Sigma Chi Pledge Study Guide

By Mr. McNutters
The Jordan Standard: The standard with which the Fraternity started was declared by Isaac M. Jordan to be that of admitting no man to membership in Sigma Chi who is not believed to be: - A Man of Good Character - A Student of Fair Ability - With Ambitious Purposes - A Congenial Disposition - Possessed of Good Morals - Having a High Sense of Honor and A Deep Sense of Personal Responsibility The Sigma Chi Creed: I believe in fairness, decency, and good manners. I will endeavor to retain the spirit of youth. I will try to make my college, the Sigma Chi Fraternity, and my own chapter more honored by all men and women and more beloved and honestly respected by our own brothers. I say these words in all sincerity; that Sigma Chi has given me favor and distinction; that the bond of our fellowship is reciprocal, that I will endeavor to so build myself and so conduct myself that I will ever be a credit to our Fraternity. The Spirit of Sigma Chi: The Spirit of Sigma Chi, as conceived by the Founders over 150 years ago yet visible and alive today, is based on the theory that - Friendship among members, sharing a common belief in an ideal, - And possessing different temperaments, talents, and convictions, - Is superior to friendship among members having the same temperaments, talents, and convictions, and that - Genuine friendship can be maintained without surrendering the principle of individuality or sacrificing ones personal judgment.

Greek Alphabet:

Founding of Sigma Chi: The founding of Sigma Chi began as the result of a disagreement over who would be elected Poet in the Erodelphian Literary Society of Miami University in Ohio. Several members of Miami University's Delta Kappa Epsilon chapter were also members of the Erodelphian Literary Society. In the fall of 1854, this society was to pick its Poet, and a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon was nominated for the position. He was supported by five of his brothers, but four others (Caldwell, Jordan, Runkle, and Scobey) felt that he lacked the required poetic talent. These men instead chose to give their support to another man who was not a member of the fraternity. Bell and Cooper were not members of Erodelphian, but their support for the dissenting four was unequivocal. The chapter had twelve members and so was evenly divided. Other differences might have been forgotten, but both sides saw this conflict as a matter of principle and over the next few months there came a distancing of their friendship. After all was said and done, Runkle resigned his membership in DKE and his five brothers followed. One final chapter meeting was held, at which the chapter was sixto-six divided on the issue of expulsion. The parent chapter at Yale University was contacted, and all six men were formally expelled. The six men soon associated themselves with William Lewis Lockwood, a student from New York who had not joined a fraternity and then the Fraternity was founded.

Dates of Founding: June 28, 1855 Sigma Chi Fraternity is founded at Miami (Ohio) University. November 8, 1872 Delta Chapter is founded at UGA. The Seven Founders: 1. Benjamin Piatt Runkle a. "courageous in spirit and idealism" b. Designed the White Cross c. Episcopal priest d. First Founders's Memorial Monument erected at his grave 2. Thomas Cowan Bell a. "the qualities of learning" b. His house was considered the first chapter house of Sigma Chi c. Career in education d. Final Founder's memorial 3. William Lewis Lockwood a. "honest & trustworthy through life" b. Businessman and organizer of the group c. Treasurer d. Only one of the founders who wasn't DKE 4. Isaac M. Jordan a. "energetic and faithful to every task" b. Orator c. Wrote the Jordan Standard d. Died young falling into an elevator shaft 5. Daniel William Cooper a. "ruler of the spirit" b. Contributed to the moral and spiritual foundations of the fraternity c. Oldest of the Founders d. Presbyterian pastor 6. Franklin Howard Scobey a. "courteous and loyal in his friendship" b. Helped lead the rebellion within DKE c. Cheered up the group and paid conscientious attention to true friendship d. Popular even with the enemies of the Founders 7. James Parks Caldwell a. "true to principle" b. Creative genius and spirit of youth c. Only 14 years old when he started Sigma Chi d. Confederate soldier

Story of Constantine (Roman):

