View source for List of Trine University fraternities and sororities

{{Short description|none}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
[[Fraternities and sororities]] have maintained a visible presence on the [[Trine University]] campus for 100 years. The campus hosts ten honor societies that recognize scholastic achievement, complimenting 13 active undergraduate social fraternities and sororities. Local societies had been predominant during the earlier, non-accredited era of campus growth, but beginning in 1947, national fraternities and then sororities colonized and now make up the majority of chapters. Tri-State's first men's social fraternity, [[Sigma Mu Sigma]] formed in 1921, and its first women's social sorority, Sigma Alpha Gamma (local) formed in 1926.<ref name="Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities">{{cite Almanac FS|section=institutions|subsection=T|organization=Trine University|access-date=26 Jan 2023}}</ref>

As of 2018, 26% of male and 19% of female undergraduates are involved in these groups.

== Fraternities ==
A list of fraternities on campus follows. Active groups are in '''bold''' and inactive groups are in ''italics''. (NIC) indicates members of the [[North American Interfraternity Conference]]. (FFC) indicates members of the [[North American Interfraternity Conference#Active Former members|Fraternity Forward Coalition]]. (PFA) indicates members of the [[Professional Fraternity Association]].

===Active Fraternities===
* [[Acacia (fraternity)|Acacia]], 1967–1979, 2012 (NIC){{efn|Trine University's Acacia chapter was originally formed when an alumnus of [[Sigma Mu Sigma]], Clyde E. Shaw who was a faculty member at Tri-State, revived "his" fraternity of {{lang|grc|ΣΜΣ}} in 1940. This was four years after his original chapter had merged into [[Alpha Lambda Tau]]. This new ''Alpha chapter'' changed membership requirements to allow non-Masons to join. ''Alpha chapter'' was the only active chapter of {{lang|grc|ΣΜΣ}} from 1940–1952. In August 1952, Sigma Mu Sigma decided to merge with Sigma Alpha Chi, which was another Masonic fraternity originally known as Square and Compass. The resulting union, called Sigma Mu Sigma – Square and Compass, would eventually form 12 chapters. It dissolved in the 1960s, with the Trine chapter going on to join [[Acacia Fraternity]] in 1967. This chapter became dormant in 1980 and re-colonized in 2012.}}
* [[Alpha Sigma Phi]], 1935 (FFC, formerly NIC){{efn|Began as a local fraternity in 1924, which joined [[Alpha Delta Alpha]] in 1930 as its ''Eta chapter'', and at that national's demise, joined [[Alpha Kappa Pi (fraternity)|Alpha Kappa Pi]] in 1935 as its ''Alpha Beta chapter''. That second, smaller national merged into Alpha Sigma Phi in 1946, becoming its ''Beta Omicron chapter''.}}
* [[Delta Chi]], 1969 (NIC)<ref name=":4">From [https://tristatedeltachi.org/about-us/chapter-history/ ΔΧ's ''Trine chapter'' history], accessed 19 Jan 2023.</ref>
* [[Kappa Sigma]], 1966 (formerly NIC){{efn|name="FirstTekeChapter" }}{{efn|This chapter's history dates to March 25, 1921, as the founding chapter of [[Sigma Mu Sigma]]; it severed ties with the resulting small national it had formed as of 1934, and after several stages, eventually found Kappa Sigma.}}
