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Delta Sigma Rho

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Delta Sigma Rho
ΔΣΡ
FoundedApril 13, 1906; 118 years ago (1906-04-13)
Chicago, Illinois
TypeHonor Society
AffiliationACHS
StatusMerged
Merge DateAugust 18, 1963
SuccessorDelta Sigma Rho-Tau Kappa Alpha
EmphasisForensics
ScopeNational
Motto"Oratory, the key to power"
and "Honor for merit"
Colors  Maroon and   Black
PublicationThe Gavel
Chapters85
Members20,100 lifetime
HeadquartersDePauw University
Greencastle, Indiana
United States

Delta Sigma Rho (ΔΣΡ) was a collegiate honor society devoted to the promotion of public speaking (forensics). It merged with Tau Kappa Alpha, a similar organization, to form Delta Sigma Rho-Tau Kappa Alpha in 1963.

History

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Delta Sigma Rho was founded in Chicago on April 13, 1906.[1][2] The founders at the organizing convention included representatives from University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, University of Iowa, University of Wisconsin, University of Illinois, University of Nebraska, University of Chicago and Northwestern University.[3][2] The call for the meeting was issued by Professor Eugene E. McDermott of the University of Minnesota.[2] The idea of the society came out of the simultaneous conception of the idea by McDermont and Professor Henry E. Gordon of University of Iowa.[4][2]

The purpose of Delta Sigma Rho was "to encourage sincere and effective public speaking".[2] Its 1920 constitution stated that charters could only be granted to institutions that had participated in intercollegiate forensic contests for five years.

The society became a member of the Association of College Honor Societies in 1937.[5] In 1963, Delta Sigma Rho had 85 active chapters and 20,100 members.[2] Its headquarters was located at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana.[2]

Delta Sigma Rho and Tau Kappa Alpha merged on August 18, 1963.[6] The merged group adopted the name Delta Sigma Rho-Tau Kappa Alpha.[7]

Symbols

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Delta Sigma Rho emblem was a diamond-shaped key with a star at the top, the Greek letters ΔΣΡ, and the date of the organization of the society (April 13th, 1906) in relief.[2] Its colors were maroon and black. Its publication was The Gavel, first published in 1912.[2]

Members

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To be eligible for membership, students had to be active in intercollegiate forensic contest and had to complete their sophomore year.[2] In addition, they had to be in the top 35 per cent of their class.[2]

Chapters

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In 1963, Delta Sigma Rho had 85 active chapters.[2][8]

Notable members

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ From the description of Delta Sigma Rho--Tau Kappa Alpha archives, 1939-1974. (Butler University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 43964512
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Robson, John, ed. (1963). Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (17th ed.). Menasha, Wisconsin: The Collegiate Press, George Banta Company, Inc. pp. 571-572.
  3. ^ "The Speaker". The Speaker. Vol. III, no. 3. Pearson Brothers. 1908. pp. 198–199.
  4. ^ Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities. Alcolm Company. 1920. pp. 621–624.
  5. ^ "Delta Sigma Rho - Tau Kappa Alpha Honor Society- Forensics - An ACHS Member Society". Association of College Honor Societies. Archived from the original on 2012-07-08. Retrieved 2024-06-07 – via web.archive.org.
  6. ^ "Delta Sigma Rho - Tau Kappa Alpha Honor Society- Forensics". Association of College Honor Societies. Archived from the original on 2012-07-08. Retrieved 2024-06-08 – via web.archive.org.
  7. ^ "Delta Sigma Rho - Tau Kappa Alpha Honor Society- Forensics". Association of College Honor Societies. Archived from the original on 2012-07-08. Retrieved 2024-06-08 – via web.archive.org.
  8. ^ Gavel of Delta Sigma Rho Vol 45 Number 4 May 1963
  9. ^ The Gavel of Delta Sigma Rho Volume 1 Number 4