SIGMA PHI EPSILON
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'ΣΦΕ' ('Sigma Phi Epsilon'), commonly nicknamed 'SigEp' or 'S-P-E', is a social fraternity for male college students in the United States. It was founded on November 1, 1901 at Richmond College (now the University of Richmond) and its national headquarters remains in Richmond, Virginia. It was founded on three principles: Virtue, Diligence, and Brotherly Love. It is the largest social fraternity in the United States in terms of current undergraduate membership[1], the fourth largest in terms of total members initiated, and has the highest first year retention rate of 90%. [1]
Founding History
Carter Ashton Jenkens
Carter Ashton Jenkens was the son of a minister and an 18-year-old divinity student at Rutgers College until the fall of 1900 when he transferred to Richmond College[2]. In the year that Jenkens had spent Rutgers, he had been initiated into the Chi Phi Fraternity. At Richmond, Jenkens was quickly drawn in to a close-knit group of friends which included Benjamin "Ben" Gaw, William "Billy" Wallace and Thomas "Thos" Wright. . By the fall of 1901, the four friends were meeting regularly in the third-floor room in Ryland Hall shared by Gaw and Wallace. They called their unofficial group the Saturday Night Club. Soon, two others were asked to join the group: William Carter and Billy Phillips. [3]
The Origin
By early October, 1901, Jenkens had persuaded his friends to join him in trying to establish a chapter of Chi Phi at Richmond. The group of friends, which by mid-October had grown to twelve men, was composed largely of students who were spurned by the existing fraternities on campus for their high sense of morality (seven of the twelve were studying for the ordained ministry) and for their rural, middle-class backgrounds. Jenkens had convinced the others that their chapter could be different from the other fraternities on campus and assured them that Chi Phi's principles were in line with their own. The group's request for a charter, however, was met with refusal as the national fraternity felt that Richmond College was too small to host a Chi Phi chapter. Insulted though undaunted by the rejection, Jenkens and his friends knew that their bonds of friendship constituted something worth preserving, so they sought to perpetuate their values and their loyalties by founding their own fraternity.
The original name - Sigma Phi
After several secret meetings throughout October of 1901, the new fraternity took shape and on November 1, 1901, the fraternity's first membership roster was posted at the school, listing the twelve founders in this order: Carter Ashton Jenkens, Benjamin Donald Gaw, William Hugh Carter, William Andrew Wallace, Thomas Temple Wright, William Lazelle Phillips, Lucian Baum Cox, Richard Spurgeon Owens, Edgar Lee Allen, Robert Alfred McFarland, Frank Webb Kerfoot and Thomas Vaden McCaul. After much discussion, the group settled on a secret motto and called their fraternity Sigma Phi. Soon thereafter, Jenkens, Gaw and Phillips met with a faculty committee to seek official recognition for their new fraternity. The faculty members were reluctant to recognize Sigma Phi for the following reasons: 1) there were already five fraternity chapters on the Richmond campus, drawing members from a base of less than 300 students, 2) more than half the new fraternity's members were seniors whose graduation would leave the group with only five members and, 3) Another national fraternity already existed called Sigma Phi.[4] The three founders responded to the faculty's points one by one: 1) although there were already fraternities at Richmond, this new fraternity would be different; it would be founded not upon false notions of social hierarchy and snobbery but, rather, upon biblical notions of God's love and the principle of peace through brotherhood, 2) new members would be taken in from the undergraduate classes and, 3) the name of the fraternity was still under debate within the group, so since the name Sigma Phi was already taken by a national fraternity, the name would be changed. With these assurances from the founders, the faculty committee approved the new fraternity's request for official recognition. Shortly afterwards, the founders met and decided to rename the fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon.
