About UsSigma Phi Epsilon is the nation’s largest fraternity, with over 15,000 undergraduate members, dedicated to leading change and making a difference. Our fraternity was founded on November 1st, 1901, in Richmond, Virginia at Richmond College campus. Carter Ashton Jenkens desired to be a part of a group of men, determined to make a difference. He recruited five other men to join him. Eventually, this number grew to twelve, and the group founded this elite fraternal organization. The founding fathers of Sigma Phi Epsilon stated,
“This fraternity will be different, it will be based on the love of God and the principle of peace through brotherhood. The number of members will be increased from the undergraduate classes. We will change the name to Sigma Phi Epsilon.” Sigma Phi Epsilon, indeed, has been different than any other fraternal organization since its beginning, continually paving the way for others to follow. SigEp was the first national fraternity to establish a housing trust for all chapters and create a national housing corporation. SigEp is also the first to organize an education foundation with an endowment greater than $12 million. SigEp revolutionized the fraternity movement in 1991 by unveiling the Balanced Man Program (BMP), a concept of single-tiered membership and continuous development that begins the day a brother joins. Nationally, SigEp leads all fraternities in the nation with the highest GPA (above a 3.0). SigEp has also continued to stand out within the Greek world by working to partner with higher education institutions. More than 49 chapters are designated as Residential Learning Communities for their efforts to work with faculty members to create unique academic programming for their brothers. Sigma Phi Epsilon is headed by over 50 staff and full-time professionals at the Zollinger house in Richmond, Virginia. We are also headed by 12 volunteer members on the National Board of Directors, responsible to the Grand Chapter for operation of the Fraternity. These members are nominated and elected by Grand Chapter at Conclave. SigEp was founded with the Cardinal Principles of Virtue, Diligence and Brotherly Love. Our mission is “Building Balanced Men,” which is achieved through a commitment to Sound Mind and Sound Body. Through vital leadership conferences and institutions such as Carlson Leadership Academy, the Ruck Leadership Institute, Tragos Quest to Greece, Life After College, and Conclave, valuable professional, leadership, and organizational skills are learned and developed. |
Our History |
Drake SigEp began as a local fraternity known as Chi Delta at the end of the 19th Century. Chi Delta was originally established as The Dirk's Club in 1898 because, at the time, Greek-letter fraternities were banned at Drake University. Despite the ban, the club was secretly known as Delta Chi. When it was discovered that a national fraternity was already using the same Greek letters, the name was flip flopped and changed to Chi Delta. This chapter thrived during the first half of the 20th Century and was the oldest fraternity on the Drake University campus. Chi Delta members who left the fraternity to serve their country during World War II returned to the campus after the war to re-establish the chapter.
At the time, it was felt that in order to be competitive as a fraternity, the chapter should seek a charter from a national fraternity. Sigma Phi Epsilon colonized at Drake University in the late 1940s, and the Iowa Delta chapter received its charter on May 9th, 1948. The 1950s and 1960s brought high times for the fraternity, and it grew to be Drake's most prominent fraternity. The chapter continued to thrive through the 1970s and 1980s, but following national trends, the chapter suffered from the losses in Greek numbers in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In May 1996, Sigma Phi Epsilon's Iowa Delta Chapter closed its doors. However, local alumni kept active in Drake University events, and after four years, worked with the national fraternity to re-colonize. On February 14, 2000, 15 men re-colonized Drake University as the new Sigma Phi Epsilon Iowa Delta SEC Colony. Growth has been substantial since the colony's founding and with a new chapter house at 1243 34th Street; SigEp re-established itself as one of Drake's premier fraternities. The Iowa Delta Chapter of The Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity was rechartered at The Renaissance Savery Hotel in Des Moines, Iowa on November 9, 2002 with 64 members. In attendance were representatives of Drake University, Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity headquarters, alumni of the Iowa Delta Chapter, undergraduate members of the Chapter, representatives from other Chapters in the region, as well as parents of undergraduate members and other guests. Drake SigEp's motto is "On Beyond Zebra," taken from the book by legendary author, and SigEp brother, Dr. Seuss (Dartmouth `32). This motto means that we will go beyond the typical stereotypes associated with fraternities to establish a brotherhood based on Virtue, Diligence, and Brotherly Love. We hope to attain these ideals while continually striving for personal and academic excellence. |