Sigma Chi: Now More Than Ever

After receiving an award for my outstanding support of Ball State’s Greek community on Sunday night (which is one of the most amazing honors any undergraduate fraternity brother/fraternity alumnus could ever have!!), I’m proud to say all of the above:

Now more than ever, I’m proud to be Greek.

Now more than ever, I’m proud to be a Sigma Chi.

Now more than ever, I’m proud to be a positive inspiration & role model to other Greek men & women.

Now more than ever, I’m proud to be a steadfast supporter, advocate & enthusiast of Ball State’s Greek community.

Now more than ever, I’m proud to be such a honor & credit to Epsilon Omega Chapter, Sigma Chi Fraternity, Ball State University & Ball State’s Greek community, showcasing my chapter & Sigma Chi (among many others) in a positive, enriching, powerful & inspiring way.

Now more than ever, I’m proud to say that I’m a fraternity man who is sincerely & wholeheartedly committed to living Sigma Chi’s values of friendship, justice & learning in all that he does.

Now more than ever, I’m proud to say that I’m a fraternity man who reflects Sigma Chi’s core values in a positive, enriching, powerful & inspiring way to Greeks & non-Greeks alike.

Now more than ever, I’m proud to say that I’m a fraternity man who doesn’t just meet expectations – he also finds ways to surpass/exceed them as well.

Now more than ever, I’m proud to say that I’m a fraternity man who continually does his part to be a Man of Good Character.

Now more than ever, I’m proud to say that I’m a fraternity man who strives to better his chapter, Sigma Chi Fraternity & Ball State’s Greek community out of the goodness of my heart.

Now more than ever, I’m proud to say that Sigma Chi has shaped me into a stronger leader, contributor, difference-maker & above all, a stronger man.

And now more than ever, my award for my outstanding support of Ball State’s Greek community reaffirms my lifelong commitment to Sigma Chi & Ball State Greek Life (among others).

Greek Life: Things I’m Thankful For…

Things in life that I’m thankful for:

Most definitely, I’m thankful for Sigma Chi.

Sigma Chi is continuing to shape me into all of the following, as articulated in The Jordan Standard: “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 & a deep sense of personal responsibility.“

Sigma Chi is continuing to shape me into a man who is wholeheartedly, sincerely & fully committed to living the Fraternity’s core values of friendship, justice & learning.

Sigma Chi is continuing to shape me into a man who is wholeheartedly, sincerely & continually committed to making a difference for his fellow Greeks!! (Even as an alumnus, I’m still proud to be a steadfast advocate & supporter of Ball State’s Greek community.)

Sigma Chi is continuing to shape me into a stronger leader, contributor, difference-maker & above all, Sigma Chi is continuing to shape me into a better person!!

Sigma Chi is continuing to shape me into a man who believes in fairness, decency & good manners.

Sigma Chi is continuing to shape me into a man who is doing his part to make Ball State University, his Fraternity & his own chapter (Epsilon Omega) more honored, more beloved & honestly respected by all men & women, as well as his own Brothers.

Sigma Chi is continuing to shape me into a man who not only talks about his values but also goes out & lives those values day in & day out.

Sigma Chi is continuing to shape me into a man who shows appreciation, respect & impartiality to Ball State’s Panhellenic community (among others), always showcasing Ball State’s Sororities/women’s Fraternities in a honest, heartfelt & positive way.

Last but not least, Sigma Chi is continuing to shape me into a man who is selfessly reflecting the Fraternity’s values, ideals & principles to others around him.

I’m truly proud to be Greek. I’m truly proud to be a Sigma Chi. For that I’ll always be thankful.

Sigma Chi: Untitled At Butler University, 1/5/2012

Sigma Chi: Top Ten Reasons To Join Sigma Chi

Here are ten reasons to join Sigma Chi & ten reasons why I love Sigma Chi as much as I do:

1.  True friendship.  You’ll not only find true friendship in Sigma Chi; you’ll also discover brotherhood that lasts a lifetime.  

2.  Personal growth.  John Wayne said it best:   ”Men join Fraternities, Leaders of Men join Sigma Chi.”  You’ll not only be around men who are driven & inspired leaders/difference-makers for their chapters, colleges/universities & communities.  You’ll also be inspired to become a leader & difference-maker yourself, inspiring & encouraging others to do the same.

