Parents

Testamonials from Sigma Nu Parents

I. A Quick Introduction to "Greek" History And Our Fraternity.
II. Sigma Nu's Anti-Hazing Initiative.
III. ΣΝ's Ethical Leadership program, LEAD.
IV. Prominent Sigma Nu In The Media.
V. Prominent Sigma Nu in Politics.
VI. Prominent Sigma Nu in the Global Workplace.
VII. Prominent Sigma Nu in The Wide World of Sports.

I. A Quick Introduction to "Greek" History And Our Fraternity

When you hear the word Fraternity what are some of the first words that jump into your mind? Alcohol abuse? Degradation of women? Huge parties and hazing? We can’t blame you for having these impressions; after all, Hollywood has constantly portrayed Fraternities as such. Since the release of animal house fraternal organizations have been seen more and more as a mode for young men to party and engage in irresponsible, addictive behaviors. But, the reality of the situation is if a Fraternity is used and managed the way they were originally intended, your son can undergo a major growth experience through it. That is exactly what Sigma Nu exists to provide.

Fraternities originally existed as groups of “lay”, or common people and were dubbed confraternities and archconfraternities. The members of these organizations wanted to serve a purpose greater than themselves. They met together to become something more than they knew they would be able to become by themselves alone. These “lay” met together, conversed together and shared ideas and information together to work towards solving a common problem or enbettering a said aspect of society.

Sigma Nu was founded on a military institute by three Civil war veterans fueled by one of our fraternity’s key principals, love. The trio who were determined to reap the benefits of an academic brotherhood, but without the impersonal and demeaning approaches fraternities around their campus were offering. They believed, just like the “lay” people of ancient Greece and Rome, that to be the best that you can be, you must combine efforts with people of like mind and principal. Working together, covering our weaknesses and amplifying each other’s strengths is one of the key benefits of a fraternal organization. The efforts of a fraternity are not only felt by the brothers, they are actually more than likely being directed towards others less fortunate. “A man is never as tall as when he stoops to help a neighbor in need”.

II. Sigma Nu's Anti-Hazing Initiative.

First and foremost, our fraternity DOES NOT TOLERATE HAZING!! Period. End of story. The Legion of Honor, now popularly known as Sigma Nu, was founded on the Campus of Virginia military Institute four years after the end of the civil war. When the veterans from the battlefields came to school at VMI attempting to participate in the Greek system, they were horrified at what they saw. Brutal, demeaning acts being carried out by new army recruits were being carried out on fellow veteran rushes! These actions were not only disrespectful, but our founders realized that in order to create a better brotherhood and promote strong, productive relationships, they would have to forge them from love and compassion; not hatred and higherarchy.

The Legion of Honor was the first fraternal organization to be founded as a “no hazing” international brotherhood and the Theta Eta Chapter at Northern Illinois University upholds this tradition. We will NOT allow this demeaning culture to sneak into the Chapter. From the very beginning it will be made clear to the young men joining this organization that there is no want or need for this type of behavior. The same principles of our honorable founders are still engrained in us today. The Fraternity has taken a “militant” stance against hazing activities, hazing, even on it’s lowest levels, will not be a part of the culture of the Theta Eta Chapter. Acting in that fashion goes against our third ethics code as well as the very vision statement of our Fraternity “Excelling With Honor”.

If you believe that you have been hazed, or if you know somebody who may have been hazed, please call our toll-free Anti-Hazing Hotline at (800) 993-1869 or send an e-mail to anti-hazing@sigmanu.org.

III. ΣΝ's Ethical Leadership program, LEAD.

While Fraternities have an unavoidable stereotype of being reckless and irresponsible, Sigma Nu has been spending it’s time wisely and “excelling with honor”. We as a whole are an organization of Gentleman, not boys, and each Sigma Nu brother knows the importance of personal and group growth. To be more effective in the Greek system, the work place, and more importantly in our own community, we must continually grow and become more dynamic individuals. As an organization, we feel so strongly on this concept Sigma Nu became the first International Fraternity to implement this through a four phase leadership program called LEAD. LEAD is an acronym that stands for Leadership Ethics Achievement Development which is taught through sessions directed by both active officers from within the chapter as well as it’s Alumni. The program delves into in-depth concepts explaining why becoming sharpened by your fellow men is critical and second, how to apply these concepts of love honor, and truth into our everyday lives.

LEAD is one of the few known leadership programs ran through a fraternal organization, and we pride ourselves on the quality and effectiveness of this program. It is an international tradition of Sigma Nu and has helped manufacture such successful alumni as Charles Schwab, CNN’s CEO Tom Johnson, Johnny Morris, founder and owner of Bass Pro Shops as well as successful media personalities Bob Barker, Curt Menefee and Joe Buck. The personal growth acquired from this program is priceless, and we know you’re son will not only learn indispensable leadership skills, but also learn to be a more productive scholar and self-motivated man. We believe in the proverb “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”, which means that not only will LEAD aid your son in maturing into a Gentleman, but will also be surrounded by individuals striving for excellence and will soon follow us on our “Pursuit of Excellence”.

