Within every facet of life lies an opportunity for exploration. Exploration may entail a setting a specific, attainable goal. Exploration of drinking tolerance could lead to alcoholism. Exploration of bad choices could lead to an unhappy life. Exploration becomes a key characteristic of an individual or an organization when, and only when, that exploration seeks a noble path. Exploration benefits organizations that use it to better the organization and its members.
With the demise of Delta Theta Phi, several ex-members began to rush freshmen with the hope of affiliating with Sigma Chi. However, only 21 of the former DTPs agreed to explore the option of affiliation with another fraternity. Many of these men intended merely to continue the legacy of DTP through another organization. A few of these men sought something more in fraternity life, and conducted a rush program that recruited young men with ambitious purposes and good character. These young men, recruited into the dream of forming a Sigma Chi Chapter, gave strong direction to the exploration of the young fraternity, which continues its legacy even to this day.
With only 21 members agreeing to pursue the dream of establishing a Sigma Chi chapter at VU, four freshmen, Andy Nunemaker, Tom Niermann, Tim Ault, and Eric Levin, joined Sigma Chi Sigma without pledging. Other freshmen were admitted as the first pledge class. Accepting four freshmen without pledging had the same effect on Sigma Chi that the association with William Lewis Lockwood had on the founders of the international fraternity. Having avoided hazing, and other DTP traditions, these founders of the Iota Sigma Chapter were less inclined to continue these old DTP traditions. Behind their leadership, Sigma Chi Sigma recruited gentlemen on the basis of ideals, rather than on tradition. In so doing, they built a strong foundation for one of the finest chapters in the Sigma Chi Fraternity.
Although Sigma Chi Sigma’s active members had the lowest average GPA on campus at their founding, at just over 2.0, they recruited a pledge class that boasted the highest average GPA of any fraternity on campus, at just over a 3.0. These fine gentlemen began to act on the ideals that they had explored. They brought order to old DTP style chapter meetings. They helped contribute to the release of a Declaration of Intent: a bold move that held the young fraternity accountable to its ideals before the entire Valparaiso community. These young men adhered strongly to their principles. By the fall of 1988, Executive Committee did not contain one member of the former Delta Theta Phi.
Armed with principles and ideals, the members of Sigma Chi Sigma set about creating a fraternal environment that allowed for constant improvement of the organization and of its members. They engaged in behind-the-scenes paperwork in the continuing efforts toward the granting of a charter. They continued to promote their own reputations, hold fast to their Declaration of Intent. In so doing, they earned a reputation among faculty and students as one of the finest organizations on campus.
Initiation brought the founders of Iota Sigma back to the ideals with which they started. It revealed, through ritual, the importance of the ideals that they had patiently pursued in the prior years. Through initiation, these young men returned to where they had started, and knew that place for the very first time.
By setting a positive precedent, and giving direction to the exploration of the young Sigma Chi Sigma Fraternity, its members gave strength to a growing organization. With a strong sense of direction, Iota Sigma set out exploring the role of an active chapter in the Sigma Chi Fraternity. They created a Vision of Iota Sigma to guide the fraternity. The exploration began again with Initiation, as the fraternity looked again to the future.