This document discusses the leadership development programs of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. It outlines the fraternity's core values of Virtue, Diligence, and Brotherly Love and focus on developing a Sound Mind and Sound Body. The document then describes the fraternity's initiatives like the Balanced Man Program and Residential Learning Community which are designed to help members develop leadership skills and achieve personal and academic growth through mentoring and experiential learning. It also outlines national leadership programs like EDGE, Carlson Leadership Academy, and Ruck Leadership Institute which thousands of members participate in each year.

1. Building
balanced
leaders
for the
world’s
communities

2. Virtue, Diligence,
and Brotherly Love
are the cardinal principles
of Sigma Phi Epsilon and
represent the Fraternity’s
core values. Pursuit of the
Balanced Man Ideal of
Sound Mind and Sound
Body is the Fraternity’s
focus. Sigma Phi Epsilon is
uniquely positioned among
American college fraternities
to build the lives of not only
its proud brothers, but also
the communities in which
they live and work. With
leaders of character and
values, SigEp will impact
our world.

3. Then Now
In the late 1980s the fraternity That course traced our roots SigEp’s bold initiatives have
system in America was in back to the classical Greek ideal given our undergraduates a
decline—membership, academ- of the Balanced Man—Sound means to live their best lives
ics, image. Values were fading. Mind, Sound Body. SigEp and achieve their goals. Our
SigEp was the largest fraternity undertook a mission to Build programs build the confidence
in the nation and used that Balanced Leaders for the to lead—now and in the future.
status to pioneer a new begin- World’s Communities. The We build from and enhance our
ning for all fraternities. We effort would revolutionize members’ existing values base.
set a course to restore the the fraternity We balance our brothers’
relevance of the American movement ambitions through the pursuit
college fraternity. We sought in America. of a Sound Mind in a Sound
to build upon the strengths of Body. We enable personal
the opening line of the SigEp development through SigEp’s
Charter: “This Fraternity leadership programs. We do
will be different….” all this as a valued partner in
higher education and a pioneer
in the development of college
men across America.

4. Our Values
Sigma Phi Epsilon’s cardinal principles of Virtue, Diligence, and Brotherly Love have
withstood the tests of time for over a century on the American college campus. More than
14,000 undergraduate SigEps on campus today believe in these values as a means to become
balanced men, setting themselves apart as leaders. These undergraduates join more than
270,000 lifetime members in the pursuit of excellence.
O UR VALUES • S OUND M IND, S OUND B ODY • RESIDENTIAL L EARNING C OMMUNITY • BALANCED M AN P ROGRAM • L EADERSHIP C ONTINUUM
Virtue
is the moral essence
of the fraternity.
Living a virtuous life is making
the most of your time and
talents with unfailing integrity.
Diligence
is the force that
drives the fraternity.
Living
diligently is
living your
best life with
courage and
tenacity.
Brotherly
Love
is the
foundation
of the
fraternity.
Living with
brotherly love
is supporting
fellow citizens
through true
and active
friendship.

5. “This Fraternity will be different;
it will be based on the love of God
and the principle of peace through
brotherhood…its purpose shall
be to intensify and perpetuate
friendship and promote happiness
among its members, to encourage
literature and education, and to
create such sentiments, mould such
opinions, and perform such deeds as
shall conduce to the building of a noble
and pure manhood.”
– Excerpt from the charter, 1901

6. Sound Mind, Sound Body
The ancient Greeks believed that a healthy body was vital as
the vessel of the mind. Sigma Phi Epsilon draws on its classical
Greek roots to build a noble and pure manhood through the
balance of Sound Mind and Sound Body. A Balanced Man is
par excellent in manhood.
O UR VALUES • S OUND M IND, S OUND B ODY • RESIDENTIAL L EARNING C OMMUNITY • BALANCED M AN P ROGRAM • L EADERSHIP C ONTINUUM
Sound Mind is more than just
academics—it’s creativity, critical
thought, and knowledge.
The Sound Mind is sharp and
clever, thoughtful and
reflective. It thrives with
higher learning & education,
conversation, discussion,
debate, and cultural pursuits.
Many chapters have formal dining eti-
quette training for their members and
teach them swing, salsa, and ballroom
dancing. Members learn how to buy a car,
a home, how to manage a budget, how to
dress for any occasion, and other impor-
tant life skills. Through leadership
experiences they learn how to lead men
toward achieving goals, conflict resolution, project management, and
how to sell an intangible idea like friendship. Many chapters host
philosophy, religion, and political science professors to talk on current
events, politics, and how to make an impact in today’s world with the
understanding that the pursuit of knowledge is unending.
“Chance favors the prepared mind”
– Louis Pasteur

