SigEp: From A-Z
26 things to know about our fraternity
A: Academic Success
Intellectual development opportunities encourage our brothers to remember why they are ultimately in college — to earn a diploma. Last year, more than 15,421 brothers earned an average 3.15 GPA.
B: Balanced Man Program (BMP)
SigEp’s Balanced Man Program is helping students achieve more in college, discover their passions and plan their futures.
The BMP makes SigEp stand out among the Greek community and other student organizations.
C: Carlson Leadership Academy
The Carlson Leadership Academy provides interactive officer training to over 2,600 undergraduates and volunteers annually.
Brothers are empowered to lead their chapters and transform their campus communities at Carlson.
D: Dr. Seuss
Theodor S. Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss) attended Dartmouth College where he was a member of our New Hampshire Alpha chapter.
E: Equal Rights and Responsibilities
An element of the BMP is to uphold the tradition of SigEp’s Founders, to give a member full rights the day he joins, so he becomes a full contributor with equal responsibility.
F: Founders
Sigma Phi Epsilon was founded in 1901 on the campus of Richmond College (now called the University of Richmond) in Richmond, Va. The story of its founding by 12 determined men set the stage for the growth and success of one of the country’s premier fraternal organizations. The history of the Fraternity reflects the times, through great wars and profound cultural shifts. Throughout the decades, the men of Sigma Phi Epsilon have practiced their values and embraced the stated desire of the Founders, “This Fraternity will be different.”
G: Grand Chapter Conclave
The countdown is on for the largest gathering of any fraternity! Conclave is hosted every two years and will be in Orlando in August 2017. Follow #SigEpConclave to see what people are saying!
H: Health & Wellness
Through our health & wellness development, we encourage brothers to seek a healthy lifestyle through a balanced diet and regular exercise.
I: Inclusivity
In 1959, SigEp opened membership to brothers of all races, religions and creeds. In 1999, undergraduates clarified that commitment extended to sexual orientation with a Conclave vote. As a result, the Fraternity added sexual orientation to SigEp’s non-discrimination clause in the Grand Chapter Bylaws and recommitted itself to building a more inclusive and diverse fraternity.
J: John Goodman
The man, the myth, the legend. You may know him from The Big Lebowski, O Brother Where Art Thou, Argo, or recognize his voice as Sully in Monster’s Inc. He was also a SigEp at our Missouri Eta chapter at Missouri State University.
At the 2011 Conclave, brother Goodman was awarded the SigEp Citation.
K: Keeping our brothers accountable.
Brothers who hold each other accountable for reaching goals, upholding standards, and behaving in alignment with their values will achieve more and give more to others.
L: #LiveYourOath
In 2015, ADPi’s Grand Council and SigEp’s National Board of Directors formed a partnership to continue a conversation about a topic we believe is vital to ensuring the health and safety of our membership — sexual assault prevention.
M: Mentoring
Mentoring is one way both undergraduates and volunteers enable the development of their brothers and themselves, deepening the chapter experience.
N: Naismith — Inventor of Basketball
James Naismith, the inventor of the game of basketball and fellow SigEp brother.
Naismith was also the founder and first coach of the University of Kansas basketball program.
In 1935, the National Association of Basketball Coaches collected money so that the 74-year-old Naismith could witness the introduction of basketball into the official Olympic sports program of the 1936 Summer Olympic Games.
Learn more from this New York Times article.
O: Order of the Golden Heart
The Order of the Golden Heart is the Fraternity’s highest honor, awarded to alumni who, with great personal sacrifice, have given exceptional service to Sigma Phi Epsilon.
Chapters and individuals can nominate members for the Order of the Golden Heart. Nominations are reviewed by a special selection committee.
The Order of the Golden Heart is awarded at Conclave and is a medallion and a scroll.
P: Phillip A. Cox Volunteer Institute
Named for late Grand President Phil Cox, Indiana, ’84, the Phillip A. Cox Volunteer Institute brings day long volunteering to sites across the country at no registration cost to the attendees.
