Sigma Alpha Iota Collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: 2012.002

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Eighteen scrapbooks created by the Delta Epsilon chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota at Southeast Missouri University to record the processes and achievements of the fraternity. These scrapbooks are arranged chronologically, starting with when the fraternity began in 1963, to the fall semester of 2007. Each book contains picture, letters, and flyers pertaining to events the fraternity has either put on or attended. These events include rush parties, recitals done by the members, and the national convention for Sigma Alpha Iota. The scrapbooks are arranged chronologically.

Dates

Creation: Majority of material found within 1953-2007, Bulk [2000-2007]

Rights Statement

Materials in this collection may be protected by copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code).

Biographical / Historical

Southeast Missouri State University students showed their first interest in joining Sigma Alpha Iota by beginning to petition the national leader of the fraternity in 1953. The first meeting for serious petitioning was in 1961, and after sending a letter to the national leader of the fraternity, she informed the students that they would be unable to put the fraternity in right away, but encouraged them to start a group immediately that would become the fraternity. On the national leaders’ advice, the students began the Lyre Club and that group continued until 1963, when Sigma Alpha Iota was officially installed in the Southeast Missouri State University campus. The purpose of this group is to raise the standards of music education and performance for female college students.