The final name - Sigma Phi Epsilon
Under Jenkens' inspiration and leadership, the new fraternity was formed around a spiritual philosophy of brotherly love, a philosophy that Jenkens referred to as the "rock" of the fraternity. Specifically, the founder described these words of Jesus: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and thy neighbor as thyself" () as "the greatest truth the world has ever known." Fittingly, Jenkens rooted the symbolism of the fraternity in the biblical notion of ''agape'', or selfless love. The colors purple and red were chosen to represent the fraternity while the golden heart was chosen as the fraternity's symbol. Finally, the principles of Virtue, Diligence and Brotherly Love, known to members as "The Three Cardinal Principles", were woven by Jenkens into the very fabric of the new fraternity. Jenkens also designed the fraternity's distinctive badge. It was designed as a golden heart surmounted by a black enameled heart-shaped shield. Upon the shield are inscribed, in gold, the Greek-letters of the fraternity, ΣΦΕ, and below these letters, a skull and crossbones. The founders' badges were surrounded by alternating garnets and rubies.
The First Meeting
The six original members found six others also searching for a campus fellowship neither the college campus nor the existing fraternity system could offer. The six new members were Lucian Cox, Richard Owens, Edgar Allen, Robert McFarland, Franklin Kerfoot, and Thomas McCaul.
The 12 met in October, 1901, in Gaw and Wallace's room on the third floor of Ryland Hall. They discussed the organization of a fraternity they would call "Sigma Phi." The exact date of this meeting is not known. However, the meeting was probably held
before the middle of the month, because the 12 Founders are named as members on November 1, 1901, in the first printed roster of the Fraternity. Jenkens is listed as the first member.
Fraternity Recognized
A committee of Jenkens, Gaw, and Phillips was appointed to discuss plans for recognition with the faculty at the college. These men met with a faculty committee,where they were requested to present their case. The faculty committee requested
that the new group explain:
★ The need for a new fraternity since chapters of five national fraternities were on the campus and the enrollment at Richmond College was less than 300.
★ The wisdom of this attempt to organize a new fraternity, with 12 members, seven of whom were seniors.
★ The right to name the new fraternity Sigma Phi, the name of an already
established national fraternity.
Jenkens, Gaw, and Phillips answered:
"This fraternity will be different, it will be based on the love of God
and the principle of peace through brotherhood. The number of
members will be increased from the undergraduate classes. We will
change the name to Sigma Phi Epsilon."
Though the discussion lasted some time, permission was granted for the organization of the new fraternity to proceed.
Immediately at the close of the meeting with the faculty committee, the fraternity committee rushed to Jenkens' room to borrow Hugh Carter's Greek-English Lexicon. They convinced themselves that Epsilon had a desirable meaning, and then
telegraphed jeweler Eaton in Goldsboro, North Carolina, to add an E at the point of each of the 12 badges. Eight other students were invited to join SigEp. The purchase order was then increased to 20 badges at $8 each, with the initials of each man
engraved on the back of his badge.
These 20 heart-shaped badges were of yellow gold, with alternating rubies and garnets around the edge of the heart, with the Greek characters Σ φ and the skull and crossbones in gold and black enamel in the center and a black Ε in gold at the
point. (William Hugh Carter’s and Thomas V. "Uncle Tom" McCaul's original badges are on display at Zollinger House.)
Founder Lucian Cox reflected on the "brotherhood that had inspired him and his brothers" when he wrote in the Sigma Phi Epsilon Journal, Vol. 1 No. 1, March, 1904: "As a member of an ideal fraternity, the resources of every member of that
body are my resources, the product of their lives is my daily life. The fraternity is a common storehouse for experience, moral rectitude, and spirituality; the larger and purer the contribution of the individual, the greater
the resources of each member."
Five men were invited to join before Christmas and became members in January, 1902. Three more of the first group of 21 joined February 1, 1902.
Meeting in the Tower Room
In November or December, 1901, an unheated, unfurnished single room in the tower of Ryland Hall was assigned to the new fraternity by the college. Before January 1,1902, SigEps had lined all open wall space with wide board benches. The wall was papered—purple and red. A rostrum, shaped like a horseshoe, was built in a corner. A small oil stove would not heat the room, so secret meetings continued to be held in SigEp dormitory rooms until March, 1902.
