THE FOUNDING FATHERS

The Legacy of Delta (1978-1988)

In 1978, A few men who wanted more out of their college career founded Delta Sigma Tau Fraternity.  The Delta organization endured until the late 1980's.   

THE SENIOR ELDERS

The Rising of the Old Order (1995-1998)

In 1995 Mr. Mike Jones, Jamie Hypes and a few other men began reenergizing Delta Sigma Tau Fraternity after about 6 or 7 years of inactivity. They met in Ms. Jackie "Miss B" Bratton’s office in the Student Center, and for a few years they struggled with membership and participation issues. 

In the Fall of 1996, another group of aspiring men met at the Basic Science Building and also decided to form a fraternity.  Delta Sigma Tau was currently under the leadership of Mr. Michael Jones and since the Delta’s were already an established entity, these men joined the Brotherhood of Delta. Leading these men were Mike Jones, Jody Neal, Joseph Smith, Gary Stutts, Jeremy Crews, Bud Gordon, Brian Chappell, and Jeff Lusk.  As did the Founding Fathers before them, they too wanted to belong to an organization that could provide leadership, friendship, and campus recognition.  With the help of a few of these Brethren they were able to successfully and fully re-establish the Delta Order.  The new Order attracted other men who would later have a great influence in the development of the Fraternity – Mr. Jason Frasher, Mr. Roman Lawson, Mr. Matt Dotson and Mr. Kevin Adkins.  As members did in the 1970's and 1980's, the new membership aspired to live up to the legacy of their Fathers.  Absorbed in the tradition and fanfare of fraternal lore they became well known for their strength and tenacity.

THE MERGER

The Transition from Delta into Epsilon Delta (1997-1998)

A few months later, during the 1997 Spring semester, Brother Jason Frasher offered to contact the Phi Mu Chapter of Phi Sigma Phi National Fraternity, Inc. The membership wanted to develop the Delta Order into something beyond the boundaries of Bluefield State College. The following semester these ambitious few decided to approach the Phi Mu Chapter at Concord College (now Concord University) in Athens, WV.   Jason was acquainted with Mr. Dathan Jones (at that time a Chapter Consultant) and had at one time attended Concord College and associated with their Fraternity.  Vice President Mickey Carr and Mr. Dathan Jones met with the Delta brothers at Macado’s and discussed Colonization. Based on the meeting they had together, the men were asked to attend the Phi Sigma Phi National Conclave held in Chicago, IL (August 1997).  Attending this Conclave were Mr. Roman Lawson, Mr. Nathan Lawson, Mr. Jason Frasher, and Mr. Brian Chappell.  During the Fall semester of that year after they attended their first of many National Conclaves, these men founded the Epsilon Delta Colony at Bluefield State College.

 Colonizing at the Bluefield Campus was difficult because of the structure of the college, but the founding members knew they had to fulfill their obligations to the National Office to become a full chapter of Phi Sigma Phi.  This meant that they had to raise money to charter the organization, and increase their membership.  On April 25, 1998, eight months after the 1997 Conclave Trip, the men of Alpha, Beta, and Gamma classes crossed over into the 66th national fraternity recognized by the N.I.C.....Phi Sigma Phi.

THE CONTINUED RE-BIRTH OF DELTA

The Hay-Day—The Roaring 20’s of a Developing Dynasty (1998-2000)

From 1998 to 2000, Epsilon Delta experienced its ups and downs. The Chapter re-established the Delta name as a reckoning force on campus. They accomplished this through philanthropy, business savvy, politics, and authoritarian direction in the guise of democratic principles. In 1999, the Executive Board ran for the SGA Cabinet and won the office almost hands down (Chappell, Lusk, Stepp, Lawson, Crews). It was widely rumored that they received more votes than any BSC election combined. Other members who contributed to the success of Epsilon Delta Chapter during this time were Mr. Tom Gillenwater, in charge of the "Why Greek" Program, and Mr. William Renn who served as Greek Council President. Epsilon Delta reached some level of financial security through networking, alumni involvement, and lucrative business projects. Over time, Epsilon Delta Members were known for their tenacity, involvement, and in some cases their infamous zeal. Because of this windfall of success the membership relaxed into that success, though very giving, professional, and focused on their agenda for organizational recognition, the Chapter began to experience growing division. Once the security of the Chapter became unstable, and the divisions became more prominent, the Chapter started its decline.  By Spring of 2000, Epsilon Delta was shaken to its foundation.

Transition into the 21st Century(2000-2001)

From 2000 to 2002, under the new leadership of Mr. Jeremy Crews, Mr. Joseph Arthur, and Mr. Mike Hicks, the Chapter struggled to remain afloat due to the graduation of most of it's founding members. The Epsilon Delta Alumni Association emerged during this time, but in awe of the cancerous divisions between the “Old Way” and the “New Class," the separation contributed to rumors of financial infidelity and inappropriate leadership methods. It generated a wall of absolute disregard for consistency, and burned the Bridges of Brotherhood. The founding and new members started to fight amongst themselves. The transition was very poor, and the two groups vied for domination one over the other. One group wanted control…the other wanted freedom. It was apparent that the new leaders of the fraternity had to think of a way to adapt the old ways into the new age of men.