The seven Founders conceived the chief elements of Sigma Chi heraldry, including the White Cross. They admired the courage of those ancient warriors who were willing to fight even to die for their ideals. Consequently, our heraldry is influenced by a legendary feat of the Emperor Constantine, a man who demonstrated remarkable commitment to an ideal. Constantine was born in 272 A.D. and grew to become a fine soldier, ultimately achieving the rank of Supreme Emperor of the Roman Empire. Marching toward Rome on October 27, 312, Constantines forces were pursuing the armies of Maxentius, a challenger to the crown. En toutoi nika. Derived from the Latin translation, in hoc signo vinces, its meaning is In this sign you will conquer. Early the next morning, Constantine dreamed that a voice commanded him to have his soldiers mark upon their shields the letter X with a line drawn through it and a mark across the top. Because this was the symbol of Christ, the battle took on the significance of a holy cause, and, in fact, is considered an important event in religious history; many believe this marks Christianitys popular surge past paganism among the masses. Its significance for Sigma Chi, however, is Constantines discovery of noble principles in which he believed and for which he was willing to go to battle. The founders drew inspiration from the story of Constantine and thus from Constantines vision. The significance of the design of the Sigma Chi badge, the White Cross, and of our public motto, In Hoc Signo Vinces, is therefore evident. The words of our Founders reminds us, however, that only as the ideals for which this badge stands take possession of my heart and become exemplified in my life will I ever know the true meaning of the White Cross of Sigma Chi. As it was more than one century ago, the display of Sigma Chi heraldry identifies the wearer as a believer in a set of principles, and consequently demands more of him than it does of other men. Thus, the heraldry of Sigma Chi provides much more than ornamental value it also identifies all who wear it as Sigma Chis and marks them as men of high ideals, noble purposes, and strong character.

Constantine Chapter:
Harry St. John Dixon, a brother from the Psi Chapter at the University of Virginia who fought for the Confederacy, kept a record of all Sigma Chi's within his vicinity on the flyleaf of his diary during the American Civil War. He began planning a Confederate Army chapter of Sigma Chi with this information. On September 17, 1864 Dixon founded the Constantine Chapter of Sigma Chi during the Atlanta campaign with Harry Yerger, a brother from Mississippi who was in Dixon's division. Dixon stated the for which the war-time chapter was created saying, It was ascertained that a number of the fraternity were in the army of Tennessee under General Joseph E. Johnston during the Atlanta campaign in 1864. It was conceded that the South was forever disunited from the general government, and it was assumed that all chapters throughout the South would cease to exist. Furthermore, it was deemed expedient that we brothers should know each other and our several commands for the purpose of relief in distress, and communication in a case of need, with our Northern brethren. In the ruin at hand my sentiment was to preserve the lofty principles typified by the White Cross. I know that I had no authority to establish a chapter of Sigma Chi outside a college, or at all; but, isolated as we were, I thought I should raise the standard and fix a rallying point. Dixon and Yerger contacted all brothers listed in the diary who could come to the meeting. They met at night in a deserted log cabin a few miles southwest of Atlanta. Dixon later wrote, Dixon was elected "Sigma" (president) and Yerger was elected "Chi" (vice president); the chapter also initiated two men. The only badge in the chapter was one Dixon had made from a silver half-dollar. The last meeting was held New Year's Day 1865. The men at that meeting passed a resolution to pay a "tribute of respect" to the four brothers from the chapter who had died during the war. In May 1939 the Constantine Chapter Memorial was erected by Sigma Chi in memory of the Constantine Chapter and its members. The memorial is located on U.S. 41 in Clayton County, Georgia.

The Badge:

The Seal:

Designed by Benjamin Piatt Runkle and William Lewis Lockwood Two chains connect the upper arms Crossed keys on the upper arm Eagles head on the left arm Scroll on the right arm Clasped hands and 7 stars on the bottom arm EX greek letters in the center

The Flag:

The Pledge Pin:

Sigma Chi Colors: Blue and Old Gold Sigma Chi Flower: White Rose

Housing Corps and Advisors: Housing Corporation President Fred Lanier Faculty Advisor Cliff Smith Chapter Advisor Brad Kohl Sing a Song to Sigma Chi: Sing a song to Sigma Chi, and sing it loud and clear, Sing it with a mighty shout, so all the world can hear; Make the good old welkin ring and lift it to the sky, As we gather 'round and sing a song to Sigma Chi.

The Crest:

In hoc signo vinces The above phrase means in this sign you will conquer

A Sig I Am: A Sig I am, A Sig I'll be, A Sig through all eternity, A Sig by day, a Sig by night To be a Sig is my delight
CHORUS

Sig, oh Sig, Sigma Chi, I'll be a Sig until I die; Sig, oh Sig, Sigma Chi, I'll be a Sig until I die.

Sigma Chi Grace: Our Father, We Thank Thee for Thy many blessings. Keep us from harm. May the White Cross guide us And teach us to be true To each other, Ourselves, and Thee. Amen.

The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi: When the world goes wrong as it's bound to do, And you've broken Dan Cupid's bow, And you long for the girl you used to love, The maid of the long ago. Why light your pipe, bid sorrow a vaunt, Blow the smoke from your altar of dreams; And wreathe the face of your dream girl there, The love that is just what it seems. CHORUS The girl of my dreams is the sweetest girl Of all the girls I know; Each sweet co-ed, like a rainbow trail, Fades in the after glow. The blue of her eyes and the gold of her hair, Are a blend of the western sky; And the moonlight beams on the girls of my dreams, She's the Sweetheart of Sigma Chi.