Virginia Alpha's Second Year
Of the remaining eight who did return to Richmond College the next session, only two were founders—Gaw and Wright. College records show that of the eight who did return, four were sophomores, three juniors, and one senior. After recruiting many students, only one new man joined in the fall, and one more in the spring. The small college enrollment in the session of 1902-1903 and increasing
competition for new members from the chapters of five national fraternities on the campus made the members of Sigma Phi Epsilon realize the crucial position of their local fraternity.
After discussing the situation at several meetings, a momentous decision was reached. Sigma Phi Epsilon must either convert the local fraternity into a national one or watch the local fraternity die. The secretary was instructed to request Founder Lucian B. Cox, an attorney in Norfolk, Virginia, to write an application for a state charter for Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and return it to him at the earliest possible moment.
This charter was signed by all eight SigEps enrolled at Richmond College on October 18, filed in the Circuit Court of Richmond City on October 20, and recorded by the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia on October 22, 1902. (The original charter is on display at Sigma Phi Epsilon Headquarters.) Under that state charter, Virginia Alpha established chapters at five other colleges that session.
Sigma Phi Epsilon's Growth
Sigma Phi Epsilon ended its fifth year of operation with 14 chapters in nine states. Nineteen chapters had been chartered, despite the little money the group had to work with. But the will of the members to develop and expand their Fraternity
prevailed, and chapters spread west to Colorado, north to Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and New York, and south to North and South Carolina. The next five years brought 17 new chapters and representation in a total of 18
states. In addition to those mentioned, Sigma Phi Epsilon chartered in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Vermont, and the District of Columbia. This momentum continued with the appointment of the first Grand Secretary of Sigma Phi Epsilon.
The First Grand Secretary
"Uncle Billy"
The fifth Grand Chapter Conclave, held in 1908, is particularly significant because it was at this Conclave that the laws were changed to provide for a central office and the employment of a full-time chief executive officer to bear the title of Grand Secretary. Founder William L. Phillips ("Uncle Billy") was employed as Grand Secretary and, according to the minutes, was to receive a salary of $900 in the first year. An article by Frank W. Shepardson, first published in the 1927 edition of Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities, refers to the "latest development in fraternity administration…the establishment of a
central office (headquarters) with a full-time secretary in charge." It is apparent from this that the Grand
Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon, in taking this step, was showing remarkable forethought as a pioneer in
fraternity administration. SigEp was one of the first two fraternities to own a headquarters building.
In slightly less than 10 years, Sigma Phi Epsilon had grown from a single chapter to a fraternity with
chapters in 21 states and the District of Columbia.
War, Depression, and Recovery
World War I took its toll on college attendance and impacted fraternities, both in membership and expansion.
The Journal editor reported: "Already men are leaving in large numbers, while a great many institutions…
devote their athletic fields to drilling…"
Congress passed a draft bill with age limits from 21 to 30 years. The editor advised all chapters that, "While fulfilling every duty to our country, let us also strive to maintain every chapter." The cover of the October, 1917, Journal featured two SigEps in army uniforms.
Grand President Knauss wrote of his pride in the brothers' response to the call of duty. However, he warned: "The ranks of active fraternity men have been depleted all over the country… these are trying times, and for some chapters, they will be crucial ones."
He also recommended that each chapter buy a Liberty Bond to help fund the war effort.
As an institution, Sigma Phi Epsilon survived World War I well. While three chapters were in danger of closing, only one—Rhode Island Alpha at Brown University— actually failed to survive the war.Expansion during this period was slowed as the Great Depression descended upon the nation; only 15 new chapters had been installed by 1930. In 1938, a major development took place—a merger between Sigma Phi Epsilon and the Theta Uspilon Omega national fraternity. Four chapters of ΤΥΩ merged with four of SigEps existing chapters, and seven others became Sigma Phi Epsilon chapters.
With the merger, scores of dedicated ΤΥΩ alumni became members in the Fraternity, and many became important leaders in Sigma Phi Epsilon. In 1940, there were 69 active chapters. The 1940s saw the Fraternity's expansion increase, with 27 new charters granted by 1949.