* [[Phi Kappa Theta]], 1966 (NIC)<ref name=":3">Note, the Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities <!--Which page?--> shows this chapter as forming in 1943 out of a prior local called Alpha Gamma Omega, but the dates appear in error. Perhaps the local was dormant for a time, and then revived? The Phi Kap website clearly says its ''Indiana Alpha Gamma chapter'' was installed October 1, 1966.</ref>
* [[Sigma Phi Delta]], 1947 engineering professional (formerly PFA)<ref name="Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities" />
* [[Sigma Phi Epsilon]], 1968 (formerly NIC){{efn|This chapter originated on December 17, 1927, when it was established as the ''Delta Epsilon chapter'' of Phi Sigma Chi. On May 8, 1949, the chapter affiliated with [[Alpha Gamma Upsilon]] as {{lang|grc|ΑΓΥ}}'s ''Lambda chapter''. It became ''Indiana Theta chapter'' of Sigma Phi Epsilon on May 4, 1968.}}
* [[Tau Kappa Epsilon]], 1947–1948, 1989 (NIC){{efn|name="FirstTekeChapter"|Trine University's first {{lang|grc|ΤΚΕ}} chapter was originally the founding chapter of [[Sigma Mu Sigma]] fraternity, established on March 25, 1921, which over a decade spread to nine campuses. It was originally limited to [[Freemasons|Master Masons]]. With conditions worsening in the Great Depression, its small national organization voted in the Fall of 1934 to merge with {{lang|grc|ΤΚΕ}}, but the Tri-State ''Alpha chapter'' remained independent, likely due to non-accreditation. In 1936 it became the ''Psi chapter'' of [[Alpha Lambda Tau]]. That small non-NIC national would ''itself'' merge into {{lang|grc|ΤΚΕ}} in 1947 in ''another'' merger. Following this, the NIC demanded that {{lang|grc|ΤΚΕ}} revoke the charter for the group at Tri-State if they wanted to remain in the NIC because Tri-State College was still non-accredited. Hence, {{lang|grc|ΤΚΕ}} revoked the charter of its ''Beta-Epsilon chapter'' at its next Conclave. The chapter then affiliated with [[Kappa Sigma Kappa]] in 1952. When small Kappa Sigma Kappa merged into [[Theta Xi]] in 1962, likewise a NIC fraternity, the chapter was again ineligible for the merger due to the accreditation status of Tri-State University. So the chapter petitioned [[Kappa Sigma]] and became a chapter of ''that'' fraternity in 1966, enduring until the accreditation turmoil had passed. This is the short history of the Trine University Kappa Sigma chapter. Decades after Tri-State University became accredited, {{lang|grc|ΤΚΕ}} established a new chapter on the campus in 1989. The new chapter retained the ''Beta-Epsilon chapter'' designation and honors the founding date of the original {{lang|grc|ΤΚΕ}} chapter, even though that original campus group is now a chapter of Kappa Sigma.}}{{efn|name="BetaSigmaTau"|Beta Sigma Tau merged with [[Pi Lambda Phi]] in late 1960. The Trine chapter did not follow the merger and reverted into a local called Beta Sigma Chi, which then joined {{lang|grc|ΤΚΕ}} in 1966 as a merger into an existing chapter or revival according to the Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities. However, ''{{lang|grc|ΤΚΕ}}'' records indicate a re-chartering in 1989, with no detail on the absorption of {{lang|grc|ΒΣΧ}} in the two decades prior.}}

