Sigma Nu Lambda Chapter Returns

Sigma Nu Lambda Chapter Returns
The historic fraternity will make a campus comeback amidst a robust Greek environment.

(Sigma Nu Flag. SOURCE: Sigma Nu)

After becoming inactive in 2019, the historic Lambda Chapter of Sigma Nu fraternity will return to Washington and Lee University as soon as the 2024-2025 academic year. The fraternity will join the eleven other fraternities present on campus.

Sigma Nu and W&L share a mutual history. Mac McNeilly, Sigma Nu’s Director of Expansion and Recruitment, told The Spectator that the W&L’s Lambda Chapter “served a critical role in ensuring the national fraternity’s survival in the early years of its existence.”

McNeilly said that from the Lambda Chapter’s efforts, six other chapters were born or reborn in the early days of the fraternity. 

The Lambda Chapter of Sigma Nu, founded in 1882, produced generations of W&L alumni, including future university presidents John D. Wilson and John W. Elrod.

But with Sigma Nu a distant memory on campus, most students are unaware why such a historic fraternity failed.

Evan Cecchini, ‘25, President of the Interfraternity Council (IFC), said that “Sigma Nu became inactive during the Winter Term of 2019.” There were still Sigma Nu students at W&L through the 2021-2022,” but the chapter was not active after the Winter Term of 2019.

That was because Sigma Nu failed to “initiate any new members from the 2019-2020 school year onward,” according to Cecchini.

Given the recent scandals facing fraternities like Phi Zeta Delta, introducing a seemingly new fraternity might appear challenging. 

However, Cecchini offered an optimistic outlook: “If you look at the statistics without taking context into consideration, the number of PNMs (potential new members) who accepted a bid this winter was higher than last year.” 

“When you remove the unusually high number of sophomores rushing this year, there is only a slight difference in the percentage of the first-year class who accepted a bid this year compared to the past few years. In other words, fraternities continue to thrive on our campus, as they traditionally have,” Cecchini said.

Mac McNeilly of Sigma Nu likewise feels optimistic. “With motivated alumni members and the continued growth of the institution, we believe Sigma Nu is well-positioned to support and complement the current fraternity community at Washington and Lee through the re-establishment of the Lambda Chapter,” McNeilly said.

Given the importance of a fraternity’s alumni network, The Spectator contacted several enthusiastic W&L Sigma Nu alumni for thoughts on their Greek experience and soon to be reestablished chapter.

Will Tanner, ‘21, served as House Manager during his sophomore year and as Marshal (New Member Educator) during his junior year. He remembered having “a good bit of fun” in Sigma Nu.

He recalls how Sigma Nu hosted a party called Shipwreck during Spring Term. A local alumnus let brothers use his bamboo to make decorations and cups for the party. Tanner also fondly remembers Brothers’ Christmas, a chapter tradition.

Jay Dorman, ‘70, served as House Manager and Commander (President). He remembers a well-rounded Sigma Nu house with athletes represented across various teams and students involved in the EC and C-School.

According to Dorman, the chapter of his era was undefeated in intramural softball for six straight years. Dorman also recalls an annual pajama party hosted in April during which all brothers and dates wore pajamas.

One recent alumnus, who requested to remain anonymous, emphasized that Sigma Nu fostered an intellectual culture that simultaneously emphasized social life and strong academics. 

He also fondly remembers the Shipwreck party, adding that it showcased Sigma Nu’s creative side; brothers built a small wading pool out of tarp and bales of hay, covering parts of the house in bamboo they cut down. 

(Sigma Nu House in Lexington, c. 2010. SOURCE: Sigma Nu Houses)

Alumni also noted how they remain connected with their fraternity brothers. Tanner says that he stays in touch with his Sigma Nu brothers. Dorman hosts an annual dinner for his pledge brothers. Dorman added that some meet for football games on Wilson Field while others reunite yearly at The Homestead.

All alumni interviewed advised how to ensure success for the reestablished chapter. 

Dorman said that it will take “student initiative.” 

Tanner expressed concerns over navigating “rules the university now has for Greek organizations” as he believes animosity towards Greek organizations “has gotten worse” since he graduated. 

He recognized that “finding a differentiating factor and way to attract people with shared values will probably be necessary.” Organizations with small numbers and differing values amongst members seldom succeed, Tanner explained.

Cecchini agrees that attracting new members will be important. He noted that Sigma Nu faces an uphill battle given that it has no pre-existing class or active members.

Rush is traditionally done by active members, but for Sigma Nu this burden will be placed on representatives of the national organization.

“If representatives from their national organization can attract students to become founding members of their revived chapter, I can see them thriving just as much as any other fraternity on campus,” Cecchini said.

Undoubtedly, many students eagerly anticipate the arrival of the revitalized Sigma Nu chapter.

According to Cecchini, “Since Sigma Nu has already been approved to return to campus by the University, it’s now up to them to determine when they attempt to rush their first class. This could happen as soon as the 2024-2025 school year — maybe even this spring.”

When Sigma Nu returns, the brothers will not immediately have a house. 

“Acquiring a fraternity house at Washington and Lee is a complicated process,” said Cecchini. He added that the administration requires a certain number of “active brothers at a chapter to have a fraternity house on campus.”

Once Sigma Nu has “successfully recruited students to re-establish an active chapter, they can start the discussion with University Housing and Student Affairs to determine possible options for dedicated housing,” he said.

According to Cecchini, whether Sigma Nu will return to their old house is still “to be determined.”