| Omega Epsilon Sigma | |
|---|---|
| ΩΕΣ | |
 The 1928 ΩΕΣ crest used by Gamma chapter | |
| Founded | January 3, 1925 University of Central Missouri> |
| Type | Social |
| Affiliation | Independent |
| Emphasis | Eastern Star |
| Scope | Regional |
| Colors | Yellow and White |
| Flower | Snapdragon |
| Chapters | 5 |
| Merged with | ΘΣΥ, or scattered |
| Headquarters | US |
Omega Epsilon Sigma (ΩΕΣ) was a collegiate sorority operating in the United States from 1925 until, approximately, 1930. It is the second known organization for college women with Order of the Eastern Star affiliation, the first being Achoth.
Omicron Epsilon Sigma
Omega Epsilon Sigma was founded as Omicron Epsilon Sigma on January 3, 1925, at Central Missouri State Teachers College (now University of Central Missouri). The 1925 edition of the Sunflower yearbook described the sorority's membership policy as "eligibility to membership in this organization is based upon affiliation with the Order of the Eastern Star."
On April 21, 1925, the sorority was recognized by the Grand Matron of the Grand Chapter of Kansas.
The yearbook also described the Masonic association. "Through the kindness of the Shriners of Emporia semi-monthly meetings are held in the Shrine room of the Masonic Temple. Although yet in its infancy Omicron has a large membership and is exerting a democratic influence on the campus."
According to the yearbook, Omicron's purpose "is to promote friendship among the girls of the school who are members of this fraternal order."
The colors were yellow and white; the flower was the snapdragon.
Name change
It appears there was a consolidation of several other Eastern Star affiliated locals shortly after formation of Omicron Epsilon Sigma. An undated copy of the constitution and bylaws noted the change to Omega Epsilon Sigma.
The colors were changed to green and white, and the flower changed to the growing narcissus.
The badge is described as a "regular pentagon bordered with perals, five on a side surrounding a field of black, in the center of which is a gold five pointed star which points downward with an emerald in its center; above the star, the letter [Omega] in gold and at the bottom on either side of the fifth point, the letters, [Epsilon] and [Sigma] in gold."
The purpose was "to inspire each member to grow in strength and beauty of character by emphasizing the living as well as the teaching of moral principles; to strength existing fraternal relations through college fellowship, also to promote high ideals of scholarship, and social relations."
While some of its chapters appear to have continued after 1927, that year, the first two chapters formed withdrew, soon becoming chapters of Theta Sigma Upsilon, which later merged with Alpha Gamma Delta.
Chapters
Chapter information from the Baird's Manual Online Archive.[1]
| State | University | Chapter | Installed Date and Range | Status | Notes | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | University of Central Missouri | Alpha | 1923–1927 | Withdrew | Became Nu chapter of ΘΣΥ (1928) See ΑΓΔ |
[2] |
| Kansas | Fort Hays State University | Beta | 1925–1927 | Withdrew | Became Mu chapter of ΘΣΥ (1929) See ΑΓΔ |
[3] |
| Kansas | Pittsburg State University | Gamma | 1926–1929 | Inactive | Disbanded? | [4] |
| Kansas | Emporia State University | Delta | 1927–19xx | Inactive | Disbanded? | [5] |
| Colorado | University of Northern Colorado | Epsilon | 192x–19xx | Inactive | Disbanded? | [6] |
The previously mentioned constitution and bylaws referenced a chapter at Central Missouri State College. All other chapter information is from the Baird's listings for Omega Epsilon Sigma and for Theta Sigma Upsilon.
References
- ↑ William Raimond Baird; Carroll Lurding (eds.). "Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities (Baird's Manual Online Archive)". Student Life and Culture Archives. University of Illinois: University of Illinois Archives. Retrieved 29 Apr 2021. The main archive URL is The Baird's Manual Online Archive homepage.
- ↑ The Alpha chapter dates from 1923. This group would later exit to become Omega Sigma (local), would join Theta Sigma Upsilon as its Nu chapter in 1928, and would become the Epsilon Lambda chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta in 1959 when Theta Sigma Upsilon merged with that larger sorority.
- ↑ The Beta chapter dates from 1925. This group would later exit to become Zeta Sigma Phi (local), would join Theta Sigma Upsilon as its Mu chapter in 1929, and would become the Epsilon Mu chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta in 1959 when Theta Sigma Upsilon merged with that larger sorority.
- ↑ The Gamma chapter dates from 1925. Is there a connection to ΘΣΥ's Epsilon chapter, dating to 1924, which had originally been Theta Sigma (local), a group that dated from 1923, which became a chapter of ΑΓΔ in 1959?
- ↑ The Delta chapter dates from 1925 when it formed as Omicron Epsilon Sigma. This influenced the decision to name the 5-chapter organization as Omega Epsilon Sigma in what may be conjectured the consolidation of ~1927.
- ↑ The Epsilon chapter may date from 1925, per Baird's Online Archive, but the Northern Colorado yearbook doesn't mention them. A 1922-23 Eastern Star Club on that campus turned into Aleph Lamedh Tav in 1923, and this into a different GLO in 1928. It may have been a target (wishful thinking?), but it opted instead to remain a local for ten years until merging with ΘΣΥ. Can anyone find a reference to clarify existence of the Epsilon chapter of Omega Epsilon Sigma?
- Kansas State Teachers College (Emporia State University), The Sunflower yearbook, 1925, p. 178
- Constitution and By-laws of Omega Epsilon Sigma (undated)
See also
- Achoth (became Phi Omega Pi)
- Order of the Eastern Star