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 be to develop ethical and honorable leaders of society through the development of the minds, hearts and characters of its members.
Contents
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 some, tolerated by others.
Known to Larp on Campus, instigate great heckling, adorable hijinks, and fantastic group dances.
Always expect greatness. You will receive it.
Chapter House
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 has the lowest housing capacity of all fraternity houses at Knox, housing 11 brothers.
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. It is unknown how SNu will get a new house, only that it will be epic.
Special Rooms in the House
The Based Room (or if you prefer, Debased Room)
The Terrordome - Lost in the the Great Renovation of '16 in exchange for a very nice bathroom.
The Chamba Chamber
The Rude Room
The Pink Room, or the Womb
The Flag Room or Sun Room, whichever you prefer.
The Lounge, or the Rose Room
Leadership
Faculty Advisor: Ryan Fowler (?-2013), Jaime Spacco (2013-2018), Chris Holland (2019-2020), Kyran Blissett (2020-present)
2021-2022
Eminent Commander: Maggie Garrett
Lt. Commander: Connor Uplegger
Treasurer: Jacob Bassett
Recorder: Lynn Scherer
Social Chair: COVID-19 still saying no, just less loudly
2020-2021
Eminent Commander: Andrew Liput
Lt. Commander: Maggie Garrett
Treasurer: Glen Malast
Recorder: Connor Uplegger
Social Chair: None - COVID-19 said no
Social Media Chair: Jacob Bassett
2019-2020
Eminent Commander: Tim Stout
Lt. Commander: Max Jones
Treasurer: Andrew Liput
Recorder: Teddy Turner
Social Chair: Iris Berto
2018-2019
Eminent Commander: Mitch Sullens
Lt. Commander: Martin Hope
Treasurer: Max Jones
Recorder: Tim Stout
Social Chair: Tim Stout
2017-2018
Eminent Commander: Nick Nurre
Lt. Commander: Cas Gutierrez
Treasurer: Martin Hope
Recorder: Aidan Murphy
Social Chair: Michelangelo Pori
2016-2017
Eminent Commander: Julian Tan
Lt. Commander: Bruno Povejsil
Treasurer: Alex Hirano
Recorder: Michelangelo Pori
Social Chair: Joel Schleicher
2015-16
Eminent Commander: Nick Liberko
Lt. Commander: Bruno Povejsil
Treasurer: Alex Hirano
Recorder: McLeod Sumner
Social Chair: Ben Smolinski
2014-15
Eminent Commander: Clint Davis
Lt. Commander: Carl Waldhart
Treasurer: Ben Lyon
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
Social Chair: Alex Kemmsies
2005-06
Eminent Commander: Will Yeager
Lt. Commander: Jon Gripshover
Treasurer: Eric Langston
Recorder: Eric Langston
Social Chair: Eric Langston?
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 registered 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."
SNu parties have two floors open to campus with a dance floor on the first floor and movie and/or video games and snacks on the second floor- cookies, 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 hold of someone you identify as a SNu! Jerks will be banished from the party. Being a meanie is not tolerated. You can also ask a SNu for a walk home if you feel unsafe.
SNu parties are the best parties. SNu parties are the safest parties.
Shenanigans (Snuanigans)
Tunak
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 met with Emily Passarelli, several other members of Marine Bio's 2014 research trip, and some random strangers to perform the first documented Belizean Tunak.
Brothers also Tunak on the front lawn to celebrate special occasions such as the activation of their newest brothers, which is often heartily disapproved of by the Yik Yak community. Brothers also celebrate their senior-year birthdays with "the Twenty-Twonak," a normal Tunak in the house's front room immediately followed by dancing (poorly) to Taylor Swift's "22."
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.
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. SNus 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, and shenanigans. On July 4th, 2019, Sigma Nu and Sigma Chi held their first ever joint event, the Sigmapendence Day cookout. A good, wholesome time was had by all.
