Sigma Nu History

[Kevin]

Oki, I got more stuff

I also looked at the TKE forum and it seems to be something like a quiz so what I'll do is put the question and then wait a couple days to put an answer (maybe we can make this interactive 'n stuff).

QQ: What is the Past Regent's Badge?

QQ: How many delegates were in attendance at the First National Convention?

QQ: What wsa the only Sigma Nu chapter chartered in the month of July?

QQ: On what day is it suggested that members of Sigma Nu wear the White Rose?


Alrighty welp folks I'm getting Knighted tommorow after 3 years of being a colonist so I might not get those answers up tommorow, we'll see

[Kevin]

Answers to earlier questions:

QQ: What is the Past Regent's Badge?

Replica of the Founder's Badge presented to each outgoing Regent (adopted 26th Grand Chapter, Mackinac Island, 1933)

QQ: How many delegates were in attendance at the First National Convention?

8 Delegates representing five chapters, alpha, zeta, theta, kappa, lambda met in room 23 of the historic Mawell House Hotel (I think you put the date in yours SWTX )

QQ: What wsa the only Sigma Nu chapter chartered in the month of July?

Beta Iota (Mt Union) Jully 22, 1892, interestingly, Beta Iota's famous alumnus, Albert H "Bert" Wilson, established more chapters than any other Sigma Nu (38)

QQ: On what day is it suggested that members of Sigma Nu wear the White Rose?

The first Sunday in November, the Fraternity's Memorial Day (16th Grand Chapter, Atlanta, December 30, 1912-January 1, 1913)


Here's a quick one
QQ: What was is the most recent chapter founded in Sigma Nu's history?

Mu Tau, University of Central Oklahoma. March 9th, 2002. The nex time I post on here I'll be a Knight see ya'll later!!!

[Kevin]

More questions:

In what historic space exploration event did Vance Brand (Gamma Kappa, Colorado) participate?

What was the relationship of Clarence E. Woods' (Zeta, Central) private residence to Sigma Nu?

What Sigma Nu emblem in its earliest design portrayed an American flag with stripes and the badge (instead of a field of stars?)

Who wrote the first Ritual of Sigma Nu?

Now part of the Sigma Nu HQ complex, what facility would have been observed under construction by the founders?



Enjoy!!!!

Kevin Taylor
Mu Tau 5
University of Central Oklahoma

[SigmaNuSWTx]

KTSNAKE... You are doing great. The history you give is really interesting, and I am enjoying it. Here is a bit of history you may find informative. I will have follow ups each day I look on here. I will be out for the next couple of days at South Padre, which is a huge reunion for Sigma Nus from across the nation. I hope to see some of you there. We will be flying a Sigma Nu flag, with Southwest Texas State University embroidered under the letters. About 20 or 30 of the brothers from HT will be there.

The Song
The White Star of Sigma Nu, our official song, was written by Jack T. Nelson in 1920.

The Tree
Dedicated to Brother Ora Baldinger, the White Oak was adopted as the official tree of Sigma Nu in 1985.
Shrines
Shrines are places or things consecrated with sacred character because of their place in history or their associations in life. The following are shrines erected in honor of Sigma Nu and those whose lives were instrumental in building the Fraternity:
1. Headquarters Shrine – Located on the highest hill in the corporate limits of Lexington, Virginia, it overlooks VMI, Sigma Nu’s birthplace. The Headquarters Shrine is often referred to as “The Rock.” It receives more visitors annually than all other fraternity headquarters combined. It is Sigma Nu’s home and it belongs to all who wear the five-armed Badge.
2. Our Founding – In 1935 a granite boulder taken from the nearby Maury River, with bronze plaque depicting the three Founders at the Rock, was placed by the General Fraternity on the edge of the VMI parade ground sixty-five yards from the original site of limestone saucer-shaped outcropping where the Legion of Honor was founded on a starlit Sunday night in October 1868.
3. Graves of Our Founders
§ James Frank Hopkins was buried at Mablevale, Cemetery; Mablevale, Arkansas
§ Greenfield Quarles was buried at Maple Hill Cemetery; Helena, Arkansas
§ James McIlvaine Riley was buried at Bellefontaine Cemetery; St. Louis, Missouri
All of the Founders graves are marked by special headstones commemorating their important role in forming the Legion of Honor.
4. Grave of the First Editor of The Delta – John Alexander Howard was buried at the Oakland Cemetery; Tallahassee, Florida, is marked with a special headstone in lasting tribute of creating what has long been recognized as the best fraternity magazine in the business.

KTSNAKE, congrats on your chapter's Chartering. I know it will be a great day for you and yours, but also for the General Fraternity. Welcome aboard, and represent the White Star with dignity.

LHT since 1869,
HT605

[Kevin]

KTSNAKE, congrats on your chapter's Chartering. I know it will be a great day for you and yours, but also for the General Fraternity. Welcome aboard, and represent the White Star with dignity.

