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{{Short description|American collegiate fraternity}}
{{Infobox Fraternity
{{Infobox Fraternity
|name = Sigma Phi
| name = Sigma Phi
|letters = {{lang|grc|ΣΦ}}
| letters = {{lang|grc|ΣΦ}}
|crest=Sigma Phi Badge.png
|alt=Sigma Phi Society
| crest = Sigma Phi Badge.png
|image_size = 200px
| image_size = 190px
| alt = Sigma Phi Society
|motto = ''esto perpetua''
| founded = {{start date and age|March 4, 1827}}
|maxim = EPV/MBW
| birthplace = [[Union College]]
|colors = {{color box|#336699}} [[Azure (color)|Azure]] {{color box|#E0E0E0}} [[Argent]]
| affiliation = Independent
|symbol =
| former_affiliation = NIC
|flower =
| status = Active
|birthplace = [[Union College]]
| type = [[Fraternities and sororities|Secret]]
|affiliation = NIC
| scope = National
|founded = {{start date and age|March 4, 1827}}
| motto = ''{{lang|la|Esto Perpetua}}'' ("Let it be perpetual")
|chapters = 6
|members =
| maxim =
| colors = {{color box|#336699}} [[Azure (color)|Azure]] and {{color box|#E0E0E0}} [[Argent]]
|type = Secret/Social
| symbol =
|scope = [[United States]]
| flower =
|address = P.O. Box 57417
| chapters = 7
|city = [[Tucson, Arizona|Tucson]]
| members =
|state = [[Arizona|AZ]]
| publication = ''The Flame''
|ZIP code = 85732-7417
|country = USA
| free_label =
|free_label =
| free =
| address = P.O. Box 57417
|free =
| city = [[Tucson, Arizona|Tucson]]
|homepage = [http://www.sigmaphi.org www.sigmaphi.org]
| state = [[Arizona]]
| ZIP code = 85732-7417
| country = United States
| homepage = {{URL|http://www.sigmaphi.org|sigmaphi.org}}
}}
}}


The '''Sigma Phi Society''' ('''{{lang|grc|ΣΦ}}''') was founded on the Fourth of March in the year 1827, on the campus of [[Union College]] as a part of the [[Union Triad]] in [[Schenectady, New York]]. It is the second [[Greek alphabet|Greek]] [[Fraternities and sororities|fraternal organization]] founded in the [[United States]].<ref name="Sigma Phi Website">[http://www.sigmaphi.org Sigma Phi Society public website], accessed 15 May 2014.</ref> The Sigma Phi Society was the first Greek organization to establish a chapter at another college, which occurred with the founding of the ''Beta of New York'' at Hamilton College in 1831, thus making it the first National Greek Organization. Sigma Phi is a member of the [[North American Interfraternity Conference]].
The '''Sigma Phi Society''' ('''{{lang|grc|ΣΦ}}''') is the second [[Greek alphabet|Greek]] [[Fraternities and sororities|fraternal organization]] founded in the [[United States]] and the first to establish a chapter at another college, making it the first national Greek organization.<ref name="Sigma Phi Website">{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.sigmaphi.org/ |access-date=2023-01-15 |website=Sigma Phi Society |language=en}}</ref>


==History==
Also of note, the ''Alpha chapter'' of Sigma Phi located at Union College has been in continuous operation since 1827 making it the oldest continuously running fraternity chapter in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://totalfratmove.com/oldest-continually-running-fraternity-chapter-in-america/|title=What's The Oldest Continually-Running Fraternity Chapter In America?|website=Total Frat Move|language=en-US|access-date=2017-08-16}}</ref>
The '''Sigma Phi Society''' ('''{{lang|grc|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:
{{columns-list|colwidth=15em|
* [[Samuel Beall|Samuel W. Beall]]
* [[Thomas Fielder Bowie]]
* Rev. R. H. Chapman
* Hon. Charles T. Cromwell
* George N. Porter
* Hon. Charles N. Rowley.<ref name="Bairds1879">{{Cite book |last=Baird |first=William Raimond |url=https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Baird%27s_Manual_of_American_College_Fraternities_(1879)/Sigma_Phi |title=Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities |year=1879 |language=en}}</ref>
}}
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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What's The Oldest Continually-Running Fraternity Chapter In America? |url=http://totalfratmove.com/oldest-continually-running-fraternity-chapter-in-america/ |access-date=2017-08-16 |website=Total Frat Move |language=en-US}}</ref>

