About

National Information and History Headquartered in Lexington, Virginia, Sigma Nu Fraternity was founded in 1869 at Virginia Military Institute. Sigma Nu currently has 180 active chapters and colonies on college campuses throughout the United States and Canada, and has initiated over 219,000 members since its founding. Sigma Nu was founded by three cadets at the Virginia Military Institute during a period of civil strife known as the Reconstruction. Sigma Nu represented a radical departure from the traditions of that time. The system of physical abuse and hazing of underclassmen at VMI led to James Frank Hopkins, Greenfield Quarles, and James McIlvaine Riley to form the "Legion of Honor," which soon became Sigma Nu Fraternity. Amidst a backdrop of turmoil, North America's first "Honor" fraternity was established. Sigma Nu- Epsilon Chi Chapter The Bowling Green State University Chapter of Sigma Nu (Epsilon Chi) was first established in 1946 but went into a dormant phase in the early 1990’s. In 2003, Sigma Nu Headquarters contacted the university Greek Affairs office in hopes of re-founding the Epsilon Chi Chapter at Bowling Green. The chapter was colonized during the same year under Rick Acker, the new colony’s first president. With the support of alumni, headquarters, and many dedicated brothers to the cause, The Epsilon Chi Chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity regained its charter on March 26th, 2006.  The chapter is now standing at 22 men. The Chapter is proud of their many traditions, both new and old.  One of those traditions is holding the Annual Sigma Nu Mark Gillfillan Bike-A-Thon. This event was named after one of our dedicated brothers that tragically passed away during the summer of 2009. This event consists of a seven day non-stop ride on a stationary bike in the middle of the union oval with all brothers and candidates taking shifts. The proceeds are donated to a scholarship fund set up in Mark’s name. Along with this philanthropy event, we participate in multiple charity events held by other Greek organizations throughout the year. If you are driving on I-75, a little south of Bowling Green, take notice of our Adopt A Highway sign signifying the stretch of highway we clean twice a semester.  We are a chapter dedicated to honor and brotherhood. Holding true to the values of our founders, we do not haze each other and treat each other with respect and as men.  We are in the business of creating men for their future careers and helping them maintain a sense of chivalry and honor in their everyday lives. As the chapter grows, so do our memories of our time spent during our time in school.  We are in a fraternity for life, not just during college. Our active alumni are walking testaments of this belief. The chapter’s alumni come and visit the active chapter many times throughout the year, whether it be for a general visit or for a planned event. The Alumni work hard with the chapter in all facets of chapter operations to include brotherhood, new member education, and scholarship. Every semester, the alumni present merit based scholarship checks to active brothers who meet certain academic requirements in the previous semester.  Sigma Nu is the only fraternity at Bowling Green that offers this type of scholarship program from their alumni association.