The History of the Wisconsin-Beta Chapter
The
Wisconsin Beta Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon was founded on November 13,
1920. It was the 58th chapter of Sigma
Phi Epsilon to be chartered. Since the
purchase of the first house in 1922, this chapter has occupied seven different houses:
1922
- 1928: 134 West Gorham Street
1929 - early 1940s:
146
Langdon Street
It is
believed that this house was
built especially for Sigma Phi Epsilon. However, this house was eventually lost
due to financial problems and the loss of
many Brothers in World War II.
Early
1940s: 27 Langdon Street
Late 1940s - 1955: 105
East Gorham
1955 - 1965: 521 Henry Street
This house, also
known as "The Mansion," had previously been occupied by ΦΓΔ. The original house was torn down and the
current Evans Scholars house was built.
1965
- 1995: 12 Langdon Street
When the ΑΞΔ sorority moved to Sigma Phi Epsilon's previous
location, we moved to the old ΑΞΔ house, also built for the sorority. Sigma Phi Epsilon had to leave 12 Langdon due
to financial problems resulting from the chapter's reorganization
in 1986.
1995-2008: 237
Langdon Street
2008-Present: Sigma Phi Epsilon currently resides in the TKE fraternity located at 216 Langdon Street.
Sigma Phi Epsilon left 12
Langdon at the end of the 1995 spring semester, and renovations did not begin
on the new house until mid-summer. This
caused many complications. For 15 days
the Brothers who intended to live in the new house had no place to live because
the work had not been completed when classes began. On the night of September 15, the Brothers of
Sigma Phi Epsilon were allowed to move into the new house. Also on this night was the Formal
Pledging ceremony for the largest known pledge class in the 75-year history of
Sigma Phi Epsilon at the University of Wisconsin.
Our current house was originally
built in the early 1890's and was only two stories. The top two levels were added in 1910 by a
university professor. The house is on
the registry of historic landmarks, and is remarkably famous for the
elaborate woodwork and many surprises within its walls and ceilings.
In the years leading up to 1986,
Sigma Phi Epsilon faced many internal problems.
The reputation of the Fraternity on campus was that of a drug
house. In 1986, the National Fraternity
became aware of these problems during an embezzlement scandal. This marked the reorganization of the chapter
that would influence the course of the chapter for the next decade. National Fraternity representatives held
interviews with each Brother. All but
seven were expelled from the Fraternity.
Those who had worked hardest to uphold the standards of Sigma Phi
Epsilon were eligible to keep their membership and face the challenge of
keeping the chapter alive. The remaining
Brothers included: Ross Bengston, Chris Czisny, Mike Kline, Scott
"Beaker" Starry, Paul Volpe, John Wirtz and Ed Woo.
On June 17th of 1999, the Sigma Phi Epsilon house caught fire at
approximately 3:00 A.M. There were six
members living in the house at the time, and although major damage was done to
the physical structure of the facility, its members emerged unscathed, due in
part to the heroics of one Adam Butler.
Total damage was estimated at $500,000, and a construction crew was hired
immediately to begin restoration. The
President of the National Fraternity rededicated the house in April
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