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"Sigma Nu was born in the turbulent period known as America's reconstruction era.
Two war veterans from Arkansas and a younger associate from Missouri founded the
Fraternity at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia. At VMI they had been
drawn together to oppose the excessive hazing that took place in the 'rat' system of that
era, but they stayed together because they shared belief that honor should be central in
their lives. The Founders established Sigma Nu Fraternity on January 1, 1869, taking the Greek
letters Sigma Nu from part of the Fraternity's motto as their public name and enrolling
others of like mind at the Institute in their new secret society. The Founders could not have dreamed that their fledgling fraternity would one day grow
to span the nation and cross international boundaries. Today there are 205 operating arms
(chapters) of Mother Alpha at VMI, established at leading colleges and universities
throughout North America, and nearly 200,000 collegiate and alumni members. The Founders intended Sigma Nu to be a clear alternative to the kinds of organizations
which existed at VMI in the late 1860's. As mature men (Founder Hopkins was 24 and Founder
Riley was 23 when Sigma Nu was born), they wanted no part of the childish pranks and
mischief so prevalent then among student groups. Instead, they wanted a fraternity which
stood for democratic ideals, which practiced true brotherhood, which promoted scholarship
and fair play. And, most of all, they wanted their fraternity to embrace the honor code
that had played such an important role in their lives as cadets at VMI. The Founders of the Fraternity would be gratified indeed with how well they sowed the
seeds of Sigma Nu. For it is a fact that from the Fraternity in each new generation have
come leaders and movers who have carried Sigma Nu to new heights of achievement. The
regeneration of the Founder's ideals in each succeeding decade of the Fraternity's
existence is a Sigma Nu tradition that is greatly cherished." - "The Delta" vol. 116 And here's some info on our Local Roots! Zetas, etc
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