Difference between revisions of "Sigma Nu"

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== Leadership ==
 
== Leadership ==
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Faculty Advisor: [[Jaime Spacco]] (2013-present)
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Previously: [[Ryan Fowler]]
  
 
===2014-15===
 
===2014-15===

Revision as of 15:15, 31 March 2015

The Coat of Arms of Sigma Nu

Sigma Nu is so hot right now. So hot right now, Sigma Nu. Sigma Nu, the honor fraternity, was founded in 1869 at Virginia Military Institute. For 120 years, the Delta Theta chapter at Knox has been a prominent leader in academics, sports, and community service. Today, Sigma Nu’s mission continues to develop ethical and honorable leaders of society through the development of the minds, hearts and characters of its members.

History in Galesburg

The second oldest chapter of a fraternity at Knox College after Beta Theta Pi (1855), Sigma Nu was originally founded as Delta Theta, a local fraternity at nearby Lombard College in 1867. In 1891, Delta Theta became affiliated with the national fraternity Sigma Nu. The chapter was allowed to keep Delta Theta as its chapter designation despite it being out of sequence with the other national chapters, one of only two Sigma Nu chapters allowed to do so. When Lombard College closed in 1930 and students transferred to Knox, Delta Theta moved to Knox as well, and has been active at Knox ever since. Delta Theta has been continuously active since 1867––two years before the founding of the Sigma Nu national organization in 1869. The longest continuously running chapter of a fraternity at Knox (as Beta was inactive for a number of years), Delta Theta is also the oldest continuously running chapter of Sigma Nu in the world.

Reputation

Loved by most, tolerated by others. Hated by none.

Known to throw great parties, and instigate great heckling, adorable hijinks, and fantastic group dances.

Always expect greatness. You will receive it.

Safety first: if you feel unsafe walking home from a social gathering, Sigma Nu brothers will always offer to walk people to their dorms/residences.

Chapter House

El Diablo Verde

The Sigma Nu chapter house (or 'SNouse') is located at 556 S. West Street across from the Quad loading dock. It is the smallest chapter house of any fraternity at Knox by square footage, and shares the lowest housing capacity with Sigma Chi.

A notable feature of the chapter house is its unique and somewhat impromptu Hookah Room, also called the Sun Room or Flag Room. Resting precariously above the front deck, the Hookah Room is the house's most famous feature, consisting of a small room filled with couches, giant bean-bags, and cushions. Red and blue lights are also in there, but they don't always work. Flags from the countries of its international students decorate the walls, and provide a much better view than the back end of the Quads. It was the lair of the giant, double-bowled, four-hosed Snookah, 'El Diablo Verde.', until a horrible milk-related accident over the summer of 2009. But we're not gross anymore, I promise!

Now by the luck of the gods and the kindness of alumni (one in particular), Sigma Nu is graced with another 4 hose Snookah, Justly named "The Basestar" from the chapter's massive indulgence in Battlestar Galactica. It is in a positioned in a fantastic moving table, made by ADAM KENT.

The Sigma Nu house may be scrappy, but the brothers have put a lot of work into it (no, really, they're working on it all the time). It's full of pleasant surprises, and is considered by many to be the most unique of the fraternity houses. Some views of the house are presented on this page.

Dr. Laser's Revenge
Delightfully painted hallway
Tastefully positioned paintings
Requires no explanation

Special Rooms in the House

The Based Room (or if you prefer, the Orange Room)

The Terrordome

The Chamba Chamber

Doctor Lazer's Office

The Rude Room

The Pink Room, or the Womb

The Flag Room, Hookah Room, or Sun Room, whichever you prefer.

