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Wyoming Hall covered in snow

Our History

 

Fraternity and Sorority Life began University of Wyoming in the early 1900s as an opportunity for men and women to support one another while providing a greater benefit to the University - something that still exists to this day.

 

All photos were provided through the American Heritage Center Digital Collections,The University of Wyoming Wyo Yearbooks through UW Digital Libraries, and The Chisum Reading Room in COE Library. 

1900-1910

1903: Sigma Beta Phi founded

Men in front of fraternity house in 1910.

1905: Alpha Omicron founded

Round photos of a head shot of each of the members of the sorority

1906: Delta Theta Kappa Founded

Composite Photo of Delta Theta Kappa fraternity with photo of a church, their letters and the year 1903.

1910: Zeta Xi founded

14 women gathered together for a group photo displaying at banner that says Zeta Xi.

1910: Alpha Omicron becomes Pi Beta Phi

21 girls leaning on each other for a group photo. In black and white.

1903: Sigma Beta Phi founded

The local fraternity Sigma Beta Phi was founded and became the first fraternity at the University of Wyoming

1905: Alpha Omicron founded

Local sorority Alpha Omicron is founded at the University of Wyoming and is the first sorority on campus.

1906: Delta Theta Kappa founded

Local fraternity Delta Theta Kappa is founded in 1906. (Photo from 1909)

1910: Zeta Xi founded

Zeta Xi became the second local sorority at UW.

1910: Alpha Omicron becomes Pi Beta Phi

Local sorority Alpha Omicron becomes Wyoming Alpha chapter of the national sorority Pi Beta Phi  September 8th, 1910 which was nationally founded on April 28, 1867 at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois.

1911-1920

1913: Zeta Xi becomes Delta Delta Delta

12 founding women of delta delta delta at UW's profiles

1913: Delta Theta Kappa becomes Alpha Tau Omega

20 men of ATO all in black suites with a rose on their jacket

1913: Sigma Rho founded

8 women's head shots all in black and white

1914: Sigma Rho becomes Kappa Delta

11 women's head shots in black and white to make up the first composite of the sorority.

1916: Gamma Theta Chi founded

19 men in a diamond shape composite with the letters Gamma Theta Chi and the year 1917

1916: Interfraternity Council formed

15 people, 9 women and 6 men, posing for the group photo. Women are in dresses men are in suits of the 1910s style.

1917: Sigma Beta Phi becomes Sigma Alpha Epsilon

In a diamond shape composite the head shots of the men of SAE are surrounded by the letters Phi Alpha and the date 1917

1917: Panhellenic founded

3 women from each sorority posing for a group photo, some sitting and some standing.

1920: Gamma Theta Chi becomes Sigma Nu

35 head shots of the men of Sigma Nu

1920: Gamma Zeta Founded

Composite of founding chapter of Gamma Zeta

1913: Zeta Xi becomes Delta Delta Delta

Local sorority Zeta Xi becomes national sorority, Delta Delta Delta, Theta Eta chapter on February 13th. Delta Delta Delta was founded on Thanksgiving Eve 1888 at Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts.

1913: Delta Theta Kappa becomes Alpha Tau Omega

Delta Theta Kappa adopts national fraternity Alpha Tau Omega, becoming the Wyoming Gamma Psi chapter and the first national fraternity on campus. Alpha Tau Omega was founded on September 11, 1865 at the Virginia Military Institute. 

1913: Sigma Rho founded

Local sorority Sigma Rho is formed.

1914: Sigma Rho becomes Kappa Delta

Sigma Rho adopts the Rho chapter of national sorority Kappa Delta on May 16th. Kappa Delta was founded on October 23, 1897 at the State Female Normal School in Farmville, Virginia.

1916: Gamma Theta Chi founded

Local fraternity Gamma Theta Chi founded on October 23rd.

1916: Interfraternity Council formed

In 1916, the Interfraternity Council was first pictured in UW yearbooks. IFC was made up of representatives from each fraternity and sorority.

1917: Sigma Beta Phi becomes Sigma Alpha Epsilon

The Wyoming Alpha chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon is formed from local fraternity on January 29th. Sigma Alpha Epsilon was founded at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on March 9, 1956.

1917: Panhellenic Council formed

Panhellenic was composed of three delegates from each sorority, which came into existence at the University of Wyoming in 1917.

1920: Gamma Theta Chi becomes Sigma Nu

Local fraternity becomes Epsilon Delta chapter of national fraternity Sigma Nu. Sigma Nu was founded in Lexington, Virginia on January 1, 1869.

1920: Gamma Zeta founded

Local sorority Gamma Zeta was founded on November 9,1920.

1921-1930

1921: Kappa Sigma founded

Composite of the men of Kappa Sigma in suits

1924: Independent Club founded

Black and white composite of the members of the club all in suits

1927: Gamma Zeta becomes Kappa Kappa Gamma Founded

1920s style of hair and clothes on the women of KKG in their composite

1927: Delta Phi Sigma Founded

Six women in a composite photo some facing the camera and some facing the side. All photos are in black and white

1927: Pi Omega Founded

Black and white composite photo all in light dresses and 20s hairstyles

1930: Delta Phi Sigma becomes Alpha Chi Omega

Composite photo of the women of Alpha Chi Omega most smiling but not all

1930: Independent Club becomes Sigma Chi

Men all in bow ties smiling for their black and white composite photo.

