The Sigma Phi Society (ΣΦ) was founded on the Fourth of March in the year 1827, on the campus of Union College as a part of the Union Triad in Schenectady, New York. It is the second Greekfraternal organization founded in the United States.[1] The Sigma Phi Society was the first Greek organization to establish a chapter at another college, which occurred with the founding of the Beta of New York at Hamilton College in 1831, thus making it the first National Greek Organization. Sigma Phi is a member of the North American Interfraternity Conference.
Also of note, the Alpha chapter of Sigma Phi located at Union College has been in continuous operation since 1827 making it the oldest continuously running fraternity chapter in the United States.[2]
The practices and rituals of the Sigma Phi Society are relatively unknown due to its establishment, and continued consideration, as a secret society.[1]
Alpha of California, (1912) University of California, Berkeley
Alpha of Virginia, (1953) University of Virginia
Alpha of North Carolina, (2008) University of North Carolina
Inactive Chapters
Alpha of Massachusetts, (1834-1968)Williams College, now dormant
Beta of New York, (1831-2019)Hamilton College, now dormant
Gamma of New York, (1835-1848)New York University, now dormant
Delta of New York, (1840)Hobart College, suspended|}
Alpha of New Jersey, (1853-1858)Princeton University, now dormant
Alpha of Pennsylvania, (1887-2002)Lehigh University, now dormant
Some of these own buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, such as the Sigma Phi Society of the Thorsen House in Berkeley, California.[1] Chapters italicized are dormant. The Alpha of Michigan, Alpha of California, and Beta of New York have attempted, with varying success, to include non-men in the organization.[3]
Notable alumni[]
- One of the founding members of Sigma Phi and member of the thirty fourth and thirty-fifth Congress of the United States.
Sen. Elihu Root - U.S. Secretary of War and U.S. Secretary of State in the administration of Theodore Roosevelt. Root was a Nobel Peace Prize Winner, and U.S. Senator.[4]
James Schoolcraft Sherman - Vice President under William Howard Taft.
Arthur C. Nielsen Jr., son of Arthur C. Nielsen creator of Nielsen ratings (both were Sigma Phi members).
Henry Rathbone, major in the U.S. army during the Civil War and present in Lincoln's booth at Ford's Theatre; was stabbed tackling John Wilkes Booth.
Elias Peissner, professor of German and Political Economy at Union College, died "at the head of his men" at the Battle of Chancellorsville during the Civil War.
Hon. Ken Dryden - Hockey Hall of Fame Goaltender and Canadian Member of Parliament.
Rep. Hastings Keith - United States Congressman from Massachusetts.
Rep. John Cochrane - United States Congressman, Attorney General of New York, and Brigadier General in the Civil War.
, co-founder of architecture firm Perkins+Will and President of the American Institute of Architects.
L Bradford Perkins, founder, Perkins Eastman Architects
Ezra Cornell IV, Life Trustee, Cornell University, great-great-great grandson of University founder,
George Grenville Benedict, American Civil War hero and Medal of Honor recipient.
Daniel Butterfield, American Civil War hero, composer of Taps bugle call.
Jay Walker, founder of Priceline.com
Larry Tanenbaum, Chairman of MLSE, owner of the Toronto Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs
Charles F. Knight, Chairman and CEO, Emerson Electric
John Bigelow, US diplomat to France under Lincoln, NY Secretary of State, published The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, helped found the New York Public Library
Tully Banta-Cain, American Footballlinebacker for the New England Patriots
Robert S. Harrison, Rhodes Scholar, retired partner at Goldman Sachs, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Cornell University, CEO of the Clinton Global Initiative
Seth Flowerman, Entrepreneur, CEO of Career Explorations
^Anson, Jack L.; Marchenasi, Robert F., eds. (1991) [1879]. Baird's Manual of American Fraternities (20th ed.). Indianapolis, IN: Baird's Manual Foundation, Inc. p. III-132–133. ISBN978-0963715906.
^Jessup, Philip C., Elihu Root. Vol. I, 1845-1909; Vol. II, 1905-1937. New York, Dodd, Mead, 1938.