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.{{cn|date=August 2024}}

Sigma Phi is a founding member of the [[North American Interfraternity Conference]].{{cn|date=August 2024}}


==Symbols==
The practices and rituals of the Sigma Phi Society are relatively unknown due to its establishment, and continued consideration, as a [[secret society]].<ref name="Sigma Phi Website" />
The practices and rituals of the Sigma Phi Society are relatively unknown due to its establishment, and continued consideration, as a [[secret society]].<ref name="Sigma Phi Website" />


The Sigma Phi badge is a monogram with a jeweled '''Σ''' directly over a '''Φ''' that is either plain or chased.<ref name="Bairds1879" /> It was designed by Charles N. Rowley, founder of the ''Beta of New York chapter''.<ref>{{Cite journal |date= January 1829|title=Rowley, Charles N. |url=https://digitalworks.union.edu/alumnifiles_1829/76 |journal=1829 |via=Union College}}</ref> In 1879, ''[[Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities]]'' stated that the badge was royal purple.<ref name="Bairds1879" /> Since 1879, the badge has been produced mainly in gold.
==Chapters==
[[File:A Fraternity House, Sigma Phi, University of Michigan (NBY 2340).jpg|thumb|Sigma Phi house at the [[University of Michigan]], circa 1900s]]


The society's colors are azure and argent. Its motto is ''{{lang|la|Esto Perpetua}}'' or "Let it be perpetual". Its publication is ''The Flame''.


