Why Join Sigma Nu Fraternity
By Neil Gilpin EE 1385
As the chapter’s elected secretary serving the Board of Directors and Alumni Association, I have the opportunity to interact with many great young men – mostly in the 17-21 age range – who are exploring Greek options upon transitioning from High School to College. More specifically, I have the distinct honor to discuss why the brightest, most important future leaders should be looking at Sigma Nu as the top leadership fraternity and Greek choice at Oklahoma State University.
The below bullet points are an attempt to frame strategic and impactful considerations representing an incoming freshman or a qualified sophomore. One thing is certain, your collegiate window of opportunity (the next 3-4 years of your life - hopefully at Epsilon Epsilon Chapter) will transformationally and positively shape your future.
By becoming a Member of Sigma Nu, an individual is given the following:
FORMAL LEADERSHIP TRAINING (LEAD)
LEAD is Sigma Nu's award-winning ethical leadership development program. In alignment with Sigma Nu's continuing efforts "To develop ethical leaders..." we offer the LEAD Program as a tool to assist our membership in both gaining the knowledge and developing the skills and abilities needed to be an effective and ethical leader for life.
The Program is an interactive experience designed to meet the unique needs and learning styles of our collegiate members by focusing on in-person facilitated workshops on topics relevant to their year in school and experience in the chapter, campus, and community.
STRUCTURE for ACADEMIC SUCCESS
Learning dates back to our three founders and the challenges they faced in establishing Sigma Nu and fighting hazing at Virginia Military Institute. The emphasis of scholarship is very apparent given proctored study hours, an elected scholarship director and tools, resources to assist brothers in achieving academic success.
Epsilon Epsilon ranked 6th in Greek GPA last Fall and 3rd in candidate GPA ranking. Active leaders and current brothers set a goal each year which is typically a 3.5 GPA or better for the entire house and a Top Three ranking among our Greek peers.
*The collective Greek GPA has exceeded non-Greek GPA for the last century.
BROTHERHOOD (Friends for Life)
The Sigma Nu brotherhood is not only real, it is a tangible asset. While incoming classmates bond together in every space from academic pursuits to philanthropy to homecoming to social events, it is the fulfilling and rewarding 70+ year relationships which are notably impressive.
Epsilon Epsilon takes brotherhood seriously which is why potential new members are heavily vetted and approved for candidacy in the recruitment phase.
VALUES and MENTORSHIP
What values are most important to Epsilon Epsilon? Love, Honor and Truth. How are those values of Sigma Nu (Love, Honor, and Truth) played out in ‘life’? (as active brothers and as responsible alumni). The teachings in-house and through our LEAD program focus on basic expectations, how to deal with ethical dilemmas, social etiquette, what academic/social setting behaviors are acceptable and so on. The men of Epsilon Epsilon enjoy a rich and long tradition (legacy) with regards to positive and proactive reputation surrounding values and the Sigma Nu lifestyle.
Complimenting this platform, the OSU chapter of Sigma Nu invites our alumni to have ‘hands on’ involvement in shaping current and future leaders. These elements include guest speakers, alumni golf tournaments, collaboration with our Building Corporation and Fundraising Committees and more.
NETWORKING
At least two distinct advantages in the Networking space come from being an EE Member:
1) Current Members will build friendships that last a lifetime. But there are vast networks to be enjoyed post-college which range from geographical alumni groups to industry specific networks to alumni social events and sporting contests.
2)
There is much social interaction that happens within a Greek culture and this is complemented with opportunities to run for office, make a public speech, work with university leaders and fellow Greek officers and so on. Being a top house on OSU’s campus affords active members the opportunity to connect with many organizations at the university, city and community levels. EE offers a great platform to build relationships, earn trust among peers and establish an impressive bio/profile.
ROLES and RESPONSIBILITIES
Epsilon Epsilon active brothers use their collegiate window to learn, adopt and refine those roles and responsibilities which ultimately ‘build better men’. These range from project management, budgeting, team building, time management, consensus building (as an elected and appointed leader), community service, rituals and honoring our values.
From the first day as an Epsilon Epsilon pledge, an individual learns” What is fraternity? Why do fraternities exist? What stereotypes of fraternities portrayed in the media? What is the origin and history of Sigma Nu fraternity and what responsibilities do we ‘own’ as Members and participants in Greek life.
The Creed of Sigma Nu Fraternity
Written by Walter J. Sears
To believe in the Life of Love,
to walk in the Way of Honor,
to serve in the Light of Truth -
This is the Life, the Way, and the Light of Sigma Nu.
This is the Creed of our Fraternity.