DELTA EPSILON
University of Rio Grande

FOUNDED ON
4.21.1972

LOCATION
Rio Grande, OH

HISTORY
The University of Rio Grande was founded in 1876 and was supported by the Baptist Church until 1952. More recently it has operated as a private university with a co-located publicly supported community college on the same campus.

Alpha Tau Delta was established in 1929. It was the pioneer fraternity on the campus. Under the guidance of Dr. Larry Spees, Ohio Wesleyan ‘57, the fraternity petitioned for a charter in Alpha Sigma Phi. The petition was granted and the Delta Epsilon Chapter was installed by Ralph F. Burns, Ohio Wesleyan ‘32, on campus on April 21, 1972. The charter is unusual in that it was signed by the chapter’s charter members. Bob Beckett, Rio Grande ‘72, was the first president of the chapter. At chartering, the chapter had 49 mailable alumni from the classes of 1969 through 1971. George R. McKinnis, Rio Grande ‘73, led the drive to incorporate the Alumni Association. The chapter painted the outdoor basketball backboards (cardinal and stone) throughout the campus. The chapter newsletter is the “Sigo-gram”.

Mark Williams, Rio Grande ‘79, received the Delta Beta Xi Award, served on the Grand Council, and received the Distinguished Service Award of Alpha Sigma Phi. Christopher Thompson, Rio Grande ‘92, was Alpha Sigma Phi Scholar of the Year in 1995. Jeff Lewis, Rio Grande ‘78, Kevin Honnold, Rio Grande ‘73, Scott Copley, Rio Grande ‘92, and Todd Reigle, Rio Grande ‘88 have also received the Delta Beta Xi Award.  The chapter won Grand Senior President’s Awards for 1972-1974 and 1978-1980, the Service Award in 1974, and the Alpha Gamma Upsilon Award in 1992. Dr. Larry Spees, Ohio Wesleyan ‘60, was Grand Chapter Advisor to the chapter for 25 years, and received the Evin Varner Distinguished Service Award.

The Delta Epsilon Chapter was closed in April of 2017 due to low membership.

CHAPTER AWARDS
Records show award name and year(s) received.

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Records show brother's name, initiation year, and award received.