'''Active Chapters'''
==Chapters==
In the following list, active chapters are indicated in '''bold''' and inactive chapters are in ''italics.''<ref name="EPV">{{Google Books|-zLPAAAAMAAJ|title=Catalogue of the Sigma Phi: E.P.V.}}</ref>
* Alpha of New York, (1827) [[Union College]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
* Alpha of Vermont, (1845) [[University of Vermont]]
! Chapter
* Epsilon of New York, (1890) [[Cornell University]]
!Letter
* Alpha of Wisconsin, (1908) [[University of Wisconsin–Madison]]
! Charter date and range
* Alpha of California, (1912) [[University of California, Berkeley]]
! Institution
* Alpha of Virginia, (1953) [[University of Virginia]]
! Location
! Status
! Reference
|-
|'''Alpha of New York'''
|U
|{{dts|1827|3|4}}
|[[Union College]]
|[[Schenectady, New York]]
|Active
|
|-
|''Beta of New York''
|H
|1831–2019
|[[Hamilton College]]
|[[Clifton, New York|Clinton, New York]]
|Inactive
|{{Efn|name=non-men}}
|-
|''Alpha of Massachusetts''
|W
|1834–1968
|[[Williams College]]
|[[Williamstown, Massachusetts]]
|Inactive
|
|-
|''Gamma of New York''
|N
|{{dts|1836|3|4}}–{{dts|1848|3|4}}
|[[New York University]]
|[[New York City, New York]]
|Inactive
|<ref name="Bairds1879" />
|-
|'''Delta of New York'''
|G
|{{dts|1840|8|4}}
|[[Hobart and William Smith Colleges|Hobart College]]
|[[Geneva, New York]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Alpha of Vermont'''
|V
|{{dts|1845|3|4}}
|[[University of Vermont]]
|[[Burlington, Vermont]]
|Active
|
|-
|''Alpha of New Jersey''
|P
|1853–1858
|[[Princeton University]]
|[[Princeton, New Jersey]]
|Inactive
|<ref name="Bairds1879" />{{Efn|Charter returned to the Convention of 1860 after the college banned fraternities.}}
|-
|''Alpha of Michigan''
|M
|1858–2022
|[[University of Michigan]]
|[[Ann Arbor, Michigan]]
|Inactive
|<ref name="Bairds1879" />{{Efn|Charter revoked.}}{{Efn|Attempted, with little success, to include women in the chapter's membership.|name=non-men}}
|-
|''Alpha of Pennsylvania''
|L
|{{dts|1887|2|4}}–2002
|[[Lehigh University]]
|[[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania]]
|Inactive
|
|-
|'''Epsilon of New York'''
|C
|{{dts|1890|10|4}}
|[[Cornell University]]
|[[Ithaca, New York]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Alpha of Wisconsin'''
|F
|{{dts|1908|10|31}}
|[[University of Wisconsin–Madison]]
|[[Madison, Wisconsin]]
|Active
|
|-
|'''Alpha of California'''
|I
|{{dts|1912|9|7}}
|[[University of California, Berkeley]]
|[[Berkeley, California]]
|Active
|{{Efn|name=non-men}}{{Efn|Formed from the local social group La Junta Club.}}
|-
|'''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 ===
'''Inactive Chapters'''
{{notelist}}[[File:A Fraternity House, Sigma Phi, University of Michigan (NBY 2340).jpg|thumb|Sigma Phi house at the [[University of Michigan]], circa 1900 (now an inactive chapter, house no longer occupied by Sigma Phi)]]
* ''Alpha of Massachusetts, (1834-1968)'' [[Williams College]], now dormant
* ''Alpha of Michigan, (1858-2022)'' [[University of Michigan]], charter revoked
* ''Beta of New York, (1831-2019)'' [[Hamilton College (New York)|Hamilton College]], now dormant
* ''Gamma of New York, (1835-1848)'' [[New York University]], now dormant
* ''Delta of New York, (1840)'' [[Hobart and William Smith Colleges|Hobart College]], suspended
* ''Alpha of New Jersey, (1853-1858)'' [[Princeton University]], now dormant
* ''Alpha of North Carolina, (2008-2019)'' [[University of North Carolina]], now dormant
* ''Alpha of Pennsylvania, (1887-2002)'' [[Lehigh University]], now dormant


== Chapter houses ==
Some of these own buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, such as the [[Thorsen House#Sigma Phi Society of the Thorsen House|Sigma Phi Society of the Thorsen House]] in [[Berkeley, California]].<ref name="Sigma Phi Website" /> Chapters italicized are dormant. The Alpha of Michigan, Alpha of California, and Beta of New York have attempted, with little success, to include non-men in the organization.<ref name="Baird's">{{cite book |editor1-first=Jack L. |editor1-last=Anson |editor2-first=Robert F. |editor2-last=Marchenasi |title=Baird's Manual of American Fraternities |edition=20th |year=1991 |orig-year=1879 |publisher=Baird's Manual Foundation, Inc. |location=Indianapolis, IN |isbn=978-0963715906 |page=III-132–133}}</ref>
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, California|Berkeley]] and designed by [[Greene and Greene]].<ref name="Sigma Phi Website" /> The ''Alpha of Wisconsin chapter'' house is the [[Harold C. Bradley House]], a [[National Historic Landmark]] designed in 1908 by [[Louis Sullivan]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our house - Wisc |url=https://www.sigmaphi.org/our-house-wisc |access-date=2023-01-15 |website=Sigma Phi Society |language=en}}</ref>[[File:420 College.jpg|thumb|Sigma Phi Place, University of Vermont, 2022]]


==Notable alumni==
===Alpha of Vermont===


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]].<ref name=":0">National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form for University Green Historic District. Revision, 2021.</ref> It was designed in 1903 by architect [[Marcus T. Reynolds]] of Albany, New York, who was a member of the ''Alpha of Massachusetts chapter''.<ref name=":0" /> Located at 420 College Street, Sigma Phi Place was the first purpose-built fraternity house at the University of Vermont.<ref name=":0" /> It is a three-story, [[Colonial revival style|Colonial Revival style]] brick house.<ref name=":0" /> Its main entrance has a gable pedimented portico with four columns that have Corinthian capitals.<ref name=":0" />
* [[Thomas Fielders Bowie]] - One of the founding members of Sigma Phi and member of the thirty fourth and thirty-fifth Congress of the United States.

