Sigma Pi Fraternity, International is a collegiate men's social fraternity founded on February 26, 1897, at Vincennes University in Vincennes, Indiana. It is one of the older fraternities in North America and operates as an international organization with chapters and colonies across the United States and Canada.
Founding and History
Sigma Pi was founded by four men: James Thompson Kingsbury, William Raper Kennedy, George Martin Patterson, and Rolin Roscoe James. The fraternity's Executive Office is located in Nashville, Tennessee. As of the most recent data, Sigma Pi has chartered more than 230 chapters in North America and has initiated over 118,000 lifetime members. The fraternity reports 93 active chapters and colonies, approximately 4,900 collegiate members, and an average chapter size of 52 members.
Core Values and Mission
The fraternity's mission is "to inspire, promote, and support the lifelong development of our brothers." Its core values are: promoting fellowship, developing character and leadership, advancing heightened moral awareness, enabling academic achievement, and inspiring service.
Creed
The Sigma Pi Creed states: "I Believe in Sigma Pi, a Fellowship of kindred minds, united in Brotherhood to advance Truth and Justice, to promote Scholarship, to encourage Chivalry, to diffuse Culture, and to develop Character, in the Service of God and Man; and I will strive to make real the Fraternity's ideals in my own daily life."
Symbols and Emblems
- Colors: Lavender and white, with gold as an auxiliary.
- Flower: The orchid, with the lilac and white rose together as alternate; goldenrod may be used as auxiliary.
- Badge: A Greek or St. George's Cross of gold bearing a raised oval of blue enamel, with an emerald at the center and the Greek letters Sigma (Σ) and Pi (Π) on either side.
- Coat of Arms: Features a shield with a purple field, a gold bend, and the fraternity badge at the center. The motto "Sebaste Pistis" (Greek for "Venerable Faith") appears on a scroll.
- Flag: A lavender field with white Greek letters Sigma and Pi in the center and the coat of arms in the upper corner nearest the staff.
Governance
The supreme governing body is the Grand Chapter, which meets biennially in Convocation. Between Convocations, authority is vested in the Grand Council, which includes a Grand Sage, Grand Second Counselor, Grand Third Counselor, Grand Fourth Counselor, Grand First Counselor, Grand Herald, and Past Grand Sage. The fraternity also employs a Chief Executive Officer to administer the Executive Office.
Membership
Membership is open to men enrolled at institutions of higher learning. The fraternity has a minimum GPA requirement of 2.5 to join and a minimum chapter GPA of 2.7. The fraternity prohibits discrimination based on race, color, ethnicity, country of origin, sexual orientation, religion, or disability. Sigma Pi maintains a zero-tolerance policy on hazing and operates a toll-free anti-hazing hotline (1-888-NOT-HAZE).
Chapter Structure
Chapters are designated by letters of the Greek alphabet. The primary officers of a chapter, listed in order of rank, are: Sage, Second Counselor, Third Counselor, Fourth Counselor, First Counselor, and Herald. Notable active chapters include the Alpha chapter at Vincennes University, the Beta chapter at Indiana University, and many others across North America.
Notable Programs
Sigma Pi operates several educational and leadership programs, including the Bayard Membership Experience, the Tightrope Program, the Bonds of Brotherhood program, and the Master of Ritual program—a self-paced study course of the fraternity's ritual. The fraternity also publishes a periodical called The Emerald.
