Sigma 1953-2007, [2000-2007]

Extent: 8.5 linear feet

Accession Number: 2012.002

Abstract: Eighteen Scrapbooks highlighting the history of Iota, a musical fraternity for women on the Southeast Missouri State University campus.

Processed by: Amy Gragert, April 2012

Repository: Special Collections and Archives, Southeast Missouri State University Phone: (573) 651-2245; Fax: (573) 651-2666; Email: [email protected]

Provenance: Donated by the Sigma Alpha Iota Sorority

Citation: Sigma Alpha Iota Collection, Special Collections and Archives, Southeast Missouri State University

Restrictions: None

Historical Note

Southeast Missouri State University students showed their first interest in joining Sigma Alpha Iota by beginning to petition the national leader of the fraternity in 1953. The first meeting for serious petitioning was in 1961, and after sending a letter to the national leader of the fraternity, she informed the students that they would be unable to put the fraternity in right away, but encouraged them to start a group immediately that would become the fraternity. On the national leaders’ advice, the students began the Lyre Club and that group continued until 1963, when Sigma Alpha Iota was officially installed in the Southeast Missouri State University campus. The purpose of this group is to raise the standards of music education and performance for female college students.

Scope and Content Note

Eighteen scrapbooks created by the Delta Epsilon chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota at Southeast Missouri University to record the processes and achievements of the fraternity. These scrapbooks are arranged chronologically, starting with when the fraternity began in 1963, to the fall semester of 2007. Each book contains picture, letters, and flyers pertaining to events the fraternity has either put on or attended. These events include rush parties, recitals done by the members, and the national convention for Sigma Alpha Iota. The scrapbooks are arranged chronologically. Archivists Note

The first two scrapbooks in this collection have been tied with archival string because of their fragileness. Items such as photographs, newspaper, clippings, and recital bulletins have fallen out of the scrapbooks and the archivist placed them as close to the original location as possible . Those items that were unable to be identified were placed in the front of the scrapbook.

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Rules or Conventions: Finding Aid prepared using DACS

Box 2514 Item 001 Sigma Alpha Iota Scrapbook 1953, March 1- 1962, May 6 Item 002 Sigma Alpha Iota Scrapbook 1963, March 14- 1969, April 20 Item 003 Sigma Alpha Iota Scrapbook 1968, Spring – 1973, Spring

Box 2515 Item 001 Sigma Alpha Iota Scrapbook 1973, Fall – 1974, Summer Item 002 Sigma Alpha Iota Scrapbook 1974, Spring Item 003 Sigma Alpha Iota Scrapbook 1974, Dec. – 1977, Spring

Box 2516 Item 001 Sigma Alpha Iota Scrapbook 1977, Fall – 1978, Fall Item 002 Sigma Alpha Iota Scrapbook 1980-1981 Item 003 Sigma Alpha Iota Scrapbook 1981, Jun. 26- 1981, Aug. 4 Item 004 Sigma Alpha Iota Scrapbook 1983, March 9 – 1984, Jan. 28

Box 2518 Item 001 Sigma Alpha Iota Scrapbook 1993-1994 Item 002 Sigma Alpha Iota Scrapbook 1994-1995 Item 003 Sigma Alpha Iota Scrapbook 1997-2000

Box 2517 Item 001 Sigma Alpha Iota Scrapbook 2000, Oct. 17- 2001, May 6 Item 002 Sigma Alpha Iota Scrapbook 2001 Aug. 23- 2002, May 3

Box 2518 Item 004 Sigma Alpha Iota Scrapbook 2003, Mar. 29 – 2004, Spring

Box 2519 Item 001 Sigma Alpha Iota Scrapbook 2003, Fall – 2005, Fall Item 002 Sigma Alpha Iota Scrapbook 2005, Fall – 2007, Fall

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