Sigma Phi Epsilon is the nation’s largest fraternity, with over 15,000 undergraduate members, dedicated to leading change and making a difference. Sigma Phi Epsilon was founded on November 1st, 1901, in Richmond, Virginia at Richmond College campus. Carter Ashton Jenkens desired to be a part of a group of men, determined to make a difference. He recruited five other men to join him. Eventually, this number grew to twelve, and the group founded this elite fraternal organization. The founding fathers of Sigma Phi Epsilon
stated,
“This fraternity will be different, it will be based on the love of God and the principle of peace through brotherhood. The number of members will be increased from the undergraduate classes. We will change the name to Sigma Phi Epsilon.”
Sigma Phi Epsilon, indeed, has been different than any other fraternal organization since its beginning, continually paving the way for others to follow. SigEp was the first national fraternity to establish a housing trust for all chapters and create a national housing corporation.