1930: Pi Beta Phi Built on Sorority Row

The first sorority house on the row, built to look like the other buildings on campus with lots of windows and rock work

1921: Kappa Sigma founded

National fraternity Kappa Sigma, Delta Gamma chapter, was founded at the University of Wyoming on September 10th. Nationally Kappa Sigma was founded at the University of Virginia on December 10, 1869.

1924: Independent Club founded

Local fraternity, The Independent Club, was founded.

1927: Gamma Zeta becomes Kappa Kappa Gamma

On February 25th, the local sorority Gamma Zeta becomes the Gamma Omicron Chapter of the national sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma. Kappa Kappa Gamma was nationally founded at Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois on October 13, 1870.

1927: Delta Phi Sigma founded

Local sorority at the University of Wyoming.

1927: Pi Omega founded

Local sorority founded at the University of Wyoming.

1930: Delta Phi Sigma becomes Alpha Chi Omega

Local sorority adopts national sorority Alpha Chi Omega becoming the Wyoming Beta Kappa chapter. Alpha Chi Omega was founded at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana on October 15, 1885.

1930: Independent Club becomes Sigma Chi

The Gamma Xi chapter of Sigma Chi was founded in October, one day after Alpha Chi Omega. Sigma Chi Fraternity was founded at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio on June 28, 1855.

1930: Pi Beta Phi house built on Sorority Row

The Pi Beta Phi house became the first chapter facility on what is now Sorority Row. Wilbur Hitchcock designed the house as well as many of the other buildings on campus.

1931-1940

1933: Pi Omega becomes Chi Omega

Head shots of the women in Chi Omega in dresses and 30s style hair

1934: Phi Delta Theta founded

Men in suits representing Phi Delta Theta

1937: Lambda Tau Delta founded

Black and white photo of men in the fraternity

1940: Alpha Kappa Iota founded

12 men's head shot all in suits and ties

1933: Pi Omega becomes Chi Omega

On November 28 the Psi Delta chapter of Chi Omega was formed from the local sorority Pi Omega. Chi Omega was founded at the University of Arkansas on April 5, 1985.

1934: Phi Delta Theta founded

Founded on December 26, 1848 at Miami University, Phi Delta Theta was installed at the University of Wyoming in 1934. (Photo from 1940)

1937: Lambda Tau Delta founded

Local fraternity founded. (Photo from 1940)

1940: Alpha Kappa Iota founded

Local fraternity joins UW campus.

1941-1951

1943: Lambda Tau Delta becomes Sigma Phi Epsilon

Composite photo

1947: Alpha Kappa Iota becomes Acacia

Men in suits posing for their composite

1947: Tau Epsilon Phi founded

1940s style clothing and hair on men posing for composite photo

1948: Lambda Chi Alpha founded

Various men posing for composite picture

1949: Tau Kappa Epsilon founded

Smiling men in composite photo style

1951: Tau Epsilon Phi becomes FarmHouse

Men, not all smiling, for composite picture, in black and white

1943: Lambda Tau Delta becomes Sigma Phi Epsilon

Local fraternity adopted the national fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon and became the Wyoming Alpha chapter. Sigma Phi Epsilon was nationally founded at Richmond College on November 1, 1901.

1947: Alpha Kappa Iota becomes Acacia

Acacia was founded nationally at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor Michigan on May 12, 1904. Alpha Kappa Iota became the Wyoming chapter of Acacia on April 19, 1947.

1947: Tau Epsilon Phi founded

Local fraternity.

1948: Lambda Chi Alpha founded

Lambda Chi Alpha created the Delta Rho chapter at the University of Wyoming after nationally being founded in Boston, Massachusetts at Boston College on November 2, 1909.

1949: Tau Kappa Epsilon founded

Tau Kappa Epsilon established the Gamma Alpha chapter at UW in 1949. Nationally, Tau Kappa Epsilon was founded on January 10, 1899 at Illinois Wesleyan University.

1951: Tau Epsilon Phi becomes FarmHouse

Local fraternity Tau Epsilon Phi became FarmHouse fraternity in October 22, 1951. FarmHouse was founded at the University of Missouri on April 5, 1905.

1960-1969

1960: Gamma Phi Beta founded

60s hair and outfits, women sit for composite photos

1964: Alpha Kappa Lambda founded

Head shots of fraternity men

1965: Phi Gamma Delta founded

Men in black suits and ties sitting for their composite photo

1968: Delta Sigma Phi founded

group of men standing outside the biological science building during it's construction. One man is standing on a pillar above the rest

1960: Gamma Phi Beta founded

In 1960, national sorority Gamma Phi Beta created the Gamma Delta chapter at the University of Wyoming. Nationally, Gamma Phi Beta was founded at the University of Syracuse on November 11, 1874.

