Enter Delta Sigma Pi…

Both Melissa and Leigh were familiar with the organization through previous experiences at other universities. Melissa had friends who were Brothers at Drake University while Leigh had heard of the fraternity during her studies at Western Michigan University. 

 They soon discovered that the Alpha Omega chapter at DePaul University had been inactive since 1995. After contacting Dale Clark and Kathy Jahnke, the two made plans to reactive the chapter. To them, Delta Sigma Pi had the potential to contribute more to the DePaul community than the other existing organization at the Loop campus.

Loop Campus Community

The Loop campus, which is home to DePaul’s College of Commerce, is comprised of a diverse student population including a large amount of commuter and transfer students. In short, the Loop Campus lacked a community atmosphere.

Delta Sigma Pi allowed opportunities to unify and connect commerce students from all concentrations and forge a much needed community atmosphere.

Back to Business

With this in mind, the Delta Psi Beta colony was formed on April 14, 1999 and consisted of eight executive board members: Melissa Martinez, Anne Obodzinski, Jennifer Miller, Michael Serrano, Grace Adefuin, Helana Robbins, Leigh Cavich-Grimes, Jodi LaGrano, Jennifer Ganser and Jimalita Tillman.

Despite significant growth in membership during the Summer of 1999, commitment level faltered as the colony experienced quick turnover as seniors discovered new priorities.

Delta Psi Beta underwent a transitional phase during the Fall 1999 and Winter 2000 quarters as new officers assumed responsibilities. Community Service, Fundraising and Professional Event committees kicked in full gear encouraging membership and establishing a solid presence on campus.

By the end of Winter 2000, colony membership had more than tripled with over 30 members during its first year of activity.

A petition was sent into Central Office during Spring Quarter of 2000.  After careful consideration Central Office denied Delta Psi Beta’s initial request for instillation due to sporadic involvement.  This only encouraged the group to improve upon what it had already built.  They closed out the year vowing to work throughout the summer and return the following fall fully prepared for the task that lied ahead. 

After extensive planning during the summer months Delta Psi Beta began an intensive recruitment effort.  During freshman and transfer orientation programs brief letters describing the Fraternity were included in their packets.  Within the first two weeks of the quarter many opportunities were made available to promote and inform potential members of Delta Sigma Pi and its benefits.  Over eighty potential members inquired upon becoming members of this organization.  Several steps were taken to insure that Delta Psi Beta was attracting the best, the brightest, and the most dedicated of the College of Commerce.  By the middle of the Fall 2000 quarter we had recruited twenty-seven men and women spanning many social and ethnic backgrounds adding to the already diverse group of individuals.  Again we had succeeded in doubling the size of the Colony.  And the journey continues…