Sigma Phi Epsilon - Tennessee Alpha 100th Anniversary

Tennessee Alpha Alumni just published this commemorative video about the first 100 years. Yes, this is a shameless plug for my home chapter. But I'll bet that all chapters with a long history have similar memories and traditions.

KU SigEp 90th Anniversary Weekend Recap

Congratulations to KU SigEps on their 90th anniversary:


KU SigEp 90th Anniversary Weekend Recap from Justin Bond on Vimeo.

Merry Christmas to All

Merry Christmas from

"Sanguine et Purpure - the Unofficial SigEp Blog"

Have a wonderful holiday season.

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100 Years of SigEp at Baker (KS Alpha)

SigEps at Baker look back on 100 years of fraternity life.

It was on April 2, 1910, when Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity began on Baker’s campus, making it the first Sigma Phi Epsilon in Kansas and the 34th chapter out of the now 241 nationwide.

Going into its 100th year, Baker’s Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter has 44 members, 22 of which are new members like Baum.

“It’s cool to be starting out at the 100th year,” Baum said. “It’s definitely a great start.”

Ryan McCluney, junior and president of the fraternity, started out wanting to be involved in leadership opportunities, he just didn’t know he would go greek.

“It’s been a good experience for me, because I didn’t even think I would join a house,” McCluney said.

He found it really easy to get instantly involved with leadership positions within Sigma Phi Epsilon. He also said the men know how to balance work and play in the fraternity.

SigEp celebrates 100th anniversary

DC Alpha Celebrates 100 Years and Gets a Belated Buchanan Cup

DC Alpha Celebrates 100th Anniversary

by Gene Schurg

Friday evening October 9^th, 300 undergraduate members, alumni and guests enjoyed an evening of fellowship to celebrate the founding of the DC Alpha Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon at the George Washington University; 100 years to the day of the founding of the chapter. The weekend activities included a reception and dinner at the Washington Renaissance Hotel and an Epsilon Rite of Passage the next morning and BBQ lunch for visiting alumni.

The dinner program included the introduction of Bill and Marion Ross who graduated from GWU 60 years ago. Marion was the DC Alpha Sweetheart 60 years ago. Brother Ross joined the chapter for the Epsilon Rites on Saturday to renew his experience of the Ritual after 60 years.

Other special guests of the chapter at dinner were Keynote speaker, Grand President Garry C. Kief, Nonnie “Mom Nonnie” Cameron-Owens, Educational Foundation Trustee Troy Queen, members from the Richmond Headquarters Staff and Educational Foundation and representatives from the area SigEp Chapters.

The highlight of the evening's activities was during the keynote when Grand President Kief presented the chapter with a proclamation from the National Board of Directors commending the chapter on their 100 years of brotherhood at GWU and the awarding of a Buchanan Cup that was to be awarded in Orlando but because of an error was dropped from the program.

DC Alpha Chapter was originally founded when William L. Phillips - “Uncle Billy” - moved from Richmond in 1909 and with founder Benjamin Gaw worked with local GWU fraternity Kappa Sigma Pi to become Sigma Phi Epsilon's 33^rd chapter. In 1938, when Sigma Phi Epsilon merged with Theta Upsilon Omega the GWU chapter was absorbed into the DC Alpha SigEp chapter.

Today, DC Alpha has a membership of 115 men and consistently earns a 3.20+ GPA. The chapter has contributed over $50,000 to SigEp's national partner, YouthAIDS, through the DC Alpha Sweetheart weekend. The chapter has been recognized on the GW campus the past two years as the Fraternity of the Year.

Northwestern Celebrates 150 Years of Greeks

Fraternities and Sororities Celebrate 150 Years at Northwestern University

Fraternity and Sorority Life at Northwestern University celebrates 150 years on campus in 2009. To celebrate this momentous occasion, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, in conjunction with the Interfraternity Council, Multicultural Greek Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, and the Panhellenic Association are hosting a celebratory event during the Northwestern University’s Homecoming Week. Students, staff, and alumni are invited to join the community on October 24, 2009 at 3:00pm in the Panhellenic Sorority Quad for the event, which includes a short presentation and light refreshments.

