OUR TRADITIONS
Traditions are prized jewels of a fraternal organization. They give every member sources of common reference and understanding. At their best, they remind us about the meaning and value of brotherhood and inspire us to live up to our high ideals. Unfortunately, misguided members can use the power of tradition to encourage chapters to embrace practices that seem fraternal, but are actually destructive. Any practice that purports to achieve a good end, but which relies upon activities that violate the ideals as expressed in our Principles is not a valid tradition. It will eventually destroy our brotherhood. The term tradition can never be legitimately used to defend behavior that is immoral, illegal or unwise. For example, where hazing exists it is defended as a tradition. However, it is not a valid tradition. It is not valid because it violates our Principles, our Creed, our Code of Conduct, and our governing documents. It is not valid because it violates civil law and every accepted moral code. It is not valid because our Founders never embraced it. There is no place for such practices in Sigma Tau Gamma.
The valid traditions in Sigma Tau Gamma begin with our most important tradition, our Ritual. Our Ritual is not one ceremony, but a series of ceremonies appropriate to various stages and times in our membership. Every ceremony has in common a central theme. That theme is to communicate our ideals and more fully illuminate their meaning. The Ritual then calls upon each brother to commit to our Ideals. This commitment is accepted with the understanding that through the Ideals we will grow in brotherhood and character. The Ideals of Sigma Tau Gamma do not call upon a brother to abandon his religious convictions and duties or his obligations of citizenship. Rather, these essential elements of honorable character are encouraged and supported in a spirit of brotherhood.
Our insignia are outward signs of our Ideals and the obligations accepted upon initiation. They are fully explained only in the Ritual. The insignia of the Fraternity are protected by copyright, and can be reproduced only with the authorization of Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity, Inc. They belong to the whole brotherhood, not to any single individual. If a brother violates the obligations of membership, he loses the privilege of being identified with these insignia.
In a spirit of celebration we recognize individuals and chapters that achieve distinction through exemplary performance and service. Many awards are given at the chapter level as well as at the regional and national level. All awards are important expressions of admiration in the spirit of brotherhood. They contribute to our traditions of brotherhood.
Coat of Arms
The coat of arms was adopted in 1927 and modified in 1954. The colors are blue, silver, red and yellow. The Coat of Arms may be depicted in one color, provided that the colors are symbolized by lines and dots according to heraldic practice. Blue of the approximate hue of the badge, silver or black are considered appropriate for single-color use. The symbolism of the coat of arms is explained in the Ritual.
The original coat of arms, as adopted in 1925, featured a handshake, a lamp of knowledge, the founding date and a chain of five links symbolizing the number of chapters at the time of the first convention.
PMS Colors
116 – Yellow
185 – Red
292 – Blue
429 – Silver
The Badge
The badge is the most prominent symbol of membership. Adopted in 1927, it consists of a shield with four points, which may have a gold or pearl border and may be further embellished with sapphires or rubies. The standard badge is furnished upon payment of the initiation fee to the Fraternity. Jeweled badges may be ordered through the Fraternity headquarters. Proof of membership is required.
The associate pin, which is worn by associate members of the Fraternity until initiation, is a silver and blue shield. The symbolism of the associate pin is explained in the Ritual. Associate pins may be purchased through the Headquarters office.
White Rose
The Fraternity’s flower is the white rose. Its meaning is explained in the Ritual.
Each chapter traditionally holds an annual White Rose banquet and dance. The chapter’s sweetheart, known as the White Rose Sweetheart, is crowned at the dance and serves as the chapter’s official hostess throughout the year.
Each chapter is encouraged to nominate its sweetheart for the title of “Rose of Sigma Tau,” who is selected from among all other chapter sweethearts. The “Rose of Sigma Tau” is the Fraternity’s guest at the national meeting and is crowned at the annual Awards Banquet.
Tokens Of Membership
Each new initiate of the Fraternity receives a membership certificate and a membership card. Each of these is die-stamped with the Coat of Arms in full color and bears the signature of the National President, the Executive Vice President and Chapter President. In addition to these tokens of membership, each initiate is authorized to wear the official insignia of the Fraternity accordingly in the prescribed manner. Replacements of membership cards, certificates and other insignia may be ordered through the Headquarters office.
Chapter Awards
Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity recognizes both individual and group achievement each year at the annual Awards Banquet. Award recipients are determined by an awards committee, which is comprised of alumni members of the Fraternity who are appointed by the National President. Chapters spend a lot of time and take great pride in fulfilling the requirements and criteria for these national awards, and display the trophies and plaques in prominent locations in the chapter house.
