Sigma Nu Fraternity And Its Tradition Of Ethical Leadership

By Thomas Gray


Universities keep faith with tradition and have relevant student organizations that are recognized for practices that support the said tradition. These groups are necessarily autonomous but they have value systems that often complement the ideals of their host schools. Honor societies and clubs have always been identified with quality education.

Many of these student societies were created out of idealistic principles. There have been numerous times that passages of history and other momentous events gave birth to civil organizations that espouse ideals that were needed for the times. Sigma Nu Fraternity Auburn University is an organization whose principles and practices have stood the test of time.

The Fraternity was born in the Reconstruction Era, a time of civil strife following the end of Civil War. Three students from Virginia Military Institute established it to radically depart from the system of corporal punishment then in place for students. These three founders believed in an honor society that did not punish its entrants, and thus were one the first people to depart from an established but cruel tradition.

The three were James Frank Hopkins, Greenfield Quarles and James McIlvaine Riley. Hopkins was a veteran soldier and the other two were his close friends who were with him at VMI, an institution known for discipline and engineering courses. They were all rebelling against physical hazing, and for this cause took their solemn oath on a moonlit field in 1868.

Sigma Nu was first known as the Legion of Honor, a secret society patterned after the French tradition that was established by Napoleon. The Badge for the brotherhood, was created by Hopkins from the pattern of the symbolic white cross from the original Legion. The student fraternity took a complete departure from the then prevalent practice initiating potential members through harsh physical hazing.

The three founders were among the very first to espouse the concept of eliminating any sort of abuse from their operating credo. This was prompted by the strife, hate and destructiveness of war. Their belief was carved out of truly humane impulses of sympathy and affection for every man, the bases for abiding peace and contentment.

Auburn University is where Sigma Nu Beta Theta chapter finds its home. Brotherhood members saw the campus as an ideal place on which to found one of its oldest and most well known chapters in 1890. Auburn is the breeding ground of good leaders trained with the best ideals of democracy, hard work and related values.

The university creed is the foundation on which the leadership qualities of fraternity alumni are molded and by which they progress into positions of rank. The brotherhood is quite well known for turning out men who practice ethical leadership based on Love, Honor and Truth. To this day, the school credo and brotherhood values remain a combination that is a pillar of vibrant student life in the university.

Brothers will welcome all good and faithful men in summer or fall rushes. They also have great socials and commemorate occasions that are fixtures in campus life. These are part of a proud and colorful tradition that the organizations keeps up, providing a forum for instilling relevant democratic values that supports American society.




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