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Best Fraternity: Sigma Phi Epsilon
Best Fraternity
Sigma Phi Epsilon
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Mardy Kramer
Founded in 1904, the South Carolina Alpha Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon has historic roots at the University of South Carolina. Commonly known as SigEp, the South Carolina Alpha chapter was the 12th chapter founded across the nation. It is now one of the largest fraternities in the country.
The fraternity’s motto of “Building Balanced Men” is the core of its way of life, boasting continuous development, high standards for accountability and equal rights and responsibilities for all initiated members. The non-pledging, nonhazing experience develops men for personal, academic and professional growth.
In 2013, SigEp selected Big Brothers Big Sisters of America as its main philanthropic project. According to the SigEp national website, there is a Big Brothers Big Sisters chapter within 40 miles of almost every SigEp collegiate chapter. Since Columbia’s Big Brother Big Sisters chapter is currently inactive, Sigma Phi Epsilon has found other causes to support, with a focus on food pantries this year. SigEp coordinated a three-day canned food drive on Greene Street, where it gathered over 600 cans for Gamecock Pantry and Harvest Hope Food Bank and raised over $400 for Harvest Hope, too.
After reports of hazing came to light a few years ago, SigEp restructured and rebranded. It has since reformed itself under the values of virtue, diligence and brotherly love. Since the reorganization, the fraternity has boasted one of the highest GPAs among Greek Life on campus. For the 2019 fall semester, Sigma Phi Epsilon had the highest GPA among all fraternities.
SigEp also has two members on the Interfraternity Council (IFC) executive board for the 2019-2020 school year. This is the second year in a row that Sigma Phi Epsilon has had two members representing them on IFC’s executive board. Through a long history and dedication to philanthropy, SigEp has certainly made its mark here on campus, earning it the reader-voted title of Best Fraternity 2020.
