Sigma Delta Kappa was founded as a men's professional fraternity for law at the University of Michigan on August 14, 1914.[1][2][3] It purpose was bring together members of the legal profession, to create a network of students of various law schools, friendship, and to provide professional and social aid to its members.[2] Membership was open to men only.[4]
The fraternity had initiated 18,350 members and had 18 active chapters in 1977, with 31 inactive chapters.[1] Its headquarters was located in Arlington, Virginia.[1][4] At least one chapter was still active in 2009, but later went inactive along with the fraternity.[9]
Symbols
The Sigma Delta Kappa badge was a shield, shaped like a coffin, with the Greek letters ΣΔΚ in gold on a black background.[10] Its coat of arms included a checkered shield with six stars arranged diagonally. Over the shield was an owl holding balance scales in its beak, surrounded by a folded weath.[10]
The colors of Sigma Delta Kappa were red and black.[1][10] Its flower was the red rose.[1][10] The fraternity's publications included the quarterly Si-De-Ka, established in 1918, and a Newsletter.[4][10]
Chapters
The chapters of Sigma Delta Kappa as of 1977.[1][10] Inactive chapters and institutions are in italics.
^Detroit College of Law affiliated with Michigan State University in 1995.
^National University School of Law merged with George Washington University Law School in 1954.
^ abIn 1962, the assets of the Cumberland University School of Law were transferred to Howard College, now known as Samford University, in Birmingham, Alabama. The law school is now known as the Cumberland School of Law.
^Westminster College of Law merged with the University of Denver College of Law in 1957.
^The John Randolph Neal School of Law closed in 1943.
^ abcdefAnson, Jack L.; Marchenasi, Robert F., eds. (1991) [1879]. Baird's Manual of American Fraternities (20th ed.). Indianapolis, IN: Baird's Manual Foundation, Inc. p. VI-95. ISBN978-0963715906.
^ abcdWright, H. G. and Rogers, M. C. Rogers and Sparks, J. D.Professional Fraternities. (Second edition). United States: Professional Interfraternity Conference, 1950. p. 23 and 32.
^Shepard, Francis W., ed. (1927). Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (11th ed.). Menasha, Wisconsin: George Banta Publishing Company. p. 601. – via Google Books.
^Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities. Menasha, WI; George Banta Company, Incorporated. 1957.