Lambda Phi Delta

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Lambda Phi Delta
ΛΦΔ
FoundedMarch 1, 1917; 108 years ago (March 1, 1917)
Northwestern University
TypeProfessional
AffiliationIndependent
StatusMerged
EmphasisFine arts
ScopeNational
Colors  Blue,   Gold, and   Bronze
SymbolSword
FlowerSweetheart rose and forget-me-not
JewelSapphire
PublicationThe Triangle
Chapters6
Headquarters
United States

Lambda Phi Delta (ΛΦΔ) was an American professional fine arts sorority. It was established at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois in 1917. It established six chapters before merging with Phi Mu Gamma professional sorority in 1930.

History

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Lambda Phi Delta formed as the Senior Club at the Cumnock School of Oratory at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois in the spring of 1917.[1][2] It became Lambda Phi Delta, a professional sorority for the fine arts, in the fall of 1917.[1][3] The fine arts included music, expression, and dancing.[4] Membership in the fraternity was open to women studying art, music, physical education or speech.[1]

Lambda Phi Delta became a national sorority with created of a second chapter of the Kansas State Teachers College of Pittsburg in 1920.[5] This was followed by chapters at the Horner Institute of Fine Arts and Kansas State Teachers' College in May 1921.[6][7] Eventually, the sorority expanded to six chapters, all located in the Midwestern United States.[1][3]

Lambda Phi Delta was governed by a grand council that was elected at biennial national conclaves.[1] In January 1924 and 1925, its conclaves were held in Decatur, Illinois.[8][9] Annually, its members celebrated Founders' Day on March 1.[1] The sorority's philanthropic activities included sponsoring two scholarships: one in music and another in expression and dance.[10] Members held concerts to fund the scholarships.[10]

In June 1930, representatives of Lambda Phi Delta met with Phi Mu Gamma, a national oratory and drama sorority, to discuss a merger.[3] Lambda Phi Delta's did not duplicate any of Phi Mu Gamma's chapters.[3] The merger was approved at the fraternity's national conclave on September 16, 1930, in Omaha, Nebraska[11] and became official on October 10, 1930.[12] Because Phi Mu Gamma was the older of the two organizations, it was decided to use its name after the merger.[3] All of Lambda Phi Delta's members and alumnae became members of Phi Mu Gamma.[3]

Symbols

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Lambda Phi Delta badge was a gold triangle with beveled edges, topped by a black enamel Δ; inside the Δ was the Greek letter Λ made of pearls, and between the arms of the Λ was a raised letter Φ.[1] It also had a recognition pin that was a small gold sword.[1]

Its colors were blue, gold, and bronze.[1][2] Its flowers were the sweetheart rose and the forget-me-not.[1][2] Its jewel was the sapphire.[2] The fraternity's publication was The Triangle.[1][2]

Chapters

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Following are the chapters of Lambda Phi Delta, with inactive chapters and institutions in italics.[1][13][2]

Chapters Charter date and range Institution Location Status References
Alpha March 1, 1917 – October 10, 1930 Northwestern University School of Speech Evanston, Illinois Merged (ΦΜΓ) [5][a][b]
Beta April 27, 1920 – October 10, 1930 Kansas State Teachers College of Pittsburg Pittsburg, Kansas Merged (ΦΜΓ) [5][11][c][b]
Gamma May 23, 1921 – October 10, 1930 Kansas City–Horner Conservatory of Music Kansas City, Kansas Merged (ΦΜΓ) [14][7][12][b][d]
Delta May 1921 – October 10, 1930 Kansas State Teachers' College Emporia, Kansas Merged (ΦΜΓ) [6][e][b]
Epsilon 192x ? – May 1930 Lombard College Galesburg, Illinois Inactive [f]
Zeta May 30, 1923 – October 10, 1930 James Millikin University Decatur, Illinois Merged (ΦΜΓ) [15][9][b]
Eta February 1924 – October 10, 1930 Chicago Musical College Chicago, Illinois Merged (ΦΜΓ) [16][b]
Theta 192x ? – October 10, 1930 Kansas City–Horner Conservatory of Music Kansas City, Missouri Merged (ΦΜΓ) [12][b]
  1. ^ Chapter was formed at the Cumnock School of Oratory at Northwestern University, later called the Northwestern University School of Speech.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Became a chapter of Phi Mu Gamma.
  3. ^ Chapter formed from Theta Kappa Phi, a local social sorority established in 1918.
  4. ^ Chapter formed at the Horner Institute for Fine Arts, which merged with the Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Arts on July 1, 1926.
  5. ^ Chapter formed from Theta Chi Theta (local).
  6. ^ The college closed after graduation in May 1930, and, therefore, only the alumnae of this chapter participated in the merger

Notable members

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Following are some of the notable members and honorary members of Lambda Phi Delta.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Shepardson, Francis Wayland, ed. Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities, 12th edition. Menasha, Wisconsin: The Collegiate Press/George Banta Publishing Company, 1930. p. 400. via Hathi Trust.
  2. ^ a b c d e f The Kanza 1920-21. Pittsburg, Kansas: State Manual Training Normal School. 1921. Retrieved October 21, 2025 – via Pittsburg State University.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Lambda Phi Delta Fine Arts Sorority Joins Phi Mu Gamma Dramatic Frat". Herald and Review. Decatur, Illinois. 1930-06-29. p. 13. Retrieved 2025-10-19 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Franklin Girl Highly Honored". The Franklin County News. 1923-03-01. p. 1. Retrieved 2025-10-20 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b c "Fraternities Allowed by Action of Faculty". Pittsburg Kansan. 1920-05-07. p. 1. Retrieved 2025-10-20 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b "Nationalize Normal Sorority". The Emporia Gazette. 1921-05-24. p. 8. Retrieved 2025-10-20 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ a b "Music and Musicians". The Kansas City Star. 1921-05-29. p. 41. Retrieved 2025-10-20 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Lambda Phi Delta Delegates Arrive Today for Meeting". Herald and Review. Decatur, Illinois. 1925-01-01. p. 14. Retrieved 2025-10-20 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ a b "Lambda Phi Delta Convention to be Here Jan. 2 and 3". Herald and Review. Decatur, Illinois. 1924-12-03. p. 12. Retrieved 2025-10-20 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ a b "Sorority Adds a Scholarship". The Kansas City Star. 1926-05-09. p. 17. Retrieved 2025-10-20 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ a b "Kansas State Teacers College News". The Picher King Jack. 1930-09-18. p. 2. Retrieved 2025-10-20 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ a b c "Art Fraternities Merge to Form Powerful Group". Kansas City Journal. 1930-10-10. p. 6. Retrieved 2025-10-20 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ Shepardson, Francis Wayland, ed. Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities, 11th edition. Menasha, Wisconsin: The Collegiate Press/George Banta Publishing Company, 1927. p. 370. via Google Books.
  14. ^ "Conservatory History". Conservatory | University of Missouri - Kansas City. Archived from the original on 2025-08-03. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
  15. ^ "Arts Sorority GIven Charter". Herald and Review. Decatur, Illinois. 1923-05-30. p. 8. Retrieved 2025-10-20 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ The Decaturian February 21, 1924
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h "Pi Phis in the Public Eye: A National President". The Arrow of Pi Beta Phi. 42 (2): 305. December 1925 – via Google Books.