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Theta Boulé, Sigma Pi Phi papers

 Collection
Call Number: RH MS 425

Overview

The Theta Boulé papers are those of the Kansas City-area boulé, or chapter, of the Sigma Pi Phi fraternity. The records represent the workings of the Boulé, as well as providing information on the larger organization and other boulés within Sigma Pi Phi.

Dates

  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1874, 1937, 1944-1951, 1953-1965, 1967-1968, 1970-1971, 1973-1986, 2007-2016 [ 1944-2016]

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

No access restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Spencer Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials.

History of Theta Boulé, Sigma Pi Phi

The Theta Boulé of the Sigma Pi Phi fraternity was set apart, or created, in May 1915 in Kansas City, Mo., with a founding roster of twelve Archons. These members included Drs. William J. Thompkins, Gideon W. Brown, J. E. Perry, S. H. Thompson, and J. D. Shannon, T. C. Chapman, Charles H. Calloway, W. C. Hueston, J. P. King, M. H. Tompkins, J. A. Hodge, and Woody Jacobs. Since its inception, Theta Boulé has created a nonprofit foundation to help aid its social action programs, including a scholarship.

Sigma Pi Phi was organized in 1904 by Henry McKee Minton and others to help African American professional men come together in fellowship, rather than working in isolation. Unusually, members in this fraternity have already received college and professional degrees before being inducted into the organization. The fraternity continues to mentor young men and model leadership, education, and civic responsibility.

Extent

2 Linear Feet (4 document cases + 1 oversize box)

Language of Materials

English

Scope and Contents

The Theta Boulé Foundation papers date from throughout much of the 20th century into the early 21st century. The records include correspondence, financial and membership information, meeting information, yearbooks, and materials related to the Kansas City boulé's centennial anniversary in 2015. There are also a small number of items relating to the Sigma Pi Phi Grand Boulé national organization, other boulés, the Western Region of the Boulé organization, and other organizations.

Folders in the original collection are arranged in alphabetical order with Grand Boulé, Other Boulés, Western Region, and Other Organizations following the specific Theta Boulé papers. Most of the addition located at RH MS 1402 and the oversize material located at RH MS R401 relates to the Boulé's centennial celebrations.

Forty-two issues of The Boulé Journal, some of which have various handwritten notations throughout, have been catalogued separately.

Physical Location

RH MS 425

Physical Location

RH MS 1402

Physical Location

RH MS R401

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gifts, Frank R. Newman for Theta Boulé, 1986; Jon R. Gray, 2014, 2016.

Separated Materials

The Boulé Journal. New York, NY: Sigma Phi Phi Fraternity. Select issues available at Kenneth Spencer Research Library at RH Ser D1403.

Subject

Title
Guide to the Theta Boulé, Sigma Pi Phi Collection
Subtitle
Theta Boulé, Sigma Pi Phi papers
Author
Finding aid prepared by mbw, 2011; revised by ce, 2016.
Date
2011
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Finding aid written in<language encodinganalog="language">English.</language>
Sponsor
Support for the processing of this Collection was provided by the Dana and Sue Anderson African American Collecting Program Endowment Fund.
Finding aid permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/10407/7986348174
Preferred citation
Theta Boulé, Sigma Pi Phi papers, Kansas Collection, RH MS 425, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas

Repository Details

Part of the University of Kansas. Kenneth Spencer Research Library Repository

Contact:
1450 Poplar Lane
Lawrence KS 66045-7616 United States
785-864-4334