The Beginning

In 1918, a group of undergraduates at the University of Maryland formed a local fraternity, Sigma Tau Alpha, which stood for "Strive to Achieve." The leader of these men was Emanuel Francis Kubak Zalesak III, Esquire, who was later to be recognized as the founding father of both STA and the Alpha Sigma chapter of Delta Sigma Phi. Zalesak, along with Brothers Heidelback and Rowe, purchased STA's first chapter house at 4605 Calvert Road.

On November 19, 1924, Sigma Tau Alpha became the Alpha Sigma chapter of the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. The Calvert Road house served as the chapter house for Delta Sigma Phi until the Fall of 1931, when Zalesak bought a half-acre of land at 4300 Knox Road. At the time, the University of Maryland was planning on building Fraternity Row on South Campus, and Delta Sigma Phi would have been in the middle of the horseshoe. However, for reasons unknown to us, campus delayed construction of Fraternity Row, and did not build it until a few decades later, and in a completely different location, across Route 1. That, combined with the development of the Graham Cracker close to Fraternity Row, resulted in many other fraternities and sororities to purchase houses on that side of Route 1. That is why to this day we are the only fraternity on the campus-side of Route 1. The Delta Sigma Phi chapter house has stood for over 70 years now, making it the oldest fraternity/sorority house at UMD, as well as one of the oldest buildings in College Park and University of Maryland. The University of Maryland has made several offers over the years to buy Delta Sigma Phi's property, offering them both money and houses on Fraternity Row, but the history and pride attached to the house have always outweighed any offer campus could come up with.

World War II

During World War II, a significant portion of the brotherhood went off to serve America's Army, so the chapter went officially inactive. During that time, the house was leased to campus for dormitory housing. After the war, Brother Charles H. Proffen Jr. restarted the house with pledges Steele, Johnson, and Bell, who were initiated on June 3, 1945. On September 24, 1945, the Alpha Sigma chapter had their first official meeting since the start of World War II. That semester, six more pledges were initiated, and by 1948 the house was bringing in up to 50 new members a year. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of Brothers Proffen, Steele, and others, the Alpha Sigma chapter was once again back to its former glory, and took the house back from campus, who had still been leasing it up to this point.

President Emeritus: E.F.K. Zalesak III, Esq.

Emanuel Francis Kubak Zalesak III, Esquire helped found the Sigma Tau Alpha Fraternity in 1918 and Alpha Sigma Chapter of the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity in 1924 as an undergraduate. While an undergraduate, he was a member of the Men's Basketball Team and an All-Time Letter Winner in 1924, as well as the goalie for the first All-American Lacrosse Team. In 1925, he graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Agriculture. In 1931, he established the Varsity Grill (where the Sante Fe Cafe is now), one of the biggest restaurants in College Park. He was president of the Rossborough Social Club and a charter member of The M Club, where he was the supervisor of profits from food and drink concessions at football games. Zalesak was the founder of the incorporated city of College Park, and served on the city council from 1945 to 1959. He was the founding president of the College Park Board of Trade in 1957. He was also a member of the committee that started the Prince George's Hospital in Cheverly. In 1961, he married his wife Elizabeth. In 1964, Zalesak suffered from a stroke, after which he sold the Varsity Grill. He recieved the Harvey Herbert Memorial Award for his work with the fraternity in 1969. He served as president of the Alumni Association, was a founding member of the Terrapin Club, and is a lifetime member of the the M Club. He was president of the Prince George's County Kiwanis Club, and a recipient of its Legion of Honor. He was also the founder of Council 2809 of the Knights of Columbus. Emanuel Francis Kubak Zalesak died on September 27, 1988. He has been listed as the President Emeritus on all composites since then.