Colby University in Waterville, Maine was the first college in New England to admit women on an equal basis with men students. The first woman student was admitted in 1871, and for two years, Mary Caffrey Low was the only woman student at Colby University. In 1873, four more young women from Maine (Elizabeth Gorham Hoag, Ida Fuller, Frances Mann and Louise Helen Coburn) were admitted to Colby and the five young women found themselves together frequently.

During the school year of 1873-74, the five young women decided to form a literary and social society. They were told by the college administration that they needed to present a constitution and bylaws with a petition requesting permission to form Sigma Kappa Sorority. They began work during that year with an eager glow of enthusiasm. Their purpose at the outset was that the sorority should become what it is now, a national organization of college women.

On November 9, 1874, the five young women received a letter from the faculty approving their petition. Thus, this date has since been considered our Founders Day. In our first constitution, chapter membership was limited to 25. The original group was known as Alpha chapter and, as our sorority grew, Beta chapter and Gamma chapter were also established at Colby University. Early records indicate that the groups met together; but in 1893, the Sigma Kappa members decided intramural expansion was not desirable. They voted to fill Alpha chapter to the limit of 25 and to initiate no more into Beta and Gamma chapters. Eventually, the second and third chapters would vanish from Colby's campus. Finally, Sigma Kappas realized that if the organization was going to continue to grow, it had to expand beyond the walls of Colby University, installing the Delta Chapter at Boston University in 1904 causing the Sigma Kappa bond to grow larger and stronger.

Chapter History

The local sorority of Lambda Alpha as it was later called became the foundation for a lasting tradition at Lenoir-Rhyne University. The ladies of Lambda Alpha petitioned several national sororities in the summer of 1961, finally deciding that Sigma Kappa was the one for them. The year of 1962 proved to be one of much excitement. The ladies with the help of National representatives spent countless hours learning new way of doing everything. Sisters from Western Carolina also helped the ladies of Lambda Alpha to prepare for the big day. Finally, the mystic bond of Sigma Kappa was brought to the campus of L-R. 

Though Sigma Kappa enjoyed many good years at Lenoir-Rhyne, the chapter closed down in 1984 and re-colonized in 1989. After the re-colonization of Epsilon Alpha in 1989, the penguin became the chapter mascot and the tradition of Big Sis/Lil' Sis sweatshirts began. Candlelights are also an enjoyed tradition of Epsilon Alpha. Other traditions include Guardian Angels, Heart Sisters, Penguin Pals, and Secret Pixies.

Epsilon Alpha consists of women who are active on campus and in our community. The diverse involvement of the women of Epsilon Alpha within and outside the chapter has helped us to develop a strong sense of sisterhood and a positive image on the Lenoir-Rhyne campus and in the Hickory community.