Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College was chartered in Stillwater, Oklahoma on December 25, 1890.
The first Greek social fraternity at Oklahoma A&M was Delta Sigma fraternity, founded in 1908. It became a chapter of Beta Theta Pi in 1923. Lambda Chi Alpha was the first national fraternity on campus, colonizing in 1909.
Beta Phi, the first sorority at A&M was founded in 1912, by eight members and four pledges. Alpha Theta sorority was organized out of a Friday afternoon tea group in 1913. The Gamma Phis were organized one afternoon at a motion picture show. Delta Delta was started in the summer of 1916, and would become the first local sorority to affiliation nationally, becoming Nu Chapter of Kappa Delta in 1919. A Pi Beta Phi Chapter was installed only three days later. Kappa Alpha Theta joined A&Ms campus that same month.
"Alala Kama Club" was organized by a group of girls in 1917 at A&M. On February 1, 1921, the club was recognized by the local Panhellenic and became known as Alpha Kappa Club. In the 1921 Redskin there were 17 members and 5 pledges.
On September 1, 1922, Alpha Kappa Club was installed as Alpha Epsilon Chapter of Delta Zeta Sorority. Their 2-story home had a large wrap-around porch and the girls were known for their midnight bridge contests on the front porch.
In 1924, AE Chapter President Vera Vandenburg, was elected as "best all-around student in college" becoming the first woman to receive that honor at this school. For her "best all-around" award, she received a large loving cup with her name, date, and other stuff engraved on it. Her granddaughter Kim Kelsey is an alumna of Theta Omicron at The University of Texas-Pan American, Edinburg, TX. And Vera's family still has the trophy!
Due to the depression of the 1930s, AE was forced to abandon its chapter house and later its charter. By 1932, AEs membership had dwindled to 13 members and 6 pledges. Nationally, though, DZ had 54 chapters.
AE returned to campus for the 1941-42 school year -- just in time for A&Ms Golden Anniversary. These new colonists were excited about their "new" chapter and the new chapter house being built at 1010 W. Third. Chapter activities included a Fall Barbecue and western dance where party-goers would often roast hot-dogs and marshmallows in the fireplace, and dance in the backyard.
AEs Silver Anniversary at A&M was celebrated in 1947 when members hosted "dansants" for area service men and began the spring "Rose Formal" tradition for the chapter.
During the 1954-55 school year, AE built on to their chapter house, and moved the front door around the corner to 224 S. Jefferson.
1957 was a big year for A&M. Under President Oliver S. Willham, Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College officially became Oklahoma State University of Agriculture and Applied Science. Students favored the change two to one, but feared that they would lose some of their "true identity" through confusion with that other institution in Norman, OK.
OSU joined the Big Eight that same week. Within months A&M Alumnus Robert McCulloh completed the words and music to OSUs Alma Mater, and Frank "Pistol Pete" Eaton rode in the 1957 Homecoming Parade. Eaton had informally been the mascot since 1923.
In 1966 and 1967 Gary Busey, the actor [the star of the Buddy Holly Story] was a "House Boy" at the Delta Zeta House.
AEs annual Bivouac Brawl Fall Party was begun in the fall of 1970. That tradition would continue until 1984, when the chapter hosted "World War III: The End of Bivouac."
In 1984, the chapter house underwent a major face lift. The back wing of the house was demolished and the basement was filled in. The front wing was redecorated, the front porch reconstructed and extended, and a large circle drive was installed in the front lawn. We were also featured on the front cover of The LAMP (U.S.S. Delta Zeta - Rush 1984).
Due to "inflation and strained budgets" AE chapter was forced to recolonize in 1987. That fall, a team of representatives from National Headquarters converged on Stillwater to recruit new members for the "new" chapter.
They pledged 75 girls that fall, who would become new "charter" members of Alpha Epsilon Chapter.
Since the chapter house's capacity was 26, and membership was well above 100, AE House Corporation leased the apartments immediately adjacent to the chapter house as an annex. The apartments housed an additional 44 DZs.
An active Collonade Club (Parent's Club) raised money to purchase computers for the chapter, assisted during fall rush and provided snacks and encouragement during finals weeks, and hosted the annual big sis-little sis Christmas Party complete with Christmas trees, decorations and Santa Claus!
The fall of 1992 marked the beginning of the end for Alpha Epsilon chapter. Inner turmoil resulted in a drastic drop in membership. The chapter was forced to close the following spring (1994) when budget constraints became insurmountable. Alpha Epsilon's last day in residence was May 7, 1994. The chapter house was sold to Kappa Alpha Order Fraternity and they assumed residency in the spring of 1995.