Sigma Nu History Quiz

Questions and Answers

What year was the spiritual birth of Sigma Nu?

1866

What is the month and year of the birth of Legion of Honor?

October 1868

What is the official founding date of Sigma Nu?

Jan. 1st 1869

Where was Sigma Nu founded?

VMI Signup and view all the answers

Who were the founding fathers of Sigma Nu?

James Frank Hopkins, Judge Greenfield Quarles, James McIlvane Riley Signup and view all the answers

What was the Sigma Nu Badge designed after?

White Cross of the French Legion of Honor Signup and view all the answers

Who designed the badge of Sigma Nu?

James McIlvane Riley (Alpha 3) Signup and view all the answers

Who besides initiates may wear the badge?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What year was the flag adopted by Grand Chapter?

1921 Signup and view all the answers

Why was the Ritual (secret works) not written in early years?

To avoid stealing of ideas by others Signup and view all the answers

What was the fraternity title before Sigma Nu?

Legion of Honor Signup and view all the answers

What do the colors of the flag symbolize to a candidate?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What do the colors symbolize to a knight?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Who wrote the Creed?

Walter James Sears Signup and view all the answers

What is our fraternity magazine titled?

The Delta Signup and view all the answers

Why is our magazine called the Delta?

Position of the three existing chapters at the forming of the magazine represented a triangle or delta Signup and view all the answers

Who founded the magazine?

John Alexander Howard Signup and view all the answers

What are the five objects of Sigma Nu?

To govern all acts with a high sense of honor, to bind together by truth and lasting friendship, to protect, assist, advance, and encourage by honorable means, to have plans, to propose, discuss and decide upon chapter Signup and view all the answers

What year was the Sigma Nu HQ established and where?

1915, Indianapolis Signup and view all the answers

Who is considered the spiritual founder of Sigma Nu?

Gen. Francis H. Smith 'Specs' Signup and view all the answers

Who gave the first Bible to James Frank Hopkins?

Gen. Francis H. Smith 'Specs' Signup and view all the answers

What is the official song of Sigma Nu?

White Rose Signup and view all the answers

Who wrote and composed the official song?

John Carmichael Jr. Signup and view all the answers

Who wrote the Way Of Honor, the preface to the Legion of Honor?

Dick Vaughn Signup and view all the answers

Who wrote the story of Sigma Nu?

John Calderhead Scott Signup and view all the answers

Who painted 'A Serpent, A Rose, and A Star?'

Elmer Paul Catts Jr. Signup and view all the answers

Who designed the Coat of Arms?

Elwood H. McClelland Signup and view all the answers

What year did Grand Chapter adopt the Coat of Arms?

1915 Signup and view all the answers

What does the Chapter Grand or the Chapter Eternal symbolize?

Heaven Signup and view all the answers

Who proposed the White Rose?

John Carmichael Jr. Signup and view all the answers

What does the White Rose symbolize?

Purity Signup and view all the answers

What is the official name of the White Rose of Sigma Nu?

Traditional five-petaled wild white English floribunda Signup and view all the answers

What does the Rock symbolize?

Strength and Sigma Nu's founding location Signup and view all the answers

Who is the 'Keeper of the Rock?'

Ora Mathias Baldinger Signup and view all the answers

What is the secret book containing our rituals?

The Ritual Signup and view all the answers

What was the first Greek Letter Organization?

Phi Beta Kappa Signup and view all the answers

What was the first true sorority?

Gamma Phi Beta Signup and view all the answers

What was the first Greek lettered women's society, where and when founded?

Kappa Alpha Theta, 1870 DePauw Signup and view all the answers

What title did women's sororities use before the term sorority?

Fraternity Signup and view all the answers

What Sigma Nu chapter opened the east per se for other Sigma Nu chapters?

Pi chapter Lehigh University Signup and view all the answers

What chapter opened the west per se for other Sigma Nu chapters?

Nu KU Signup and view all the answers

What fraternities are in the Lexington Triad?

ATO, Sigma Nu, KA order Signup and view all the answers

What are the fraternities of the Miami Triad?

Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Chi, Phi Delta Theta Signup and view all the answers

What fraternities are in the Union Triad?

KA Society, Sigma Pi, Delta Phi Signup and view all the answers

Who was the first social fraternity?

KA Society Signup and view all the answers

What year was the HQ established in Lexington?

1957 Signup and view all the answers

Who led the charge to build our shrine and HQ in Lexington?

Richard J. Fletcher Signup and view all the answers

What was he called?

Mr. Sigma Nu Signup and view all the answers

Who writes the law of Sigma Nu International Fraternity?

Grand Chapter Signup and view all the answers

What document contains the written rules and regulations of Sigma Nu?

The Ritual Signup and view all the answers

What is the most important possession of a Sigma Nu Chapter?

Charter Signup and view all the answers

What is the legislative body of Sigma Nu?

Grand Chapter Signup and view all the answers

How many votes does a collegiate chapter have at Grand Chapter?

2 Signup and view all the answers

How many votes does an alumni chapter have at Grand Chapter?

1 Signup and view all the answers

How often does Grand Chapter meet?

Every other year Signup and view all the answers

How do Sigma Nus become high council members?

Elected by Grand Chapter Signup and view all the answers

How is the Executive Director placed in office?

Appointed by High Council Signup and view all the answers

Who was the first regent?

James McIlvane Riley Signup and view all the answers

What titles were used before Commander and Lt. Commander?

Chi, Lambda Chi Signup and view all the answers

What chapter designations were used before Greek letter designations?

Roman Numerals Signup and view all the answers

Can your son wear your badge?

No Signup and view all the answers

What are the seven important markers erected by Sigma Nu?

