While a great deal has changed in the time that the Theta Iota chapter of Sigma Chi has been at Saint Louis University, much has stayed the same. Throughout our history, we have remained a diverse group of men with different talents, temperaments, and convictions. The brothers of Sigma Chi strive to uphold friendship, justice, and learning in all that we do.
In the early 80s, Greek Life at SLU was in its nascent stages. There were only a handful of fraternities, and even fewer fraternities with a national presence. Just like today, Sigma Chi had an excellent reputation throughout the country, which led legendary SLU administrator Mary Bruemmer to contact Sigma Chi’s national headquarters.
In the early 80s, Greek Life at SLU was in its nascent stages. There were only a handful of fraternities, and even fewer fraternities with a national presence. Just like today, Sigma Chi had an excellent reputation throughout the country, which led legendary SLU administrator Mary Bruemmer to contact Sigma Chi’s national headquarters.
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A group of young SLU students, some transfers from other schools with a Sigma Chi chapter, began the process of establishing the chapter as the omega colony. These men faced a daunting task, but they pressed ahead anyways. Throughout the two and a half year colony process, the fraternity grew, numbering over sixty members at the time of installation. On March 17, 1984, the Theta Iota chapter of Sigma Chi was established at Saint Louis University after two and a half years as a colony. While Sigma Chi had a national presence, Theta Iota was one of the first fraternity chapters at a Jesuit university. Despite this, our brothers set out to establish the traditions and brotherhood for which Sigma Chi is still famous for. Many of them have not only remained in touch with each other, but have remained involved with the Theta Iota chapter.
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Three brothers of the original Sigma Chi Omega colony who helped host a bbq fundraiser to raise money to establish the chapter at SLU.
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After some time, the chapter lost sight of the values which have guided our fraternity for over one hundred and fifty years. SLU Sigma Chi disbanded and left campus after sanctions from the university.
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In May 2014, three SLU students set out to reestablish Sigma Chi on SLU’s campus. They were displeased with the organizations on campus, believing that none of them embodied the values they sought in a fraternity. Mark Minowitz, TJ Decker, and Michael Budler began communicating with Saint Louis University administrators as well as Sigma Chi Headquarters to begin the process of re-founding the Theta Iota chapter. Like many brothers, TJ and Michael’s fathers were Sigma Chi’s. This background helped inspire the young men to restart the chapter, with an emphasis on the values of friendship, justice, and learning.
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The original trio of founding fathers for the reinstalled Theta Iota chapter.
From left to right: Mark Minowitz, TJ Decker, and Michael Budler.
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On April 25, 2016 the Theta colony of Sigma Chi was officially recognized by both Saint Louis University, and Sigma Chi International Headquarters. A year later, the Theta Iota chapter of Sigma Chi received its charter on November 18, 2017, the second quickest colony to charter timeline in Sigma Chi history.
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70th Grand Consul, Thomas Geddings Jr. signing the charter for the newly installed Theta Iota Chapter of the Sigma Chi fraternity at Saint Louis University in front of the founding fathers class.
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Since receiving our charter, the chapter has grown exponentially, expanding from eighteen original members to fifty seven members today. We have remained committed to the values of friendship, justice, and learning. Our members are extremely active on campus, participating in Oriflamme, SLU 101, research opportunities, internships, and so much more.
