November first is Sigma Phi Epsilon’s Founders’ Day. Twelve young men at the University of Richmond, one of whom, Carter Ashton Jenkins, was a Chi Phi member from Rutgers University, founded the fraternity in 1901. Jenkins first sought a charter from his fraternity, but the request was declined because the Baptist school was considered too small.
Instead Jenkins found 11 other congenial men who were also eager to share a brotherhood built upon “the love of God and the principle of peace through brotherhood.” They named the organization Sigma Phi unaware that there was already a men’s fraternity by that name. The group then took the name Sigma Phi Epsilon.
One of the fraternity’s traditions began at Syracuse University. New York Alpha was the organization’s 18th chapter; it was founded on the campus in 1905. The first red door made its appearance in 1928 at the chapter’s former home on Walnut Place; that building is now the Slutzker International Center.
In 1928, a few of the brothers painted the front door red, one the fraternity’s colors. The “welcome to all” tradition caught on quickly and red doors became a mainstay of Sig Ep chapters nationwide.
This post was to have included a picture of my husband’s Sig Ep badge. Alas, I have been dispatched to the Sunshine State on family matters and that will have to wait for another day,