Delta Sigma Theta

History

In the fall of 1914, Delta Sigma Theta was established at Brooklyn College of Pharmacy as an outgrowth of the Mortar and Pestle club (local). It was created to promote the healing arts of pharmacy, medicine, and dentistry. There were six founders led by A. Bertram Lemon. The organization was started on December 11, 1915, and one year later was incorporated in New York State as Alpha chapter of Delta Sigma Theta.

The fraternity then expanded within New York and across New England. It also expanded to include other healthcare professions, including medicine and dentistry. Some notable chapters founded during this era include Rutgers' Epsilon chapter and Columbia's Delta chapter. By 1926, it had eight chapters and 700 members.

By the late 1920s, Delta Sigma Theta became an international fraternity by establishing chapters in Beirut, Rome, and Great Britain. The growing fraternity paused in its growth like other such societies when the start of World War II led to a decrease in fraternity enrollment nationwide. However, once the war concluded, Delta Sigma Theta expanded westward; the Chi chapter was founded in May 1963 by a Mu chapter alumnus, Alfonso Tobias. However Chi was its last chapter to be established and, in 1963, it had six active chapters and eleven inactive chapters. Eventually, all chapters ceased operations and the fraternity went defunct.

Governance

Delta Sigma Theta was governed by a Supreme Royal Council, elected at an annual national convention. Its officers include a supreme royal chancellor, supreme royal vice chancellor, supreme royal scribe, supreme royal assistant scribe, supreme royal treasurer, supreme royal assistant treasurer, supreme royal historian, and a supreme royal sentinel. Its national headquarters were in New York City, New York.

Chapters

In the following list, inactive chapters and institutions are in italics.