Oh it definitely was!!! Thanks!

In what historic space exploration event did Vance Brand (Gamma Kappa, Colorado) participate?

First US rendezvous with a Soviet Soyeuz spaceship (July 15, 1975)

What was the relationship of Clarence E. Woods' (Zeta, Central) private residence to Sigma Nu?

Only time that a Sigma Nu's private residence simultaneously served as a chapter home in addition, his daughter, Mamie Miller Woods, thereby became teh only child born in a Sigma Nu chapter home.

What Sigma Nu emblem in its earliest design portrayed an American flag with stripes and the badge (instead of a field of stars?)

The first Sigma Nu pledge pin, designed by James Thatcher Seaver (Beta Sigma, Vermont), 1898

Who wrote the first Ritual of Sigma Nu?

James Frank Hopkins

Now part of the Sigma Nu HQ complex, what facility would have been observed under construction by the founders?

Sigma Nu Ethical Leadership Center (originally the Paxton home); begun in 1860, construction was completed in 1867; dedicated as the Sigma Nu Ethical Leadership Center in 1989.


I'll have some more later!

LHT
Kevin Taylor
MT 5
University of Central Oklahoma

[Kevin]

Oki, some of this history stuff I've been posting is pretty obscure so I'll just stick to single messages from here on out unless someone objects...

QQ: Who is the last living Sigma Nu to shake the hand of a Founder?

--Charles E. "Ted" Palmer (Epsilon, Bethany/Gamma Upsilon, Arkansas); was initiated on Armistice Day (November 11, 1918); shook hands with Greenfield Quarles at the Nineteenth Grand Chapter, St Louis, 1919)

QQ: What chapter first used the Alpha Room at SIgma Nu HQ for its formal Candidate Ceremony?

-- Lambda, Washington and Lee

QQ: Formerly called "catalogues, " what are these Sigma Nu publications now called?

-- Alumni Directories

QQ: Today the position is known as Regent, but what was it called in the early days of Sigma Nu

-- Rho, originally, all offices were designed by Greek letters.


LHT
Kevin Taylor
MT 5
University of Central Oklahoma

[Kevin]

More trivia:

Now providing overnight lodging for visiting collegians, what was the Sigma Nu HQ Carriage House used for prior to being aquired by the Fraternity?

--Horse barn, built in 1931

What famous World War II vehicle was created by Ward Canady (Gamma Kappa, Colorado)

--Willys Jeep; while serving as board chairman of Willys-Overland, the first company to fully convert to war work, Canady ordered immediate production of the rugged, multi-purpose vehicle.

Since first awarded in 1964, what chapters have produced ten or more Alpha Affiliates?

-- Eta Zeta (LA Tech), Epsilon Epsilon (OK State), Epsilon Xi (Mississippi)

In Sigma Nu history, who/what is a sacristan?

-- Person in charge of ceremonial paraphernalia

What was the unique relationship between Marguerite G Old and The Delta?

-- Only non Sigma Nu editor of the Delta (1971-73)


LHT
Kevin
MT 5
University of Central Oklahoma

[SigmaNuSWTx]

By the number of hits this thread is getting, I think people are enjoying this. If anyone else has some cool history besides KT and I, please throw it in. It does not matter if you only have a one-liner, just throw it in.

Hope everyone has or had a safe Spring Break. About 25 brothers from the HT chapter went to South Padre, where we met brothers from about 7 different chapters. It was a blast.

LHT
HT605


The Symbols

The Badge (also known as The White Star)
James Frank Hopkins had a sense of Honor, in a time when dishonor was a common and often accepted practice, and wanted to pass it on to others. He thought Honor might best be exemplified by the French Legion of Honor, whose motto is: “Honneur et patrie,” (Honor and native land). So that the Sigma Nu Badge would remind our members of Honor, Hopkins patterned it after the White Cross of the French Legion of Honor, which was also worn by one of his favorite professors at VMI. Only Knights, their mothers, wives, sisters, fiancées, or daughters may wear the Badge. The Badge is fully explained during initiation.

The Book and Sword
General Francis H. Smith adopted the practice of presenting a Bible to each graduate. Sigma Nu grew out of the tradition of Honor of a highly recognized military school. Cadet officers in formal dress carried swords. Both play a part in every formal Sigma Nu meeting and ceremony. Upon initiation, the symbolic meaning of these two fixtures is revealed.

The Rock
The Rock is a symbol of our enduring strength and constancy.

The Rose (also known as The White Rose)
The Rose is a living symbol of Sigma Nu’s purity of purpose and unique tradition for change. Sigma Nu’s first legacy, John Carmichael Jr., proposed the White Rose as our flower in 1892 because as a boy he looked after it during summers at his grandparents’ home, near what is now the Headquarters Shrine.

Crossed Swords
The crossed swords represent the celebration of Sigma Nu’s purpose and salute the dedicated alumni who voluntarily serve the cause of Sigma Nu. Upon initiation more symbolism is explained.