Balanced Man Initiative
In 1991 Sigma Phi Epsilon developed the 'Balanced Man' program, which abolished pledgeship, instituted year-round recruitment, and lifestyles based on the three cardinal principles for its membership. The program has been adopted by over 75% of Sigma Phi Epsilon chapters. SigEp headquarters credits the Balanced Man Program as the driving force behind the continued growth and success of the fraternity. Some of these accomplishments include SigEp's 90% undergraduate retention rate, a major improvement in the national average SigEp GPA (3.0), and SigEp's status as the nation's largest fraternity by undergraduate membership.
The Balanced Man consists of four challenges labeled Sigma, Phi, Epsilon, and Brother Mentor. A new SigEp brother is welcomed with the Sigma Challenge and must complete a program based on self-discovery, brotherly activities and community service. After completing the Sigma Challenge he enters the Phi Challenge where more advanced tasks await him that include becoming a member of other on-campus organizations and taking a leadership role in the chapter. The final challenge in the Balanced Man Program is the Epsilon; at this level the brother has a full understanding of the Fraternity, the brother is also expected to hold an executive or chairman position in both the Chapter, and at least one outside organization. In a traditional-model chapter, after completing the pledging process, a Brother would go through the Epsilon Ritual. The Brother Mentor level is an additional level introduced with the Balanced Man program. Brother Mentor signifies a brother's commitment to his chapter by completing all three levels of the Balanced Man and by going beyond and completing the challenges set forth by the Brother Mentor program. These include a very large community service requirement and tasks that better the chapter as a whole. All challenges in the Balanced Man program are self-paced. They can also be tailored to suit the chapter's and the individual brother's needs.
Controversy of Balanced Man
Many of the remaining traditional chapters have openly protested the Balanced Man program. Traditional chapters claim that the Balanced man members do not form the bonds that a Traditional chapter has. Traditional chapters also contend that Balanced Man chapter members tend to know less about the history of the fraternity or its unwritten traditions and lore. Finally, many Traditional chapters claim that the Balanced Man cheapens the process by not creating any obstacles to become a Sig Ep, despite the many required tasks Balanced Man members must complete before reaching the final stages. While there is a split in philosophy the two types consider each other brothers and generally respect each other's differences.
Additional modern programs
Sigma Phi Epsilon also promotes the Residential Learning Community (RLC) Program. Under this program, each fraternity adopts a resident scholar and a faculty fellow. The resident scholar is a graduate student (not necessarily a member of SigEp) who lives in the facility and advises the undergraduate chapter on operations, academics, and community involvement/philanthropy activities. The faculty fellow is a member of the college or university faculty who advises the undergraduate chapter, holds office hours in the house, and gives occasional lectures.
The Sigma Phi Epsilon Leadership Continuum is an award-winning series of distinct and progressive leadership opportunities aimed at teaching to and reinforcing SigEp values of a Brother from the day he joins to the day he graduates. Through self-discovery, analysis, and interaction, Brothers develop skills necessary to lead balanced lives and to continue leading the fraternity world. Consisting of EDGE, Carlson Leadership Academies, Ruck Leadership Institute, Grand Chapter Conclaves, and the Tragos Quest to Greece, the Leadership Continuum is a tailorable, structured continuous development plan for the college man.
Philanthropy
Sigma Phi Epsilon is currently partnered with YouthAids [2] as their officially sanctioned philanthropy. All SigEp chapters are encouraged to raise funds to donate to YouthAids through events and awareness programs. Also, following Hurricane Katrina, SigEp national headquarters encouraged individual chapters nationwide to donate to a relief fund. For every dollar donated by a chapter, Nationals, partnered with several businesses, donated three dollars to relief efforts.
SigEp firsts
Sigma Phi Epsilon can claim many innovations and achievements in the world of national fraternities. SigEp was first [5]
★ To charter a chapter in all 50 states.
★ To provide financial assistance to brothers for graduate school through the Resident Scholar program.
★ To establish a housing trust for all chapters and create a National Housing Corporation.
