GAMMA MU
University of Charleston

FOUNDED ON
4.2.1960

LOCATION
Charleston, WV

HISTORY
University of Charleston originated in 1888 as Barboursville Seminary in Barboursville, West Virginia and became a college in 1889. In 1901, it was renamed Morris Harvey College and in December 1978 became University of Charleston.

Sigma Delta Phi fraternity was formed in 1950. It worked through most of its existence toward chartering in Alpha Sigma Phi. On April 2, 1960, the local was installed as the Gamma Mu Chapter by members of Delta Chapter (two months before the centennial of Delta’s Chartering).  28 undergraduates and 12 alumni formed the charter initiation class. Grand Province Chief Robert Sandercox, Bethany ‘51, was the keynote speaker and Executive Secretary Ralph Burns, Ohio Wesleyan ‘32, presented the charter. Alpha Sigma Phi was the first national fraternity to enter Morris Harvey College. Richard Shirlock, Charleston ‘60, was the first Chapter President.

Due to declining membership and an inability to recruit new members, the chapter closed and the charter was revoked in 1988. Through 1988, the chapter initiated 480 members. “Gamma Mu Life” was the chapter newsletter.

In the 2012 spring semester, Fraternity staff member, Enzo Pivirotto, Chico State ‘11, launched an expansion effort on campus. 15 members went through a Pledge Ceremony on February 3, 2012. Later that semester, an Initiation Ceremony was conducted in which 17 members were initiated. The Colony voted to close in the fall of 2014 due to low membership.

The chapter won the Grand Senior President’s Award in 1966. The chapter hosted the National Educational Conferences in 1963 and 1965. Robert F. Sherlock, Charleston ‘60, B. Roberts, Charleston ‘62, and D. Dillon, Charleston ‘60, have received the Delta Beta Xi Award.

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

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