Sigma Tau Gamma

Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity (also known as "Sig Tau" or ΣΤΓ) is a US all-male college social fraternity founded on June 28th, 1920 at Central Missouri State University (formerly known as Central Missouri State Teachers College). The fraternity was born out of the desires and aspirations of seventeen men in the belief that all men are social creatures and that friendships of college men are lasting ones. It rose as a result of friendships made while in the service of their country during World War I in France. By dedicating themselves to the highest ideals of manhood, brotherhood and citizenship, they would inspire thousands of men from all parts of the country who would follow in their footsteps.

In accordance with the founding of Sigma Tau Gamma Fratenity at Central Missouri State Teachers College, the fraternity created new chapters on the campuses surrounding teachers colleges (at the time also called "normal schools"). Since the fraternity's beginings in 1920, they have since spread to over 140 university campuses.

Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity is an active member of the North-American Interfraternity Conference

Contents

1 Traditions 2 Creed 3 Principles 4 Philanthropy 5 External References

Traditions

Fraternity Colors

The Fraternity Colors are Azure Blue and White. The Fraternity also has secondary Colors of Yellow (Pantone 116) and Red (Pantone 185). Taken from the color policies (http://www.sigmataugamma.org/About%20STG/Policies/colors.html) page.

Badge

The badge is the most prominent symbol of membership. Adopted in 1927, it consists of a shield with four points, which may have a gold or pearl border and may be further embellished with sapphires or rubies.

The associate pin, which is worn by associate members of the fraternity until initiation, is a silver and blue shield.

White Rose

The fraternity's flower is the white rose.

Each chapter traditionally holds an annual White Rose banquet and dance. The chapter's sweetheart, known as the White Rose Sweetheart, is crowned at the dance and serves as the chapter's official hostess throughout the year.

Society of the Seventeen

An order of distinguished service to Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity, the Society of Seventeen was established in 1980 at the 60th Anniversary Grand Chapter in Kansas City. The Society of Seventeen commemorates the number of founders by limiting the membership to 17 living persons. It recognizes continuous and distinguished service and leadership to Sigma Tau Gamma.

The Saga

The official magazine of the fraternity, The Saga of Sigma Tau Gamma, is published quarterly by the fraternity. Members are entitled to a lifetime subscription which provides an important membership link for alumni of the fraternity.

Founders Day

Each chapter and alumni organization is expected to observe Founders Day on or near the June 28 anniversary of the fraternity's founding.

Creed

"I believe that the true spirit of Fraternalism is a personal devotion to one's ideals. It has its roots in definite, tangible things. It springs out of a love of God and worth of one's fellow man. It grows into qualities of mind and soul. It is not the attitude toward a few selected ends, but rather the abiding spirit in which all things are done, all difficulties met, all successes received, all obstacles overcome.

"I believe that the true spirit of Fraternalism is a breath that breathes itself into the life and being of those who live it, becoming an unconscious part of them, ruling and molding their thoughts and acts. We may call it the right attitude towards life, towards the world, towards right and wrong, towards the beautiful and good, towards duty and faith in God.

"I believe that the true spirit of Fraternalism is a thing that grows. It is first associated almost exclusively with a narrow circle of fellow students, but it broadens with a widening understanding until it takes in all the important relationships of life. It enters the domain of private life as thoroughly as in public life. It teaches the fulfillment of obligations to school, state and church.

"I believe that Sigma Tau Gamma endeavors to bind men together in a fraternal brotherhood based upon these eternal and immutable truths, which are set forth in the Principles and in the Code of Conduct of our Fraternity.

"In this belief, I will endeavor to make my college and my own chapter of Sigma Tau Gamma more honored and respected by all men, and will endeavor to conduct myself so that I will ever bring credit and honor to our Fraternity."

Principles

Value

To enhance the worth of belonging

Learning

To afford the environment for learning

Leadership

To develop good leaders for America

Excellence

To strive for superior performance

Benefit

To serve Fraternity, college, country

Integrity

To perfect a structure of honor

Philanthropy

BACCHUS

In 1986, delegates to the Michael J. Steinbeck Grand Chapter in St. Louis adopted BACCHUS (Boosting Alcohol Consciousness Concerning the Health of University Students) as Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity's official philanthropy.

BACCHUS is an international student-based movement for the prevention of alcohol abuse by college students. BACCHUS is not an abolitionist movement. Rather, its goal is to teach and promote the responsible use of beverage alcohol by those who choose to use it. GAMMA (Greeks Advocating Mature Management of Alcohol) is a program of BACCHUS which meets fraternity and sorority alcohol awareness needs, while promoting high standards of risk management and the general good health of brothers and sisters.

Dr. Gerardo M. Gonzalez, President and Founder of BACCHUS, was initiated as an honorary member of Alpha Chapter (Central Missouri State University) in 1982. He is an Honorary Sigma Tau Gamma Foundation Trustee.

Kenley R. Hoover, IMF, Pi '57 (Indiana University of Pennsylvania) past Sigma Tau Gamma Foundation President and North-American Interfraternity Conference Director, has served on the BACCHUS Board for fifteen years, ten of which were on the Executive Committee and Secretary for the last five years.

Books For Kids

In 1994, under the leadership of past Foundation President, Ken Hoover, Books For Kids is a charitable project created by the Sigma Tau Gamma Foundation that was created as a project that would tie the fraternity back to its educational heritage.

After two successful years, the Board of Directors decided that due to the tremendous success of the Books For Kids project, they would make it the national philanthropy of Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity.

As of 2004, Books For Kids has donated over 28,000 books and $30,000 to the public libraries and school districts of the region selected to host the fraternity's annual National Convention.

External References

• Sigma Tau Gamma homepage (http://www.sigmataugamma.org)