The Lounge

(see also: Sigma Old)

Leadership

Faculty Advisor: Jaime Spacco (2013-present) Previously: Ryan Fowler

2014-15

Eminent Commander: Clint Davis

Lt. Commander: Carl Waldhart

Treasurer: Ben Lyon

Recorder: Ian Moody

Social Chair: John Bird

2013-14

Eminent Commander: Andrew Cook

Lt. Commander: Robert Turski

Treasurer: Michael Moroney

Recorder: Aidan Juhl

Social Chair: Jack Axley

2012-13

Eminent Commander: Chris Holland

Lt. Commander: Andrew Cook

Treasurer: Michael Moroney

Recorder: John Ebbers

Social Chair: Peter White

2011-12

Eminent Commander: Michael Kolbeck

Lt. Commander: Harrison Graham

Treasurer: Stefan Feer

Recorder: Tim Peebles

Social Chair: Jamie Ruml

2010-11

Eminent Commander: Joe Olvera

Lt. Commander: Wesley Gunther

Treasurer: Chris Holland

Recorder: Andrew Polk

Social Chair: Muneer Rizvydeen

2009-10

Eminent Commander: Christopher Overton

Lt. Commander: Lyall Wallerstedt

Treasurer: Joe Olvera

Recorder: Sean Frohling

Social Chair: Rohel Terrazas

2008-09

Eminent Commander: Matt Hundley

Lt. Commander: Rohel Terrazas

Treasurer: Reed Wang

Recorder: Christopher Overton

Social Chair: Lyall Wallerstedt

2007-08

Eminent Commander: Alex Kemmsies

Lt. Commander: Doug Davison

Treasurer: Matt Hundley

Recorder: David Nolan

Social Chair: Brian C Zhang

2006-07

Eminent Commander: Eric Langston

Lt. Commander: Sean McKittrick

Treasurer: Andrew Kama

Recorder: Andy Sheehan

Parties

While Sigma Nu is an important part of members' social lives, Sigma Nus don't tend to rely as much on the fraternity for their social activities, and have more friends outside of Sigma Nu. As a result, there are typically fewer "unofficial" parties at Sigma Nu.

At all-campus parties there is often dancing, but the dance floor is seldom packed for the entire party, save for Tunak at midnight - at which point, prepared to get uncomfortably sweaty. The glasses of a Sigma Nu have been known to have accidentally been broken during many a Tunak. Exceptions occur--the 80s dance party of 2005-06 and the "James Bond Party" on April 20, 2007 are prime examples of this.

Parties throughout the year include "Sunrise" and "Sunset" at the beginning and end of the year respectively (formerly "Tequila Sunrise" and "-Sunset"), "Sigma Boo", a Halloween party, a Valentine's Day party, and many others. Themes in recent years have included "No Sex," "Party With A Heart On," "Silly Hats," "Snowpocalypse," "Soviet Snunion," "Frat Party," "Teresa Amott Installation After-Party," "Sigma, Like, Whatever," "Post-Meta Party,", Government Shutdown Party, [[ "10PM-2AM No Alcohol Knox ID Required Music and Dancing Party featuring Music and Dancing." During the Government Shutdown of Fall 2013, Sigma Nu threw the Government Shutdown Party with alarming success. Sadly, John Boehner, Mitch McConnell, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid ultimately decided not to accept their invitations.

SNU parties also have two floors open to to campus with a dance floor on the first floor and second floor with both the Hookah Room and Bar Room open to guests. There are always snacks (including the necessary poundcake and off-brand chips), WATER, soda, and/or candy.

Sigma Nu wants to make sure that people feel comfortable at their parties. Communication is key - if something's up, get ahold of someone you identify as a SNu! Jerks will be banished from the party. Being a meanie is not tolerated.

Snu parties are the best parties. Snu parties are the safest parties.

Shenanigans (Snuanigans)

Tunak

Sigma Nu and friends do the Tunak Dance on Flunk Day 2007

At some point during a Snu party, now typically at midnight, all members will come to the dance floor to do a ridiculous dance to the equally ridiculous song, "Tunak Tunak Tun," by Daler Mehndi. Thanks go out to Brother Akshat Agarwal for introducing to the chapter another means of making completed arses out of ourselves. Though many have attempted to translate the text, we still don't know what we're dancing to...or even why.

On Flunk Day Sigma Nus do the "Tunak" dance in the middle of West Street in front of their house. However on Flunk Day 2007, a fire truck was in the way, so the SNus and their friends did the Tunak dance for the firemen.