7. Many chapters educate their
members on how to prepare
healthier meals, how to self-
screen for testicular cancer—a
leading health threat to young
men, how to properly manage
stress, time and personal mental
health with techniques such as
Yoga, CPR and other life-saving
practices. Many chapters host
Sound Body is more dieticians, doctors, coaches and
than just athletics— other speakers to discuss relevant
health and wellness issues with
it’s total wellness, their members to help them live
conditioning, and their best lives.
endurance.
“A sound mind in a The Sound Body is ready and
sound body is a short able, robust and nourished.
but full description It is fostered with regular
of a happy state in exercise, relaxation, healthy
this world.” limits, medical screenings, and
– John Locke proper nutrition.

8. Residential Learning Community
Today, colleges and universities are incorporating the 2500 year old philosophy of Sound Mind,
Sound Body into the way they teach, into the way they work with their students, and into the way
they look at their campus environments. SigEp is geared to become a valued partner in higher
education through the Residential Learning Community program. Today, SigEp members are
receiving college credit for having been a member.
The Residential Learning Community concept is nothing new Based on four components, the
to higher education. In fact, the idea was born more than 800 RLC is a holistic approach to
realizing the fraternity’s mission
years ago within the organizational structures of Oxford and of Building Balanced Leaders for
Cambridge Universities in England. It wasn’t until recently, the World’s Communities.
however, that many American
Personal and Academic
colleges and universities Development
adopted their own Residential With a focus on sound mind
and sound body, the chapter’s
Learning Community models. programming fosters positive and
healthy habits that will facilitate
SigEp’s Residential Learning
higher levels of undergraduate
Community (RLC) Program success and equip members with
was created in 2000 to provide the tools necessary for post-
graduate success.
undergraduate men an
experience unlike any other
on campus. It builds upon
“It is not living many of Oxford’s and
that is important, Cambridge’s original
but living rightly.” educational philosophies,
– Socrates providing our members an
incredible opportunity for
personal growth and
academic development.

9. O UR V ALUES • S OUND M IND, S OUND B ODY • RESIDENTIAL L EARNING C OMMUNITY • B ALANCED M AN P ROGRAM • LEADERSHIP C ONTINUUM
Network of Support Living and Learning A Sigma Phi Epsilon Residential
This is your brotherhood in Environment Learning Community is more than
action. Our network of alumni The chapter house becomes a
just bricks and mortar; it’s a
and volunteers is critical to the place where members live,
culture of excellence that exudes
success of an RLC. It augments the interact, and learn. At RLCs,
throughout a chapter’s member-
fraternity experience by providing members no longer retreat from
ship. There is no doubt that we are
consistent mentoring and direc- the chapter house in order to
providing a valuable and relevant
tion to the chapter and its leaders. achieve their academic goals;
undergraduate experience at our
they gravitate toward it, knowing
RLC chapters – we are recruiting
Faculty Fellow Engagement they have the support they need
and retaining more campus
A Faculty Fellow is a member of to be successful.
leaders who are outperforming
the university faculty or academic
their peers academically. In doing
support staff who enhances the
so, we are restoring the relevance
academic culture of a chapter and
of the American
environment of a chapter facility.
college fraternity.

10. Balanced Man Program
Individuals who truly live the Balanced Man Ideal of Sound Mind,
Sound Body are more confident and have a positive outlook.
They achieve their goals with the help of their brothers. The
energy and motivation of these scholars influences their chapter
brothers to live their best lives.
O UR VALUES • S OUND M IND, S OUND B ODY • RESIDENTIAL L EARNING C OMMUNITY • B ALANCED M AN P ROGRAM • LEADERSHIP C ONTINUUM
The Balanced Man Program is SigEp’s difference in the Greek The program guides members to
build positive habits and key life
community. The BMP offers a no-pledging, four year
skills through mentoring and
experience focused on scholarship, leadership, and life skills. experiential learning. SigEp
Members learn to live their best lives through unique, members are educated in time
management, etiquette, physical
rewarding programming tailored to fit their needs and prepare
fitness, career planning, and life
them for the journey of life ahead. By developing a Sound skills such as cooking, financial
Mind in a Sound Body, SigEp members are given the tools to planning, and relationships. Using
self-reflection, discussion, evalua-
succeed during school and beyond. The BMP provides a fun,
tion, and personal written goals,
practical way to achieve your goals through a series of self- the Balanced Man Program
paced challenges that center on personal growth and prepares young men for the
journey of life.
development. The BMP’s
unique structure allows The core components of each
challenge are: goal-setting and
chapters to develop achievement; academic support;
programming to fit their personal health and wellness;
campus experience and recruit mentoring – guidance from older
members and alumni on doing
the best men year-round. your best; and service and experi-
ential learning.
“By believing passionately
in something which
still does not exist,
we create it.”
– Nikos Kazantzakis