Throughout its 150 years on campus, fraternities and sororities have been a vital part of the campus community. In the 2008-2009 academic year, nearly 40% of undergraduate students affiliated with 39 chapters on campus. In addition, students completed 28,132 hours of community service, donated more than $350,000 to philanthropic causes, and had a higher cumulative GPA than students who are not affiliated with a Greek organization.

“Greek Life is the premiere collegiate experience. Students who join our organizations are deeply committed to the values of scholarship, service, leadership, and community. While there are many opportunities to be involved on campus, a fraternity or sorority provides students with a holistic leadership experience that continues into lifetime membership,” said Dominic Greene, Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life. “I look forward to continued success and to celebrate many more milestones.”

SigEps gathering in Orlando

Over the next five days SigEps from around the country will be coming to Orlando FL for the 2009 Sigma Phi Epsilon Grand Conclave, The Conclave delegates attending the bi-annual conference and legislative session will determine the leadership and direction of the fraternity over the next two years. There will be lots of fun, finding old friends and making new ones, and a five day celebration of our great fraternity.

S&P will have more ongoing coverage this year with people who will be posting regularly, including daily updates on the legislative agenda. We also encourage you to follow us on twitter: @SigEpBlog and @SPEConclave09 (Use search terms #sigep and #conclave to help others find your own tweets).

We are holding this post for your comments and thoughts on the Conclave, whether it is your first experience, your "mumbledy-leventh" as a long time alumnus, or if you are stuck back home and could not make it. Let us hear from you.

--- This just in: ND Alpha also has a "Conclave blog" be sure to check them out too. ---

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

Members of the Louisiana Gamma chapter celebrated Dr. Seuss Day by reading some of his works to students at Loyola's Whelan Children's Center.



(DR. Seuss - Theodore Giesel - was a SigEp at Dartmouth)

Founder's Day 2008

Brothers,

Greetings on this 107th anniversary of the founding of our fraternity, an opportune time to remember the influence of Sigma Phi Epsilon on our lives.

So many events mark the passage of our time in this world: the attainment of goals like a promotion or graduation, the birth of a child, the finding a lifelong partner, or the passing of a loved one. These events, though they happen to us all at one time or another, are unique in the feelings they produce individually. Consistently, though, we can rely on our brothers to celebrate with us, encourage us, or sustain us through out the journey of life. The companionship we gained through Sigma Phi Epsilon is at the very heart of our life experience. Over the years, many of you have honored me by sharing some of the significant events in your lives and in the last few years I have enjoyed visiting with many of you either here in Toledo or on my travels throughout the country.

The friendships made through the everlasting bonds of our brotherhood are without a doubt its greatest benefit. Nowhere else have we the chance to meet people with such a diversity of skills, philosophies, and life experiences all the while sharing those important basic principles of virtue, diligence, and brotherly love. Of course, sometimes this diversity can lead to misunderstandings and disillusionment. Sometimes our brothers may disappoint us. Sometimes, perhaps, it is we who disappoint. But such is the nature of human interaction. Disappointment, however, can be fleeting, quickly replaced by the joys of our fraternal relationship. We need only take a moment to recall the pleasant memories of our Sigma Phi Epsilon experience. The love within our brotherhood is binding and holy, forever tying us to one another.

Could those twelve men in Richmond 107 years ago have imagined our world as it is today? Our lives can be a cacophony of competing interests. Careers and family can easily overwhelm us. We are pulled in so many directions we forget those small but important parts of our lives. But the lessons of our beloved fraternity are there to lead us through the chaos; an advantage we should be ever mindful of. In virtue, we find strength; through diligence, we endure; and in brotherly love, we become aware of all those things that make life worth living.

Take a moment today to contemplate the part Sigma Phi Epsilon has played in your life. Take time to call a brother, or send him an email, or write him a letter and share your triumphs and tragedies. Whether your time in SigEp is as long as mine or just a few months; whether you're active in the brotherhood today or find yourself detached from the organization; I think you'll find somewhere somehow the fraternity had a positive impact on your life and still can. We are watched over even when we are far apart one from another.

