Sigma Nu Goes From Colony to Chapter in Historic Weekend

Sigma Nu fraternity celebrated the transition from a colony to a chapter during a milestone weekend in its brethren's three-year history at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

"I am very proud of the hard work that was done by the current members and by those who graduated before them," said Erin M. Datteri, the college's assistant director of student activities for Greek life and leadership. "I believe this group truly lives up to its values of love, honor and truth."



The Sigma Nu colony has worked steadily toward obtaining its charter ever since it was formed in the Spring 2008 semester, addressing a set of criteria from national headquarters linked to academic standing, hours of community service, number of members, etc.

Among the speakers at a banquet and chartering ceremony for the Nu Gamma Chapter at Le Jeune Chef Restaurant on Saturday night, Datteri noted how well Sigma Nu also adheres to the core values established by Penn College for all of its fraternities and sororities:

• Scholarship
  Sigma Nu brothers historically have the highest GPA among campus Greek organizations.


• Leadership
  Voted "Chapter of the Year," dominant in the Greek Olympics and active in the Inter-Fraternity Council, Sigma Nu also has initiated several events (the White Rose Formal and an annual car show, among them) that already are campus traditions.


• Service
  Sigma Nu brothers have been a stalwart presence in Alternative Spring Break projects for Habitat for Humanity, as well as in local assistance during Penn College Open House, Walk-It-Out, Operation Snowflake, EarthSmart stream cleanup and American Red Cross Bloodmobiles.


• Brotherhood
  Perhaps the hardest to quantify, but evident in Sigma Nu's growth, as prospective members look toward the strongest and healthiest organizations when considering which groups to join.

Applauded and encouraged by national brothers Christopher L. Healy, director of expansion, and Duane H. Dreger, vice regent and the evening's keynote speaker, the Nu Gamma Chapter of the Sigma Nu Fraternity also was admonished not to rest on its laurels.

"Your long-term success and sustainability depends on you," Healy told them. "What are you going to do?"

"It's time to turn from working to win a charter to working on building a chapter," Dreger said. "To build the minds, hearts and character of your members."

He challenged the Nu Gamma Chapter to hew to the national organization's values, particularly as the only Greek organization founded in opposition to hazing; to continue to focus on scholarship ("You're here first as a student, second as a fraternity member," he told them); develop membership; and continue to set the standard at Penn College both for Greek organizations and in general campus life.

The banquet which also included a welcome from college President Davie Jane Gilmour, and remarks from Frank W. Meise Jr. and Ryan M. Enders, the organization's past and present commanders at Penn College, respectively followed a brothers-only installation ceremony in the Thompson Professional Development Center.

"Installation Weekend" also featured an informal meet-and-greet at the Bush Campus Center on Friday evening and a Sunday brunch.