11. “One word frees us
of all the weight
and pain of life;
that word is love.”
– Sophocles
Sigma Challenge – How to get Epsilon Challenge – SigEps Some projects have included
the most from SigEp and college as Balanced Leaders establishing a community
In the Sigma challenge, members In the Epsilon challenge,
triathlon, providing day-care
participate in a time management members serve as leaders in
services for underprivileged
workshop to learn to handle one’s the chapter and/or on campus;
families, restoring a town center,
commitments; learn how to build will be challenged to move
and reclaiming portions of a
teams through shared goals and beyond their comfort zone
national park. These men are the
pursuits; learn about values-based culturally; participate in a service
epitome of servant leadership.
leadership and learning project to give back to
SigEp’s cardinal the campus or community; and Brother Mentor
principles; and begin to build professional skills Challenge – Preparing for
learn about that will distance them from success after college
SigEp’s history, their peers. In the Brother Mentor challenge,
its current members gain valuable life skills
standing in the Fellow Challenge (Optional) in financial planning, entertain-
Greek commu- A 500-hour service learning ing, major life decisions; build
nity, and its project for members of the contacts outside the chapter
future. Epsilon Challenge. In the Fellow through alumni engagement and
Challenge, participants organize national programs; mentor
Phi Challenge – Building a their brothers to benefit the younger members; and identify
sound mind in a sound body community; create an entrepre- where the SigEp experience will
In the Phi challenge, members neurial venture to support the take them next.
learn best practices in personal local community; learn project
and professional etiquette; begin management skills; and leave a
their involvement in other student legacy in the community.
organizations; begin to develop
leadership and professional skills;
and learn pertinent personal
health and wellness information.

12. Leadership Continuum
The Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation has the largest endowment of any
national collegiate fraternity and funds the Leadership Continuum—EDGE,
Carlson Leadership Academy, Ruck Leadership Institute, and Tragos Quest to
Greece. All these programs serve the purpose of Building Balanced Leaders for
the World’s Communities through the balance of Sound Mind and Sound Body.
O UR VALUES • S OUND M IND, S OUND B ODY • RESIDENTIAL L EARNING C OMMUNITY • B ALANCED M AN P ROGRAM • L EADERSHIP C ONTINUUM
EDGE – Learning to Carlson Leadership
live your best life Academy – Effective and
SigEp should be one the greatest affective leadership
experiences of your life. As such, the The Academy program is the central
Fraternity offers its own innovative component of the Leadership
program for first-year members, Continuum, providing hands-on
EDGE. EDGE is about making healthy training to more than 2,000 under-
choices that match your personal graduates and volunteers annually.
values and those of Sigma Phi The Academies are held in February
Epsilon. Participants build greater after chapter elections, and chapters
self-awareness about the conse- are encouraged to bring all new
“Almost everything quences of their actions and those officers, Chapter Counselors,
I have needed to around them through interactive Balanced Man Stewards and rising
know about leadership discussions and reflective activities. chapter leaders. The academy
Participants have fun through program provides practice in
in the Marines Corps, challenging experiences such as management skills, goal develop-
I learned in SigEp.” ropes courses, physical challenges, ment, and academic and career
and activities based upon camarade- planning. Put on by the National
— Gen. James T. Conway rie. Participants choose the lifestyle Leadership Committee and the
Southeast Missouri State ’69, they wish to lead and receive training Headquarters staff, the Academies
Commandant, United States on overcoming obstacles with regard provide an appropriate venue for the
Marines Corps
to alcohol and drug abuse, personal presentation of chapter awards for
wellness, and goal achievement. The notable achievements in recruitment,
program involves a highly regarded development, and scholarship and for
faculty of senior undergraduates, individual achievement in student
distinguished alumni, and renowned leadership or volunteer involvement.
guest speakers.
Who?: Over 2,700 undergraduate members
attend EDGE each year.
How much?: Participants attend at no cost
through a generous grant from the Sigma Phi
Epsilon Educational Foundation.
Where?: At more than 25 locations across
the country
To date, over 11,000 members have
participated in this leadership program.

