Sigma Alpha Epsilon was founded at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington as De Kappa Tate, a local fraternity. But it was clear from the beginning that the intention of the founders was to bring another national fraternity to UNC Wilmington that would be a strong asset to both the Greek System as well as the university.

     On September 25, 1977 in room 411 of Galloway Hall at UNCW, an organizational meeting was held to begin a new fraternity. At this meeting the goals and guidelines were outlined. A constitution and by-laws were drawn up, officers were elected and a name chosen. The founders at this meeting were George Brunetti of Wilmington, Parks Griffin from Durham, Stan Sherman of Durham, Mark Rash of Mooresville, Randy Walser of Spencer and Ken Watson of Red Springs.

     The constitution called for four officers. Elected were Parks Griffin as President, Mark Rash as Vice President, George Brunetti as Treasurer, and Randy Walser as Secretary.

     The name of the fraternity was chosen when Stan Sherman suggested that the group have a different and unique name. He suggested the name De Kappa Tate and the use of the Greek letters Delta Kappa Tau of DKT to represent this name. The name was adopted and the local fraternity was formed.

     The first event to celebrate the formation of the new fraternity was held at the residence of George Brunetti in early October of 1977.

     It did not take long for the other fraternities on campus to realize that another group had formed. In the Fall of 1977, UNCW had three national fraternities on campus. They were Tau Kappa Epsilon, Pi Kappa Phi, and Chi Phi. Many of the members of De Kappa Tate were courted by the other fraternities. Most of the men of DKT were told that starting another fraternity on campus would be too difficult, and the process to go national too long. They even offered to merge or join them as a single pledge class. DKT was also told that the university would not allow another national fraternity on campus. This rumor was found to be false and the group continued to work and grow.

     By the Spring of 1978, De Kappa Tate had doubled in size to twelve members and had begun communications with several national fraternities. DKT was also asked to join the Inter-Fraternity Council and be involved with the other fraternities on campus. The recognition and opportunity to compete with the other fraternities gave the men of De Kappa Tate even more incentive.

     It was obvious that De Kappa Tate was becoming a leader on campus and was attracting the right men to continue the growth. Evidence of this was seen when Tau Kappa Epsilon and Pi Kappa Phi formally asked De Kappa Tate to join both of their groups in hopes of building the strongest fraternity on campus. Chi Phi even sent its Grand Alpha in to meet with the leaders of DKT to find some method of merging the groups. While flattered to have these offers, the brothers of De Kappa Tate felt that it needed to achieve its goal. It also was known that the brothers of DKT were against any form of hazing and would thus have difficulty ever joining any group that condoned it. De Kappa Tate wanted men who were individuals and men that would not subject themselves to hazing.

     The brothers of De Kappa Tate had their first chance to compete against the other fraternities when IFC football started in October of 1978. The men of DKT were eager to compete with the others, even though the group had only half as many members the other fraternities had. The first game occurred on October 26th against DKT’s biggest rival, Chi Phi. At the end of the first half, neither team had scored, which to the younger and smaller men of DKT was a victory in itself. However, towards the end of the second half, DKT drove the length of the field and scored a touchdown to take a 6-0 lead. DKT never allowed Chi Phi to score that day and felt it had won more than just a football game. This was only the beginning for the new fraternity as it went on to defeat Pi Kappa Phi 19-0 in the next game and then shut out Tau Kappa Epsilon 36-0 and claimed the Inter-Fraternity Council championship. The brothers of DKT began to earn the respect of the others quickly.

     It was an important time for the brothers as several national fraternities such as Delta Upsilon, Kappa Alpha, Kappa Sigma, Phi Gamma Delta, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Phi Epsilon, and Sigma Tau Gamma contacted the brothers of DKT about the possibilities of colonization.

     After much discussion the brothers finally narrowed its choices to Phi Gamma Delta and Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Both fraternities got approval from their extension committees to proceed and both seemed to have the quality that DKT was looking for. However, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, being such a strong fraternity in the South and having over one hundred and fifty alumni living in the Wilmington area, seemed to acquire the edge and on November 8, 1978, the brothers voted unanimously to become affiliated with Sigma Alpha Epsilon. In order to become a chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon the brothers would have to meet certain requirements and goals. This process would take about a year at which point De Kappa Tate would become a colony of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. After that, another set of requirements would have to be met which would take approximately two years. Upon completion of this the colony must be voted on and approved by all of the nearly two hundred chapters of SAE. The brothers went to work and completed its goal to become a Colony. The date for installation was set for November 3, 1979.

     The Spring semester of 1980 was at the very least a difficult one for all of the brothers and friends of the new colony. The hurt was compounded by the long process of a trial that lasted throughout much of the semester. The brothers who had developed such a close friendship with one another, relied on the friendship to get through this difficult period. A special strength was born from that bond.

     The new Colony used its strengths to continue to build a better fraternity and to achieve its goals and complete the requirements that were needed in order to receive its charter. The brothers showed this strength by sweeping all of the Homecoming awards for the second year in a row in February of 1980. The fraternity continued on the same path throughout 1980 and again won the Spirit Award at Homecoming in 1981. It was also during the Spring of 1981 that the Province Investigative Committee, which consisted of representatives of chapters that were located in both North and South Carolina, gave its approval.

     Under the helpful guidance of Director of Extension, Bob Armstrong, the colony fulfilled the last requirements and were ready to petition the entire national membership for a charter. This would be done at the National Convention.

     Sigma Alpha Epsilon held its convention in Kansas City, Missouri in June of 1981. Brothers Robert Eubanks, Parks Griffin, Steve Griffin, Bruce Leybourne, and Charles Parsons made the twenty-four hour drive from Wilmington to make its presentation to the convention. After several days of meetings and discussions, a vote from the convention floor gave the UNC Wilmington Colony unanimous approval. Charles Parsons accepted the offer for a charter with a brief speech which was followed by a standing ovation from the entire delegation and was a very memorable and moving experience.

     Following the convention business the brothers had the task of planning for a charter night and various details surrounding it. In addition, the brothers had to choose a name for the new chapter of SAE. Delta was chosen for two reasons: since De Kappa Tate began with the letter "D", and it was a way of honoring John Stringfellow of South Carolina Delta (University of South Carolina) for all his many hours of support.

     On September 26, 1981, the UNC Wilmington Colony officially became the North Carolina Delta Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. The initiation ceremony was held at the historic Cape Fear Men’s Club, which is the oldest Men’s Club in continuous existence in the South. Many SAE’s that lived in Wilmington participated in the ceremony. A charter night banquet was held at Wrightsville Beach. Many of the speakers honored the accomplishments of the group. State Senator and Brother J.A. "Chip" Wright was the keynote speaker and summed it up best when he remarked about the brothers’ ability to persevere. The brothers set a goal and achieved it. With the spirit of true gentlemen, the brothers continue to pass the torch to those that follow in hopes that they too will continue to grow in the realm of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.