===Inactive fraternities===
* [[Alpha Delta Alpha]], 1930–1934, became Alpha Kappa Pi<ref name=":5">Noted in the [https://archive.org/details/modulus1956tris/page/n107/mode/2up?q=alpha+delta+alpha 1956 ''Modulus'' yearbook], the Trine chapter of {{lang|grc|ΑΣΦ}} emerged out of an original local, then {{lang|grc|ΑΔΑ}}, then {{lang|grc|ΑΚΠ}}, finally becoming {{lang|grc|ΑΣΦ}}.</ref>{{efn|Originally {{lang|grc|ΦΛΤ}} (local). The ''Eta chapter'' of this small national fraternity dissolved in 1934. Successor was {{lang|grc|ΑΚΠ}}.}}
* Alpha Gamma Omega (local), 1940–1965, became Phi Kappa Theta<ref name="Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities" /><ref name=":3" />
* [[Alpha Gamma Upsilon]], 1949–1968, became Sigma Phi Epsilon{{efn|Most chapters of {{lang|grc|ΑΓΥ}} were absorbed by {{lang|grc|ΑΣΦ}}; a few scattered to other nationals, as did the Tri-State chapter, which became a chapter of {{lang|grc|ΣΦΕ}}.}}
* [[Alpha Kappa Pi (fraternity)|Alpha Kappa Pi]], 1935–1946, became Alpha Sigma Phi<ref name=":5" />
* [[Alpha Lambda Tau]], 1936–1947, became Tau Kappa Epsilon<ref name="Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities" />
* Beta Phi Sigma (local), 1922–1932, became Delta Kappa Phi<ref name="Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities" />
* [[Beta Phi Theta]], 1929–1969, became Delta Chi<ref name=":4" />{{efn|This was the ''Delta chapter'', and only surviving chapter after 1956, of this small national.}}
* Beta Sigma Chi, 1960–1966?, revived Tau Kappa Sigma{{efn|name="BetaSigmaTau"}}<ref name="Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities" />
* [[Beta Sigma Tau]], 1950–1960, became Beta Sigma Chi<ref name="Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities" />{{efn|name="BetaSigmaTau"}}
* Catholic Club (local), 1929–1940, became Alpha Gamma Omega<ref name="Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities" />
* Delta Kappa Phi, 1932–1936 <ref name="Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities" />{{efn|This was the short-lived ''Kappa chapter'' of this dormant, small national. Note, this fraternity was founded at Marshall College in West Virginia in 1929, and dissolved in the 1930s.  It was distinct from the textiles fraternity of the same name.}}
* Four-Eleven Gang (local), 1922–1927, became Lambda Phi Epsilon<ref name=":4" />
* Gamma Eta Alpha (local), 1927–1931, became Phi Iota Alpha<ref name="Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities" />
* Kadimah Society, 1936–1948, became Theta Mu Phi<ref name="Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities" /><ref>Kadimah was a Zionist society.</ref>
* [[Kappa Sigma Kappa]], 1952–1962, reverted to Sigma Mu Sigma{{efn|{{lang|grc|ΚΣΚ}} was a junior NIC member which merged with [[Theta Xi]] national in 1962. Trine's chapter reverted to local status due to the accreditation problem that would persist for another year. Seven chapters of {{lang|grc|ΚΣΚ}} formed a schismatic junior-college-focused third reinvention of Kappa Sigma Kappa, which persisted for a few years after the merger, and which claimed the Tri-State chapter, but once the accreditation matter was resolved, in 1966, the Tri-State chapter would petition and join [[Kappa Sigma]]. The Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities notes it again using the name {{lang|grc|ΚΣΚ}} before 1966.}}
* Lambda Phi Epsilon (local), 1927–1929, became Beta Phi Theta<ref name=":4" />{{efn|Baird's Manual Archive Online notes this group formed in 1922. Latter date supported by other sources.}}
* Nu Pi (local), 1981–1989, became Triangle <ref name="Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities" />
* [[Phi Iota Alpha]], 1931–1955 ([[National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations|NALFO]] and NIC) <ref>Formerly a chapter of ΦΛΑ, this chapter continued for an unknown period.</ref>
* [[Phi Lambda Alpha]], 1929–1931, became Phi Iota Alpha{{efn|This chapter grew out of the "Club Hispano-Americano," a local chapter founded in 1921 at Tri-State. Joining Phi Lambda Alpha in 1929 and later joined by {{lang|grc|ΓΗΑ}}, this chapter continued for an unknown period. The national would soon merge into [[Phi Iota Alpha]], which remains a member of the [[National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations|NALFO]] and the NIC.}}
* Phi Lambda Tau (local), 1925–1929, became Alpha Delta Alpha<ref name=":5" />
* Phi Sigma Chi, 1927–1934, 1936–1949, became Sigma Delta Rho, reverted to Phi Sigma Chi, became Alpha Gamma Upsilon<ref name="Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities" />{{efn|In those pre-accreditation days, was this original chapter a unit of the preparatory school fraternity, [[High school fraternities and sororities|Phi Sigma Chi]]? Or was it a local with the same name?}}
* Sigma Delta Rho, 1934–1936, (NIC), reverted to Phi Sigma Chi, later became Alpha Gamma Upsilon <ref name="Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities" />{{efn|This was the last chapter of a small national [[Sigma Delta Rho]] to form before that fraternity's dissolution in 1935.}}
* [[Sigma Mu Sigma]], 1921–1936, 1940–1952, 1962–1966, became Alpha Lambda Tau, Kappa Sigma, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Kappa Sigma Kappa and Acacia {{efn|Arguably the most prolific chapter of any fraternity, this local chapter birthed three successor chapters on the Trine campus ''and twice'', a surviving, small national fraternity. Originally a Masonic-themed organization, see reference notes for these three resulting campus chapters.}}
* Square M Club (local), 1921-1921, became Sigma Mu Sigma <ref name="Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities" />
* Tau Kappa Lambda (local), 1949–1952, became Kappa Sigma Kappa<ref>{{cite Almanac FS|section=men-inactive|organization=Kappa Sigma Kappa}} Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities shows this, but it ought to be traced to understand how it connects with the other fraternities or if the reference is in error. The Trine University listing in the Archive also shows a Tau Kappa Sigma, similarly lasting from 1949–1952, which appears to be a typo. Or was this a one-letter change for a local that stemmed from breaking away from ΤΚΕ?</ref>
* Tau Sigma (local), 1970–1981, became Nu Pi<ref name="Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities" />
* Theta Mu Phi, 1948–1950, became Beta Sigma Tau<ref name="Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities" />
* [[Triangle Fraternity|Triangle]], 1989–2008 (NIC)

