Friday 16 December 2016

Sigma Nu Fraternity And Its Tradition Of Ethical Leadership

By Thomas Gray


Schools have a tradition to keep as well as student organizations that have been recognized for systems that also support this tradition. They are mostly autonomous but often practice an honor code that complements the principles espoused by the university they belong to. School clubs and societies have existed as long as there have been schools and academies.

Many of these student societies were created out of idealistic principles. There have been numerous times that passages of history and other momentous events gave birth to civil organizations that espouse ideals that were needed for the times. Sigma Nu Fraternity Auburn University is an organization whose principles and practices have stood the test of time.

The Fraternity was born in the Reconstruction Era, a time of civil strife following the end of Civil War. Three students from Virginia Military Institute established it to radically depart from the system of corporal punishment then in place for students. These three founders believed in an honor society that did not punish its entrants, and thus were one the first people to depart from an established but cruel tradition.

James Frank Hopkins was a former soldier who fought in the Civil War. Greenfield Quarles and James McIlvaine Riley were two of his friends at VMI, a strict military academy known for its engineering graduates. These three were completely united against hazing and solemnly took their fraternal oath on a Bible one moonlit night in the year 1868.

Sigma Nu was first known as the Legion of Honor, a secret society patterned after the French tradition that was established by Napoleon. The Badge for the brotherhood, was created by Hopkins from the pattern of the symbolic white cross from the original Legion. The student fraternity took a complete departure from the then prevalent practice initiating potential members through harsh physical hazing.

The three originals also promoted the original concept of eliminating all kinds of abuse from its practices and ideals. This was because they saw enough of hate, strife and destruction in the war. They were believers of abiding peace and contentment, which can only be gotten from the impulses of affection and sympathy.

Auburn University is the home Sigma Nu Fraternity Beta Theta chapter. Auburn is an ideal academic campus where the brotherhood established one of its strongest chapters on September 1890. Auburn believes in the democratic principles of hard work and the wisdom and values it generates.

The university creed is the foundation on which the leadership qualities of fraternity alumni are molded and by which they progress into positions of rank. The brotherhood is quite well known for turning out men who practice ethical leadership based on Love, Honor and Truth. To this day, the school credo and brotherhood values remain a combination that is a pillar of vibrant student life in the university.

Sigma Nu members admit all those who are honest and have good faith for fall or summer rushes. The organization has some of the more celebrated socials and occasions in campus student life. They form part of a colorful and proud tradition that the society maintains to create excellent democratic qualities in its members and in the nation as well.




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