3.  Networking.  Sigma Chi has roughly 240 undergraduate chapters, 126 alumni chapters, over 15,000 undergraduates, over 223,000 living alumni & over 300,000 lifetime brothers.  Truly, Sigma Chi’s strong brotherhood knows no geographical boundaries.

4.  Diversity.  Sigma Chi is a Fraternity of men who have differing interest & opinions; likewise, Sigma Chi’s membership comes from differing walks of life, ages, races & cultures.  In addition, Sigma Chi is a Fraternity of men with differing temperaments, talents & convictions who share common goals & visions.

5.  Integrity.  Sigma Chis hold themselves to higher standards & expectations in all that they do.  Also, Sigma Chis show others that they not only represent themselves through their actions – they also represent their chapters & the Fraternity per se.

6.  Scholarship & Learning.  Sigma Chis are inspired to perform to their fullest potential academically; better yet, they’re also inspired to go above & beyond the expectations of others when it comes to academic excellence. 

7.  Justice.  Sigma Chis treat others around them with respect & dignity; they also believe in the inherent value of all individuals.  For these men, pledging Sigma Chi is a process of learning, inspiration & achievement!!

8.  Community Service.  Sigma Chis not only make a heartfelt impact for their colleges/universities & communities through philanthropy & service; they also are provided with the leadership & organization skills to put together events which can make a positive difference in people’s lives (such as Derby Days).  Whether it’s supporting the Huntsman Cancer Association or Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (among other endeavors),  Sigma Chis do more than amazing things as a philanthropic organization!!

9.  Ritual.  Sigma Chi is a Fraternity based on friendship & values.  Through the Ritual, Sigma Chi’s members strengthen friendships, build character & emphasize the high ideals which Sigma Chi is based upon:  friendship, justice & learning!!

10.  Being a part of something special.  Sigma Chi is about being a part of something which is truly special, even now:  157 years of amazing brotherhood & true friendship!!

Sigma Chi: Wanted – Men Of Good Character

(The following post isn’t just for Sigma Chis.  It’s also for Sigma Chi chapter sweethearts & sorority women who love Sigma Chi with all their heart.)

Are you searching for true & lifelong brotherhood?  You’ll find it right here in Sigma Chi.

Are you seeking true & lifelong friendship?  You’ll find it right here in Sigma Chi.

Are you searching for a place where you can develop an appreciation of lifelong learning?  You’ll find it right here in Sigma Chi.

Are you searching for a Fraternity where you can become a leader, mentor & difference-maker for your college/university & community?  You’ll find it right here in Sigma Chi.

Are you searching for a Fraternity which will continue to inspire & empower you to be a leader, scholar & man of good character?  You’ll find it right here in Sigma Chi.

Are you searching for a Fraternity where you can make an impact for your campus & community through service & philanthropy?  You’ll find it right here in Sigma Chi.

Are you searching for a Fraternity where you can live your values & ideals to the fullest?  You’ll find it right here in Sigma Chi.

Are you searching for a Fraternity which helps good men become great men?  You’ll find it right here in Sigma Chi.

Are you seeking friendship, justice & learning?  You’ll find all of these things right here in Sigma Chi.

Are you searching for a Fraternity where you’ll discover all of the above & so much more?  You’ll find what you’re looking for right here in Sigma Chi.

Wanted:  Men of Good Character.  Rush Sigma Chi!!

 

 

Sigma Chi: All Of These Things & Much More

Luke Bryan.  Drew Brees.  David Letterman.  Mike Ditka.  Mike Holmgren.  Jay Wright.  Howard ‘Hopalong’ Cassady.  Jim Everett.  Merlin Olsen. Andy Rooney.

But the list doesn’t end here.

Bob Griese.  Mark Herrmann.  Urban Meyer.  Luke Donald.  Scott Altman.  George Ade.  Booth Tarkington.  Woody Harrelson.  Jim Caviezel.  Brad Pitt.

Yet the list keeps on going & going.

Keith Ferrazzi.  Jon Huntsman, Sr.  William DeVries.  John Wayne.  Tom Selleck.  T.J. Yates.  Woody Hayes.  Tom Seaver.   Grover Cleveland.  Clarence Gilyard.

Each of these aforementioned men have the following things in common.  Besides being famous & popular, they’re fraternity men.  They’re part of a much larger Greek community.  They’ve made history.  They’ve written new chapters of history along the way.  They’ve left their mark over time in entertainment, literature, sports, space travel, medicine, technology, politics, government & the military (among other fields).