* Sen. [[Elihu Root]] (1845-1937) - [[United States Secretary of War|U.S. Secretary of War]] and [[United States Secretary of State|U.S. Secretary of State]] in the administration of [[Theodore Roosevelt]]. Root was a [[Nobel Peace Prize]] Winner, and [[United States Senate|U.S. Senator]].<ref>Jessup, Philip C., Elihu Root. Vol. I, 1845-1909; Vol. II, 1905-1937. New York, Dodd, Mead, 1938.</ref>
==Notable members==
* [[Earl Warren]] (1891-1974) - [[Chief Justice of the United States]], [[Governor]] of [[California]].
{{Main|List of Sigma Phi members}}
* [[James Schoolcraft Sherman]] - [[Vice President of the United States|Vice President]] under [[William Howard Taft]].
* Arthur C. Nielsen Jr., son of [[Arthur C. Nielsen]] (1897-1980) creator of [[Nielsen ratings]] (both were Sigma Phi members).
* [[Henry Rathbone]] (1837-1911), major in the U.S. army during the Civil War and present in Lincoln's booth at [[Ford's Theatre]]; was stabbed tackling [[John Wilkes Booth]].
* Elias Peissner, professor of German and Political Economy at Union College, died "at the head of his men" at the Battle of Chancellorsville during the Civil War.
* Hon. [[Ken Dryden]] - Hockey Hall of Fame Goaltender and Canadian [[Member of Parliament]].
* Rep. [[Hastings Keith]] - United States Congressman from [[Massachusetts]].
* Rep. John Cochrane - United States Congressman, Attorney General of New York, and [[Brigadier General]] in the Civil War.
* [[Philip Will Jr]], co-founder of architecture firm [[Perkins+Will]] and President of the [[American Institute of Architects]].
* [[Ward Wettlaufer]], amateur golfer.
* L Bradford Perkins, founder, Perkins Eastman Architects
* Ezra Cornell IV, Life Trustee, Cornell University, great-great-great grandson of University founder,
* [[George G. Benedict|George Grenville Benedict]], American Civil War hero and [[Medal of Honor]] recipient.
* [[Daniel Butterfield]], American Civil War hero, composer of [[Taps (bugle call)|Taps]] bugle call.
* [[Jay S. Walker|Jay Walker]], founder of [[Priceline.com]]
* [[Larry Tanenbaum]], Chairman of MLSE, owner of the Toronto Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs
* Charles F. Knight, Chairman and CEO, Emerson Electric
* [[John Bigelow]], US diplomat to France under Lincoln, NY Secretary of State, published [[The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin]], helped found the [[New York Public Library]]
* [[Tully Banta-Cain]], [[American Football]] [[linebacker]] for the [[New England Patriots]]
* Robert S. Harrison, [[Rhodes Scholar]], retired partner at [[Goldman Sachs]], Chairman of the Board of Trustees of [[Cornell University]], CEO of the [[Clinton Global Initiative]]
* [[Seth Flowerman]], Entrepreneur, CEO of Career Explorations
* Todd Parent, Founder and CEO of [[Extreme Pizza]]
* Patrick Doyle, Former CEO of [[Domino's Pizza]]
* Peter Orthwein, Founder and Chairman of Thor Industries, world's largest manufacturer of RVs
* [[Remo Jacuzzi]], CEO of hot tub company [[Jason International Company]]
* George Patterson, CEO of Mook industries, slayer of the last dragon
* [[Charlie Munger]], Vice-Chairman of [[Berkshire Hathaway]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/wall-street-frats-2013-2#the-sigma-phi-society--15|access-date=2020-11-02|title=17 Fraternities With Top Wall Street Alumni|first=Julia|last=La Roche|date=2013-02-13|work=Business Insider}}</ref>
* [[Nat Faxon]], actor, comedian and Academy Award-winning screenwriter
* [[James M. Loree]], CEO of [[Stanley Black & Decker]]
* Matthew Arnold, CEO of Unimacts Global


