Delta Epsilon Sigma, the national scholastic honor society for students, faculty and alumni of colleges and universities with a Catholic tradition, was begun at the suggestion of Reverend E. A. Fitzgerald, Dean of Studies at Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa, who in October of 1938 surveyed Catholic colleges and universities concerning their interest in initiating such a society.
In 1939 the Committee of Founders, under the chairmanship of Father Fitzgerald, was appointed to draw up a general plan of organization. Subcommittees on Constitution, on Name and Motto, and on Insignia were also appointed. A constitutional convention was held at the Hotel President, Kansas City, Missouri, on March 29, 1940; a provisional constitution was adopted.
National meetings between 1941 and 1945 were infrequent because of the war, but the society was kept alive through the efforts of Father Fitzgerald, the National Secretary-Treasurer. In 1947 the Society initiated its official publication, the Delta Epsilon Sigma Bulletin, now known as the Delta Epsilon Sigma Journal.
The first major revision of the constitution and bylaws was adopted on April 2, 1959. On May 28, 1976, in the bicentennial year of the United States of America, a new constitution, bylaws and induction ritual were approved by a National Conclave held at Rosemont College in Philadelphia. Minor amendments were made at the Second National Conclave held at the College of St. Rose in Albany, New York, on April 18, 1986, and by mail ballot in 1996.
The Alpha Nu Chapter of Delta Epsilon Sigma at Saint Michael’s College was established in 1941, one of the first chapters after the initial organization of 31 college chapters in 1940. Currently, over 100 colleges and universities have received charters to establish chapters of Delta Epsilon Sigma.