Second 50 Years > Into the new Millennium

The turn of the 20th Century found Sigma Phi Epsilon poised for continued excellence and a renewed emphasis on the Fraternity’s mission, “Building Balanced Leaders for the World’s Communities.”

In 2000, Brother Craig Templeton, University of Kansas (Kansas Gamma), ’81, stepped forward to serve the Fraternity as Executive Director and steer SigEp toward further greatness.

To answer the demand for leaders, SigEp pioneered the Leadership Continuum, the first such development program of its kind in the fraternity world. In 1999, with support from the Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation, the Carlson Leadership Academies were expanded to reach more undergraduate participants and heighten the undergraduate experience. Also in 1999, a new leadership experience, designed to develop leadership skills in SigEp’s most promising members, found its debut. Named after Frank J. Ruck, University of Michigan (Michigan Alpha), ’46, Past Grand President and President of the North-American Interfraternity Conference, the Ruck Leadership Institute teaches the few to lead the many.

To facilitate the needs of the newest brothers, 2001 saw the addition of the New Member Camp, now called EDGE, to the Leadership Continuum. This program, which focuses on acclimation to college and substance abuse prevention, has fast become a favorite event for all new SigEps. At the pinnacle of the Leadership Continuum, SigEp expanded its leadership experience out into the world. In May of 2001, the Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation began the Balanced Man Quest to Greece. A handful of Balanced Man Scholars are selected to travel to Greece each summer, sharing common readings and learning of the origin of the Balanced Man Ideal.

When combined, these four programs—the EDGE, Carlson Leadership Academy, Ruck Leadership Institute, and Balance Man Quest to Greece—create a formidable arena for undergraduates to hone their leadership skills. Truly, with 258 chapters, over 14,000 current undergraduates, and over 250,000 lifetime members, Sigma Phi Epsilon is Building Balanced Leaders for the World’s Communities.