
the new stadium addition.
1956
Delta Sigma Epsilon is absorbed into Delta Zeta (national, sorority).
1961
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1965
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Pi Beta Phi (national, sorority) founded.
Acacia Fraternity (national, fraternity). It would be USM’s first national non-Greek letter fraternity.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (national, fraternity)founded.
All sororities move out of the Panhellenic House and into what is now Wilber Hall, named after Iva O.
Wilber, the first Panhellenic advisor. At the time, the dormitory was just called “Panhellenic.”
1966
Kappa Sigma house burns to the ground, partially destroying the Pi Kappa Alpha house in the process.
1967
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1968
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The Order of Omega founded. Nationally, USM’s chapter would be recognized as the Beta chapter of that
organization.
The IFC is named “Top IFC” in the nation and in the South by the NIC (North American Interfraternity
Conference) and SEIFC (Southeastern Inter-Fraternity Conference).
Sigma Nu (national, fraternity) founded.
Kappa Sigma, SAE, and Pike open houses on “new Fraternity Row.”
Acacia closes its doors due to low membership.
1971
Delta Gamma (national, sorority) founded.
1975
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7 Jewels Study Club (local) founded with exclusive African American membership.
Alpha Kappa Alpha (national, sorority) is founded.
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1976
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Delta Sigma Theta (national, sorority) is founded.
Omega Psi Phi (national, fraternity) is founded.
Alpha Phi Alpha (national, fraternity) is founded from membership in the 7 Jewels Study Club.
Phi Beta Sigma (national, fraternity) is founded.
1978
Sigma Gamma Rho (national, sorority) is founded.
1980
Kappa Alpha Psi (national, fraternity) is founded.
Phi Kappa Tau wins the “Maxwell Award” (top chapter nationally).
1981
Sigma Chi (national, fraternity) is founded.
Phi Kappa Tau wins the “Maxwell Award” (top chapter nationally).
1983
First integrated “Greek Week” has IFC, Panhellenic and NPHC groups compete together.
1984
Zeta Phi Beta (national, sorority) is founded.
1985
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Sigma Sigma Sigma is closed for low membership.
Alpha Delta Pi (national, sorority) is founded.
Alpha Kappa Alpha. becomes the first historically black-Greek letter organization to move into the
Panhellenic Dormitory (Wilber Hall)
Sigma Alpha Epsilon wins the Zeal Award (Top Chapter nationally)
1986
Tau Kappa Epsilon (national, fraternity) is founded.
1987
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Delta Tau Delta (national, fraternity) is founded.
Kappa Alpha Order relinquishes its house fraternity row because of outstanding debt.
IFC Honored as “Top IFC” in the South by the SEIFC.
Delta Tau Delta wins the “Hugh Shields Award” (top 10 nationally)
1988
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Kappa Alpha Psi is closed for hazing.
Omega Psi Phi is closed for violating their national Intake moratorium
Delta Tau Delta wins the “Hugh Shields Award” (top 10 nationally)
1989
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B-wing of the Pike house burns down. It would be replaced by a “party barn.”
Sigma Nu relinquishes its house on fraternity row because of excessive debt.
1990
Alpha Tau Omega wins True Merit Award from their national organization.
1991
Alpha Sigma Alpha closed for low membership.
1993
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1994
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NPHC founded to unify all historically African-American Greek-letter organizations.
Phi Beta Sigma closed because of hazing.
Alpha Tau Omega builds final house on fraternity row.
SAE Alumnus M. Ronald Doleac elected Eminent Supreme Archon of SAE (National President) of their
fraternity
Delta Tau Delta wins the “Hugh Shields Award” (top 10 nationally)
Omega Psi Phi closed for hazing.
1995
Delta Tau Delta wins the “Hugh Shields Award” (top 10 nationally)
1996
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Delta Tau Delta wins the “Hugh Shields Award” (top 10 nationally)
Alpha Tau Omega wins True Merit Award from their national organization.
1997
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Alpha Tau Omega wins True Merit Award from their national organization.
SAE Alumnus Jim Pope elected Eminent Supreme Archon of SAE (National President) of their fraternity
Delta Tau Delta wins the “Hugh Shields Award” (top 10 nationally)
1998
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Alpha Tau Omega wins True Merit Award from their national organization.
Kappa Alpha Psi closed because of hazing.
Delta Zeta closed for low membership.
Phi Beta Sigma returns.
Kappa Alpha Theta (national, sorority) is founded.
Pi Kappa Phi (national, fraternity) is founded.
1999
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Delta Tau Delta wins the “Hugh Shields Award” (top 10 nationally)
Alpha Tau Omega wins True Merit Award from their national organization.
2000
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Alpha Tau Omega wins True Merit Award from their national organization.
Delta Tau Delta wins the “Hugh Shields Award” (top 10 nationally)
Tau Kappa Epsilon closed because of low membership.
Omega Psi Phi returns.
2001
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2002
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Alpha Tau Omega wins True Merit Award from their national organization.
Delta Tau Delta wins the “Hugh Shields Award” (top 10 nationally)
Alpha Phi Alpha becomes the first African American Greek-letter organization to receive a chapter house
(the old Tau Kappa Epsilon house)
Alpha Tau Omega wins True Merit Award from their national organization.
NPC changes their council name to CPC - signifying the Collegiate Panhellenic Council.
2003
Alpha Tau Omega wins True Merit Award from their national organization.
2004
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Alpha Tau Omega wins True Merit Award from their national organization.
Kappa Alpha Psi returns.
2005
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Alpha Tau Omega wins True Merit Award from their national organization.
Iota Phi Theta (national, fraternity) founded giving USM charters for all of the “Divine 9”
Zeta Phi Beta closed for hazing.
