Magazine Article - "Chapter Visit: Stevens" (Winter 2009): If one were to walk to the east end of campus at Stevens Institute of Technology they would face the Manhattan skyline. The skyline is said to be one of the most historical and storied in the world. Manhattan consists of man-made mountains that define the city by the rest of civilization.

The Sigma Chapter at Stevens also has great history. William Raimond Baird, Stevens 1878/Columbia 1881, attended the College and took on several roles within the Chapter. The mayor of Hoboken, N.J., resided in the Chapter house, and experienced an untimely death there. Although the Chapter’s current members appreciate the history of past influences, the past does not define the Chapter in the same way the skyscrapers do Manhattan. The brothers take pride in how the Chapter has evolved, and live by the ritual of Beta Theta Pi.

Approximately 80 percent of the Chapter is enrolled in an engineering program. The brothers go into detail about how they incorporate the idea of cultivation of the intellect into the entire chapter. "Many brothers are forced to adopt this value because they have to constantly study the material from classes. But, it goes further than that when brothers read material that is not assigned for class . . . they read and study because they want to," senior Matt Reihl, Stevens ’09 said.

Consisting of 32 men, they understand that they do not need to have 100-plus members to drive results and be successful not only within the General Fraternity but, more importantly, within their community. "If we are known for one thing on campus, it is community service. We try to participate in service many times a semester, which is not always easy when you are taking 24 credits of engineering classes," James Roarty, Stevens ’09, offered. Participating in different events is a great way for the brothers to stay connected and relax after intense weeks of studying for classes.

The projects range from simple tasks such as making sandwiches for the local homeless shelter to participating in Relay For Life, a 24-hour event that helps raise cancer awareness. Some brothers participated in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade by assisting the production crew in inflating the balloons and escorting them to Herald Square. This past year, the entire Chapter helped support the 2008 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Central Park.

The brothers are currently working on securing donations for house renovations. The structure was built in the mid-1800s, and major repairs are desperately needed. Since the house is not in its grandest state, each brother is assigned a daily task that he must complete. Tasks consist of cleaning the mirrors, vacuuming and cleaning up the common area. "We take pride in our house and we do everything within our capabilities to spruce it up and make it presentable for visitors," Reihl added.

On the surface, the Stevens Chapter is an ideal one. Its members make a conscious effort to live by the ritual everyday and remain focused on living a principled life. They do not falter as a result of some of the more common stereotypes that creep into fraternities.

"I would like to say that we are a perfect chapter and can do no wrong, but everyone makes mistakes. Every organization has a hiccup once in a while," Roarty suggested. The members discuss an offense they just experienced. As a result of not having a sustainable roof on the house, squirrels began to burrow into the attic. Frustrated, a brother climbed onto the roof to shoot the squirrels with a BB gun. A woman nearby phoned the police saying that she saw a man on the roof with a rifle.

No charges were filed against the member or the Chapter. However, the members thought they should address the issue. Taking immediate action, the Chapter’s executive board developed a list of sanctions and punishments that the members would be implementing. The list included items such as the house becoming alcohol free, social probation, every member attending gun and safety seminars and every brother being involved in at least one school event per week. The Chapter has never taken things lightly.

Outside of the New York Public Library stand two lion statues, one named Patience, the other Fortitude. "Patience and fortitude is what we need now. Although not as extreme, these were the ideals that the country needed most during The Great Depression, and what we need now," Reihl noted.

Patience and fortitude. These words now define the Chapter. The brothers must continue to set the standard. Although it may have been a minor incident, each brother takes responsibility for the Chapter’s actions, no matter the final result. — Alex Hammel, Florida '08