Second 50 Years > The 1980s

The growth of the late 1970s continued into the first half of the 1980s and did not show any signs of slowing. Sigma Phi Epsilon held its strongest position ever, with 250 chapters in 45 states. With 16,000 undergraduates on college campuses, 170,000 lifetime members, and more men joining than any other fraternity, SigEp became the strongest and most popular fraternity in history.

During the 1970s and 1980s, a commitment to undergraduates and undergraduate housing emerged as a central theme with special emphasis on long-term financial stability. Sigma Phi Epsilon's leadership in the interfraternity world was acknowledged as it led all fraternities in innovative approaches to programming and undergraduate development.

In 1987, Kenneth S. Maddox, Oregon State University (Oregon Alpha), '75, was named Executive Director, and Brother White began full-time management of the Educational Foundation as its President. A commitment to alumni began to emerge from the Headquarters operation through a focused plan to develop the Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation as a primary resource for the Fraternity's future. The Fraternity has benefited greatly from the increased strength of the Educational Foundation.

A number of important initiatives began at the close of the decade. In 1987 the Self-Esteem Committee met under the leadership of Past Grand President Donald C. McCleary, University of Texas (Texas Alpha), '71, to discuss issues facing the Fraternity. The Self-Esteem Committee developed some of the concepts for the Balanced Man Program, a membership development program aimed at preserving Sigma Phi Epsilon's values while providing for the needs of its members. In 1989, the Fraternity developed the first formalized strategic plan—a detailed blueprint designed to take the Fraternity into the next millennium as the premier Greek-letter organization.