On Flunk Day 2010 the Sigma Nus (and assorted guests) attempted their typical Tunak in the street, however, six or more Campus Safety officers approached, so the ritual was moved to the front lawn. John Perleberg gracefully handled the "situation" and the party continued.

On Flunk Day 2010 the Sigma Nus attained roughly 4-5 (that they admit to) campus safety reports, making it truly one epic Flunk Day!!!

On Flunk Day 2013 SNu succeeded in dancing "Tunak" three full times on South West Street, at various times in the day, without earning a Campus Safety report (at least not for Tunaking). Campus Safety Director John Schlaf referred to the third dance as "almost impressive" and gently reminded SNu not to do that anymore.

In spring 2014, the first ever "sitting Tunak" was performed in the Sun Room. Like other Tunak dances, it was pretty silly.

Due to a combination of unseasonably hot weather and the achievement of maximum dance floor capacity, the Tunak of SUNRISE 2014 went down in history as the wettest Tunak ever undertaken.

Tunak has since been exported to a number of other locations on campus, usually when 3 or more SNu's get together in one place; music is not required. On rare occasions, Tunak also reaches locations beyond the Knox College campus.

Sometime during 2013-2014 school year, Tunak came full circle (so to speak), as Brother Joe Seidman performed a Tunak with several locals during his internship in India. He received many compliments on his Tunaking skills.

During winter break 2014, a vacationing Carly Taylor, girlfriend of Brother Robert Turski, met with Emily Passarelli, girlfriend of Brother Jack Axley, several other members of Marine Bio's 2014 research trip, and some random strangers to perform the first documented Belizean Tunak. It was dubbed "unofficially official" by Brother Matt Sugai, who really wished he could have been there.

Sigma Nu: The Band

Sigma Nu performed Tenacious D's "Explosivo" at the Greek Week No-Talent Show in 2007. The band included Mike Hahn on acoustic guitar, Alex Enyart on electric, Rohel Terrazas on bass, and David Nolan playing a Guitar Hero controller.

There was a revival of the Sigma Nu band during the 2011 Greek Week No-Talent Show, when Cody Ward melted the Greek system's face with a blistering Jazz Sax solo.

Orc Basement

Originally named shotgun basement, this tradition typically takes place sometime around midnight when at least three of the original six members (Jack Axley, Scott Suiter, Bruce Kovanen, John Bird, Aidan Juhl, and Kyle Kunkler) of the first orc basement agreeing to participate. Nobody is exactly sure why this became a tradition, but it did and it is glorious. Typically seen at 21st birthday celebrations and closed door functions, it involves a lot of cheap beer, many sets of keys, Black Flag's "TV Party" being blasted at full volume from the loudest device in the room, and possibly a change of shirt after.

The largest Orc Basement celebration to date was during John Bird's 21st birthday weekend spectacular, where at least 20 people viewed and/or participated. It featured Bruce Kovanen admitting that he has no memory of the first orc basement and at least two people remarking that Black Flag had forever become associated with the house and this experience.

The first Uruk-Hai Basement, a ritual in which the walls become soaked in Mountain Dew, was held at 1:00 am on February 28, 2015 in celebration of Matt Sugai's 21st birthday. The naming convention is described thus: "Why Uruk-Hai? Because 'straight edge means I'm better than you', right? And what are the Uruk-hai compared to orcs...?" At the conclusion of this new tradition, Brother Sugai paid tribute to one of his idols Stone Cold Steve Austin, by flipping everybody off and simultaneously chugging two cans of Mountain Dew.

Inter-fraternity Beef

Sigma Nu doesn't have any beef or rivalry with any of the other fraternities. This is due to the fact that SNus are generally a pretty innocuous group of nice guys that don't start shit. SNu's only hit the Start button.

Sigma Wars are an event that oft transpires between the Glorious Sigma Nu's and the not as glorious Sigma Chi's. Hijinks, pranks, shenanigans, and finally a bitchin' dual party between Sigma Nu and Sigma Chi (that we swear will happen eventually).

Outside Resources