Greek Life has a rich and important history on the campus of Fort Hays State University, being a part of student life since 1920. Last spring saw the return of the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority after the chapter went inactive in 2005. Starting on Sunday FHSU’s sororities begin Recruitment Week to be followed by the FHSU’s fraternities Recruitment Week.
Here is a primer on Fort Hays’ Greek organizations, who they are and what their members all strive for.
Fraternities at Fort Hays State University
Alpha Gamma Rho
Alpha Gamma Rho was founded in 1904 at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.
The mission of Alpha Gamma Rho is to be the premier fraternity, developing lifelong brothers with the highest standards of leadership, scholarship, service and moral character among men with common bonds in agriculture, food, life sciences and natural resources.
Well known Alpha Gamma Rho members: Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, former Texas Governor Rick Perry, Scott Hatteberg, former MLB player, Orville Redenbacher, popcorn king, Taylor Brown, owner of Northern Ag radio and TV network.
The Alpha Gamma Rho, Gamma Beta chapter at Fort Hays State University was established in 2005.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Sigma Alpha Epsilon was founded on March 9, 1856, at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
The mission of Sigma Alpha Epsilon is to promote the highest standards of friendship, scholarship, and service for our members based upon the ideals set forth by our Founders and as specifically enunciated in their creed, “The True Gentleman.”
“The True Gentleman is the man whose conduct proceeds from good will and an acute sense of propriety, and whose self-control is equal to all emergencies; who does not make the poor man conscious of his poverty, the obscure man of his obscurity, or any man of his inferiority or deformity; who is himself humbled if necessity compels him to humble another; who does not flatter wealth, cringe before power, or boast of his own possessions or achievements; who speaks with frankness but always with sincerity and sympathy; whose deed follows his word; who thinks of the rights and feelings of others, rather than his own; and who appears well in any company, a man with whom honor is sacred and virtue safe.” John Walter Wayland.
GreekRank.com recently ranked Sigma Alpha Epsilon as the best looking fraternity. Philanthropist alumni including T. Boone Pickens who has given away over $700 million to charity.
Well known Sigma Alpha Epsilon members: William Faulkner, author, Fred Savage, actor/director, Ernie Pyle, war corespondent, Michael Rosenbaum, actor , T. Boone Pickens II, business man and financier, Larry Kurzweil, president and CEO of Universal Studios Hollywood.
The Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kansas Delta chapter at Fort Hays State University was established in 1998.
Sigma Chi
Sigma Chi was founded on June 28, 1855, at Miami University, in Miami, Ohio.
Sigma Chi is a brotherhood with roots in the collegiate experience that engenders a lifelong commitment to strive to achieve true friendship, equal justice and the fulfillment of learning as part of our overall responsibilities to the broader communities in which they live.
The confidence of the Founders of Sigma Chi was based upon a belief that the principles which they professed and the ideal of the Fraternity which they sought were but imperfectly realized in the organizations by which they were surrounded. So Founder Isaac M. Jordan, MIAMI (OHIO) 1857, authored the criteria upon which men should be recruited into the Fraternity:
The standard with which the Fraternity started was declared by Isaac M. Jordan to be that of admitting no man to membership in Sigma Chi who is not believed to be:
A man of good character … A student of fair ability … With ambitious purposes … A congenial disposition … Possessed of good morals … Having a high sense of honor and A deep sense of personal responsibility.
GreekRank.com recently ranked Sigma Chi as the most popular, boasting one of the largest member bases.
Well known Sigma Chi members: John Wayne, actor, David Letterman, former Late Show host, Ty Burrell, actor, Woody Harrelson, actor, Senator Barry Goldwater, Jim Brady, press secretary for President Reagan.
The Sigma Chi, Zeta Tau chapter at Fort Hays State University was established in 1967.
Sigma Phi Epsilon
Sigma Phi Epsilon was founded in 1901, at the University of Richmond in Richmond, Virginia.
The mission of Sigma Phi Epsilon is to provide a beneficial fraternity experience. This is done through the Balanced Man Program, the program is built on five tenets, equal rights and responsibilities, continuous development, accountability, living the ritual, and mentoring.
Well known Sigma Phi Epsilon members: Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss), author, John Goodman, actor, Gene Keady Jr, former Purdue University basketball coach, Ryan Matthews, Philadelphia Eagles running back, former Colorado Governor Roy Romer, General Anthony McAuliffe.
GreekRank.com ranked Sigma Phi Epsilon the most fun fraternity. Besides having fun Sigma Phi Epsilon ensures it’s members develop into well-rounded individuals by adhering to their “Balanced Man Program.”
