History of Alpha Epsilon

~ Taken in part from- Phi Delta Chi: A Tradition of Leaders in Pharmacy ~

Another mile stone passed, another link placed in the chain of fraternal union we know as Phi Delta Chi. On the 22nd of April, 1927 the Chi Delta Fraternity at the University of Mississippi became the Alpha Epsilon Chapter of Phi Delta Chi. Thus came to the conclusion the life of one organization which extended over one year at the university, and in its place was seen the newest chapter of Phi Delta Chi. This event also marked the successful accomplishment of the hopes and ambitions of brother George L. Burroughs from Eta Chapter.

In the early spring of 1926, the Editor visited the group at the College of Pharmacy known as Chi Pharmacy. At that time the idea of petitioning Phi Delta Chi was uppermost in the minds of the members but certain details at the time could not be worked out to the best advantage leading to the securing of a charter. However, with the opening of the 1927 school year, new impetus was given to the idea and with a group of fifteen founding members it was decided to go ahead with the plans this year. In just a few short months, the chapter was established as Alpha Epsilon.

The initial fervor of the members would soon dwindle as well as the active membership. In the two years since its start, the fraternity had managed to gain the interests of only seven additional members. Only 22 men very affiliated with the chapter. Sometime after the last initiation in 1929, the Alpha Epsilon chapter ceased to exist. The difficulty of operation of a professional fraternity in competition with the old established social fraternities at the University of Mississippi was largely responsible for the short life of Alpha Epsilon.

The chapter was reactivated on Saturday, May 12, 1951. The four hour long initiation ceremonies were conducted by the members of the Omega Chapter from the University of Tennessee at Memphis. Throughout the years from 1929 until 1951, the National Offices kept in contact with the university, but the time never seemed to be right for the re-establishment of the chapter until brother Clyde Broyles of Omega Chapter became a student at the University of Mississippi. Broyles was mainly responsible for the chapter's reactivation.

The chapter has continued to grow over the years since 1951, although the chapter has faced many hardships. The largest obstacle in recent years came just a few years ago. Membership to the fraternity had dropped to one. However, despite adversity, this member maintained the group, and, again with the help of the Omega Chapter, served to revitalize the group with new initiations. Eight new members were initiated that year, and now current membership has risen to 18 active members, split between the Oxford and Jackson campuses, for the academic year beginning in the fall of 2000.


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