In addition, all of these men are Sigma Chis.  These Brothers (among many more) are truly a credit to Sigma Chi & have given their Fraternity honor & distinction in their own special ways.

Sigma Chi is a Fraternity which continues to keep its word as a leadership-oriented Greek organization steadfastly dedicated to friendship, justice & learning.  Sigma Chi is a Fraternity which continues to be a benchmark of consistency, bringing up men who are willing to become leaders & difference-makers for their colleges/universities & their communities.  Moreover, Sigma Chi is a Fraternity which remains committed to holding its members up to higher standards & expectations.

For any man thinking about going Greek this fall, follow your heart.  See if fraternity life is a perfect fit for you.  And see if Sigma Chi is the perfect Fraternity where you can become a dedicated leader, making an impact for your campus, community & beyond.  See if Sigma Chi is a place where you can do more-than-amazing things, becoming a credit & honor to the Fraternity.  See if Sigma Chi is a perfect opportunity to discover the Fraternity’s three great aims:  friendship, justice & lifelong learning.

Sigma Chi is all of these things & much more!!

Sigma Chi: More Snaps To Drew Brees!!

Whether you’re a loyal fan of the New Orleans Saints or not, you’ve got to love & respect the great things Drew Brees has been doing lately.  Case in point:  Last night’s game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Not only did the Saints win & clinch the NFC South; Drew Brees also broke Dan Marino’s single-season passing record in the process.  (Brees currently has 5,087 passing yards compared to the 5,084 passing yards Marino had back in 1984.)

Besides being a man with a plan on the football field & being a history-making, record-breaking quarterback, Drew Brees is also all of the following:   A Sigma Chi.  A Significant Sig.  A Truly Proud & Truly Worthy Sig.  A Man of Good Character on & off the field.  Above all, Brother Brees is one of the most selfless Sigma Chis around, doing great things for his alma mater (Purdue University) & the city of New Orleans.  (For my fellow Sigs or for anyone who loves Sigma Chi, these words continue to hold true about Drew Brees.)  Even if you’re not a Saints fan, you’ve got to love, respect & appreciate Drew Brees & the work that this man is continuing to do both in a Saints uniform & outside it. 

Thank God for Sigma Chi.  At the same time, thank Sigma Chi for giving us such amazing & truly dedicated Brothers like Drew Brees!!

Greek Life: Much More Than Meets The Eye

You’ve heard & seen firsthand how Greeks have been portrayed on television & in the movies:  more often than not, in a negative & unflattering light.  In addition, some Greeks are actually perpetuating the very stereotypes we not only want to avoid, but also want to transcend altogether.  (The most recent case in point:  Sigma Phi Epsilon  at the University of Vermont.) 

To be honest with you, it’s amazing how many times Greeks have been caricaturized & stereotyped to death.  Whether from a fictional standpoint or not, it’s no secret why non-Greeks are so skeptical & suspicious about fraternities & sororities in general.  Moreover, seeing those same old myths about Greeks per se is enough to make the doubters & haters say to this effect:  “If this is what Greek life is all about, I want no part of it.”  “Why would I want to pay for my friends?”  ”Greeks just party & drink all of the time.” 

For us, Greek life’s not about parties.  Likewise, it’s not about drinking.  In the same way, it’s not about looks or the kind of clothing we wear.  It’s not about Prada. It’s not about Kate Spade & it’s not about Lilly Pulitzer either.  The true story about Greek life is a far cry from all of these things you’ve seen on TV & the movies (& worse yet, in our own backyard, by men & women who failed to live their organizations’ rituals & values). 

It’s on us to accept the challenge.  It’s up to us to show non-Greeks who we truly are, what we truly do & what we’re truly about.  Just giving them a bunch of facts & figures won’t convince them as to why our chapters are doing great things for our colleges/universities & communities.  Rattling off names of famous men & women who have graced our organizations over time won’t suffice either.  It’s on us to not only fight the stereotypes non-Greeks harbor about our fraternities & sororities, but also to shatter them as well.  If we’re not doing our job, who’s going to?

Alpha Omicron Pi: untitled, 8/22/11

Whether you’re a Sigma Chi who loves AOII or you’re an AOII who loves Sigma Chi like none other, this “Welcome back” pic is one more way to show much love to both Greek organizations!!

 

Alpha Gamma Delta: untitled, 8/22/11

Whether you’re a Sigma Chi who loves AGD or you’re an AGD who loves Sigma Chi like wow, the following pic speaks for itself!!