Sigma Alpha Mu
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Sigma Alpha Mu (ΣΑΜ) also known as "Sammy" is a college fraternity founded at the City College of New York in 1909.[1] Originally only for Jewish men,[1] Sigma Alpha Mu remained so until 1953, when members from all backgrounds were accepted. Originally headquartered in New York, Sigma Alpha Mu has relocated its international headquarters to Indianapolis, Indiana. Sigma Alpha Mu now has 69 chapters and colonies in the United States and Canada.
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[edit] Mission and creed
Sigma Alpha Mu's stated mission is "to guide each undergraduate member toward a more meaningful life, to prepare members for responsible fraternity and community involvement, and to create social and service opportunities for its alumni." Its creed is "To foster and maintain among its sons a spirit of fraternity, a spirit of mutual moral aid and support; to instill and maintain in the hearts of its sons love for and loyalty to Alma Mater and its ideals; to inculcate among its sons such ideals as will result in actions worthy of the highest precepts of true manhood, democracy, and humanity."[2]
[edit] Community service
Sigma Alpha Mu members, through their chapters, participate in service in the communities in which their respective colleges are located. Bounce for Beats, a national service project, began in the 1960s. Scores of chapters bouncing a basketball to symbolize the heartbeat—or now conducting other basketball-related events—have collected hundreds of thousands of dollars for worthy causes including the American Heart Association and Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Since 1995, proceeds from the event have benefited the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.[3]
In 2005, ΣΑΜ chose the Alzheimer's Association as its service project where they raise donations for Alzheimer's Research.[4] Association board member Marshall Gelfand was instrumental in forging the partnership between the two organizations and received the fraternity's Certificate of Merit in 2005, which is awarded to ΣΑΜ alumni whose service and achievements in community endeavors are worthy of special recognition. Donations raised by the fraternity are part of The Judy Fund, established in 2003 on behalf of Mr. Gelfand's wife who in 1995, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Mrs. Gelfand died in 2004. Alzheimer's Association's fastest growing individual named fund, The Judy Fund, has raised more than $2.5 million.[citation needed]
[edit] Chapters
[edit] Notable members
- Martin Agronsky, Political journalist and commentator, recipient of DuPont-Columbia Award[1][5]
- Marv Albert, Sports Commentator for NBC[6]
- Ernie Davis, 1961 Heisman Trophy Winner[1][5]
- Tom Downey, Former Member of the U.S. House of Representatives[1][5]
- Sam Fox, United States ambassador to Belgium.[7]
- Paul Michael Glaser, Actor and director[1][8]
- Harry Glickman, Founder and President of the NBA Portland Trailblazers[1][5]
- Leonard Goldenson, Chairman of ABC[1][5]
- Tom Lantos, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives[9]
- Bora Laskin, Former Chief Justice of Canada[10]
- Morris Marx, Former President University of West Florida[11]
- Don Most, Actor, from television sitcom Happy Days[12] [13]
- Alan Rafkin, Television director[1][5]
- Philip Roth, Author[1][5]
- Alan Rothenberg, President of the US Soccer Federation[1][5]
- Marshall Rothstein, Canadian Supreme Court[11]
- Dan Schayes, NBA Player[1][5]
- Gerald Schwartz, Co-Founder of CanWest Global Communications, Founder and CEO of Onex Corporation, Current Director of Scotiabank [11]
- Ron Silver, Actor, starred in Blue Steel and Timecop former President of the Screen Actors Guild[12]
- David Stern, Commissioner of the NBA[14]
- Les Wexner, Chairman of The Limited, Structure, Bath and Body Works, and Express[15]
- Zollie Volchok, President of NBA Seattle Supersonics[1]
- Steve Wynn, Owner of the Wynn Las Vegas, former owner of Golden Nugget, and former owner and developer of Mirage, Treasure Island, and Bellagio Casinos and Resorts in Las Vegas, Nevada[16]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Sanua, Marianne Rachel [1994]. 'Going Greek': A social history of Jewish college fraternities in the United States, 1895-1945. Columbia University.
- ^ About Us. Sigma Alpha Mu. Retrieved on 2007-04-18.
- ^ Want, Ryan. "Sammy raises more than $1,000 in Bounce for Beats benefit", Indiana Daily Student, March 31, 2004. Retrieved on 2006-12-10.
- ^ News. Sigma Alpha Mu (July 1, 2005). Retrieved on 2007-01-19.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i University of Nevada Greek Life:Famous Greeks Retrieved on 2007-10-13
- ^ Sports Broadcasters and Writers. Retrieved on 2007-12-23.
- ^ Background information on Sam Fox. Washington University. Retrieved on 2008-05-30.
- ^ Official Website of Paul Michael Glaser. Retrieved on 2007-12-12.
- ^ Against All Odds. Columns Magazine, September 1999. Retrieved on 2007-11-22.
- ^ The Hon. Bora Laskin: A Legendary Force at the University of Toronto. The University of Toronto Faculty of Law. Retrieved on 2007-11-23.
- ^ a b c Sigma Alpha Mu - a powerful Fraternity. Israel Times. Retrieved on 2008-01-02.
- ^ a b Greeks in Entertainment. Retrieved on 2007-12-23.
- ^ Longsdorf, Amy. "'Happy Days' star reflected on days at Lehigh University for new film 'Moola'", The Morning Call, May 11, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-05-12.
- ^ Greeks in Professional Basketball 2000-2001. Retrieved on 2007-12-01.
- ^ OSU Greek History. Retrieved on 2007-12-18.
- ^ Minutes of the Stated Meeting of the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania June 18, 2004. The University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved on 2007-11-22.
