| Sigma Phi | |
|---|---|
| ΣΦ | |
 | |
| Founded | March 4, 1827 Union College |
| Type | Secret |
| Affiliation | NIC |
| Scope | United States |
| Motto | esto perpetua let it be perpetual |
| Maxim | EPV/MBW |
| Colors | Azure Argent |
| Publication | The Flame |
| Chapters | 6 |
| Headquarters | P.O. Box 57417 Tucson, AZ 85732-7417 United States |
| Website | sigmaphi.org |
The Sigma Phi Society (ΣΦ) is the second Greek fraternal organization founded in the United States and the first to establish a chapter at another college, making it the first national Greek organization.[1]
History[edit]
The Sigma Phi Society (ΣΦ) was founded on March 4, 1827, on the campus of Union College as a part of the Union Triad in Schenectady, New York. Its founders were Samuel W. Beall, Thomas Fielder Bowie, Rev. R. H. Chapman, Hon. Charles T. Cromwell, George N. Porter, and Hon. Charles N. Rowley.[2]
The Alpha chapter of Sigma Phi at Union College has been in continuous operation since its founding, making it the oldest continuously running fraternity chapter in the United States.[3]
In 1831, Beta of New York was established at Hamilton College, making the society the first Greek fraternal organization in the United States to establish a chapter at another college. Thus, Sigma Phi Society is the first National Greek Organization in the United States.
The practices and rituals of the Sigma Phi Society are relatively unknown due to its establishment, and continued consideration, as a secret society.[1]
Sigma Phi is a founding member of the North American Interfraternity Conference.
Symbols[edit]
The Sigma Phi badge is a monogram with a jeweled Σ directly over a Φ that is either plain or chased.[2] It was designed by Charles N. Rowley, founder of the Beta of New York chapter.[4] In 1879, Baird's stated that the badge was royal purple.[2] Since 1879, the badge has been produced mainly in gold. Some gold plated options have been made available and in 2024 three options were introduced; sterling silver, with a gold plating on top, with pearls for $150 base price engraved, 10k gold for $675 plus engraving, and in gold filled for $375, engraved. All the options include pearls as gems have been out of fashion for sometime now.
Chapters[edit]
Chapters of Sigma Phi, with active chapters indicated in bold and inactive chapters indicated in italic:[5]
| Chapter | Chartered/Range | Institution | Location | Status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha of New York (U) | March 4, 1827 | Union College | Schenectady, New York | Active | |
| Beta of New York (H) | 1831–2019 | Hamilton College | Clinton, New York | Inactive | [a] |
| Alpha of Massachusetts (W) | 1834–1968 | Williams College | Williamstown, Massachusetts | Inactive | |
| Gamma of New York (N) | March 4, 1836–March 4, 1848 | New York University | New York City, New York | Inactive | [2] |
| Delta of New York (G) | August 4, 1840 | Hobart College | Geneva, New York | Active | |
| Alpha of Vermont (V) | March 4, 1845 | University of Vermont | Burlington, Vermont | Active | |
| Alpha of New Jersey (P) | 1853–1858 | Princeton University | Princeton, New Jersey | Inactive | [2][b] |
| Alpha of Michigan (M) | 1858–2022 | University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Inactive | [2][c][a] |
| Alpha of Pennsylvania (L) | February 4, 1887–2002 | Lehigh University | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | Inactive | |
| Epsilon of New York (C) | October 4, 1890 | Cornell University | Ithaca, New York | Active | |
| Alpha of Wisconsin (F) | October 31, 1908 | University of Wisconsin–Madison | Madison, Wisconsin | Active | |
| Alpha of California (I) | September 7, 1912 | University of California, Berkeley | Berkeley, California | Active | [a][d] |
| Alpha of Virginia (S) | 1953 | University of Virginia | Charlottesville, Virginia | Active | |
| Alpha of North Carolina (T) | 2008–2019 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Inactive |
Notes[edit]
Chapter houses[edit]
Some chapters own buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, such as the Thorsen House, owned by the Alpha of California chapter in Berkeley and designed by Greene and Greene.[1] The Alpha of Wisconsin chapter house is the Harold C. Bradley House, a National Historic Landmark designed in 1908 by Louis Sullivan.[6]
Alpha of Vermont[edit]
The Alpha of Vermont chapter house, known as Sigma Phi Place, is a list contributing building to the National Register of Historic Places' University Green Historic District.[7] It was designed in 1903 by architect Marcus T. Reynolds of Albany, New York, who was a member of the Alpha of Massachusetts chapter.[7] Located at 420 College Street, Sigma Pi Place was the first purpose-built fraternity house at the University of Vermont.[7] It is a three-story, Colonial Revival style brick house.[7] Its main entrance has a gable pedimented portico with four columns that have Corinthian capitals.[7]
Notable members[edit]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c "Home". Sigma Phi Society. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
- ^ a b c d e f Baird, William Raimond (1879). Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities.
- ^ "What's The Oldest Continually-Running Fraternity Chapter In America?". Total Frat Move. Retrieved 2017-08-16.
- ^ "Rowley, Charles N." 1829. January 1829 – via Union College.
- ^ Catalogue of the Sigma Phi: E.P.V. at Google Books
- ^ "Our house - Wisc". Sigma Phi Society. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
- ^ a b c d e National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form for University Green Historic District. Revision, 2021.