Blue Ribbon
During the time in which the Legion of Honor remained secret, the members of Alpha wore a blue ribbon to signal to other members that a meeting had been called.

Alpha Chest
Alpha had a wooden chest that contained the personal effects of the chapter. More of its story is told upon initiation.

[Kevin]

Sorry it's been awhile, but here are some more trivia questions:

What date is portrayed in Michael V Jaszczak's Painting, "The Quest"?


The 24th Grand Chapter (Chicago, 1929) replaced the office of Grand Counselor with what office?


What prompted a Sigma Nu Grand Chapter to confer emergency powwers on the High Council including budgetary authority, permission for alumni to hold active chapter offices and postponment of the next Grand Chapter if necessary?


How was the Ritual conveyed to a newly chartered chapter prior to 1900?


As these are not too obscure I'll leave the answers out for now to see if anyone knows. Enjoy!!!

LHT
Kevin Taylor
MT 5
University of Central Oklahoma

[SigmaNuSWTx]

I am going to slow down on posting so many at a time, so from here on, I will only post two or three different facts. If I don't I will be all out, and you guys will think I am a one pump chump. KT, you are doing a damn fine job.
Hope you all enjoy,
HT605


The First Fraternity
Phi Beta Kappa was formed at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia on December 5, 1776. Its basic purpose for existence was for the promotion of education. Today, Phi Beta Kappa is a coveted recognition of high
scholastic attainment for both men and women.


The Three Triads
Union Triad – Union College (New York)
Miami Triad – Miami University (Ohio)
Lexington Triad – Washington College and Virginia Military Institute (Virginia)

Union Triad - Kappa Alpha Society, Sigma Phi, & Delta Phi
Miami Triad - Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, & Sigma Chi
Lexington Triad - Sigma Nu, Kappa Alpha Order & Alpha Tau Omega

[Kevin]

Lexington Triad - Sigma Nu, Kappa Alpha Order & Alpha Tau Omega

-- Did you know that Pi Kappa Alpha and Kappa Sigma include themselves with the Lexington Triad in their histories -- (well as far as grouping)? They call it the "Virginia Circle".

I believe they were both founded at Virginia University.

LHT
Kevin Taylor
MT 5
University of Central Oklahoma

[SigmaNuSWTx]

I don't blame them. I would do the same thing if I was stuck in the shoes of any pike or Kappa Sig. Jk... That is wild. I had no clue.
HT605

[Kevin]

I don't blame them. I would do the same thing if I was stuck in the shoes of any pike or Kappa Sig. Jk... That is wild. I had no clue.

What is it they say? Success by association??? That must be it.

Welp here are some answers to the trivia I put up earlier:

What date is portrayed in Michael V Jaszczak's Painting, "The Quest"?

1869 ( in Roman numerals at the base of the tree in the lower right corner of the painting)

The 24th Grand Chapter (Chicago, 1929) replaced the office of Grand Counselor with what office?

Second Vice Regent; with this major change in The Law of Sigma Nu, First Vice Regent became equivalent to Regent-Elect.

What prompted a Sigma Nu Grand Chapter to confer emergency powwers on the High Council including budgetary authority, permission for alumni to hold active chapter offices and postponment of the next Grand Chapter if necessary?

World War II

How was the Ritual conveyed to a newly chartered chapter prior to 1900?

Sent in writing to a new chapter with the understanding that copy would be destroyed upon memorization.


LHT
Kevin Taylor
MT 5
University of Central Oklahoma

[Kevin]

Here are some items of interest from when I visited Lexington at the College of Chapters.

There is a monument in Lexington at VMI that commemorates the Lexington triad. A Sigma Nu was commissioned to build it (another story I'm sure). He contacted the ATO national office and told them that he was building the monument which would feature a circle with "pie slices" displaying the names of each fraternity. I can't at this moment remember which way was which so left and right will have to do because that's how the monument looks =) ).
He asked the ATO main office if they'd like the side of the sign closest to VMI (where they were founded). They of course loved the idea... and so it was.
Then he went to the KA Order HQ and told them he could give them the part of the sign closest to Washington & Lee College (where they were founded) and they of course loved that idea.
So the sign was built bearing the names of the fraternities of the Lexington Triad. On the left side near VMI was ATO's name. On the right side nearer to Lexington was KA's name. Finally on the top and in the middle is Sigma Nu.

-- And that's how Sigma Nu is placed in the highest postion on the monument of the Lexington Triad.


LHT
Kevin Taylor
MT 5
University of Central Oklahoma

[Kevin]

More trivia (hopefully this will get things going a little better since the boards were down). Feel free to answer these if you can.

What was the relationshp of Ernest Wenner to the Creed of Sigma Nu?

What Sigma Nu Chapter had the longest dormancy period?

How old is a chapter when it holds its jubilee celebration?

What was the significance of Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities to Sigma Nu?



LHT
Kevin Taylor
MT 5
University of Central Oklahoma