HQ, The Rock, Ora Mathias Baldinger's grave, the shrine Signup and view all the answers

What was the first non-secretive fraternity?

Du Signup and view all the answers

What national fraternal organization assists and lends guidance to men's fraternities?

National IFC Signup and view all the answers

What is the current candidate fee?

80 Signup and view all the answers

What is the current initiate fee?

190 Signup and view all the answers

What is the highest award a chapter can receive at Grand Chapter?

Rock Chapter Signup and view all the answers

When can the law of Sigma Nu be amended, revised, or updated?

At Grand Chapter Signup and view all the answers

What is the highest ranking Sigma Nu officer?

Regent Signup and view all the answers

What year did Sigma Nu become an international fraternity, and where?

Toronto 1982 Signup and view all the answers

When and where was the first Grand Chapter?

Nashville 1884 Signup and view all the answers

Does Sigma Nu initiate honorary members?

No Signup and view all the answers

Who are rats at VMI?

Freshman Signup and view all the answers

Who were Hopkins rats?

Freshmen you save from hazing Signup and view all the answers

What famous Sigma Nu was responsible for starting 32 chapters?

Albert Hughes Wilson Signup and view all the answers

What Alpha chapter alumnus led two movements for the Alpha affiliates program?

Ora Mathias Baldinger Signup and view all the answers

Can you explain the basic requirements to become an Alpha affiliate?

Showing outstanding work for local and national fraternities Signup and view all the answers

What is an alumnus chapter?

A recognized group of alumni Signup and view all the answers

How many alumni signatures are needed for the petition of the alumni chapter charter?

10 Signup and view all the answers

Who approves alumni chapter charters?

Grand Chapter Signup and view all the answers

Where are the archives for Sigma Nu fraternity?

VMI Signup and view all the answers

What is the oldest active chapter?

Beta Signup and view all the answers

Where is it located?

Virginia Signup and view all the answers

What does a dormant chapter mean?

No longer active Signup and view all the answers

What is a Sigma Nu colony?

A group applying for a charter Signup and view all the answers

Who wrote the long version of the Creed of Sigma Nu?

Walter James Sears Signup and view all the answers

Who painted the short creed?

Ernest Wenner Signup and view all the answers

When was the first issue of The Delta printed?

1915 Signup and view all the answers

When was the flag we know today adopted?

1921 Signup and view all the answers

What compromises the general fraternity?

All chapters Signup and view all the answers

Who was the first Sigma Nu commander?

James McIlvane Riley Signup and view all the answers

Who drafted the first ritual?

James Frank Hopkins Signup and view all the answers

May a brother resign his membership of Sigma Nu?

No Signup and view all the answers

The ritual we use today was adopted at what Grand Chapter?

First Signup and view all the answers

Does the Sigma Nu Educational Foundation offer scholarship grants?

Yes Signup and view all the answers

In what booklet will you find all the service offered by the HQ office?

LEAD Signup and view all the answers

What is the candidate educational manual called?

Lead program Signup and view all the answers

Are there any international fraternities located at VMI?

No Signup and view all the answers

What was the first item owned by our fraternity?

Alpha chest Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sigma Nu History and Founding

Spiritual birth of Sigma Nu occurred in 1866.
Official founding date is January 1st, 1869, at Virginia Military Institute (VMI).
Founding fathers include James Frank Hopkins (Alpha 1), Judge Greenfield Quarles (Alpha 2), and James McIlvane Riley (Alpha 3).

Organizational Significance

The Legion of Honor was established in October 1868, prior to Sigma Nu’s founding.
The flag was adopted by Grand Chapter in 1921 and symbolizes key principles including secrecy (black), silence (white), and obedience (gold) for candidates, while representing honor, truth, and love for knights.

Rituals and Creed

Early Sigma Nu rituals were unwritten to prevent idea theft.
The official creed, authored by Walter James Sears, emphasizes love, honor, and truth.
The secret book containing rituals is known as "The Ritual".

Membership and Badge

Membership badges designed after the White Cross of the French Legion of Honor; worn by initiates, mothers, daughters, and wives.
The current candidate fee is $80, while the initiate fee is $190.

Legacy and Contributions

John Alexander Howard founded "The Delta," the fraternity magazine, to represent the triangle of the first three chapters.
The oldest active chapter is Beta, located in Virginia.

Historical Articles and Recognition

James McIlvane Riley was the first regent and also drafted the first ritual.
Richard J. Fletcher significantly contributed to establishing the fraternity’s headquarters in Lexington.

Chapters and Governance

Pi Chapter at Lehigh opened the East and Nu Chapter at KU opened the West for Sigma Nu.
Grand Chapter serves as the legislative body, holding votes and meeting bi-annually for amendments; collegiate chapters have 2 votes, alumni chapters have 1.

Symbols and Awards

The White Rose symbolizes purity and is traditional to Sigma Nu, while "A Serpent, A Rose, and A Star" was painted by Elmer Paul Catts Jr.
The highest award for a chapter is designated as “Rock Chapter”.

Miscellaneous Facts

Phi Beta Kappa was the first Greek Letter Organization, founded in 1776.
The term "fraternity" was used for women’s societies before "sorority" became prevalent.
Sigma Nu has no honorary members and does not permit members to resign.
The chapter grand symbolizes heaven, while the chapter eternal also reflects the fraternity's core values.

Education and Support

Sigma Nu provides educational support and scholarship grants through its educational foundation.
Current structures emphasize the importance of alumni involvement, with 10 alumni signatures required for an alumni chapter petition.

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Description

Test your knowledge about the history of Sigma Nu fraternity with this engaging quiz. From its founding dates to its leaders, see how well you know this influential organization. Perfect for students and members alike!