The Sigma Phi Epsilon, Kansas Zeta chapter at Fort Hays State University was on campus from 1958-1999 and was reestablished in 2012.
Sororities at Fort Hays State University
Alpha Gamma Delta
Alpha Gamma Delta was founded in May 30, 1904 at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York.
Alpha Gamma Delta is an international fraternity for women that exists to provide opportunities for personal development through the spirit of sisterhood.
We support lifelong learning as a means to gain understanding and wisdom. We promote the value of fraternal membership and commitment to higher education.
We help prepare members to contribute to the world’s work. We advocate lifetime involvement in Alpha Gamma Delta.
Well known members of Alpha Gamma Delta: Amber Brkich, Survivor winner, Rita Coolidge, singer, Barbara Jo Walker, Miss America 1947, Kay Studebaker Allenbaugh, author of Chocolate for a Woman’s Soul.
The Alpha Gamma Delta, Epsilon Mu chapter at Fort Hays State University was established in 1959.
Sigma Sigma Sigma
Sigma Sigma Sigma was founded on April 20, 1898 at the State Female Normal School in Farmville, VA (now known as Longwood University).
The mission of Sigma Sigma Sigma Sigma is to provide a lifelong sorority experience for women through ensuring a perpetual bond of friendship, developing a strong womanly character, and promoting high standards of ethical conduct.
Well known Tri-Sigmas: Carrie Underwood, American Idol and Grammy winning singer, Jennifer Gray, CNN Meteorologist, Billie Letts, author of Where the Heart Is.
The Sigma Sigma Sigma, Alpha Gamma chapter at Fort Hays State University was part of Greek campus life from 1925-2005 and was reestablished in 2015.
Delta Zeta
The Delta Zeta Sorority was founded at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 1902, the same year that the university first allowed female students. Miami is dubbed the “Mother of Fraternities” because of the many prominent men’s fraternities which were founded there.
The Delta Zeta Creed
To the world, I promise temperance, and insight, and courage, To crusade for justice, To seek the truth and defend it always. To those whom my life may touch in slight measure, May I give graciously of what is mine. To my friends, understanding and appreciation, To those closer ones, love that is ever steadfast, To my mind, growth, To myself, faith That I may walk truly in the light of the flame.
GreekRank.com ranked Delta Zeta as the most fun. One of DZ’s philanthropies, the Painted Turtle Camp, provides chronically ill children a place to discover their potential.
Well Known Delta Zetas: Joy Behar, comedian and former host of The View, Marcia Wallace, actress, Melissa Orway, actress, Mercedes Bates, first female corporate officer of General Mills Foods.
The Delta Zeta, Delta Omega chapter at Fort Hays State University was established in 1925.
Returning to campus in the near future
Alpha Kappa Lambda
Alpha Kappa Lambda was founded April 22, 1914 at the University of California in Berkeley, California.
Alpha Kappa Lambda’s ideals are centered around its five cornerstones. Judeo-Christian Principles, leadership, scholarship, loyalty, and self-support.
Through Alpha Kappa Lambda, men with different backgrounds but similar ideals unite with a common purpose: to foster excellence in scholarship, leadership, individual growth, and involvement in community service. Alpha Kappa Lambda is dedicated to “Men of Character Committed to Making A Difference.”
Well Known Alpha Kappa Lambdas: Chuck Woolery, game show host, Rian Lindell, Kicker, Buffalo Bills, Joe Coulombe, Founder and CEO of Trader Joe’s, Allen Drury, Journalist/Pulitzer Prize Winner.
The Alpha Kappa Lambda, Alpha Delta chapter at Fort Hays State University was part of Greek campus life from 1962-1989 and will recolonize in the spring of 2016.
Alpha Sigma Alpha
Alpha Sigma Alpha was founded on November 15, 1901 at the Virginia State Female Normal School (later known as Longwood College and now known as Longwood University) in Farmville, Virginia.
Alpha Sigma Alpha promotes high ideals and standards for its members throughout their lives by emphasizing balance among our four aims of intellectual, physical, social and spiritual development. Alpha Sigma Alpha provides opportunities through:
Sisterhood — forming strong bonds of unconditional friendship based on common values and experiences; Heritage — expressed through creed, ritual and history; and
Leadership and Service — enhanced by chapter, campus and community involvement.
Well Known Alpha Sigma Alphas: Frieda J. Riley, teacher, her work inspired the Rocket Boys, subjects of the movie October Sky, Lauren Brie Harding, model and America’s Next Top Model winner, Angie Cole, actress.
The Alpha Sigma Alpha, Tau Tau chapter at Fort Hays State University was part of Greek campus life from 1928-1961 and should be returning to campus sometime in 2017.
Learn more at Fort Hays State Greek Life.