This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held in the Wilson Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in our reading room, and not digitally available through the World Wide Web. See the Duplication Policy section for more information.
Size | 1.5 feet of linear shelf space (approximately 1200 items) |
Abstract | The Alpha Sigma Chapter of the Chi Psi Fraternity was originally chartered 16 November 1855 and was the first chapter of Chi Psi established in the South. It was active until the Civil War, but at the onset of war, it dissolved. It was re-established as a local fraternity at the University in 1923, but was not re-chartered as a chapter of Chi Psi until 1928. Since that time it has remained one of the most active and respected fraternities on campus. The records of the Alpha Sigma Chapter of the Chi Psi Fraternity consist mainly of correspondence, minutes of annual meetings, chapter publications, and chapter histories. |
Creator | Chi Psi. Alpha Sigma Chapter (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill). |
Curatorial Unit | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. University Archives. |
Language | English. |
The following terms from Library of Congress Subject Headings suggest topics, persons, geography, etc. interspersed through the entire collection; the terms do not usually represent discrete and easily identifiable portions of the collection--such as folders or items.
Clicking on a subject heading below will take you into the University Library's online catalog.
The Alpha Sigma Chapter of the Chi Psi Fraternity was originally chartered on 16 November 1855 and was active until the Civil War. Alpha Sigma was the first chapter of Chi Psi established in the South. At the onset of war, the chapter dissolved, with legend stating that the original charter, constitution, and bylaws were ritualistically burned by the brothers. After the war, there were unsuccessful attempts to petition for a new charter, including an effort in 1890. Alpha Sigma was re-established by Oliver Reagan Rowe (University of North Carolina, Class of 1925) as a local fraternity on 1 April 1923, with the purpose of regaining its charter from the Chi Psi Fraternity. At that time, Chi Psi was not soliciting new chapters nor was it accepting any applications for charters. Thus began a long, deliberate effort to have the mother alpha of the South revived. Finally, in June 1928, Alpha Sigma was re-established as a Chi Psi chapter and has remained active since then, even through a devastating house fire in 1929 and the hardships brought on by the Great Depression and World War II.
Sigmas strive for excellence in their endeavors, following the plan laid out by Oliver Rowe, the father of Alpha Sigma and one-time president of Chi Psi Fraternity. Campus leadership has often emerged from the ranks of Alpha Sigma. Nineteen student body presidents were Chi Psi, and the editorship of The Daily Tar Heel was often held by a Sigma. Chapter members have also distinguished themselves as Morehead Scholars, Rhodes Scholars, and Phi Beta Kappa inductees. Alpha Sigma is known as one of the most involved fraternities on campus and has received awards from the university's Office of Greek Affairs. It has also been the recipient of several awards from the Chi Psi National Fraternity, including the Thayer Trophy for best alpha thirteen times since 1951.
Back to TopThe records of the Alpha Sigma Chapter of Chi Psi Fraternity include correspondence, minutes for the annual meetings, chapter publications, and chapter histories, the bulk of which date from 1928 to 1960.
Back to TopFolder 1 |
Minutes, 1928-1944 #40147, Series: "1. Annual Meetings." Folder 1Minutes are in a bound volume |
Folder 2 |
Minutes, 1953; 1998-2000; 2002-2003 #40147, Series: "1. Annual Meetings." Folder 2 |
Folder 3 |
Notices for Annual Meetings, 1952; 1954 #40147, Series: "1. Annual Meetings." Folder 3 |
Folder 28 |
General, 1940; 1965; 1981; 1982; 2001-2002 and undated #40147, Series: "7. Histories and Descriptions." Folder 28 |
Folder 29 |
Awards, Lists of, 1951-2002 #40147, Series: "7. Histories and Descriptions." Folder 29 |
Folder 30 |
Chapter Sigma of Chi Psi, 1855-1861, by Dr. J. M. Richmond, undated #40147, Series: "7. Histories and Descriptions." Folder 30 |
Folder 31 |
The History of Alpha Sigma: A Collection of Articles from the Purple and Gold and from the Sesquicentennial Catalogue , compiled by Mathew E. Cheek, 1996 #40147, Series: "7. Histories and Descriptions." Folder 31 |
Folder 32-37
Folder 32Folder 33Folder 34Folder 35Folder 36Folder 37 |
Tradition of Excellence by Zane Robbins, 2000, Background Information #40147, Series: "7. Histories and Descriptions." Folder 32-37(narratives written between 1996 and 1999 by Alpha Sigma alumni describing various periods in the Chapter's history; arranged by decade, 1930s-1980s) |
Folder 38 |
General, undated #40147, Series: "8. Membership Files." Folder 38(includes member obituaries, profiles and features, and member lists) |
Folder 39 |
Alumni Advisory Board, 2002-2004 #40147, Series: "8. Membership Files." Folder 39 |
Folder 40 |
Board of Directors, Lists of Local, 1934; 1951-1954 #40147, Series: "8. Membership Files." Folder 40 |
Folder 41 |
Fundraising Campaigns, 1930-1954; 2002-2003 and undated #40147, Series: "8. Membership Files." Folder 41 |
Folder 42 |
Rushing Letters and Lists of Actives, 1927-1952 and undated #40147, Series: "8. Membership Files." Folder 42 |