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Triad (fraternities)]]
*[[Triad (fraternities)]]
*[[Thorsen House#Sigma Phi Society of the Thorsen House|Sigma Phi Society of the Thorsen House]]
*[[List of social fraternities and sororities]]
*[[List of social fraternities and sororities]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}{{Fraternities and Sororities |collapsed}}

==External links==
*[http://www.sigmaphi.org Official Site]
*[http://www.alphaofvermont.org/ Official Website of the Alpha of Vermont]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120307051716/http://www.sigmaphimichigan.org/ Official Website of the Alpha of Michigan]
*[http://www.californiasigmaphi.org/ Official Website of the Alpha of California]
*[http://www.sigmaphiuva.org/ Official Website of the Alpha of Virginia]
*[http://sigmaphiunc.org/ Official Website of the Alpha of North Carolina]

{{Fraternities and Sororities |collapsed}}
{{North American Interfraternity Conference}}
{{North American Interfraternity Conference}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
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[[Category:Student societies in the United States]]
[[Category:Student societies in the United States]]
[[Category:North American Interfraternity Conference]]
[[Category:North American Interfraternity Conference]]
[[Category:Collegiate secret societies]]
[[Category:1827 establishments in New York (state)]]
[[Category:1827 establishments in New York (state)]]

Latest revision as of 22:58, 7 December 2024

Sigma Phi
ΣΦ
Sigma Phi Society
FoundedMarch 4, 1827; 197 years ago (March 4, 1827)
Union College
TypeSecret
AffiliationIndependent
Former affiliationNIC
StatusActive
ScopeNational
MottoEsto Perpetua ("Let it be perpetual")
Colors  Azure and   Argent
PublicationThe Flame
Chapters7
HeadquartersP.O. Box 57417
Tucson, Arizona 85732-7417
United States
Websitesigmaphi.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:

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.[citation needed]

Sigma Phi is a founding member of the North American Interfraternity Conference.[citation needed]

Symbols

[edit]

The practices and rituals of the Sigma Phi Society are relatively unknown due to its establishment, and continued consideration, as a secret society.[1]

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 Manual of American College Fraternities stated that the badge was royal purple.[2] Since 1879, the badge has been produced mainly in gold.

The society's colors are azure and argent. Its motto is Esto Perpetua or "Let it be perpetual". Its publication is The Flame.

Chapters

[edit]

In the following list, active chapters are indicated in bold and inactive chapters are in italics.[5]

Chapter Letter Charter date and 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]
  1. ^ a b c Attempted, with little success, to include women in the chapter's membership.
  2. ^ Charter returned to the Convention of 1860 after the college banned fraternities.
  3. ^ Charter revoked.
  4. ^ Formed from the local social group La Junta Club.
Sigma Phi house at the University of Michigan, circa 1900 (now an inactive chapter, house no longer occupied by Sigma Phi)

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]

Sigma Phi Place, University of Vermont, 2022

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 Phi 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]
Main article: List of Sigma Phi members

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Home". Sigma Phi Society. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Baird, William Raimond (1879). Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities.
  3. ^ "What's The Oldest Continually-Running Fraternity Chapter In America?". Total Frat Move. Retrieved 2017-08-16.
  4. ^ "Rowley, Charles N." 1829. January 1829 – via Union College.
  5. ^ Catalogue of the Sigma Phi: E.P.V. at Google Books
  6. ^ "Our house - Wisc". Sigma Phi Society. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
  7. ^ a b c d e National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form for University Green Historic District. Revision, 2021.
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