Throughout his term as Grand President, Brother Cox reminded us that behind every great chapter is a group of dedicated volunteers. Our Fraternity needs volunteers who are committed, passionate, well trained and prepared to support our undergraduate chapters.
Thanks to the generosity of donors to the Educational Foundation, this Institute will ensure Phil’s work continues in perpetuity provided in different cities across the country each year.
Q: Quest to Greece
The Tragos Quest to Greece is a powerful overseas experience that is unmatched in the fraternity world. Participants are stretched mentally and physically during a 10-day journey through Greece in mid-June. Each scholar prepares for the trip with multiple books, and various classic writings and plays. Once there, they get to see the very mountains and seas that serve as settings for these stories.
R: Ruck Leadership Institute
The Frank J. Ruck Leadership Institute is an intense five-day event for SigEp’s top rising leaders. The Fraternity’s best and brightest gather in Va. over the summer for a program focused on personal leadership skills and the Balanced Man Ideal. Prominent SigEp alumni serve as mentors and guide Ruck scholars through competitive challenges and lessons in leadership.
S: Service-learning
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is our single national philanthropic and service-learning partner.
Big Brothers Big Sisters’ core principles of mentorship, trust, and impact of positive role models align positively with our own Cardinal Principles of Virtue, Diligence, and Brotherly Love, and working with the organization gives SigEps a chance to serve others as part of their journey to becoming balanced men.
T: “This Fraternity will be different.”
When our Founders petitioned to university administrators to start a new fraternity, they were asked tough questions. Administrators asked why another fraternity was needed when others already existed on Richmond College’s small campus.
Carter Ashton Jenkins responded:
“This fraternity will be different.”
U: University Partner
Sigma Phi Epsilon is committed to “Building Balanced Men” as they navigate the most transformative time in their lives, their college years. Establishing, sustaining and expanding SigEp’s vital partnership with its host institutions is the key to creating an educational experience that enables our brothers to be their best. SigEp strives to:
- Complement the classroom and campus experience
- Engage academic faculty and professional staff in the experience
- Prepare young men for life after college
SigEp is proud to be A Valued Partner in Higher Education®.
V: Volunteers
Sigma Phi Epsilon is successful largely because of the tireless work of thousands of volunteers who donate their time and talents to support the Fraternity experience at local, regional and national levels.
Many of SigEp’s volunteers are alumni, who stay involved to give back. Others are members of the University’s faculty and staff as well as parents and community leaders, who give back because they believe in SigEp’s ideals and want to make an impact on the undergraduate experience for college men.
Past Grand President and Order of the Golden Heart Phil Cox, Indiana, ’84, often said:
Behind every great chapter is a group of dedicated volunteers.
W: William Lazell Phillips
Uncle Billy devoted virtually all the mature years of his life to Sigma Phi Epsilon.
He was our Fraternity’s first full-time chief executive officer, formerly called Grand Secretary, Uncle Billy paved the way for our fraternity in the first decades of its founding.
X: Xenial
The term used in ancient Greece of continuing hospitality between a host and a guest especially between those of different cities. Our brotherhood connects thousands of brothers across the world. You never know where you’ll run into a SigEp!
Y: Your Best College Experience
The SigEp experience is like none other and will help you take advantage of your college years to prepare you for life after college.
“SigEp taught me that I did not have to choose between academic success and the close personal relationships that make life meaningful.” — Andrew Berglund, Christopher Newport ‘10
Z: Zollinger House
Zollinger House has served as Sigma Phi Epsilon’s Headquarters office since 1990. The building is named after J. Edward Zollinger, William & Mary ’27, who served as Grand President from 1967–1971.
In addition to its functional use as an office building, Zollinger House is also home to many artifacts and photos from SigEp’s history, which are on permanent display throughout the building. SigEp brothers from across the country have made trips to see original founders’ badges, Uncle Billy’s writing desk, the complete archives of the Journal and more.
Built in 1914, Zollinger House was formerly the estate home for the Baskervill family. Henry E. Baskervill was a prominent architect in Richmond. The Fraternity acquired the property in 1988 and Citation recipient Thomas Allardyce, Lamar ’70, designed the interior space.