★ To officially adopt a policy that removed sexual orientation as a means of discriminating against membership.
★ To receive a grant from the federal Department of Education to enhance member development programs.
★ To establish a traveling staff to assist chapters in effective operations.
★ Fraternity whose Educational Foundation built an endowment greater than $11 million.
★ To partner with the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy[3].
★ IFC National Fraternity to issue a bid of membership to an African-American (future U.S. Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown (U.S. politician)).
★ In the spring of 2005 Sigma Phi Epsilon also became the first national fraternity to have a national grade point average surpassing 3.0. Nationally, the fraternity has stated that it hopes to raise this to 3.15 by 2011.[5]
Notable SigEps
Academia
★ Kenneth Arrow - Nobel Laureate in Economics and Professor, Stanford University
★ Kendall Baker - President - Ohio Northern University, Ada, Ohio
★ Ward Connerly - Civil Rights Activist and former University of California Regent
★ John Kotter - Author and Professor, Harvard Business School
★ Andrew C. Porter - Former President, American Educational Research Association, Professor, Vanderbilt University
★ Harry R. Wellman - President, University of California
Arts, entertainment, and media
★ Joe Don Baker - Actor
★ Robert L. Bartley - Editor, The Wall Street Journal
★ Bob Broeg - Hall of Fame baseball journalist/writer for the St. Louis Cardinals
★ John Bell - American guitarist and lead singer of Widespread Panic
★ David Coleman - "The Dating Doctor", Inspiration for the movie and title character "Hitch"
★ Jose "Pepi" Diaz - Contestant on The Apprentice 5
★ Theodore S. "Dr. Seuss" Geisel - Author
★ Tod Goldberg - Author
★ John Goodman - Actor
★ Steve Hofstetter - Comedian/Radio Personality
★ Hank Moonjean - Motion picture producer/director
★ Carroll O'Connor - Actor
★ Walter Plunkett - Academy Award winning costume designer
★ Andy Richter - Actor
★ Travis Rush - Country Music Artist
★ Joseph R. Salley - Co-Founder College Life Publications
★ Gary Shepard - ABC television network reporter
★ Tim Mahoney - Guitarist of band 311
★ Frank Kramer - American Talk Radio Personality Frosty, Heidi, & Frank
Business
★ Thomas G. Allardyce - Internationally Recognized Interior Architect
★ Tom Barrett - Chairman & CEO, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
★ Curt Carlson - Founder Carlson Companies, TGI Fridays, Radisson Hotels
★ James L. Clayton - Founder & Retired CEO, Clayton Homes
★ Richard K. Davidson - Chief Executive Officer, President, and Chairman of the Union Pacific Corporation (parent corporation of Union Pacific Railroad) (1997– January 2006)
★ Kenneth T. Derr - Chairman, Chevron Oil
★ Richard DeVos - President & Co-Founder, Amway Corporation
★ Michael Harned - Member American Stock Exchange, Floor Broker for Amerivest Partners
★ Fred H. Gates II - Philanthropist, Explorer
★ Jeff Gerhardt - Teacher, Inventor, Broadcaster and Entrepreneur.
★ Armando Gutierrez Jr - President & Founder, Gutierrez Group, LLC.
★ Jason Kuennen - Financial Advisor, Hantz Group, Inc.
★ Terry J. Lundgren - President & CEO, Federated Department Stores
★ Kent C. "Oz" Nelson - Retired Chairman & CEO, United Parcel Service
★ Harold A. Poling - Retired Chairman & CEO, Ford Motor Company Motor Company
★ William Schreyer - Retired Chairman & CEO, Merrill Lynch & Co.
★ Jim Shaffer - Author, the Leadership Solution; Founder, the Jim Shaffer Group
★ Robert Stempel - Retired Chairman and CEO, General Motors Corporation
★ Dave Thomas - Founder, Wendy's
★ William G. Tragos - Founder, TBWA
★ Fred L. Turner - Chairman, McDonald's Corporation
★ Edward H. Vick, Jr. - President, Young & Rubicam Advertising
★ Tom Zdanowski - Founder and President, Wightman Communications, Inc.