Thanks to Sammy for the thoughts and ideas. I wish you all a happy Founders' Day.

In the Bonds
Rick St. John
Order of the Golden Heart

American University: DC Delta Charter Weekend October 4, 2008

American University: DC Delta Charter Weekend October 4, 2008
Originally uploaded by SigEp NV Alpha '03.

This neat collage was posted in the SigEp pool on Flickr.
Congratulations to the newest chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon!

Of all the Girls...

Gene Schurg sends this account of the retirement sendoff for Douglas McRaney:

DSC_1970
Originally uploaded by Sigma Phi Epsilon.

Pictures of the retirement luncheon for Douglas McRaney

It was a nice last day for Douglas. By 10:00 a.m. you couldn't even see her at her desk for all the roses that people sent her. She was so surprised that everyone thought so much of her.

The lunch was at the Bull and Bear Club, 21 floors above the James River. The club offers a great view and plenty of room for the 40-50 people in attendance. It was well attended by all the staff, new RDs, Roger Mermelstein representing the past RDs, Doug representing the foundation, Archie representing the NBD, and I represented the Volunteers. Craig was the emcee and each of us spoke of how much we
love Douglas and the impact she had on us and others like us. She was very moved.

Of course, all the men on bended knee sang "Wonderful Sig-Ep Girl" to her at the end.

Her son was able to join us and I believe this was the first fraternity function he has attended.

Overall, I think we gave a classy send off to a very special and classy woman who did so much for us.

I don't know what she will do with about 10 dozens of red roses when she gets home.

Fraternally,
Gene

Arkansas Alpha Hits 100!

Sigma Phi Epsilon celebrates centennial anniversary
Jennifer Joyner

The Arkansas Alpha Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon had its centennial celebration April 4 at the Fayetteville Town Center.

The event featured several prominent speakers, including grand chapter president Stephen B. Shanklin, chapter counselor Phillip McKnight, alumni board resident Drew Speed and alumni volunteer Jonathan Leonard, and many alumni were in attendance, according to the press release.

Arkansas Alpha was founded at the UA in 1907, six years after the Sig Ep fraternity was founded in 1901 in Richmond, Virginia, according to a press release. The chapter is the first west of the Mississippi River and is the catalyst in making Sig Ep a national fraternity, according to the press release.

The chapter has had several residences on campus but is most known for its presence at 10 Stadium Drive.

A fraternity provides something like a family, which a university cannot do. Fraternity brothers become friends who can count on each other for the rest of their lives, said Shanklin, a 1971 graduate of Murray State University in Kentucky, he was a charter member of the Kentucky Epsilon chapter of Sig Ep, according to the press release.

Sig Ep is the largest national fraternity with more than 14,000 undergraduate members and 260 chapters, according to the Web site.

The fraternity prides itself in its Balanced Man Program, which implements a full four-year membership development plan for its members as opposed to the traditional pledging process, according to the press release.

Sig Ep is different from other fraternities because it works to overcome the "partying" stereotype, said Stu Smith, president of the Arkansas Alpha chapter.The philosophy is to make its members well rounded and balanced in all aspects, including academics, leadership, appearance and overall well-being, Smith said.

The Sig Ep fraternity is here to build balanced men for the future, according to the Web site.

McKnight, Rasco and John Stanley of Little Rock received Lifetime Service Awards, which are given to former members who continue to stay involved in the local group, according to the Sig Ep Web site.

The UA chapter's past century is important, but that the century ahead is more important, Shanklin said.

First ever Hall of Champions

Michigan Tech SigEps held a competition for residence halls this past weekend.

First ever Hall of Champions
By: Richard Bobholz

This Saturday, residence halls competed in the first annual Hall of Champions. Teams competed in three sporting events consisting of sand volleyball, ultimate Frisbee and tug-o-war. The event sponsored by Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, Wadsworth Hall Student Association and Alpha Gama Delta Sorority was a great success with plentiful sunshine this Saturday. The competing teams rocked the SDC softball fields and enjoyed the weather, music, free refreshments and intense competitive action.

