Sigma Tau Gamma (ΣΤΓ), commonly known asSig Tau, is a United States college socialfraternity founded on June 28, 1920, at theUniversity of Central Missouri (then known as Central Missouri State Teachers College). The fraternity was founded as a result of friendships made while some of the founders fought inWorld War I inFrance.
The fraternity went on to create new chapters on the campuses surrounding teachers' colleges, at the time also called "normal schools". Since the fraternity's beginnings in 1920, it has chartered more than 193 chapters at campuses across the United States. The fraternity is a member of theNorth American Interfraternity Conference.
Sigma Tau Gamma was founded on June 28, 1920, at theCentral Missouri State Teachers College.[1] Four of the founders—Emmett Ellis, Leland Thornton Hoback, Edward George Grannert, and William Glenn Parsons—had enlisted and served their country together during theWorld War I in France.[2] These four, together with Allen Ross Nieman, Edward Henry McCune, Carl Nelson Chapman, Buell Wright McDaniel, George Eugene Hartrick, A. Barney Cott, Chiles Edward Hoffman, Rodney Edward Herndon, William Edward Billings, Clarence Willard Salter, Frank H. Gorman, Alpheus Oliphant Fisher, and Daniel Frank Fisher, were the seventeen founders of the fraternity.[1]
Several of the founders were members of theIrving Literary Society, but they wanted to create a new fraternity including members of other literary societies. On the morning of June 28, 1920, a list containing the names of about thirty men was posted on the college bulletin board by Ellis with a request to meet that afternoon.[2] Nieman, who had become familiar with fraternities while attendingWilliam Jewell College, was the principal organizer of the meeting. The men elected Hoback temporary chairman and Ellis temporary secretary. They agreed to begin crafting the organization and adjourned until July 7, 1920.
To present their petition to the faculty, the founders were accompanied by Dr. Wilson C. Morris, who had been part ofSigma Nu in his college days. Morris became the fraternity's first honorary member and served theAlpha chapter atCentral Missouri as patron, counselor, and advisor until he died in 1947.[3][4]
The fraternity went on to create new chapters on the campuses surrounding teachers' colleges, at the time also called "normal schools".[1] Since the fraternity's beginnings in 1920, it has chartered more than 193 chapters at campuses across the United States.[5] The fraternity is a member of theNorth American Interfraternity Conference.[6]
There are several public and private ceremonies and rituals in the fraternity, from initiation to memorials for deceased fraternity members. Sigma Tau Gamma also has a development program known as the "Path of Principles". The first eight weeks of the program challenge associate members to "promote the highest ideals of brotherhood and demonstrate an abiding spirit in which all things in life are done and possible".[7] Content is covered during weekly associate meetings held separate from the chapter meeting.
The fraternity's colors are azure blue and white.[1] Its mascot is the knight and its flower is the white rose.[8][1]
Its coat of arms was adopted in 1927 and modified in 1954.[8] The badge, which all members may purchase and wear, is the principal symbol of membership. The badge was adopted in 1927 and modified in 2016. The standard gold badge is provided to each new member at initiation.[8] The associate pin is worn by associate members of the fraternity until initiation. The associate pin is the chapter's property and is returned to the chapter at the time of initiation by the new member.[8]
On June 30, 2011, the Board of Directors announced its partnership with the Special Olympics in 2011, making it the fraternity’s official philanthropy. Each chapter is expected to provide service or funds directly to theSpecial Olympics.[10]
The fraternity offers scholarships and awards to undergraduates and alumni during the summer convention.[11] The individual awards include the Michael J. Steinbeck Fellowship, which offers assistance in the pursuit of graduate and professional degrees. Chapter awards include the Earl A. Webb Most Improved Chapter Award and the Emmett Ellis Chapter Scholarship Award
Established in 1966, the Sigma Tau Gamma Foundation is its distinct legal entity, considered a public charity (501c3) by the federal government and is separate from the Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity.[12] It makes use of tax-deductible charitable gift dollars for the development of chapters of the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity. The Sigma Tau Gamma Foundation started "Books for Kids" which raises money and books for public libraries and school districts.
Established in 2014, the WPN National Housing Company is alimited liability company established to provide housing assistance and management as it relates to the housing or other forms of shared fraternity living/meeting space for undergraduate members of Sigma Tau Gamma.[13]
