Sigma Chi - University of Virginia

Fall 2013 Newsletter

Psi Chapter of Sigma Chi at the University of Virginia

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The Constantine Sig History Highlights: We are inspired by our past as we look forward to our future! The Bonds of Brotherhood Survive the Civil War A lthough Sigma Chi was founded at University of Virginia before the Civil War, the demands of war strained the bonds of brotherhood. Virginia's Psi Chapter, originally Rho Chapter, was the twelfth Sigma Chi chapter, and the last chapter founded before the outbreak of war. The recognized founding date is December 10, 1860. In 1861, when the state of Virginia passed an ordinance of secession, Sigma Chis were called home and to the war front. Many Psi members can be found on the Confederate rosters, several serving the cause until the southern surrender in 1865. The four years of war caused a hiatus for Sigma Chi, but the fraternity was not forgotten. Harry St. John Dixon 1861 served in the 11th Mississippi Infantry in 1861, followed by Company D in the Washington Calvary, and he remained in service with the 28th Mississippi Volunteers until the end of the war. Dixon was influential in recruitment of Sigma Chi members after the war and took charge of safe-guarding the Chapter's important documents during wartime. Archives for Sigma Chi had been taken to Monticello Bank in Charlottesville, but Dixon had taken special care to send the charter and other precious documents to the home of fellow Sigma Chi Henry Ewing 1861 in Nashville. Records were returned to Virginia during the fall of 1866. The Psi Chapter of Sigma Chi was reorganized after the Civil War in 1866, and at this time Rho Chapter had been established in Indiana and the University of Virginia Chapter became Psi. Dixon kept a diary all his life and later became the first Grand Historian. His dedication to the ideals of Sigma Chi was evidenced by his tireless efforts in post-war recruitment. In his words, written more than 100 years ago but still descriptive of that found in the hearts of today's Brothers, Harry St. John Dixon spoke of the virtues of the Men of Sigma Chi: More than 20 years ago I became a Sigma Chi. In my Chapter was collected around me a number of chivalrous sons. A fearful war swept over the country and separated us to meet no more. Many of them surrendered their lives to their country, others have since passed away in the general chaos that ensued, but in my heart, and I am sure in the hearts of all who survive those days, the memories and the friendship then engendered can never pass away. In that circle every sentiment of honor and manliness was cherished, every precept of good morals and uprightness was inculcated. We do not wear our badges for show, but because to us they were emblematic of the gentleman. They spoke to us then, as they speak to us yet, of those things that are noblest in human nature. – Harry St. John Dixon 1861 House Corporation Asks Brothers to Support Psi Chapter U pdating and maintaining a 60-year-old Chapter House takes a lot of time, effort, and funds. 608 Preston Place is currently home to 18 Brothers, and each year capital expenditures are made to keep the house a safe place for them to live. This summer, the House Corporation made the following improvements: • Renovated first and second floor bathrooms • Refinished floors • Restored original exterior white trim paint In order to preserve the Chapter House for future Sigma Chis and to meet the needs of the 21st century fraternity man, the House Corporation will be sending out a letter later this fall asking for financial support from Brothers. The contributions received as a result of this appeal will be used for additional improvements to the Chapter House. New Website Gives Opportunity for Better Engagement Alumni Encouraged to Visit Site, www.psiofsigmachi.com I f you are like a lot of Psi alumni, you may not have been to the Psi of Sigma Chi website in some time. That will hopefully begin to change. After many years having partnered with the University of Virginia Alumni Association to help manage our digital presence, the House Corporation Board of Directors has made the decision to move to a third-party provider that can offer more flexibility and customization of the content, allowing more timely and relevant information available to members of all ages. The start of that change is underway as the newly managed site has just launched and the Board of Directors will be looking to add additional content over the next year. We envision this website to be the portal for prospective members, active Brothers, and alumni to come together and find the information they need relating to Psi Chapter. In this day and age, we want to be more engaged with our members and need the content that we currently share via the Constantine Sig, mailed correspondence, and other channels to be seamlessly accessible in a centrally managed digital platform. Some of this vision includes having all of you able to: • Read articles on alumni and other Chapter news that has previously only been available in print form • Find archived Constantine Sig newsletters • See the schedule of upcoming alumni events and who is planning to attend • Read and submit career and life updates for our ongoing alumni news section • See contact information of Brothers • Browse photo albums of our time in the Chapter and alumni events • Ask questions and provide feedback to the House Corporation Board of Directors • Take part in polls or provide thoughts on other issues/concerns facing the Chapter • Make online contributions to support Psi Chapter • Connect with others via established social networking platforms (e.g., LinkedIn, Facebook) As we create this new experience, we will also be looking to ensure that the right level of privacy is enabled with controlled access to different pieces of information. The bottom line is that we want to be more actively engaged and connected to each other and we want this website to be one of the vehicles to better support you. When you have any questions related to Sigma Chi, we want this to be one of the first places you go to get those questions answered. What else would you be interested in seeing in the website? We are open to feedback and would love to hear what additional functionality and capabilities could be valuable to add. Please share any thoughts with Website Coordinator Chris Komelasky '00 at komo@ alumni.virginia.edu.

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