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Sigma Tau Gamma
ΣΤΓ
The Coat of Arms of Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity
FoundedJune 28, 1920; 104 years ago (1920-06-28)
University of Central Missouri
TypeSocial
AffiliationNIC
StatusActive
ScopeNational
MottoA Path of Principles
Colors  Azure Blue and   White
SymbolChain of Honor
Flag
FlowerWhite Rose
MascotKnight
PublicationSAGA
PhilanthropySpecial Olympics
Chapters76
Members3,200+ active
70,268+ lifetime
NicknameSig Tau
Headquarters8741 Founders Road
Indianapolis, Indiana 46268
United States
Websitesigtau.org

Sigma Tau Gamma (ΣΤΓ), commonly known as Sig Tau, is a United States college social fraternity founded on June 28, 1920, at the University of Central Missouri (then known as Central Missouri State Teachers College). The fraternity was founded as a result of friendships made while some of the founders fought in World War I in France.

The fraternity went on to create new chapters on the campuses surrounding teachers' colleges, at the time also called "normal schools". Since the fraternity's beginnings in 1920, it has chartered more than 193 chapters at campuses across the United States. The fraternity is a member of the North American Interfraternity Conference.

History

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Sigma Tau Gamma was founded on June 28, 1920, at the Central Missouri State Teachers College.[1] Four of the founders—Emmett Ellis, Leland Thornton Hoback, Edward George Grannert, and William Glenn Parsons—had enlisted and served their country together during the World War I in France.[2] These four, together with Allen Ross Nieman, Edward Henry McCune, Carl Nelson Chapman, Buell Wright McDaniel, George Eugene Hartrick, A. Barney Cott, Chiles Edward Hoffman, Rodney Edward Herndon, William Edward Billings, Clarence Willard Salter, Frank H. Gorman, Alpheus Oliphant Fisher, and Daniel Frank Fisher, were the seventeen founders of the fraternity.[1]

Several of the founders were members of the Irving Literary Society, but they wanted to create a new fraternity including members of other literary societies. On the morning of June 28, 1920, a list containing the names of about thirty men was posted on the college bulletin board by Ellis with a request to meet that afternoon.[2] Nieman, who had become familiar with fraternities while attending William Jewell College, was the principal organizer of the meeting. The men elected Hoback temporary chairman and Ellis temporary secretary. They agreed to begin crafting the organization and adjourned until July 7, 1920.

To present their petition to the faculty, the founders were accompanied by Dr. Wilson C. Morris, who had been part of Sigma Nu in his college days. Morris became the fraternity's first honorary member and served the Alpha chapter at Central Missouri as patron, counselor, and advisor until he died in 1947.[3][4]

The fraternity went on to create new chapters on the campuses surrounding teachers' colleges, at the time also called "normal schools".[1] Since the fraternity's beginnings in 1920, it has chartered more than 193 chapters at campuses across the United States.[5] The fraternity is a member of the North American Interfraternity Conference.[6]

Symbols and traditions

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There are several public and private ceremonies and rituals in the fraternity, from initiation to memorials for deceased fraternity members. Sigma Tau Gamma also has a development program known as the "Path of Principles". The first eight weeks of the program challenge associate members to "promote the highest ideals of brotherhood and demonstrate an abiding spirit in which all things in life are done and possible".[7] Content is covered during weekly associate meetings held separate from the chapter meeting.

The fraternity's colors are azure blue and white.[1] Its mascot is the knight and its flower is the white rose.[8][1]

Its coat of arms was adopted in 1927 and modified in 1954.[8] The badge, which all members may purchase and wear, is the principal symbol of membership. The badge was adopted in 1927 and modified in 2016. The standard gold badge is provided to each new member at initiation.[8] The associate pin is worn by associate members of the fraternity until initiation. The associate pin is the chapter's property and is returned to the chapter at the time of initiation by the new member.[8]

Activities

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The fraternity hosts multiple annual events, including:

  • The Noble Man Institute: a retreat-based leadership program for newly initiated members of Sigma Tau Gamma[9]
  • The Earl A. Webb Academy: a three-day training and networking program for chapter presidents and vice presidents
  • The Endeavor conference
  • The Grand Conclave.

Philanthropy

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On June 30, 2011, the Board of Directors announced its partnership with the Special Olympics in 2011, making it the fraternity’s official philanthropy. Each chapter is expected to provide service or funds directly to the Special Olympics.[10]

The fraternity offers scholarships and awards to undergraduates and alumni during the summer convention.[11] The individual awards include the Michael J. Steinbeck Fellowship, which offers assistance in the pursuit of graduate and professional degrees. Chapter awards include the Earl A. Webb Most Improved Chapter Award and the Emmett Ellis Chapter Scholarship Award

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Ribbon Cutting at the opening of the new chapter house at Pennsylvania State University.
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Sigma Tau Gamma Foundation

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Gamma Chi chapter house at Michigan Technological University

Established in 1966, the Sigma Tau Gamma Foundation is its distinct legal entity, considered a public charity (501c3) by the federal government and is separate from the Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity.[12] It makes use of tax-deductible charitable gift dollars for the development of chapters of the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity. The Sigma Tau Gamma Foundation started "Books for Kids" which raises money and books for public libraries and school districts.

WPN Housing Corporation

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Established in 2014, the WPN National Housing Company is a limited liability company established to provide housing assistance and management as it relates to the housing or other forms of shared fraternity living/meeting space for undergraduate members of Sigma Tau Gamma.[13]

Chapters

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Main article: List of Sigma Tau Gamma chapters

Notable members

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Anson, Jack L., & Marchesani Jr., Robert F. "Sigma Tau Gamma" page III-136. Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities, 20th Edition: 1991.
  2. ^ a b Bernier, William P. A Chain of Honor. 2nd edition. Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity, Inc., 2004. p. 35.
  3. ^ Bernier, William P. "Our Heritage". A Chain of Honor 2nd edition. Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity, Inc., 2004. p. 36-37.
  4. ^ Dinsmore, Keith C. "In The Month of Roses". The SAGA of Sigma Tau Gamma (Summer 1970) p. 5
  5. ^ Lurding, Carroll and Becque, Fran. (October 7, 2023) "Sigma Tau Gamma". Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities. Urbana: University of Illinois. Accessed October 26, 2023.
  6. ^ "About". North American Interfraternity Conference. Retrieved 2017-07-11.
  7. ^ "Membership Education". Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity. Retrieved 2017-07-11.
  8. ^ a b c d "Symbols and Traditions". Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity. Retrieved 2017-07-11.
  9. ^ "Noble Man Institute". Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity. Retrieved 2017-07-11.
  10. ^ "National Philanthropy". Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity. Retrieved 2017-07-11.
  11. ^ "Awards & Scholarships". Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity. Retrieved 2017-07-11.
  12. ^ "About". Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity. Retrieved 2017-07-11.
  13. ^ "WPN Housing". Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity. Retrieved 2017-07-11.
  • Dinsmore, Keith C. Teacher Immortal: The Enduring Influence of Wilson C. Morris. Warrensburg, Missouri: Sigma Tau Gamma Foundation, Inc., 1984.
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