Government and politics
★ Steve Bartlett - Former U.S. Congressman, Dallas, Texas
★ Ronald H. Brown - Former U.S. Secretary of Commerce (first African-American member of SigEp)
★ Ward Connerly - Civil Rights Activist, Regent of the University of California
★ John E. Douglas - Former Chief, FBI Investigative Support Unit
★ Brian Dubie - Lt. Governor, State of Vermont
★ John Engler - Governor, State of Michigan
★ John Arthur Love - Governor, State of Colorado
★ Scott McClellan - White House Press Secretary, 2003–2006
★ Roy R. Romer - Governor, State of Colorado
★ Cecil H. Underwood - Governor, State of West Virginia
★ William Waller Jr. - Justice, Supreme Court of Mississippi
★ Alexander Wiley - Republican Senator, Wisconsin 1939-1963
★ Jessie H. Ruiz - Chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education
Military
★ James T. Conway - General, United States Marine Corps, Commandant of the Marine Corps
★ James D. Latham - General, United States Air Force
★ Anthony "Nuts" McAuliffe - General, United States Army
★ Kiffin Rockwell - First documented American to score a victory in aerial combat.
★ Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr. - Former Chief of Naval Operations & Member of Joint Chiefs of Staff
★ Iven Carl Kincheloe, Jr. - Captain, United States Air Force, Korean War Ace and the first to fly above 100,000 feet and Mach 3. Nicknamed "America's No. 1 Spaceman"
★ Chad Taylor-Commander of the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan
Science and medicine
★ Steve Altes - Aerospace engineer/actor
★ Karol Bobko - Space Shuttle Commander, NASA
★ Douglas C. Engelbart - Inventor of the computer mouse & the Windows-Based Interface
★ Jay Harness - Director of Surgical Oncology, University of California-Davis Hospital
Sports
★ Doug Atkins - Pro Football Hall of Fame Defensive end, Chicago Bears/New Orleans Saints/Cleveland Browns
★ Bill Brown - Pro Bowl running back, Minnesota Vikings
★ Hubert A. Caldwell - Olympic crew, 1928 gold medalist
★ Sean Casey - First Baseman, Detroit Tigers
★ Bill Doba - Head football coach, Washington State University
★ John Fina - Tackle, Buffalo Bills
★ Richard J. Gannon - Quarterback, Oakland Raiders, NFL MVP 2002
★ Orel Hershiser - Pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers, Cy Young Award Winner, 1988
★ Thomas O. Hicks - Owner, Dallas Stars & Texas Rangers
★ Gene Keady - Former Head Coach, Purdue University Men's Basketball
★ Bob Lilly - Pro Football Hall of Fame Tackle, Dallas Cowboys
★ Dallas Long - Olympic shot putter, 1960 silver medalist & 1964 gold medalist
★ Keith Moreland - Outfielder Chicago Cubs
★ Dr. James Naismith - Inventor of Basketball
★ Davey O'Brien - Heisman Trophy winning quarterback, 1938
★ Alma Richards - Olympic high jumper, 1912 gold medalist
★ Roy Riegels - Member of the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame, famed for 1929 Rose Bowl where he was dubbed "Wrong Way"
★ Johnny Robinson - Strong safety, Kansas City Chiefs, All-Time All-AFL Team
★ Alvin F. Rylander - Olympic crew, 1928 gold medalist
★ J.C. Snead - Professional golfer
★ Saul Goode-Catcher Washington Nationals
References
1. Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity
★ About SigEp
2. The History of Sigma Phi Epsilon - The first 50 Years > Sigma Phi Epsilon Founded
3. The History of Sigma Phi Epsilon - The first 50 years >The First Meeting
4. The History of Sigma Phi Epsilon - The First 50 Years > Fraternity Recognized
5. Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity
★ About SigEp
6. Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity
★ About SigEp
External links
★ 'Sigma Phi Epsilon'
★ SigEp Journal Summer 2005
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