1964: Alpha Kappa Lambda founded

The fraternity Alpha Kappa Lambda, Alpha Iota chapter, was founded on May 24, 1964 after nationally being founded on April 22, 1914 at the University of California, Berkley.

1965: Phi Gamma Delta founded

Phi Gamma Delta was founded at Jefferson College in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania on May 1, 1848 and established at the University of Wyoming in 1965.

1968: Delta Sigma Phi founded

The Epsilon Mu chapter of the fraternity Delta Sigma Phi came to the University of Wyoming in 1968. Delta Sigma Phi was founded at Cite College of New York on December 10, 1899.

1980-1989

1982: Delta Gamma founded

Group photo of Delta Gammas with sailor hats stacked in a pyramid in front

1982: Delta Tau Delta Founded

Group photo of the men of Delta Tau Delta all dressed differently, some in suits some in t-shirts, all with black sunglasses on with their flag in the background

1986: Pi Kappa Alpha Founded

Members of Pi Kappa Alpha, about 8, standing on the stairs of their soon to be house

1988: Alpha Gamma Rho Founded

Men posing for a group photo, all in jeans, jacket and tie. One is in a cowboy hat.

1982: Delta Gamma Founded

Delta Gamma joined the UW campus in 1982 after nationally being founded in Oxford, Mississippi on December 25th, 1973.

1982: Delta Tau Delta Founded

Delta Tau Delta joined the University of Wyoming in 1982. Nationally Delta Tau Delta was founded at Bethany College in Bethany, West Virginia in 1858.

1986: Pi Kappa Alpha Founded

The Iota Alpha chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha joined the university in 1986. Nationally Pi Kappa Alpha was founded at the University of Virginia on March 1, 1868.

1988: Alpha Gamma Rho Founded

The Beta Omicron chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho was founded in 1988. On October 10, 1904 Alpha Gamma Rho was founded nationally at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.

1990-1999

1995: Sigma Phi Epsilon Returns

men of Sig Ep outside of their house

1997: Sigma Alpha Founded

Black and white group photo of the women on Sigma Alpha in dresses

1998: Lambda Chi Alpha Returns

Three boys with fraternity letters on their clothes, sitting on steps

no photo provided

1995: Sigma Phi Epsilon returns

Sigma Phi Epsilon returns to the University on April 21, 1995 after leaving in 1964. (Photo from 2003)

1997: Sigma Alpha founded

On January 26, 1978 Sigma Alpha, a professional agricultural sorority, was founded at Ohio State University and established at the University of Wyoming as the Alpha Epsilon chapter om January 18, 1997. (Photo from 2007)

1998: Lambda Chi Alpha returns

Lambda Chi Alpha returns to the University after leaving in 1951. (Photo from 2003)

2000-Present

2005: Sigma Lambda Gamma Founded

Group photo of women posing showing their sorority hand sign

2006: FarmHouse Returns

Men of farmhouse, in black and white, holding a plaque with the fraternity crest. All men are in suits.

2011: Pi Kappa Phi Founded

Eight men, all in suits posing for a photo at their fraternity's national conference

2018: Kappa Sigma Returns

Group of college and alumni members of Kappa Sigma with their framed names of the new founders of the fraternity

2018: Phi Sigma Rho Colonizes

A group of girls, all in white dresses with red roses in their hands, posing after initiation

2018: Alpha Sigma Phi Colonizes

Four new members of Alpha Sigma Phi holding the agreement with the Inter Fraternity Council recognizing their charter

2019: Alpha Phi Founded

No picture present.

2005: Sigma Lambda Gamma Founded 

Sigma Lamdba Gamma, a national Latin-based multicultural sorority, Lambda Gamma chapter came to the University of Wyoming in 2005 after being founded at the University of Iowa, in Iowa City, Iowa on April 9, 1990. 

2006: FarmHouse Returns

FarmHouse recolonized at the University of Wyoming on November 5, 2006. FarmHouse was originally founded at UW in October 1955.

2011: Pi Kappa Phi Founded

The Iota Gamma chapter of Pi Kappa Phi was founded at UW on April 9th. At the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina the national fraternity was founded on December 10th, 1904. (Photo from 2016)

2018: Kappa Sigma Returns

Kappa Sigma gained their charter in 2018 after colonizing a few years prior. Kappa Sigma left the University in 1986.

2018: Phi Sigma Rho Colonizes

Phi Sigma Rho, a social sorority for women in engineering and engineering technology, colonized at UW in 2018 and hope to gain their charter soon. Phi Sigma Rho was created at Purdue University on September 24, 1984.

2018: Alpha Sigma Phi Colonizes

Alpha Sigma Phi begins their first semester at the University of Wyoming. Alpha Sigma Phi was founded at Yale University in 1845 and is the 10th oldest fraternity in the United States.

2019: Alpha Phi Founded

The Kappa Iota chapter of Alpha Phi joined the university in 2019 and gained their charter August 29, 2020. Alpha Phi was founded at Syracuse University in 1872.