President:  Daniel Wangelin       Email: dan69@siu.edu

SIU Founding Date:                       1994

National Founding Date:               1869

National Founding Location:         Virginia Military Institute

Chapter webpage address:         http://signusiu.com

National webpage address:          http://www.sigmanu.com

Colors:                                          Black and Gold

Slogan:                                         ”To believe in the life of love
                                                      To walk in the way of honor
                                                      To serve in the light of truth”

Chapter House Location:              

Name of Annual Events:               Red Carnation Ball

Community Service &

Philanthropy:                                 Sigma Nu’s past is a proud and colorful one. Founded by three cadets at the Virginia Military Institute in a period of civil strife known as the Reconstruction, Sigma Nu represented a radical departure from the times. 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. So, amidst a backdrop of turmoil, North America’s first “Honor” fraternity was established in 1869 at Virginia Military Institute. 
The Fraternity’s spiritual birth, however, actually occured in 1866, the year the Founders entered VMI, when Frank Hopkins first rebelled against hazing at the Institute. Still, the Founders did not create Sigma Nu with any feeling of animosity toward others; rather they were prompted by the impulses of sympathy and affecton for all people which underlie abiding peace and contentment. They had experienced enough hate and destruction all during and after the War. They wanted to end all abuses, and they knew it would not come easily. It was never an issue of who won or lost the War. It was only an issue of winning the peace.
The Legion of Honor society in its first year assumed the outward aspects of a college Greek-letter organization. The organizaton kept its original name secret but was recognized publicly as Sigma Nu Fraternity. It was soon to win the respect of all.  Mu Lambda chapter here at SIUC is continuing the epic vision of our three founders.  Sigma Nu is not for the average man, but for the man who strives for the ideals of a higher calling.  We are truly a fraternity of men that strive to believe in the life of love, walk in the way of honor, and serve in the light of truth.