Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity was founded at Richmond College (now the University of Richmond) in 1901 by 12 men. On a campus of 200 men and five existing fraternities, the Fraternity Founders convinced the college administration of their value. The new fraternity had to differentiate itself just to survive, let alone excel. They set out "to recruit the best men of the college that they might be more closely bound together."
In October, 1902 SigEp filed a charter with the state of Virginia to lay the groundwork for expansion. In part, the charter stated "its purpose shall be to intensify and perpetuate friendship and promote happiness among its members, to encourage literature and education, and to create such sentiments, mold opinions, and perform such deeds as shall conduce to the building of a noble and pure manhood."
SigEp has excelled by promoting, encouraging, educating and molding based on our values of Virtue, Diligence, and Brotherly Love.
The Alumni of Radford University SigEp aim to continue the ideals that our founding fathers once promoted many years ago.
Currently their are several scholarships set up at Radford University that honor and remember brothers that are no longer with us. For many years lots of you have donated to these scholarships to say "Brother we still remember you in our hearts". The families and friends of these fallen brothers appreciate that we continue to keep these good men in our hearts.
Many of our brothers may not have been touched by these men that are no longer with us and therefor have never felt compelled to donate to their scholarships. That is understandable due to the timing of when you went to RU. Because of this challenge we have set a new mission that will honor Carter Ashton Jenkins vision that "This Fraternity will be different".
Starting today RU SigEp Alumni will be beginning a fund that we will call "RU SigEp Brothers by the Wayside". with a call to:
* help brothers in need due to life changing events
* support existing Scholarship founded in the name of brothers no longer with us such as Kendall Whitaker and Chip Perkins etc.
* offer a venue to assist fundraising for any worthy cause that supports a brother by the wayside or member of their family
RU SigEp Brothers by the Wayside has partnered with The CORE Foundation. The CORE Foundation was created to assist groups who want to help raise money for a worthy cause such as a non-profit Scholarship in the name of a fallen brother etc.
The CORE Foundation allows groups like RU SigEp brothers to focus on fundraising events, without having to worry about all of the administrative tasks that come with such an event. As a 501c3, they serve as a tax deductible entity for contributions.
Now what this means to all of our brothers is now you can donate to our collective fund and the monies collected will be donated to worthy causes that our Board of Directors will vote based upon a set of criteria that will be established by our charter of helping brothers by the way side. Our goal is to not make this complicated but make it organized to help brothers out that are in need. It could be that we help a brother that has lost everything in a Natural Disaster or it could be that we donate to the Kendal Whitaker Scholarship. At the end of the day we are helping our brothers represented by one collective group of RU SigEp brothers who believe in making a difference.
This account will also help us run Alumni Fundraising Events like SigEp Reunions and Golf events by allowing funds to be deposited into this account and expense paid for the events. Any remaining dollars will remain in the fund to be donated on a per need basis to a worthy cause voted on by the board.
The founding Board Members are Jeff Galkin, Mark Lodge, Phil Vera, Tommy Fraim and Mark Pace. If you would like to serve a role please contact a board member. We could use Directors to lead fundraising, communication and future events.
