Delta Kappa Epsilon
Scope and Contents
Records of the Gamma Chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon, including biographies of founding members, chapter minutes, the Constitution and Bylaws of the fraternity, correspondence, the Delta Kappa Epsilon Quarterly (now called the Deke Quarterly), expenditures, news articles, newsletters, pamphlets, photographs, reports by officers and committees of the chapter, and a scrapbook.
A valuable part of the collection is the Scrapbook of Marion Long (1939-1940) which shows a year in the life of a regular member of the Gamma Chapter. It contains written notes, photographs, and news clippings concerning the members of the Chapter and their activities on campus.
This collection lacks materials from the 1980s and 1990s.
Dates
- Creation: 1847 - 2009
Conditions Governing Access
All university archives from the past 40 years are closed to all but the creating office, department, or group. The Board of Trust, General Counsel, and the Chancellor’s Office are exempt from this rule. The Delta Kappa Epsilon records may still be used for research, but General Counsel must grant permission for others to view restricted records.
The majority of this record group is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
This collection may be viewed only in the reading room of Special Collections. Materials should be requested three days prior to visiting to facilitate easier access. Contact specialcollections@vanderbilt.edu to schedule an appointment.
Historical Note
Delta Kappa Epsilon (ΔΚΕ), also known as DKE or Dekes, was founded at Yale College on June 22, 1844. The Gamma Chapter, as the first DKE chapter founded in the South, was chartered in April 1847 at the University of Nashville by Henry Hitchcock, a transfer student from the Phi Chapter at Yale. Starting in 1861 Gamma was inactive due to the Civil War and Reconstruction, but was reactivated on October 16, 1889 at Vanderbilt University.[1]
Gamma became inactive again from the summer of 1944 to April 22, 1945, due to deployment in World War II. During this time, the chapter was run by the Gamma Medical Alumni Chapter (GMAC) to avoid the chapter from disappearing due to lack of undergraduate members. GMAC consisted of 11 alumni members of the chapter that were attending medical school. After reactivating in 1945, Gamma built up its numbers again, from seven members in the summer of 1944 to over 40 in September 1946.[1]
From 2015 to 2019, Gamma was suspended due to risk management and university policy violations. However, in 2021 Delta Kappa Epsilon International Fraternity (DKE) closed Gamma due to violations of Vanderbilt's health and safety policies while COVID-19 gathering policies were in effect.[2]
[1] "A Gamma Saga" article by Harris D. Riley, Jr., The Deke Quarterly, vol. 96:34-38 Fall, 1979," Delta Kappa Epsilon collection, Box 1, Folder 1, Special Collections & University Archives, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN.
[2] Barker, Jessica M. "DKE chapter closed by parent fraternity due to alleged policy violations." The Vanderbilt Hustler, February 26, 2021, https://vanderbilthustler.com/2021/02/26/dke-associate-chapter-closed-by-parent-fraternity/
Full Extent
2.92 Linear Feet (- This includes seven legal-size Hollinger boxes.)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Delta Kappa Epsilon collection, 1847-2009, consists of correspondence, minutes, and promotional materials related to the Gamma Chapter of the fraternity.
Arrangement
Alphabetical, thereunder chronological
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was donated to the University Archives by Dr. Harris D. Riley on July 21, 2008
Separated Materials
"The Record of Sigma Alpha Epsilon" Newsletter, Vol. 53-54, 1933-1934, was separated from the collection and transferred to Record Group 700, "Student Affairs," under the series "Dean for Student Life."
Condition Description
Condition of materials is average overall. Some materials are fragile.
Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity's Official Website
Delta Kappa Epsilon's national website can be found at https://dke.org/
Content Notice
These documents reflect historical events and embody perspectives reflecting the time in which they were written. This archive represents primary sources that may be relied upon by scholars, students, and the public in researching our shared history. Some documents may contain subjects or language that is now recognized to be unacceptable and offensive. The reproduction of any such content does not reflect the values of Vanderbilt University. To learn more about Vanderbilt polices against discrimination of any kind, please visit https://www.vanderbilt.edu/compliance/files/standards-of-conduct.pdf. To the extent that you believe the inclusion of any material in this digital archive is contrary to Vanderbilt University’s standards of conduct, please contact specialcollections@vanderbilt.edu Alternatively, concerns may be submitted to Vanderbilt’s anonymous, confidential, independently-run hotline, available at https://www.vanderbilt.edu/compliance/helpline.php and (844) 814-5935.
Processing Information
Original processor unknown. Reprocessed by Faith McConnon in September 2023.
- Envelope and blank/used checks
- Title
- Finding Aid for the Delta Kappa Epsilon Collection
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Original finding aid author unknown; reprocessed by Faith McConnon
- Date
- Original date unknown; reprocessed September 2023
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2023-09-22: Reprocessed by Faith McConnon - revised finding aid to organize items and folders alphabetically; assigned dates where lacking; and put materials in Hollinger Boxes
Repository Details
Part of the Vanderbilt University Archives Repository
Vanderbilt University Archives
1101 19th Ave. S.
Nashville TN 37212 United States
archives@vanderbilt.edu
About this Site
This site contains collection guides, or finding aids, to the archival collections held by Vanderbilt University Special Collections and University Archives, the History of Medicine Collection, and the Scarritt Bennett Center. Finding aids describe the context, arrangement, and structure of archival materials, allowing users to identify and request materials relevant to their research.
Requesting Materials
Each finding aid contains a link to request materials from the collections. Collections can also be requested by emailing the repository directly through the library website. Each repository has its own location, hours, and contact information. Please consult the repository with questions about using the materials. Collections are non-circulating and must be used in the repository’s reading room. In many cases, the collections are stored off-site and require advance notice for retrieval.