13. The academy program is named for
Brother Curtis L. Carlson, Minnesota,
’37, Founder and Chairman of The
Carlson Companies, a global leader
with various holdings such as
T.G.I. Friday’s, Radisson Hotels,
and Carlson Wagonlit Travel.
Who?: Over 2,000 members attend Carlson
Leadership Academies each year.
How much?: Four chapter officers and a
volunteer have paid registrations. Additional
participants are responsible for a registration
fee, lodging, and travel.
Where?: At nine locations across the
country
To date, over 70,000 members have participated
in this leadership program.
Ruck Leadership
Institute – Teaching the few to
impact the many
The Ruck Leadership Institute is the
Fraternity’s premier leadership
development experience, the “Top
Gun” of SigEp. The program is a
living tribute to Past Grand President
Frank J. Ruck, Jr., Michigan ’46, who Tragos Quest to Greece – Where?: Greece
challenged SigEps to go beyond our Exploring the birthplace of To date, over 100 members have participated in
Sound Mind, Sound Body this leadership program.
perceived limitations.
The Greeks believed in arête, or being
The nation’s best and brightest gather Grand Chapter Conclave –
the best that you can be, striving for
in Virginia, for a five-day program The ultimate SigEp experience
excellence. It is only proper that
focused on personal leadership and Conclave offers educational opportu-
SigEp offer the opportunity to live
the Balanced Man Ideal. Competition nities for undergraduates assembling
and learn at the very site of the
for entry into the program is fierce as SigEp’s best facilitators, educators
birthplace of Greek antiquity. Each
hundreds of notable undergraduates and speakers. Brothers participate
summer, SigEp undergraduates walk
apply annually. Once on-site, they can in legislation, continue networking
in the footsteps of giants such as
expect constant motion, activity, and and personal development, and are
Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates. These
energy. Attendees see first-hand how exposed to hundreds of alumni so
special brothers gain valuable insight
Sound Mind and Sound Body can they can see first-hand the lifelong
into the Balanced Man Ideal
become a tangible part of chapter life experience of brotherhood in
of Sound Mind and Sound Body.
through competitive challenges, Sigma Phi Epsilon.
theatrical productions, lessons in This 11-day program is a scholarship Who?: More than 1,300 members attend
leadership, and facilitation by opportunity generously provided by each Grand Chapter Conclave.
the Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational How much?: Two undergraduate
prominent SigEp alumni. delegates are paid for by the chapter and
Who?: Over 150 members attend Ruck Foundation. For those fortunate the chapter counselor receives a hotel and
travel stipend.
annually. enough to be selected, their lives
How much?: $395 registration fee. When?: Held every two years.
are never the same again.
Where?: Richmond and Williamsburg, VA
To date, over 800 members have
Who?: 17 members are selected to attend
the Tragos Quest to Greece each year. *Scholarships and funding for Leadership Continuum
participated in this leadership program.
How much?: Free* programs are provided by the Educational Foundation.
For more information, visit www.sigepfoundation.org

14. Building
Balanced Leaders
for the World’s
Communities
Individuals who commit to the Balanced Man
Ideal as a way of life and who can clearly
articulate that ideal to others are privileged to
enjoy the most rewarding SigEp experience
possible. The path to achieving personal success
starts immediately at SigEp and the proof is all
across the county— the Fraternity commits to
helping its members live their best lives through
a balance of Sound Mind and Sound Body. It is a
way of life, and it’s contagious…

15. SigEp. Different.
Sigma Phi Epsilon has the highest grade point average of any
national fraternity. With the best first-year retention for new
recruits, the strongest leadership program and the backing of our
alumni and volunteers, SigEp is the most preferred college program
in America and the nation’s largest fraternity.
All Fraternity
Average SigEp
Total men
recruited 1,652 6,046
Total undergrad
members 4,680 14,000+
Average
chapter size 38 56
Number
of chapters 107 255
Find out more about
the leading fraternity on
college campuses today.
Call 804-353-1901 or visit
www.sigep.org