Team Powerhouse and Team Excello battled up to the very end with a tie breaking volleyball match. Each team went undefeated throughout one section of the round robin style tournament. With Powerhouse not losing a tug-o-war match and Excello winning all of their ultimate Frisbee games, it was a Hall of Champions showdown. In the end Team Powerhouse took home the gold with an exciting win in the volleyball tie breaker match.

Sigma Phi Epsilon brother, Bob Niffenegger was impressed by the participants. “We didn’t expect such intense competitive energy from the teams. They showed us what it means to be a champion.”

The members of WHSA, Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority and Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity would like to thank all the competing teams, and we are looking forward to even more of you joining us next year! They would also like to thank the MTU Parent’s Fund and the Office of Student Life for providing generous support to make this event possible.

Michigan Tech Lode

Hall Wars helps freshmen interact, serves a good cause

Quinnipac SigEps are the sponsors of the yearly "hall wars".

Three hundred and fifty freshmen participated in the all-day Hall Wars event that took place Saturday, Sept. 8 on the quad.

Additionally, there were over 200 volunteers from the student programming board, residence hall council and members of Greek life, particularly Sigma Phi Epsilon, the event's sponsor.

"President Lahey stopped by for the first time since we've had Hall Wars, which really shows how far we've come," said Mike Bohmerwald, the head of Hall Wars.

The event, in its third year, raises money for youth aids. "We'll be raising over $12,000 this year, but we won't know the exact amount until next week," Bohmerwald said. "Brothers collect money during the summer from parents and friends and then we go through the dorms in the beginning of the year," he said. Sig Ep also raises money with a table in the student center. This year, the event raised just over $12,000.

Hall Wars helps freshmen interact, serves a good cause - Campus News

Conclave: New Grand President's Remarks

Conclave: Alumni Awards Dinner
Originally uploaded by SigEp One.

Steve Shanklin, our new Grand President, was kind enough to provide a copy of his acceptance/inaugural speech from the Saturday night Awards Dinner.

On the Shoulders of Giants - Conclave 2007

Scenes from Conclave - Aug 9

As usual, Conclave is over-full of things to do and we have been busy.

The Blogger Breakfast on Thursday was a success. We missed the golfers - they left at 6:30 for the course (Oy!), but several interested parties showed up. Gay-Lynn from HQ (the Journal editor) came by for a while and was very interested in learning about why we are blogging and what we expect from it. Of course she did ask if we were going to keep on "muckraking". Our reply was "only as long as there is muck to rake."

Later we attended sessions on "Working with Millenials" and a "SigEp Today" overview of challenges and opportunities the fraternity is facing. Both were well done and tended to focus on the roll that volunteers can play both in the lives of undergraduates and with chapters facing uncertain climates on campus.

This evening we attended the opening session "Balanced Man Celebration" for better or worse, neither "King" Kohn nor "$crilla" was in evidence. There was a "Drumline" opening, though.

Archie made his state of SigEp/farewell address and was in fine form. If his drawl was any more syrupy you could pour it on your pancakes for breakfast. He spoke eloquently of the passing of Jim Robeson shortly after the Nashville Conclave. However he saved his most emotional comments until he got to the subject of hazing. He fairly shouted that it must cease, and then had to stop for a moment to recover his composure. He had the crowd with him and applauding in agreement with his conviction.

There were 36 Buchanan cups given out tonight. It only seemed like 150. At one point we suggested to the person next to us that it might go quicker if they just read out those who didn't get a cup. Four "Sig Ep Fellows" were also honored.

All in all the presentation was, well, workmanlike. There were no big surprises (except TX Alpha didn't get a cup). There was also no big "Gee-Whiz" factor either. The venue ("The Tabernacle") was cramped, hot, and had stairs which were unfriendly to elderly knee joints. Scuttlebut suggests that the original plan was to have the event at the (much larger) Fox Theater but that it fell through at the last moment.

One last thing. We have hooked up with HQ in the picture department. They have published some already and we have added them to the pool ofpictures that displays in the sidebar. So Conclave pictures are appearing in the sidebar.