From a vision to a brotherhood
The story of Lambda Sigma Chi and the Eta Mu Chapter is the story of men who shared a vision, built a fraternity, and refused to let its legacy end.
Foreword
“What exists today is merely one stage in an ongoing evolution.”
The original history was transcribed by Kelly Munson from pages discovered by Gary Munson in a box of old Eta Mu Chapter documents. The author was not identified. After the document was recreated electronically, John Beeson reviewed it and offered recollections and suggested updates. Aside from grammatical changes and those clarifications, the account has been preserved in the spirit in which it was written.
Germanitas Et Hones
Brotherhood and HonorIn Hoc Signo Vinces
In This Sign You Will ConquerThe Eta Mu journey
From a secret series of meetings in 1969 to a triumphant return in 2023, Eta Mu has always been built by brothers willing to work for something larger than themselves.
During the summer of 1969, William L. Miller Jr. came to Eastern Illinois University determined to establish a fraternity that would ultimately become a chapter of Sigma Chi. With guidance from John R. Beeson, a Sigma Chi from the University of Illinois, correspondence began with Sigma Chi Headquarters.
Twenty-five men met in the Altgeld Room of the University Union for the first closed meeting of Lambda Sigma Chi. They adopted a constitution, elected officers, selected the name Lambda Sigma Chi and the motto “Germanitas et Hones”Brotherhood and Honor, and designed the local fraternity’s crest.
Lambda Sigma Chi earned colony status, welcomed its Alpha pledge class, established its initiation, served the community, competed across campus, held its first Sweetheart Formal, and moved into its first fraternity house. Alice Lockwood became housemother and helped make that house a home.
The brothers visited Sigma Chi chapters throughout Illinois, contacted area alumni, launched Derby Days, and finished first in fraternity grades for consecutive quarters. On April 25, 1971, Sigma Chi’s Executive Committee granted Lambda Sigma Chi permission to petition for membership.
Sigma Chi’s active and alumni chapters voted nearly unanimously to accept Lambda Sigma Chi as the 157th active undergraduate chapter. On November 3, the men officially became pledge brothers of Sigma Chi and began preparing for initiation.
The 58 charter members received Eta Mu’s charter, becoming Sigma Chi’s 157th active undergraduate chapter and the fifth chapter in the Illinois Province. A dream first shared by 25 men had become reality.
Eta Mu’s charter was revoked. Alumni faced a choice: allow the chapter’s story to end or commit the time, leadership, and resources necessary to bring Sigma Chi back to Eastern Illinois University.
Following an alumni-led effort that raised more than $100,000 and brought substantial in-person support to campus, Eta Mu was successfully reinstalled. The chapter’s next generation was ready to carry the White Cross forward.
Through Project Lockwood, alumni purchased and renovated the former East Hall at 2103 12th Street—a 12,516-square-foot home positioned beside campus and Greek Court. Today, 2103 gives the brotherhood room to live, learn, gather, and grow.
The next chapter of Eta Mu is being written by the brothers who call 2103 home today and the alumni who continue to invest in its future. With a growing chapter and a renewed house, 2103 can welcome generations of brothers still to come.
An enduring Sigma Chi tradition
1911“The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi” is written
1970Lambda Sigma Chi holds its first Sweetheart Formal
1975Mary Kalita is documented as Eta Mu Sweetheart
The tradition of the Sigma Chi Sweetheart grew from the popularity of “The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi,” written in 1911 by brothers Byron D. Stokes and F. Dudleigh Vernor of the Alpha Pi Chapter at Albion College. Over time, chapters began annually selecting a woman who exemplified the character, friendship, and spirit associated with Sigma Chi.
Sweetheart candidates were traditionally nominated by chapter members and elected by a vote of the undergraduate brothers. While the process varied among chapters, selections generally emphasized character, personality, poise, scholarship, campus involvement, and support of the chapter—not simply popularity. The selection was commonly announced at a spring formal, where the new Sweetheart was presented and serenaded with “The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi.”
At Eta Mu, the tradition reaches back to the chapter’s earliest years. Before Lambda Sigma Chi received its Sigma Chi charter in December 1971, the local fraternity held its first annual Sweetheart Formal at the Kaskaskia Country Club. Brothers, pledges, guests, fraternity advisers, and EIU President Quincy Doudna and his wife attended the celebration. A 1975 Eastern Illinois University Warbler identifies Mary Kalita as Eta Mu’s Sweetheart, providing an early documented example of the tradition after installation.