== Sororities ==
A list of the sororities on campus follows. Chapters are listed in order of date established, with active groups in '''bold''' and inactive groups in ''italics''. (NPC) indicates members of the [[National Panhellenic Conference]]. (local) indicates a chapter unaffiliated with a national organization.

===Active sororities===
* [[Alpha Sigma Tau]], 2008 (NPC)<ref name=":6">Noted by [https://www.kpcnews.com/article_84369564-d9ef-5519-a475-92b76113ef5c.html KPC News.com on 2 Nov 2008], accessed 19 Jan 2023.</ref>{{efn|Local installation date of the ''Epsilon Kappa chapter'' was September 26, 2009.}}
* Gamma Phi Epsilon (local), 1995<ref name=":6" />{{efn|This organization was formed on February 14, 1995.}}
* Kappa Sigma Alpha (local), 1991<ref name=":6" />
* [[Theta Phi Alpha]], 2012 (NPC){{efn|Originally established as Zeta Theta Epsilon (local) in 1998, this is the ''Gamma Omega chapter'' of {{lang|grc|ΘΦΑ}}, installed on December 15, 2012.}}

===Inactive sororities===
* Alpha Omega Epsilon (local), 1999–2002, 2004–2006, became Alpha Sigma Tau <ref name="Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities" />{{efn|It appears the local Trine chapter called Alpha Omega Epsilon was not affiliated with the national professional sorority of the same name, but rather, took the same name by coincidence.}}
* Alpha Theta Pi (local), 2005–20xx ?<ref name="Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities" /><ref name=":6" />
* [[Kappa Beta Gamma]], 2011–2016
* Kappa Tau Sigma (local), 1954-19xx ?<ref name="Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities" />
* Lambda Rho Mu (local), 19xx ?–19xx ?<ref name="Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities" />
* Omega Kappa (local), 1960?–19xx ?<ref name="Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities" />
* Phi Sigma (local), 1996–2023
* [[Phi Sigma Sigma]], 1992–1996 (NPC), became Phi Sigma{{efn|This was the ''Zeta Upsilon chapter'' of {{lang|grc|ΦΣΣ}}, reverting to local status on March 17, 1996.}}
* Sigma Alpha Gamma (local), 1926-193x ?<ref name="Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities" />
* [[Sigma Kappa]], 1977–1983 (NPC) {{efn|This was the ''Zeta Theta chapter'' of {{lang|grc|ΣΚ}}.}}
* Zeta Eta Theta (local), 1982–19xx ?<ref name="Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities" />
* Zeta Theta Epsilon (local), 1998–2012, became Theta Phi Alpha<ref name="Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities" /><ref name=":6" />{{efn|This group had its origin as the little sisters of ΤΚΕ, before 1998}}

== Honor and professional fraternities ==
Trine University hosts several honor societies. These include:
* [[Pi Tau Sigma]], 1972, honor, mechanical engineering{{efn|This is the ''Tri-State Delta Delta chapter'' of {{lang|grc|ΠΤΣ}}.}}
* [[Chi Epsilon]], 1973, honor, civil and environmental engineering{{efn|This is the ''Trine chapter'' of {{lang|grc|ΧΕ}}.}}
* [[Tau Beta Pi]], 1975, honor, engineering{{efn|This is the ''Indiana Epsilon chapter'' of {{lang|grc|ΤΒΠ}}.}}
* [[Eta Kappa Nu]], 1975, honor, electrical engineering{{efn|This is the ''Zeta Phi chapter'' of {{lang|grc|ΗΚΝ}}.}}
* [[Delta Mu Delta]], 1977, honor, business{{efn|This is the ''Gamma Theta chapter'' of {{lang|grc|ΔΜΔ}}. Baird's says it was formed on May 11, 1977, while the school summary page says 2004. The latter date appears to be a restoration of the chapter.}}
* [[Omega Chi Epsilon]], 1980, honor, chemical engineering{{efn|This is the ''Alpha Nu chapter'' of {{lang|grc|ΩΧΕ}}.}}
* [[Beta Beta Beta]], 1980, honor, biological sciences{{efn|This is the ''Xi Beta chapter'' of {{lang|grc|ΔΜΔ}}.}}
* [[Pi Sigma Alpha]], 1981, honor, political sciences{{efn|This is the ''Mu Xi chapter'' of {{lang|grc|ΠΣΑ}}.}}
* [[Phi Eta Sigma]], 1983, honor, first-year academic achievement{{efn|This is the ''Trine University chapter'' of {{lang|grc|ΦΗΣ}}.}}
* [[Order of Omega]], 2008, honor, Greek Life leadership{{efn|This is the ''Phi Lambda chapter'' of the Order of Omega.}}
* [[Sigma Tau Delta]], honor, English{{efn|This is the ''Alpha Alpha Gamma chapter'' of {{lang|grc|ΣΤΔ}}.<}}
* [[Lambda Alpha Epsilon]], honor, criminal justice{{efn|This is the ''Tau Alpha Omicron chapter'' of {{lang|grc|ΛΑΕ}}.}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Trine University fraternities and sororities}}
[[Category:Lists of chapters of United States student societies by college|Trine University]]
[[Category:Trine University]]