Sigma Phi Epsilon
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ΣΦΕ (Sigma Phi Epsilon), SigEp, is the largest social fraternity, by number of undergraduate members, in the United States. It was founded in 1901 at Richmond College, now the University of Richmond, and its national headquarters remains in Richmond, Virginia. It is founded on three principles: virtue, diligence, and brotherly love.
After the numerous fraternity scandals of the 1980s, the national organization in 1992 began promoting the 'Balanced Man' program, which abolished pledgeship, instituted year-round recruitment, and advocated dry housing and lifestyles for its membership. Though the more traditional chapters have found it deeply distasteful, the program has been adopted by over 70% of Sigma Phi Epsilon chapters, and it is credited with the ongoing success of the fraternity on a national level.
Along with this, Sigma Phi Epsilon also promotes the Residential Learning Community 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 fraternity and advises the undergraduate chapter on operations, risk management, academics, and community involvment/philantrhopy 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.
Notable SigEps
- Joe Don Baker - Actor
- Steve Bartlett - Former U.S. Congressman, Dallas, Texas
- Robert L. Bartley - Editor, The Wall Street Journal
- Col. Karol J. Bobko - Space Shuttle Commander, NASA
- Ronald H. Brown - Former U.S. Secretary of Commerce (first African-American member of SigEp)
- Kenneth T. Derr - Chairman, Chevron Oil
- Douglas C. Engelbart - Inventor of the computer mouse
- John Engler - Governor, State of Michigan
- John Fina - Tackle, Buffalo Bills
- Richard J. Gannon - Quarterback, Oakland Raiders
- Theodore S. "Dr. Seuss" Geisel - Author
- John S. Goodman - Actor
- Orel L. Hershiser - Pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers
- Thomas O. Hicks - Owner, Dallas Stars & Texas Rangers
- Robert L. Lilly - NFL Hall of Fame Tackle, Dallas Cowboys
- Terry J. Lundgren - President & CEO, Neiman Marcus
- Kent C. "Oz" Nelson - Retired Chairman & CEO, United Parcel Service
- Carroll J. O'Connor - Actor
- Harold A. Poling - Retired Chairman & CEO, Ford Motor Company
- Roy R. Romer - Governor, State of Colorado
- R. David Thomas - Chairman & Founder, Wendy's International
- Fred L. Turner - Chairman, McDonald's Corporation
- Cecil H. Underwood - Governor, State of West Virginia
- Edward H. Vick, Jr. - President, Young & Rubicam Advertising
- Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr. - Former Chief of Naval Operations & Member of Joint Chiefs of Staff
External links
Sigma Phi Epsilon (http://www.sigep.org)