Our History

(Click for the Founding Fathers) 

Sigma Phi Epsilon was founded at Richmond College, now the University of Richmond, on November 1,

1901, on the Cardinal Principals: Virtue, Diligence, and Brotherly Love. Today, the fraternity has grown to more

than 262, 000 lifetime members, including 13,500 undergraduates on 260 campuses in the United States. We are

currently the largest fraternity in terms of undergraduate enrollment. 

At SigEp, we have a zero tolerance policy towards hazing. We do not have pledging; instead, we try to

develop a sound mind and sound body through four years of membership development. Our program--the

Balanced Man Program--is the first of its kind. We've come to believe that being in a fraternity is more than just a

party; rather, it's about learning how to live your very best life.

Our Balanced Man Program is truly unique. Other fraternities have tried to mimic this program, but they fall

short of SigEp. There are four Rites of Passage with corresponding Challenge Groups: Sigma, Phi, Epsilon, and

Brother Mentor. Before each Challenge, members will have the opportunity to experience portions of our Ritual

and learn more about the secrets of our organization in the Rite of Passage. For instance, a brother, having

completed all the necessary requirements in the Sigma Challenge, will go through the Phi Rite of Passage. After

the Ritual, he and his fellow brothers will now be in the Phi Challenge.

Each Challenge essentially pushes the brothers to be better leaders for the real world community once

outside of college. Members in the Sigma Challenge will focus on time management skills and chapter

orientation. The Phi Challenge will help emerging leaders develop leadership skills and gentlemanly behavior.

The Epsilon Challenge provides members opportunities to tackle leadership positions within the Chapter and

campus community, as well as develop a sense of civility. Finally, members in the Brother Mentor Challenge will

focus on their experience after college and will begin developing professional skills for the working world.

Our mission statement is “Building Balanced Leaders for the World’s Communities.” 

For a detailed history, please click here.