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=== The Origin ===
=== 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<ref name="spefound"/>. 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.<ref name="spefound"/> Jenkens and his friends therefore founded their own fraternity.
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<ref name="spefound"/>. 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.<ref name="spefound"/> Jenkens and his friends therefore founded their own fraternity. They originally were all gay members; however this changed during the Civil Rights Act of the 1960s.


=== Original Name and Meeting with the Faculty ===
=== Original Name and Meeting with the Faculty ===

Revision as of 21:41, 1 March 2011

Sigma Phi Epsilon
ΣΦΕ
The official coat of arms of Sigma Phi Epsilon.
The official coat of arms of Sigma Phi Epsilon.
FoundedNovember 1, 1901; 122 years ago (1901-11-01)
Richmond College, Virginia
TypeSocial
ScopeNational
Mission statementBuilding Balanced Men
ColorsPurple, Red, Gold Accent
SymbolGolden Heart
FlowerViolet and Dark Red Rose
PhilanthropyYouthAIDS
Chapters257[1]
Members14,353[1] collegiate
283,000+ lifetime
Founding PrinciplesVirtue Diligence Brotherly Love
HeadquartersZollinger House, 310 S. Boulevard, P.O. Box 1901
Richmond, Virginia
USA
Websitehttp://www.sigep.org/
Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity House at Ohio University.

Sigma Phi Epsilon (ΣΦΕ), commonly nicknamed SigEp, or "SPE", is a secret, social college 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. Sigma Phi Epsilon is the largest social fraternity in the United States in terms of current undergraduate membership,[2] the fourth largest in terms of total members initiated,[citation needed] and has the highest first year retention rate of over 90%.[3].

Founding History

Founder Carter Ashton Jenkens

Carter Ashton Jenkens, the son of a Baptist minister, was an 18-year-old divinity student when, in the fall of 1900, he transferred from Rutgers College of New Jersey to Richmond College, a Baptist institution in the Virginia capital.[4]. In the year that Jenkens had spent at 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.[4]. 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.[5]

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[4]. 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.[4] Jenkens and his friends therefore founded their own fraternity. They originally were all gay members; however this changed during the Civil Rights Act of the 1960s.

Original Name and Meeting with the Faculty

After several secret meetings throughout October 1901, the new fraternity took shape and on November 1, 1901, the fraternity's first membership roster was publicly 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, Franklin Webb Kerfoot and Thomas Vaden McCaul. After much discussion, the group settled on a secret motto and called their fraternity Sigma Phi.[5] 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 using the name Sigma Phi.[6]

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[6], 2) new members would quickly be taken in from the undergraduate classes to increase the new fraternity's size and strength 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.[6].

File:Sigepbadge.jpg

Badge and Colors Chosen by Founders

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" (Matthew 22:37–39) as "the greatest truth the world has ever known." The colors red and purple 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. The badge of Sigma Phi Epsilon 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 meaning of these symbols is divulged during the initiation ritual and known to members only. The founders' badges, bordered by alternating garnets and rubies, were designed and ordered before the addition of "Epsilon" to the fraternity's name. Thus, they had only a "Sigma" and a "Phi" inscribed on the lobes of the heart, with the now-familiar skull and crossbones below. A last minute telegraph sent to the jeweler in Goldsboro, North Carolina requested that an "Epsilon" be added "somewhere" on the already-complete badges. The resourceful jeweler removed the bottom-most gemstones from the founders' badges and put, in their place, a black enameled "Epsilon." The badges of founders William Hugh Carter and Thomas Vaden McCaul, illustrating this unique piece of the fraternity's founding, are on display at the Sigma Phi Epsilon headquarters at Zollinger House.

Balanced Man Program

File:Sigma Phi Epsilon logo.png

In 1991 Sigma Phi Epsilon implemented a continuous development 'Balanced Man' program that abolished pledging altogether, instituted year-round recruitment, encourages lifestyles based on the three Cardinal Principles, and includes a number of outcomes geared towards creating diverse experiences that promote the ideals of "a Sound Mind in a Sound Body." First adopted at the New Hampshire Alpha chapter at Dartmouth College, the program has been adopted by approximately 81% 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 (3.04, Fall 2007), and SigEp's status as the nation's largest fraternity by undergraduate membership. Lambda Chi Alpha's "True Brother Initiative," was the first to create a program to replace pledge-ship,doing so in 1972. Other fraternities have since chosen to adopt similar programs, such as Beta Theta Pi's "Men of Principle," Sigma Alpha Epsilon's "True Gentleman," and Pi Kappa Alpha's "True Pike."

The Balanced Man Program consists of four challenges labeled Sigma, Phi, Epsilon, and Brother Mentor. Each challenge consists of outcomes defined by expectations that progressively develop a member as a balanced man with a Sound Mind in a Sound Body and a balanced servant leader. These outcomes show the member how to apply SigEp's Cardinal Principles of Virtue, Diligence, and Brotherly Love into his daily life.

