Sigma Nu

ΣΝ (Sigma Nu) is a U.S. college fraternity, founded by three former confederate soldiers, then cadets at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia in 1869. The founders James Frank Hopkins, Greenfield Quarles, and James McIlvaine Riley formed Sigma Nu shorty after they secretly witnessed what they believed was a hazing ceremony by another fraternity (Alpha Tau Omega). The group's existence was kept secret until the founders publicly announced their new society on the first day of January 1869, the accepted birthdate of Sigma Nu Fraternity. Today, Sigma Nu honors its founders' integrity as the basis of its strong anti-hazing ban.

Related Topics:
U.S. - College fraternity - Cadets - Virginia Military Institute - Lexington - Virginia - 1869

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They built a code of ethics upon the values of Love, Truth, and Honor above all else. Accordingly, they based the Sigma Nu Emblem upon the French Legion of Honor Medal.

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In 1988, Sigma Nu Fraternity instituted its LEAD Program (Leadership, Ethics, Achievement, and Development) in order to develop ethical leaders for tomorrow's society. It is hoped that brothers will make a positive impact as ethical leaders in their chapter, campus, and community. The LEAD program is unique among all collegiate greek-letter organizations, and further information about LEAD may be found at the Fraternity's web site.

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As Sigma Nu was founded against hazing it makes sense that Sigma Nu, along with around 20 or so other Greek Organizations, is a member of the Risk Reduction Plan. The RRP is a program that helps prevent accidents or other incidents that would cause injury or death and spark legal punishment or public embarassment from occurring.

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Though it has removed the restrictions barring non-white members that caused some chapters to disaffiliate during the 1960s, the fraternity remains all-male and its Creed professes to exclude the gay members of the fraternity ("To build . . . a home . . .where Love shall glorify the wife, Duty enshrine the mother, and Affection ennoble the child. . . . o win the love and care of some incorruptible woman"). The Creed also professes to restrict membership to Christians ("whatever our creed, to reverence the Christ as the Divine Compassion for struggling humanity"), though in practice the fraternity's membership includes many members who are Jews, Hindus, members of other faiths, and atheists.

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The fraternity colors are black, gold and white.

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Sigma Nu has many famous alumni including Bob Barker, Michael Biehn, Vance Brand, Paul Bryant, William Daniels, Ronald Evans, Harrison Ford, Trent Lott, Glen Miller, Al Michaels, Archie Manning, Eli Manning, Pat Riley, Boyd Tinsley, "The Penguin" William Malenzi, and Robin Williams. However, according to the national site for Sigma Nu fraternity, it says Williams, the musician, went to Cornell.

Related Topics:
Bob Barker - Michael Biehn - Vance Brand - Paul Bryant - William Daniels - Ronald Evans - Harrison Ford - Trent Lott - Glen Miller - Al Michaels - Archie Manning - Eli Manning - Pat Riley - Boyd Tinsley - William Malenzi - Robin Williams

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The national headquarters are in Lexington, VA.

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