2006
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Alpha Tau Omega wins True Merit Award from their national organization.
Groundbreaking on The Village, a campus housing project for sororities.
2007
SAE alumnus M. Todd Buchanan elected Eminent Supreme Archon (National President) of their fraternity
2008
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Alpha Tau Omega wins True Merit Award from their national organization.
Kappa Alpha Theta closes because of low membership.
Kappa Sigma closes because of risk management issues involving alcohol and hazing (Little Sister
program).
2009
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Zeta Phi Beta returns.
Pi Kappa Phi wins “Fogerty Award” (top chapter nationally)
Phi Mu runner up for “Carnation Cup” (top chapter nationally)
2010
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CPC sets four all-time recruitment records (including most women pledged in history).
IFC sets a five-year recruitment record of men pledged.
NPHC has over 550 students attend their Greek interest meeting.
Omega Psi Phi closed for violation of NPHC social probation.
Delta Sigma Theta closed for violation of NPHC social probation.
Alpha Phi Alpha closed for hazing.
Iota Phi Theta closed for no membership.
Sigma Gamma Rho closed for no membership.
Kappa Alpha Order closed for lack of membership.
Sigma Phi Epsilon closed for failure to govern its membership.
2011
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CPC breaks previous year’s recruitment records.
IFC breaks previous year’s record for men pledged.
NPHC has over 600 students attend their Greek interest meeting.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. returns.
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. returns.
Sigma Phi Epsilon returns.
Kappa Sigma returns.
Pi Kappa Phi wins “Mixon Award” (top chapter nationally)
Additional Topics of Interest
Housing
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“Old Row” was the first set of houses built in the 1950’s and existed where the Thames Polymer Science
Building is today. Chapters located on the Old Row were Phi Kappa Tau, Alpha Tau Omega, Sigma Phi
Epsilon and Kappa Alpha Order.
“Panhellenic House” was the first set of living quarters for the sororities. It existed in the 50’s and was
located behind Mississippi Hall in the parking lot across from the new football stadium addition.
(New) “Fraternity Row” was the second set of fraternity houses built after 1967. It would house Kappa
Sigma, SAE and Pike originally.
Following them:
o Phi Kappa Tau in the early 1970’s.
o Kappa Alpha Order (in what is now the Sigma Chi house) in the early 1970’s.
o Sigma Phi Epsilon (in what is now the Delta Tau Delta house) in the late 1980’s.
o Sigma Nu (in what is now the Sigma Phi Epsilon house) in the late 1980’s.
o Alpha Tau Omega in 1989.
“Panhellenic” Dormitory (later renamed Wilber Hall after Mrs. Iva O. Wilber, the first Panhellenic advisor)
would open in 1965 and house all the sororities.
Ross Boulevard housed other chapters between 1970 and today:
Sigma Chi lived in a house next to what is now Sigma Nu.
Delta Tau Delta lived in what is now the Sigma Nu house.
House mom’s/dad’s cease to exist in 1988 due to low interest and a negative change in men’s overall
behavior.
Alpha Phi Alpha moves into the Tau Kappa Epsilon House in 2001 making them the first African
American Greek-letter organization to have a campus chapter house.
The Village groundbreaking occurred in 2006, giving all CPC sororities an individual chapter facility, as
well as Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta who are members of the NPHC.
Awards and Recognitions
1967 - IFC named “Most Outstanding” regionally at SEIFC and nationally at North American Interfraternity
Conference.
1980 – Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity wins “Maxwell Cup” (top chapter in nation).
1981 – Phi Kappa Fraternity Tau wins “Maxwell Cup” (top chapter in nation).
1985 – Sigma Alpha Epsilon wins “Zeal Award” (top chapter in nation).
1987 - IFC named “Most Outstanding” regionally at SEIFC.
2002 - NPHC named “Most Outstanding” regionally at NPHC.
2005 - NPHC named “Most Outstanding” regionally and nationally at NPHC.
2009 - Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity wins “Fogerty Award” (top chapter in nation).
2009 – Phi Mu Sorority named runner up for “Carnation Cup” (top chapter in nation).
2011- Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity wins “Mixon Award” (top chapter in nation).
1990, 1996-2006, 2007 - Alpha Tau Omega awarded “True Merit” nationally
1987, 1989, 1994-1997, 1999-2001 – Delta Tau Delta Fraternity wins “Hugh Shields Award” (Top 10 Nationally)
The Office of Greek Life’s Leadership
1955-1967
Iva O. Wilber, Assistant Dean of Women
1955
1956-1958
1959-1966
1966-1070
1967-1970
1970-1972
1970-1980
1972-1984
1980-1984
1984
1989
1989-1995
1995-1997
1997-1999
1999-2003
2004-2007
2008-2009
2010-Present
J. T. Palmer, Assistant Dean of Men
Raymond Clegg, Assistant Dean of Men
Rader Grantham, Assistant Dean of Men
Horace Dickerson, Assistant Dean of Men
Sally Hines, Assistant Dean of Women
Linda Amacker, Assistant Dean of Women
Berringer Brechtel, Assistant Dean of Men
Barbara Ross, Assistant Dean of Women
Rick Wright, Assistant Dean of Men
Barbara Ross, Director of Greek Life - establishes the Office of Greek Life
Charles Goodman, Director of Greek Life
Martha Fortenberry, Director of Greek Life
Tom Shoemaker, Dean of Students and Director of Greek Life
Alicia Edwards, Director of Greek Life
Wynde Fitts, Director of Greek Life
John Burks, Assistant Dean of Students for Greek Life
Trey Skaggs, Assistant Dean of Students for Greek Life
Joshua Schutts, Assistant Dean of Students for Greek Life