ESA was founded in 1929 by Adelia Pritchard. ESA Headquarters are located in Ft. Colorado.
The Sigma Phi chapter at the University of South Carolina was founded in 1992.

The purpose of ESA was and is for a group of individuals to learn, grow, and serve together.

In 1972, ESA adopted St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, TN as its major philanthropic project. Since that time, ESA has helped to raise more than 50 million for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. ESA also adopted Easter Seals as a major philanthropic project in the 1970.

Epsilon Sigma Alpha, loosely translated from Greek, means "pursuit of learning." In recent years the letters ESA have come to symbolize education, service, and association.

The ESA Motto: "All for one and one for all."

"Rich in color, perfect in form, carrying the golden promise of spring, emblematic of noble thought." The flower of ESA is the yellow jonquil. The jonquil with its tiny, perfect, yellow trumpets is the most fragrant of the narcissus family. It was in Greece that the narcissus was first associated with the coming of spring.

The colors of Epsilon Sigma Alpha are blue and gold. Blue symbolizes fidelity to purpose and loyalty to ideals gold is symbolic of achievement and the everlasting life of our vows.

Throughout the ages, fire has been a token of knowledge. As you stand beholding fire, look deeply into the flames and there you will see the glowing colors of Epsilon Sigma Alpha.