THE SECOND COMING

Only the Strong Shall Survive(2001-2003)

As the chapter graduated the last of it's founding members, the time for change was in order. Under the leadership of the new class of presidents Joseph Arthur, Mike Hicks, and Jason Mann the fraternity flourished to bring the bonds of brotherhood closer than it ever was. The wounds of Brotherhood and Distrust have healed, bring in new members that wanted to see the success of the fraternity just as much, if not more than its leaders. Over the next year or so, reconstruction took place. In 2003, former president Mike Hicks consulted with other leaders of the fraternity to bring a new Plan of Action to the table. This Plan of Action would cover all points the fraternity would encounter, bringing old shady business to an end. With this new Plan of Action came a new management outline, which would completely replace all outlines the fraternity used in the past. These new outlines were introduced to all chapters and the National Council at 2003's Conclave in Indianapolis, Indiana. Along with the outlines, the men of Epsilon Delta also presented Phi Sigma Phi with Mu Class, the first ever successful Summer Rush class known in national history. After the introduction of new ideas, Epsilon Delta's representatives, Mike Hicks and Acting President Jamie Styons consulted with National President David Prueher about incorporating their new management plan and plan of action into the National Outline.  With the enormous efforts and new policy proposal to the National Fraternity, the chapter was presented once again with the National's 2003 Best Conclave Delegation.

The Beginning of the Immortals(2003-2004)

As the Fall 2003 semester begins, the chapter now out-numbers all other Greek organizations on campus by having grown 300% since the Spring. With the increase in membership, the Phi Sigs at BSC now cover most of the campus by having brothers in almost every department, and educational major. As the active members make a impact on campus, the Nu class associates make an impact on the actives. By being the biggest associate class in the past few years, Nu class's Associate President Allen Meadows, and his associate executive board, develops their own governing body based on the chapter's new management outline, surpassing the expectations of the Associate Educator Mike Hicks, Chapter President Jamie Styons, and the active brothers.  Epsilon Delta has finally reached an all time high since it was founded five years earlier.

A Reign of Champions(2004-Present)

As their Founding Fathers did in the past, the actives have done once again.  With the recruitment of strong leaders in the past few classes, the chapter has the achieved many prominent positions on campus.  Well into the third generation of members, Epsilon Delta has once again made a strong reputation at BSC.  More to come...................

THE MEANING OF EPSILON DELTA

The Chapter name – Epsilon Delta – was chosen out of respect for two grand fraternal orders – Phi Sigma Epsilon National Fraternity and Delta Sigma Tau Local Fraternity.  Phi Sigma Epsilon merged with Phi Sigma Kappa during the late 1980's.  In defiance of the merger seven chapters and many select Alumni created Phi Sigma Phi in 1988.  Delta Sigma Tau merged with Phi Sigma Phi in 1997 when a few Delta members proposed the local organization increase its scope.   Both organizations emerged from the ashes like the fabled mythic phoenix.  And like the phoenix – Epsilon Delta continues to be consumed by change, to adapt to that change and evolve.

 In 2001, these same men, along with other graduated alumni, founded the ED Alumni Association, Inc.  This new Association, bread from the ambition of its Founding Fathers, and in the continued traditions of its emerging classes, will take its oath and recite its creed....and take its place among the ever-changing community.

PHILANTHROPY

From 1996-2003, ED Undergraduate Chapter donated nearly $25,000.00 to numerous charities. Some of these charities include the MDA Telethon, two annual BSC scholarships, the MS Walk-a-Thon, Pinnacle Rock Little League, bicycles for needy kids, S.A.F.E., Children’s Home Society, Bluefield Canine Unit, annual blood drives for the American Red Cross, Adopt a Family, the Holiday of Lights, the WV Caucus, and the Annual Greater Bluefield Car and Stereo Competition.  Numerous members have served in numerous military capacities.  These include Navy, Marines, Air Force, Army, and National Guard. Members have also been involved in many campus organizations and annual events.  Some of these include the Student Government Association, Board of Governors, Freshman Orientation Workshops, Greek Council, Program Board, Model U.N., O.N.A.I, Pi Gamma Mu, The Enforcers, Epsilon Delta Society, Sigma Delta Tau - Mu Sigma Society, and Gamma Beta Phi.  Members of the Phi Sig Brotherhood have also won numerous awards that include eight-time BSC Fraternity of the Year, BSC Greek Alumni of the Year, BSC Greek of the Year, The John Sandwell Service Award, the PSP Philanthropy and Best Delegation Awards, the All-WV Academic Team, the William Jackson Award, the National Dean’s List and Who’s Who Among College Students, five-time Greek Week champions.

(Any and all references of Phi Sigma Epsilon is for historical purposes only! 
Phi Sigma Epsilon and all trademarks represented with Phi Sigma Epsilon is the sole property of Phi Sigma Kappa International Fraternity, Inc..)