If you would like to learn more, feel free to visit our FAQ forum dedicated to our LEAD program.

http://www.sigmanu.org/programs/lead/faq.php

Notable Members from Sigma Nu's Past

IV. Prominent Media Figures

Bob Barker, Epsilon Beta Chapter (Drury University), Emmy-winning host of "The Price is Right" game show since 1972; has served as emcee for Miss Universe and Rose Bowl parade.
Joe Buck, Beta Eta Chapter (Indiana University), Sportscaster on FOX television network for the MLB.
William Daniels , Gamma Beta Chapter (Northwestern University), Emmy Award winning actor starred in St. Elsewhere and Boy Meets World, and was the voice of "KITT" in the television show Knight Rider.
Adam Duritz, Zeta Xi Chapter (University of California, Davis), Lead singer for the Counting Crows.
Harrison Ford, Zeta Tau Chapter (Ripon College) Starred in some of the most successful films ever made, including Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and The Fugitive. Also the 1985 Oscar best actor nominee for Witness.
Tom Johnson, Mu Chapter (University of Georgia), current President of CNN; has also served as President and CEO of the Los Angeles Times.
Curt Menefee, Beta Epsilon Chapter (Coe College), Sportscaster on FOX television network for the NFL.
Al Michaels, Zeta Upsilon Chapter (Arizona State University) and Eta Kappa Chapter (San Diego State University), One of only two men to have broadcasted for the championships of the four major American pro sports (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL). Best known for his work announcing ABC’s Monday Night Football.
Paul Rudd, Nu Chapter (University of Kansas), Actor in films such as Anchorman, The 40 Year Old Virgin, Clueless, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, I Love You Man and was on the cast of the T.V. show Friends for two years.
Boyd Tinsley, Beta Chapter (University of Virginia), Violinist for Dave Matthews Band.

V. Powerful Politicians.

Lloyd Bentsen, Upsilon Chapter (University of Texas at Austin) Former Senator from Texas, former Secretary of the Treasury and Vice Presidential candidate in 1988.
Clarence M. Kelley, Nu Chapter (University of Kansas), Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation from July 9, 1973 through February 23, 1978.
George J. Mitchell, Delta Psi Chapter (Bowdoin College), Former Senate Majority leader and current chairman of The Walt Disney Company.
E. Clay Shaw Jr., Delta Mu Chapter (Stetson University), Former member of the House of Representatives for Florida’s 22nd district.
Roger Wicker, Epsilon Xi Chapter (University of Mississippi), Member of the United States House of Representatives (1995–present).

VI. Entrepreneurs and Executives.

Daniel Amos, Mu Chapter (University of Georgia), CEO of AFLAC Insurance company.
Johnny L. Morris, Epsilon Beta Chapter (Drury University), Founder and Owner of Bass Pro Shops.
Charles Schwab , Beta Chi Chapter (Stanford University), Founder, Chairman and CEO of Charles Schwab Corporation Retail Stock Brokerage.
Don Tyson, Upsilon Chapter (University of Arkansas – Fayetteville), Founder and Chairman of Tyson Foods.

VII. Spectacular Sportsmen

Paul "Bear" Bryant, Theta Chapter (University of Alabama), Coached several college football teams (most notably, his alma mater Alabama) for a career record of 323-85-17.
Bobby Dodd, Epsilon Eta Chapter (University of Tennessee), Coached Georgia Tech football team to 165-64-8 record as well as being named an “All-American” quarterback during his career with University of Tennessee.
Walt Dropo , Epsilon Phi Chapter (University of Connecticut), American League rookie of the year in 1950 who went on to play twelve seasons for the Red Sox.
Chet Jastremski, Beta Eta Chapter (Indiana University), 1964 Olympic Bronze Medalist. Chet made the cover of Sports Illustrated and is a member of the swimming hall of fame.
Hayes Alan Jenkins, Gamma Beta Chapter (Northwestern University), Olympic figure skating Gold Medalist, 1956.
Norm Johnson, Epsilon Pi Chapter (University of California, Los Angeles), Ranks fifteenth all time in points scored in NFL history; earned 2 pro-bowl selections for his work as a Kicker in the National Football League.
Stan Jones, Delta Phi Chapter (University of Maryland), NFL Hall of Famer, Drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 5th round where he began his career as a Defensive tackle.
Archie Manning, Epsilon Xi Chapter (University of Mississippi), Professional quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, but better known for teaching his two sons the game of football. His sons Peyton and Eli are All star Q.B.s and destined for the NFL Hall of Fame.
Eli Manning, Epsilon Xi Chapter (University of Mississippi), Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XLII where as quarterback for the New York Giants, Eli made the game winning TD throw to end the game. Brother of All star QB Peyton Manning and Son Of Archie Manning.
Mike McCormack, Nu Chapter (University of Kansas), NFL Hall of Famer, most famous for his work as a Cleveland Brown blocking Jim Brown so well, that he to became a Hall of Famer himself. McCormack also took time out of his football career to serve in the military service.
Pat Riley, Gamma Iota Chapter (University of Kentucky), Past NBA head coach for Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, and currently the Miami Heat. Riley served as head coach for five NBA championship teams through his career thus far.

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