The Eta Lambda chapter at Virginia Tech is one of the oldest fraternities on campus and has a very rich history. The chapter started as a local social fraternity, Lambda Chi. The Lambda Chi brotherhood started with 22 members on February 5th, 1969. From there, the local fraternity affiliated itself and became a part of the Sigma Chi Fraternity on November 13th, 1971. The chapter was installed by G
rand Historian Robert LeClerg and the Tau chapter of Roanoke College became the appointed advising chapter. Frank “Coach” Teske became the first Chapter Advisor of the Eta Lambda chapter with the installment of the new charter at Virginia Tech. The original fraternity house was located on 600 South Main Street until it moved later in the decade
The following year (1972), the Eta Lambda chapter hosted their first annual philanthropy event, Derby Days, which was held on Coach Teske’s farm. The event pulled in 13 sororities from Virginia Tech and Radford to raise money for the National philanthropy at the time, the Wallace Village for Children in Colorado. After a few more moves for the chapter house around Blacksburg, the fraternity finally settled in the Oak Lane Community in 1990, becoming a part of the Phase II edition to the on-campus housing for Greeks. During the summer of 2005, a large renovation project took place inside this current location. The Eta Lambda chapter has won countless Peterson Significant Chapter Awards (the highest honor bestowed upon a Sigma Chi chapter), athletic championships, public relations awards, VT Greek awards, and much more. The brothers of the Eta Lambda chapter will continue to strive for success in whatever they do and have a huge impact on the history yet to come. The Eta Lambda chapter and the International Sigma Chi Fraternity have important historical backgrounds. The main goal of the former literary society was to develop a brotherhood based on the principles of friendship, justice, and learning. Through these three simple ideals anything can be accomplished. It’s quite amazing that these basic principles have bonded so many great men and that the founders’ beliefs are ever present in today’s society. The existence of the fraternity hasn’t been easy for the local chapter or internationally. We’ve come along obstacles that have tested our faith, but learning from these examples is what makes us stronger. From the beginning, the founders’ character was tested and the result of their strong feeling for justice developed what we know as Sigma Chi. Information for Rushes:
Sigma Chi is not just a club; it is a brotherhood in which you are given opportunities to expand your horizon. With Virginia Tech being a large school, a fraternity is a great way to get more involved on the personal level. Greek Life at Virginia Tech offers individuals to create a smaller atmosphere at an otherwise big University. Whether your passion is getting involved in the community, performing on the athletic field, or making the lifelong friends, joining a fraternity gives your valuable resources and skills to succeed in college. Information on general IFC Recruitment can be found at www.vtifc.com. Sigma Chi, one of the oldest and largest all-male Greek fraternities nationally, has evolved into the one of the premiere leadership fraternity in the country. Based on the values of friendship, justice, and learning, Sigma Chi boasts four national leadership programs, two philanthropic organizations, and a strong executive council governed by Grand Officers and exceptional undergraduate leaders.
• Mission Statement - To develop values-based leaders committed to the betterment of character, campus and community
• Vision Statement - To become the preeminent collegiate leadership development organization - aligned, focused and living our core values
• Motto - "In Hoc Signo Vinces" - In this sign you will conquer
"The key to our business is people skills. Sigma Chi helps you learn better people relationships, to get along with others, and also teaches the importance of honesty and integrity."
--J. Willard Marriott, Jr., President of the Marriott Corporation
"You have to be honest, have integrity, be able to cooperate and get along with other people. Sigma Chi is a great place to learn that and that's why it's a great thing to join this fraternity."
--Jim Palmer, ABC-TV sportscaster and previously 3-time AL Cy Young winner
"The Ritual was very, very meaningful to me. Initiation week was a very difficult period, needless to say, but I must say in retrospect, it's held its value and its meaning and the historical perspective that it gives you. I think the Ritual and the fraternity mystics, and just the sense of history that goes back with Sigma Chi are things that help make those bonds so strong."
--Tom Selleck, former star of Magnum, P.I. Sigma Chi, founded on the principles of friendship, justice, and learning, serves as an experience in which individuals build leadership potential, define their personal growth, and develop lasting friendships. With over 228 Undergraduate chapters, and 149 Alumni chapters, Sigma Chi gives you a great opportunity to experience global networking. Based on the various National leadership programs, philanthropic events, and local social activities, Sigma Chi could be the right fit for you. Here are some reasons why:
SIGMA CHI NATIONAL:
--Week-long Horizons Leadership Program in Snowbird, UT
--Annual Balfour Leadership Training Workshop - Largest leadership workshop in the World
--8 Previous members of the United States Senate; 13 previous members of the U.S. House of Representatives
--Largest Greek initiation (Xi Xi Chapter - Missouri)
--228 Undergraduate chapters; 149 Alumni chapters
--Over 218,000 living Sigma Chi's
--Zero-tolerance stance on hazing since 2005
--Notable Brothers include: Jim Palmer, Brad Pitt, Drew Brees, Mike Ditka, Urban Meyer, President Grover Cleveland, Woody Harrelson, David Letterman, John Huntsman, and Willard Marriott
ATHLETICS
--Former members of the Virginia Tech Football, Basketball, and Soccer teams
--1st Place 2011 IFC Football
--1st Place 2011 IFC Soccer
--1st Place 2011 IFC Softball
--1st Place 2011 IFC Water Polo
--2nd Place 2011 IFC Volleyball
--2nd Place 2012 IFC Softball
--1st Place 2012 IFC Football
--1st Place 2012 IFC Soccer
--Won 2011 Hokie Grail: Awarded to winner of the most IFC Sports
--Virginia Tech 'Voice of the Hokies' commentator Bill Roth
LEADERSHIP
--IFC Executive members in each of the past 3 years
--2011 Sigma Chi Significant Peterson Award Recipient
--14 selected for Sigma Chi Horizons Leadership Program since 2001
--21 Significant Peterson Awards (awarded to top Undergraduate Sigma Chi chapters)
--SGA Senate Member
SCHOLARSHIP
--3.131 Member GPA – Spring 2012
--3.2333 New Member (Pledge) GPA – Fall 2011
--4th of 28 IFC fraternities on GPA list
--5th of 26 IFC fraternities with new members on GPA list
--Member GPA higher than All-Fraternity average
PHILANTHROPY AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
--1st Place - 2009, 2010, 2011 Tri Delta Football, Flapjacks, and Fashion
--1st place – 2011 Kappa Delta 5KD
--1st place – 2011 Kappa Delta Fall Festival
--1st place – 2011 Sigma Kappa Violet Nights
--2nd Place- 2012 Zeta Yacht Club
--40 Brothers participating in mentoring program Linkous Lads
--$15,000 raised for Children's Miracle Network in 2012 (Derby Days)
--Participants in Greeks Giving Back, Relay for Life, and The Big Event
--Oldest Greek philanthropy on Virginia Tech's campus (Derby Days - approaching 40th year)
SORORITIES AND SOCIAL
--As of 2011, 13 sorority-affiliated brothers representing 6 different sororities
--11 Sigma Chi sweethearts, representing 5 sororities
--Fall and Spring Formals in different destinations