The Chapter Sweetheart traditionally served as a friend and ambassador of Eta Mu, supporting its social, philanthropic, and campus activities. Sigma Chi continues to permit each chapter to elect one Chapter Sweetheart annually. A chapter’s honoree may also be nominated for International Sweetheart of Sigma Chi, an ambassador chosen every two years by undergraduate delegates at Grand Chapter.
Preserving the names and photographs of Eta Mu’s past Sweethearts would add an important dimension to the chapter’s history and recognize the women who supported the brotherhood throughout the years.
The beginning
Each candidate was asked to consider questions such as “What is brotherhood?” and “What is a fraternity?” Character, contribution, and worthiness to be called a Founding Father guided the selection.
Raymond Amadei · Waukegan
Ken Aubens · Morton Grove
Mark Beemer · Washington
Dick Berry · Taylorville
Ron Bimslager · Wood River
Doug Caldwell · Vandalia
Nick Cooley · Mt. Vernon
Doug Dyher · Springfield
Randy England · Mt. Zion
Don Garmon · Hoopeston
Vern Gay · East St. Louis
Kevin Green · Fithian
Phillip Groebe · Lockport
Bob Jones · Corssville
Jerry Mascitti · Chicago Heights
Chuck Maris · Rochelle
Ray Martin · Macon
Bill Miller · Peoria
Brian Moore · Downers Grove
Dennis Roberts · Villa Park
Greg Schneider · Elgin
Phillip Shelton · Mt. Zion
Tom Smith · Polo
Lynn Turner · Peoria
Paul Ward · Deerfield
From the original record
These expanded chapters preserve more of the detail recorded in Eta Mu’s original history.
Within the opening weeks of the 1969–70 academic year, Miller, Beeson, and other interested men held informal meetings in strict secrecy. After four weeks, the temporary officers formed a selection committee and interviewed every prospective Founding Father. The new fraternity would first have to operate independently as a local organization before petitioning Sigma Chi.
At the November 17 meeting, Ray Amadei was elected Consul, Tom Smith Pro Consul, Paul Ward Quaestor, Chuck Maris Annotator, and Dick Berry Magister. Phil Groebe, Doug Caldwell, and Doug Dyher prepared the constitution. Ray Amadei, Bill Miller, and Brian Moore created the crest using symbols drawn from heraldic tradition.
With no chapter house and no prior experience conducting a smoker, Lambda Sigma Chi held its first recruitment event at the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority house under the guidance of student advisor John Beeson and chairman Mark Beemer.
Under Magister Richard Berry, the Alpha Class included Bruce Bennyhoff, Greg Bennett, Tom Cooling, Bill Ettinger, Jim Getz, Russ Guimond, Ron Hagenow, Jim Jefford, Cliff Kaltinger, John Kennedy, Tom Long, Steve Parsons, Jim Stewart, and Marc Utterback.
The young fraternity competed in volleyball, basketball, riflery, tennis, track, and Greek Week. Brothers served in dormitory government, the University Council for the United Nations, University Radio, and other organizations. For a public service project, brothers and pledges visited the Odd Fellows Home in Mattoon, washing windows, caring for the grounds, and spending time with residents.
Lambda Sigma Chi placed first in grades among EIU fraternities for consecutive quarters and consistently exceeded the all-men’s average. At the 1971 Greek Games, the fraternity earned a scholarship trophy, and Russ Guimond was recognized for the highest grade point average over the preceding three quarters.
The first Sweetheart Formal was held at the Kaskaskia Country Club with EIU President Quincy Doudna and his wife among the guests. Pam Vannoy was crowned the fraternity’s first Sweetheart. The following year, Donna Verkler was crowned at the second formal in Effingham.
In October 1970, all six EIU sororities participated in Lambda Sigma Chi’s first Derby Days. The week’s energy, competition, and service established a tradition that would continue after installation as Sigma Chi.
Representatives attended Sigma Chi’s Leadership Training Workshops at Ball State and Northern Illinois University. The brothers visited Sigma Chi chapters across Illinois, connected with area alumni, and prepared a formal petition booklet for every active and alumni chapter of Sigma Chi International Fraternity.
After the October 31, 1971 vote, the week of December 4–11 became Indoctrination Week. The men studied, reflected, and prepared together. On December 11, 58 charter members were initiated into Eta Mu. As the original history concludes: this was not the end—it was merely the beginning.