Sigma Tau Gamma

Sigma Tau Gamma
ΣΤΓ
Founded June 28, 1920 (1920-06-28)
University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, MO
Type Social
Scope National
Motto A Path of Principles
Colors      Azure Blue and      White
Symbol The Chain of Honor
Flower White Rose
Publication SAGA
Philanthropy Special Olympics
Chapters 76 Undergraduate
Members 70,268 lifetime,
2,800 collegiate
Nickname Sig Tau
Headquarters 101 Ming Street
Warrensburg, MO
USA
Homepage Sigma Tau Gamma Website

Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity (ΣΤΓ) also called "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.[1]

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, they have since spread to more than 160 university campuses across the United States.[2]

Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity is an active member of the North-American Interfraternity Conference.[3]

History

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 First World War in France. Parsons commented that in founding the Fraternity they wanted to sustain a "sense of service, responsibility, and affection for their companions." 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 17 founders of the fraternity.[4]

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, "at an unusually early hour" according to the original minutes, a list containing the names of about thirty men was posted on the college bulletin board by Emmett Ellis with a request to meet that afternoon.[1]

According to the minutes, "the notice had the proper effect and, as requested, there appeared a goodly number of men to learn what was in store for them." Founder Nieman, who had become familiar with fraternities while attending William Jewell College, was the principal organizer of the meeting. He explained the purpose of the meeting and told them what such an organization could mean to the men of the college. The men elected Leland Hoback temporary Chairman and Emmett Ellis temporary Secretary. They agreed to begin crafting the organization and adjourned until July 7, 1920.

The founders were accompanied by Dr. Wilson C. Morris to present their petition to the faculty, who had been part of Sigma Nu in his college days. Dr. Morris became the Fraternity's first honorary member and served the alpha chapter at Central Missouri as patron, counselor, and advisor until his death in 1947.[5][6]

A further fourteen members were added in the first year of the fraternity's existence. Founder Edward H. McCune recalled later that, "from the very beginning, Sigma Tau Gamma prospered, both in membership and service. Its challenge to students to live well and promote the spirit of brotherhood was continually being met by those who were seeking membership."[7]

About

Ribbon Cutting atl text
Ribbon Cutting at the opening of the new Alpha Psi chapter house at Pennsylvania State University.

Membership

There are a number of public and private ceremonies and rituals in the fraternity, from initiation through 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 challenges associate members to "promote the highest ideals of brotherhood and demonstrate an abiding spirit in which all things in life are done and possible".[8] Content is covered during weekly associate meetings held separate from the chapter meeting.

Awards and scholarships

The fraternity offers scholarships and awards to undergraduates and alumni during the summer convention.[9] 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.

Symbols

Events

The fraternity hosts multiple annual events, including:

Charity

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.[12]

Sigma Tau Gamma Foundation

Ribbon Cutting atl text
Brothers of the Gamma Chi chapter at Michigan Technological University stand in front of their Chapter House.

Established in 1966, the Sigma Tau Gamma Foundation is its own distinct legal entity, considered a public charity (501c3) by the federal government and is separate from the Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity.[13] It makes use of tax-deductible charitable gift dollars for the development of chapters of the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity.

WPN Housing Corporation

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.[14]

Notable alumni

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 Bernier, William P. "Our Heritage" page 35. A Chain of Honor, 2nd Edition.
  2. ↑ Bernier, William P. "Chapter Roll" page 120. A Chain of Honor, 2nd Edition.
  3. ↑ "About - North-American Interfraternity Conference". North-American Interfraternity Conference. Retrieved 2017-07-11.
  4. ↑ Anson, Jack L., & Marchesani Jr., Robert F. "Sigma Tau Gamma" page III-136. Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities, 20th Edition: 1991.
  5. ↑ Bernier, William P. "Our Heritage" page 36. A Chain of Honor, 2nd Edition.
  6. ↑ Dinsmore, Keith C. "In The Month of Roses", p. 5. The SAGA of Sigma Tau Gamma, Summer 1970
  7. ↑ Bernier, William P. "Our Heritage" page 37. A Chain of Honor, 2nd Edition.
  8. ↑ "Membership Education". Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity. Retrieved 2017-07-11.
  9. ↑ "Awards & Scholarships". Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity. Retrieved 2017-07-11.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 "Symbols and Traditions". Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity. Retrieved 2017-07-11.
  11. ↑ "Noble Man Institute". Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity. Retrieved 2017-07-11.
  12. ↑ "National Philanthropy". Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity. Retrieved 2017-07-11.
  13. ↑ "About". Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity. Retrieved 2017-07-11.
  14. ↑ "WPN Housing". Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity. Retrieved 2017-07-11.

Bibliography

  • Bernier, William P. "A Chain of Honor". Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity, Inc., 2004
  • Dinsmore, Keith C. Teacher Immortal: The Enduring Influence of Wilson C. Morris. Warrensburg, Missouri: Sigma Tau Gamma Foundation, Inc., 1984.
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