The Edward H. McCune Distinguished Chapter Award honors the chapters that are judged to have best exemplified the Principles of the Fraternity in all areas of operation. The award is named in honor of Founder Edward H. McCune, who served as national president from 1938-43. To be eligible for the award, chapters must submit a presentation of their programs, activities and achievements for the preceding academic year.
The Earl A. Webb Most Improved Chapter Award is presented to the chapters that make the greatest improvement over the previous academic year in membership recruitment, management, member education and programs. The award is named in honor of Earl Webb, Alpha ’41, a past president of both the Fraternity and the Sigma Tau Gamma Foundation, who has given unprecedented service and leadership to Sigma Tau Gamma.
The Emmett Ellis Scholarship Award is presented to the chapters who achieve the highest scholarship index for the preceding academic year. The award is named in honor of Founder Emmett Ellis, who served as the First National President from 1925-27.
The Thomas M. Hutsell Chapter Efficiency Award is presented annually to the chapter that has demonstrated the highest level of efficiency in administering its affairs during the previous academic year. The award is named in honor of Thomas M. Hutsell, Beta ’27, who served as the first Executive Secretary of the Fraternity from 1927-38 from the central office, which was located in his apartment at Kirksville, Missouri.
The Robert Nagel Jones Charitable Projects Award is presented to chapters that excel in service to others. The award is named in honor of Robert Nagel Jones, Beta ’30, a former member of the Society of the Seventeen who served Sigma Tau Gamma from 1954-56 as the Fraternity’s Ninth National President. Jones served on the Board of Directors from 1952-64.
The E. Kennedy Whitesitt Newsletter Award is presented to the chapters judged to have the best alumni newsletter program. The award is named in honor of E. Kennedy Whitesitt, Epsilon ’32, who served as Executive Secretary from 1953-66 from his home in Webster Groves, Missouri, a St. Louis suburb.
The W.T. Hembree Philanthropy Award is presented annually to the chapter that conducts the most successful fundraising event for Books for Kids, which is an official philanthropy of the Sigma Tau Gamma Foundation. The award is named in honor of W.T. “Bill” Hembree, Epsilon ’42, a Foundation Trustee and member of the Society of Seventeen, who served as National President from 1962-64.
The Ellsworth C. Dent “Man of the Year” Award was established in 1966 to honor the most outstanding undergraduate leaders in Sigma Tau Gamma. The award is named in honor of the charter member of Delta Chapter who served as National President for 10 years from 1927-36, the longest term in Fraternity history. Selection for the award is based on leadership, extracurricular activities and scholarship and scholastic service to both his university and chapter.
The Ronald Roskens Scholastic Achievement Award recognizes those undergraduate members who receive a grade point average of 2.75 or better on a 4.0 scale. The award is named in honor of the Fraternity’s first educational advisor who served as National President from 1968-70. Dr. Roskens is a 1953 graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, where he was a member of Alpha Eta Chapter.
The Winebrenner Medal and Millsap Medal recognize extraordinary service and leadership to the Fraternity and Foundation respectively. D. Kenneth Winebrenner served the Fraternity as both president and Executive Secretary. Marvin Millsap was the Founder of the Wilson C. Morris Fellowship.
The “Prof.” Grubbs Distinguished Advisor Award is presented annually to the chapter advisor who is judged worthy by evidence of his longstanding and effective service. The award is named in honor of O.F. Grubbs, who served Epsilon Chapter as advisor for more than 40 years.
The Michael J. Steinbeck Graduate Fellowship is presented annually to deserving young alumni who have chosen to pursue a graduate or professional degree. Fellowships are presented each year at the Annual Awards Luncheon of the Sigma Tau Gamma Foundation at the National Conclave or Grand Chapter. The Fellowship was established to honor the memory of Michael J. Steinbeck, Sigma ’65. Steinbeck served as the Fraternity’s 19th National President from 1976-78. Recipients of the Michael J. Steinbeck Fellowship are selected by a committee of Society of Seventeen inductees.
Distinguished Achievement Award
The Sigma Tau Gamma Distinguished Achievement Award was established in 1970 to honor annually an alumnus of the Fraternity who has achieved distinction in his chosen profession. The award is presented at the Annual Awards Banquet of either the National Conclave or Grand Chapter. M.A. Wright, Gamma ’32, Chairman of the Board of the Exxon Oil & Refining Co., was selected as the first recipient of the award.
The Young Alumnus Distinguished Achievement Award was established in 2001. Recipients meet the same rigorous criteria as for the Distinguished Achievement Award, but must be younger than 40 years of age at the time of selection. The first recipient, Eric Udler, Beta Pi ’89, founded FSI, Inc., a company that accelerates trade show earnings for business and professional associations.
