Delta Rho History
Original 821 N. Glenwood House
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Current Chapter House at 1408 West Fredonia Ave.
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Delta Rho owes a great deal to its heritage. Just as Sigma Chi has a long and great tradition, so too does our chapter. Of the existing fraternities at Bradley, our chapter is one of the oldest. Prior to becoming the 135th fraternity to get a Sigma Chi charter on May 28, 1949, Delta Rho had been the Sigma Phi local fraternity for thirty-eight years.
An article in the Bradley Tech, the school publication of the day, recorded the founding of Sigma Phi in their October 1911 issue:
"Within the last month, a new fraternity has been established at Bradley. The name of the new organization is Sigma Phi, and the members are as follows: Messrs, Jacquin, Harsch, Coriell, Sackland, Francisco, Sieburg, Warner, and Wyckoff. It is with great delight that we extend the glad hand to this new "Frat", and wish it all success."
The first president of Sigma Phi was Homer S. Jacquin, and he is the man most responsible for the early success of the fraternity. Members lived in the Jacquin home and the first meetings were held there. An elaborate ritual was established and the membership grew. One of the early faculty advisors was Charles Truman Wyckoff, a well-known name on the Bradley campus.
The chapter operated successfully through World Wars I and II and maintained its rank at the top of Bradley fraternities. When they built a three story house at the corner of Main and University (now Avantis), they became the first Bradley fraternity to own their own chapter house.
In the period from 1947 to 1952, most of the national fraternities at Bradley were established. Sigma Phi, seeing the necessity of gaining national affiliation, petitioned Sigma Chi for a charter. Being the top fraternity on Bradley's campus for so many years, it was only natural for the Sigma Phis to want to become members of the top international fraternity. On May 28, 1949, the installation ceremony took place and the Kappa Kappa Chapter from the University of Illinois acted as the installing chapter. Initiated at the ceremony was David Blair Owen, President of Bradley University, and a past president of the Sigma Phi local fraternity. Homer S. Jacquin was also there and became a Sigma Chi along with Robert J. Runkle, great-grandson of of our founder, Benjamin Piatt Runkle.
National affiliation proved an invaluable asset to the chapter. In September of 1949, Sigma Chi pulled the largest pledge class on campus. One of the pledges was Paul Unruh, who was to go on to become an All-American basketball star for Bradley.
The new Sigma Chi chapter continued the standard of excellence that was characteristic with Sigma Phi. Campus leaders in intramural sports, student government, and varsity athletics all wore the White Cross proudly. In 1956, we moved in 821 N Glenwood, where the Delta Rho Chapter remained for the next 51 years. Its Greek pillars where defining characteristics of the house.
In 2007, Bradley's expansion plan to build the Markin Center came into action. The expansion required the demolition of the Fieldhouse, pool, many local homes, and 821 N Glenwood - Sigma Chi. Delta Rho’s alumni rose to the call of the White Cross and immediately began to work on the legal and financial aspects of finding a new house. An agreement with Bradley was reached, and Delta Rho was given the opportunity to move onto "greek row." Only through the dedication and generosity of alumni is our current residence at 1408 Fredonia possible. Today, its Greek pillars and balcony stand as the last truly traditional fraternity architecture on Bradley’s campus.
An article in the Bradley Tech, the school publication of the day, recorded the founding of Sigma Phi in their October 1911 issue:
"Within the last month, a new fraternity has been established at Bradley. The name of the new organization is Sigma Phi, and the members are as follows: Messrs, Jacquin, Harsch, Coriell, Sackland, Francisco, Sieburg, Warner, and Wyckoff. It is with great delight that we extend the glad hand to this new "Frat", and wish it all success."
The first president of Sigma Phi was Homer S. Jacquin, and he is the man most responsible for the early success of the fraternity. Members lived in the Jacquin home and the first meetings were held there. An elaborate ritual was established and the membership grew. One of the early faculty advisors was Charles Truman Wyckoff, a well-known name on the Bradley campus.
The chapter operated successfully through World Wars I and II and maintained its rank at the top of Bradley fraternities. When they built a three story house at the corner of Main and University (now Avantis), they became the first Bradley fraternity to own their own chapter house.
In the period from 1947 to 1952, most of the national fraternities at Bradley were established. Sigma Phi, seeing the necessity of gaining national affiliation, petitioned Sigma Chi for a charter. Being the top fraternity on Bradley's campus for so many years, it was only natural for the Sigma Phis to want to become members of the top international fraternity. On May 28, 1949, the installation ceremony took place and the Kappa Kappa Chapter from the University of Illinois acted as the installing chapter. Initiated at the ceremony was David Blair Owen, President of Bradley University, and a past president of the Sigma Phi local fraternity. Homer S. Jacquin was also there and became a Sigma Chi along with Robert J. Runkle, great-grandson of of our founder, Benjamin Piatt Runkle.
National affiliation proved an invaluable asset to the chapter. In September of 1949, Sigma Chi pulled the largest pledge class on campus. One of the pledges was Paul Unruh, who was to go on to become an All-American basketball star for Bradley.
The new Sigma Chi chapter continued the standard of excellence that was characteristic with Sigma Phi. Campus leaders in intramural sports, student government, and varsity athletics all wore the White Cross proudly. In 1956, we moved in 821 N Glenwood, where the Delta Rho Chapter remained for the next 51 years. Its Greek pillars where defining characteristics of the house.
In 2007, Bradley's expansion plan to build the Markin Center came into action. The expansion required the demolition of the Fieldhouse, pool, many local homes, and 821 N Glenwood - Sigma Chi. Delta Rho’s alumni rose to the call of the White Cross and immediately began to work on the legal and financial aspects of finding a new house. An agreement with Bradley was reached, and Delta Rho was given the opportunity to move onto "greek row." Only through the dedication and generosity of alumni is our current residence at 1408 Fredonia possible. Today, its Greek pillars and balcony stand as the last truly traditional fraternity architecture on Bradley’s campus.
