Sigma Gamma Chi

Sigma Gamma Chi (ΣΓΧ) was a fraternal organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Though it once was a national organization, it later only operated at the University of Utah. Sigma Gamma Chi stands for "Service to God and Country".[1]

Sigma Gamma Chi
ΣΓΧ
Founded1967
University of Utah
TypeReligious
MottoService to God and Country
Chapters105
Members15,000 lifetime

History

Sigma Gamma Chi originated with Lambda Delta Sigma, a fraternity for Latter-day Saints founded in 1936 by Lowell L. Bennion, director of the University of Utah's Institute of Religion. Soon afterwards it also admitted women into its membership. In 1967 the LDS Church assumed management and divided the organization, making Lambda Delta Sigma a sorority and creating Sigma Gamma Chi as its fraternity.[2]

For decades the organization expanded and grew, creating new chapters within Sigma Gamma Chi and the sister organization Lambda Delta Sigma, and women outnumbered men 6 to 1. There were several charters at campuses throughout the United States. The fraternity's community service projects included repairs to the Jewish Community Center and creating Christmas baskets for the needy. It also sponsored dances and parties for young men to socialize with young women.

In 1978, Sigma Gamma Chi merged with Delta Phi Kappa, the fraternity for returned missionaries. By 1999 it held 15,000 members in 105 chapters, and in 2000 the fraternity was absorbed by the Institute Men's Association, a church organization for all Young Single Adults.[3]

Church leadership eventually replaced Sigma Gamma Chi with the Latter-day Saint Student Association (LDSSA). In contrast to the fraternity's student elections, the LDSSA officers were church callings chosen by the presiding Institute of Religion director at the University of Utah. The student-run fraternity and sorority chapters were removed from the LDS Institutes of Religion. In the end, only the University of Utah was authorized to host Sigma Gamma Chi. However, its expansion was restricted because of a ban on new fraternity and sorority campus housing on Greek Row at the University of Utah, due in part to a Salt Lake City law passed in the 1980s.

As of 10 June 2011, Sigma Gamma Chi was no longer in operation.

Organization

At the University of Utah Sigma Gamma Chi (ΣΓΧ) was composed of twelve chapters (Alpha, Beta, Chi, Delta, Iota, Mu, Nu, Pi, Rho, Sigma, Phi and Xi). Chapters typically met each week on either Wednesday or Thursday night. These meetings were held at the LDS Institute of Religion to the South of The U of U campus (1780 E South Campus Dr). Sigma Gamma Chi was led by the Inter Chapter Council composed of a president and officers he selects from the twelve chapters. Each chapter was led individually by a Chapter President, who assigned other officers from within the chapter.

A new president of Sigma Gamma Chi was called annually to replace the previous president. Officer positions also included VP, Secretary, and Pledge trainer. Learning the Greek alphabet, and many other parts of fraternity life were required and expected of the pledges.

Chapters

Schools with Sigma Gamma Chi included:

Chapters of Sigma Gamma Chi at the University of Utah: Alpha, Beta, Chi, Delta, Iota, Mu, Nu, Pi, Rho, Sigma, Xi [9]

See also

Notes
  1. Carrie Moore (September 14, 1996). "Roots of LDS Sorority Date Back to 1936". Deseret News. Retrieved 2018-09-06.
  2. Doxey, Cynthia. "Lambda Delta Sigma". In Arnold K. Garr; Donald Q. Cannon; Richard O. Cowan (eds.). Encyclopedia of Latter-day Saint History. Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book.
  3. Hartley, William G. "Sigma Gamma Chi". In Arnold K. Garr; Donald Q. Cannon; Richard O. Cowan (eds.). Encyclopedia of Latter-day Saint History. Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book.
  4. September 1986 Ensign 'The LDS “Greeks”: Lambda Delta Sigma and Sigma Gamma Chi'
  5. Dixie 1974 Yearbook
  6. College Sweethearts return to CSUF
  7. The Improvement Era June 1969, p2
  8. Southern Utah State College Photographs Sigma Gamma Chi
  9. Pi was formerly known as PI RHO, although it did not break off separate chapters for Pi and Rho. The fraternity originally had two letters for each chapter, however one of the chapters' letters conflicted with the lettering of another recognized fraternity, so all of the chapters were forced to reduce to single Greek letters. The chapter Rho came several years later. This chapter was well known for their tight brotherhood. It is quite common for members of Pi to keep in touch after several decades.
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