Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Happy 133rd Anniversary to Sigma Chapter!

 

The 125th anniversary photo from 2009.

 
This is a replica of the original charter.
Today marks the 133rd anniversary of the founding of Sigma Chapter at Wittenberg University! The original charter from Phi Gamma Delta was commissioned on October 25, 1884!

The story behind our founding 133 years ago is fascinating, and is captured in writing by one of Sigma's legends, George Hopper '32. George wrote the history in 1933, just ahead of the 50th anniversary celebration planned in 1934. Here's an excerpt from George's opening paragraph:


"They say that Friday is an unlucky day and that all ventures which begin on a Friday are foredoomed to failure. If these old whimsies be true, then a certain group of forthright youths was foolish in its choice of a day on which to launch an undertaking. For it was on a Friday evening in the spring of 1883 that Sigma of Phi Gamma Delta was conceived. That word, "conceived", is used advisedly and in its strict physiological sense, for, as all Sigma men know, it wasn't until the fall of 1884 that Sigma was born..."

Here's a link to the complete, fascinating article on Sigma's first 50 years, written by George and first published by the chapter in 1933:
https://www.phigam.org/wittenbergsigma

What an amazing beginning, and what an incredible legacy Sigma Chapter has forged over 133 years. Godspeed, Sigma Chapter - may you endure and succeed for another 100 years!

Fraternally,

Skip Buckley '80

Perge!

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Help Support Sigma Chapter's Annual Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, November 16, 2017!


Sigma Brothers:

Nearly all of you who graduated in the last couple of decades will remember when YOU were in the chapter and organized your Brothers to hold the annual Thanksgiving Dinner at 20 West Ferncliff. It's become a huge annual fundraising event, with over 400 children, college students, and adults each year being served in the Back Lounge. The photo below is from 2012's Thanksgiving Dinner, showing Sig Fijis serving dinner outside the kitchen in the Back Lounge.



This year's Thanksgiving Dinner will be held at the chapter house on Thursday, November 16, 2017. If you are in the area and can attend, I know the Brothers would GREATLY appreciate it! However, if you are like me and cannot attend in person, then please consider donating to this important philanthropy.




Everything is detailed on Sigma Chapter's GoFundMe page, including an impressive write-up of how the net proceeds will benefit Springfield Promise Neighborhood, at this link: https://www.gofundme.com/phi-gamma-delta-thanksgiving-dinner

Good luck to our Sigma Undergraduate Brothers!

Skip Buckley '80

Perge!