A new SigEp brother is welcomed and integrated into the chapter with the introductory phase of the program, the Sigma Challenge. He must complete a program based on self-discovery, chapter activities, and service-learning. After completing the Sigma Challenge, he enters the Phi Challenge, which is centered on understanding the benefits of fraternalism, building balance, and cultivating the values and knowledge that a man needs to excel at college, SigEp, and life. Here, more advanced tasks await him that include becoming a member of other on-campus organizations and taking a leadership role in the chapter. The third challenge in the Balanced Man Program is the Epsilon Challenge, centered on brothers as leaders by exploring the issues a servant leader faces. Only upon reaching this challenge does the brother gain full knowledge of the Fraternity's ritual, and so become a life member. The brother is also expected to hold an executive or chairman position in both the chapter and at least one outside organization. The Brother Mentor challenge challenges the brother to develop and utilize the skills of a servant leader, especially as a mentor. These include a service-learning undertaking and outcomes that involve the brother in improving the chapter as a whole, in particular as a mentor for the less experienced chapter members.

All challenges in the Balanced Man program are self-paced. Although the outcomes of each challenge are set, the expectations that achieve those outcomes can be tailored to suit the chapter's and the individual Brother's needs. Each of the challenges engages the member with the rest of the chapter, building a stronger brotherhood through doing important, meaningful things together.

Chapters are accepted into the Balanced Man Program only after an overwhelming majority of the chapter votes to convert from pledging model to Balance Man Project Chapter. New Sigma Phi Epsilon chapters are started as Balanced Man Program Chapters. Once a chapter becomes a Balanced Man Program chapter they are not permitted to return to the pledging model of member development.

Every new and re-chartered chapter must adhere to the Balanced Man Program. Currently over 75% of SigEp chapters use the program. The Fraternity has a goal nationally that 90% of the undergraduate chapters will use the Balanced Man Program for member development by 2011.

Controversy of Balanced Man

Some of the remaining pledging model chapters openly protest the Balanced Man Program. Some pledging model chapters claim that the Balanced Man Program members do not form the bonds that a pledging model chapter has[citation needed]. Some pledging model chapters also contend that Balanced Man Program chapter members tend to know less about the history of the fraternity or its unwritten traditions and lore[citation needed]. Some of the remaining pledging model chapters also claim that the Balanced Man Program has lessened the status of SigEp among Greek communities at many colleges and universities[citation needed]. They assert that the Balanced Man Program is focused more on increasing enrollment nationally than building a strong brotherhood that is concurrent with SigEp's founding principle of Brotherly Love. Finally, some pledging model chapters claim that the Balanced Man Program cheapens the process by not creating any obstacles to becoming a SigEp.

All chapters are expected to offer a continuous member development program regardless of whether they use the Balanced Man Program or pledge model development.

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.

EDGE New Member Camp

The fraternity offers its own innovative program for first-year members, EDGE. EDGE is about making healthy choices that match your personal values and those of Sigma Phi Epsilon. Participants build greater self-awareness about the consequences of their actions and those around them through interactive discussions and reflective activities. Participants have fun through challenging experiences as ropes courses, physical challenges, and activities based upon camaraderie. Participants choose the lifestyle they wish to lead and receive training on overcoming obstacles with regard to alcohol and drug abuse, personal wellness, and goal achievement. The program involves a highly regarded faculty of senior undergraduates, distinguished alumni, and renowned guest speakers.

Philanthropy

Sigma Phi Epsilon is currently partnered with YouthAids [1] 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 to relief efforts. Together, the fraternity raised $16 million for the cause.

SigEp firsts

Sigma Phi Epsilon can claim many innovations and achievements in the world of national fraternities. SigEp was first [7]

  • 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 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 [2].

Notable members

Academia

Arts, entertainment, and media

Business

Government and politics

Military

Religion and theology

  • Rabbi Arnold Resnicoff - Navy chaplain, National Director of Interreligious Affairs (American Jewish Committee), and Special Assistant (for Values and Vision) to the Chief of Staff and Secretary of the United States Air Force

Science and medicine

Sports

Chapters

References

  1. ^ a b Year-End Report
  2. ^ "About SigEp". Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. Retrieved 2006-11-13.
  3. ^ "Fraternity Facts - The National Fraternity". Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. Retrieved 2010-03-23.
  4. ^ a b c d "The History of Sigma Phi Epsilon - The first 50 Years > Sigma Phi Epsilon Founded". Retrieved 2006-11-13.
  5. ^ a b "The History of Sigma Phi Epsilon - The first 50 years >The First Meeting". Retrieved 2006-11-13.
  6. ^ a b c "The History of Sigma Phi Epsilon - The First 50 Years > Fraternity Recognized". Retrieved 2006-11-13.
  7. ^ "Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity*About SigEp". Retrieved 2007-04-16.
  8. ^ "Sigma Phi Epsilon*Prominent Alumni-Education". Retrieved 2008-02-27.
  9. ^ a b c d e "Sigma Phi Epsilon*Prominent Alumni-Entertainment and Literature". Retrieved 2008-02-27.
  10. ^ Photoplay, 'I Saved My Brother's Life,' by Helen Martin, p. 94, February 1967.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Sigma Phi Epsilon*Prominent Alumni-Business". Retrieved 2008-02-27. Cite error: The named reference "SPE-BUS" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  12. ^ a b c d e f "Sigma Phi Epsilon*Prominent Alumni-Government". Retrieved 2008-02-27.
  13. ^ "Alumni". sigep.utm.edu.
  14. ^ a b "Sigma Phi Epsilon*Prominent Alumni-Military". Retrieved 2008-02-27.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h "Sigma Phi Epsilon*Prominent Alumni-Sports". Retrieved 2008-02-27.
  16. ^ Carpenter, Gay-Lynn (2008). "The Journal of Sigma Phi Epsilon - Summer". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
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