A group of Methodist men in the Wesley Foundation at the University of
   South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota, had been carrying on a program
   as a religious fraternity, which they called Phi Lambda Phi, for some
   time when it occurred to them that perhaps the men in other Wesley Foundations
   had similar groups which could be mutually helpful if they should form
   a union. The idea was brought up at the student council retreat at Ames,
   Iowa, in 1924 and 1925. They sent an invitation to all Wesley Foundation
   units asking those interested to send representatives to an organizational
   meeting. This meeting was held at Lincoln, Nebraska on February 6-7,
   1925. The delegates drew up articles of federation and elected National
   Officers, thus a National Religious Fraternity for Methodist Men became
   known as Phi Tau Theta (meaning "Friends of God").

   On October 8, 1936, another group of Christian men met and started a
   fraternity. The meeting was held at Indiana University, and Sigma Epsilon
   Theta was formed.

   In 1939, a delegation of Phi Tau Theta approached the National Officers
   of Sigma Epsilon Theta and proposed a merger of the two National Fraternities.
   During Thanksgiving break, 1941, Delta Sigma Theta was formed. The transition
   from two fraternities to one was smooth, largely due to careful preparation
   by the officers.

   When all seemed to be going well, Delta Sigma Theta (a sorority) threatened
   suit against the fraternity for use of their name. The name "Sigma
   Theta Epsilon" was selected during Easter break 1949.
   Inactivity of the chapters (high in number - low in spirit) persuaded
   the National Conclave of 1968 to appoint a committee to examine the
   philosophy of the fraternity. The committee suggested that the fraternity
   change from a National Religious Fraternity for Methodist Men. This
   change saw a decrease in enrollment due to decreased support by the
   Wesley Foundation. The National Cabinet Meeting of 1972 realized that
   Sigma Theta Epsilon had evolved into a National Christian Service Fraternity,
   and thus adopted purposes centered on three main areas: religious, service,
   and social. These purposes were revised at the Conclave of 1975 into
   the four Purposes of Sigma Theta Epsilon we have today.

   An all-time low was reached in 1975 with only two active chapters:
   Alpha Gamma at West Virginia Wesleyan College and newly formed Epsilon
   Chapter at Ohio Northern University. The following years almost saw
   the dissolving of Sigma Theta Epsilon as a National Fraternity. The
   addition of Delta Chapter at Mount Union College in April 1980 stimulated
   new optimism and growth for the fraternity.

   In 1988 Sigma Theta Epsilon struggled again through some growing pains.
   Delta Chapter had all but disappeared while Alpha Gamma Chapter's numbers
   began to fall. But 1988 also saw the start of the Beta Alpha Chapter
   in Oklahoma City. This new chapter grew rapidly, and soon joined Epsilon
   Chapter as the fraternity's largest.

   This excitement carried into Spring 1993, when Beta Beta Chapter at
   Miami University of Ohio was formed. An excited group of men gathered
   together and quickly grew to be as solid as any chapter. In the fall
   of 1993, Delta Chapter put together its first Pledge Class in almost
   five years. Led by an alumnus of Epsilon Chapter, who had been teaching
   at Mt. Union College, these men revived the Delta Chapter just weeks
   before the National Fraternity was to absorb their charter and assets.

   Sigma Theta Epsilon continues to grow each year adding chapters throughout
   the nation, the latest being added at Bradley University in Illinois.
   With each new chapter added the fraternity gains new strength and drive
   while maintaining the four Purposes which Sigma Theta Epsilon still
   stands by today.