Society of the Seventeen
An order of distinguished service to Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity, the Society of Seventeen was established in 1980 at the 60th Anniversary Grand Chapter in Kansas City. The Society of Seventeen commemorates the number of Founders by limiting the membership to 17 living persons. It recognizes continuous and distinguished service and leadership to Sigma Tau Gamma. It is the highest honor bestowed by the Fraternity. The first seventeen inductees were selected by the Board of Directors. Subsequent inductees are nominated by members of the Society for approval by the Board of Directors.
Wilson C. Morris Fellow
The Sigma Tau Gamma Foundation recognizes its major donors with the Wilson C. Morris Fellow designation. A Wilson C. Morris Fellow is an alumnus or friend of Sigma Tau Gamma who sponsors the Foundation’s programs with a gift of $1,000 or more, or an individual in whose honor a sponsoring gift is made. A distinctive medal was cast for this honor, and is presented to each Wilson C. Morris Fellow.
Dr. Wilson C. Morris, for whom the honor is named, was the first sponsor of Sigma Tau Gamma. Dr. Morris had an unparalleled reputation as a scholar and educator at Central Missouri State University. It was his support of the Founders’ petition that convinced the faculty to approve the recognition of the new Fraternity. It was Dr. Morris who gave our Founders the guidance and support they needed during the formative years of our Fraternity.
Today the Fraternity needs the sponsorship, guidance and support of our alumni. The members who are designated Wilson C. Morris Fellows are encouraged to become active in the Wilson C. Morris Fellowship, an inner body of loyal Sigma Tau Gamma members and friends who are dedicated to giving service whenever and wherever needed for the benefit of the Fraternity.
Wilson C. Morris Collegiate Sustaining Member
The Wilson C. Morris Collegiate Sustaining Member program makes it possible for undergraduate members of the Fraternity to support the goals of the Sigma Tau Gamma Foundation and receive immediate recognition under the Wilson C. Morris Fellowship program. Undergraduates at the 1983 National Conclave in Fontana, North Carolina conceived the idea for this recognition.
To qualify for this recognition, undergraduates must make a $1,000 pledge to the Foundation and an immediate payment of $100 toward that pledge. The balance of the pledge may be paid in installments following graduation. At the completion of the pledge, the individual becomes a Wilson C. Morris Fellow and a member of the prestigious Wilson C. Morris Fellowship of Sigma Tau Gamma.
An additional donation of $150, made at the time of the pledge or later while the individual is still an undergraduate (for a total undergraduate donation of $250) will entitle the CSM to receive the Eternal Flame pin. The pin, which is worn on the ribbon of the CSM medal, signifies a lifelong commitment to Sigma Tau Gamma
The Saga
The official magazine of the Fraternity, The Saga of Sigma Tau Gamma, is published quarterly by the Fraternity. Members are entitled to a lifetime subscription within policy guidelines established by the Board of Directors. The Saga is an important lifetime membership link for alumni of the Fraternity.
Founders Day
Each chapter and alumni organization is expected to observe Founders Day on or near the June 28 anniversary of the Fraternity’s founding. Generally, a dinner with an appropriate program or ceremony is held.
Fellowship Service Day
Since Founders Day occurs during the summer months, a special day for celebrating Sigma Tau Gamma Fellowship is observed on February 26, the birthday anniversary of Wilson C. Morris. Chapters and alumni organizations are encouraged to conduct a service project, followed by a dinner with an inspirational program based on the Principles, Creed and Ritual of the Fraternity.
Parents Day
Parents are a part of the extended Sigma Tau Gamma family. Many chapters sponsor annually (or each semester) a Parents Day during which parents become acquainted with the Fraternity. Some chapters have organized parents clubs. These clubs have proven most beneficial to the enhancement of social programs and housing.
Charitable Service
Traditionally, Sigma Tau Gamma brothers practice good community citizenship with charitable service projects. Chapters are expected to conduct one charitable service project each semester. Many do more. At least one project per year is for BACCHUS or Books-for-Kids.
BACCHUS (Boosting Alcohol Consciousness Concerning the Health of University Students) is a national college action program for alcohol abuse prevention. Sigma Tau Gamma was the first national fraternity to financially support BACCHUS. Dr. Gerardo M. Gonzalez, BACCHUS founder and past president, is an honorary member of Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity. In 1986, the 32nd Grand Chapter adopted BACCHUS as an official philanthropy.
Another community service program that has brought together Sig Tau alumni and undergraduates from across the country is Books-for-Kids. Books-for-Kids, which enables Sigma Tau Gamma to celebrate its heritage as an education-based Fraternity, was the brainchild of Foundation President Kenley R. Hoover, Pi ’57. This community service program calls for the collection of new children’s books by undergraduate and alumni chapters of Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity for distribution at the National Conclave, Grand Chapter and other Fraternity gatherings. Chapters often support local public libraries and elementary school libraries.