Sigma Nu Fraternity history

Expansion began for Sigma Nu in 1870 after the graduation of the Founders, when the mother chapter at VMI, then known as Chapter I, approved the establishment of a chapter at the University of Virginia.

Because his initiation took place so late in the year, it was agreed that an attempt to develop a chapter would wait until fall.Discussions pertaining to the creation of such a chapter began in 1871 and in fact it was in that year that such a chapter was authorized.

Sigma Nu established a chapter at North Georgia Agricultural College in 1881.

The actives were impressed with Robinson and invited him to become an initiated member and start a chapter at W&L. In May of 1882 Isaac Robinson was initiated in the Tutweiler Building in Lexington.

The first edition of The Delta was published in April 1883 and contained sixteen pages.

He proposed and was largely responsible for the first convention (Grand Chapter) in Nashville, Tennessee in 1884.

Joseph Paxton P7 (1886) — First commander of Rho Chapter.

Bennett served the Fraternity as Grand Recorder for many years and in 1890 was elected Regent.

Clemans was determined to open a chapter on the West Coast, and he recruited enough men to charter Beta Chi Chapter at Stanford in November 1891.

An 1895 letter to the Delta notes that the Chapter was 13 members strong, still largely medical and law students, with two brothers on the football team.

The life of James Frank Hopkins ended on December 15, 1913, and he was laid to rest in the village cemetery at Mablevale, Arkansas, beside his sweetheart from cadet days and devoted wife, a native Lexingtonian, Jennie Barclay Hopkins.

Rho’s chapter house at 710 South College Avenue was completed in 1915.

Rho Chapter House in 1917 before the sunroom addition.

The 1920 brotherhood numbered thirty-six, making the Beta Chapter among the largest five-six fraternities on Grounds.

Judge Greenfield Quarles entered the Chapter Eternal at his home in Helena, Arkansas, January 14, 1921.

In 1926, the central office was moved to the Illinois Building in Indianapolis.

Flavius B. Doc Freeman P587 (1929) — Served for over 40 years in various offices of Sigma Nu including Regent, Grand Marshall, Jurisprudence Committee Chairman, Division Inspector and Advisor; Sigma Nu Hall of Honor.

In 1945, Brother William P. Yates (Beta Rho, Pennsylvania), inspired the formation of the "Sigma Nu Inc., Educational Foundation" with a handsome bequest.

Regent James W. Bradley (Epsilon Epsilon, Oklahoma State) and his High Council took the historic step in 1957, purchasing without mortgage or lien a singularly appropriate property, a large home ideally suited for conversion and development.

In 1962, Rho alumni funded a significant renovation and addition that doubled the size of the original house, adding more rooms, bathrooms, and a dining room to the rear of the house.

Richard S. Kinder P1197 (1963) Founder and Chairman of Kinder Morgan Inc., one of the largest energy transportation, storage and distribution companies in North America.

Bob Kowalski (B) was Chapter Commander and football team captain in 1966, before going on to a career with the NFL Detroit Lions where he started as a tackle for ten consecutive seasons and became a pillar of the team and the Detroit community.

Sigma Nu – Theta Sigma was founded at Missouri State University on December 3rd, 1972 and remained a strong force on campus for 30 years.

He is a founding partner in KC’s third largest advertising agency and a Top 100 interactive agency in the United States Allen D. Eberhard P1451 (1973) All-American basketball player and first round draft choice of the Detroit Pistons.

William T. (Tom) Reeves P1487 (1974) President of the Pulaski Banks of St Louis and a former Rho Commander.

The Kappa Chi chapter at Furman University was founded in 1985 and currently has over 60 active brothers.

Marc H. Ellinger P1771 (1986) Currently the youngest member of Missouri’s Electoral College — which casts the official state votes for United States President.

The chapter usually leads all fraternities on campus. For example, in 2003 Lambda Chapter was awarded the Bronze Cup Plaque, celebrating the second highest GPA of all Sigma Nu chapters (200+) nationwide.

After nearly two decades of dormancy since the chapter closed, the Zeta Xi chapter at UC Davis officially received its charter back during the Winter of 2009.

On April 28th, 2012, the Theta Sigma chapter was reorganized as a Sigma Nu chapter.

After 101 years at 710 South College and the house showing its age, the alumni of Rho Chapter embarked on a campaign to construct a new chapter house in 2014.

In 2016, the governing body that oversees fraternity life at UC Davis awarded Sigma Nu with "Fraternity of the Year", "Philanthropy of the Year", and "Community Service of the Year" awards.