Sigma Alpha Mu
| Sigma Alpha Mu | |
|---|---|
| ΣAM | |
 |
|
| Founded | November 26, 1909 City College of New York |
| Type | Social |
| Scope | International |
| Colors | Purple and White |
| Flower | Purple Aster |
| Publication | The Octagonian |
| Chapters | 52 active, 120 chartered |
| Members | 63,000 collegiate |
| Nickname(s) | Sammy |
| Headquarters |
8701 Founders Rd Indianapolis, Indiana U.S. |
| Homepage | http://www.sam.org |
Sigma Alpha Mu (ΣΑΜ), also known as "Sammy", is a college fraternity founded at the City College of New York in 1909. Originally a Jewish-only organization, the fraternity became open to men of all faiths in 1953. Originally headquartered in New York, the national fraternity relocated its international headquarters to Indianapolis, Indiana. Since its inception, Sigma Alpha Mu has initiated more than 63,000 members at more than 120 active and inactive chapters and colonies across the United States and Canada.
In the fall of 1909, the sophomore class at the College of the City of New York had found itself embarrassed by "lowly freshmen". At a school where "warfare" between freshman and sophomore class was a tradition, the sophomores found it necessary to regain their fallen honor. Class Marshal Lester Cohen called a meeting of sophomore leaders on November 26, 1909 to decide on a plan for redemption. Eight appeared in proper order Ira N. Lind, Jacob Kaplan, Lester Cohen, Samuel Ginsburg, Hyman I. Jacobson, David D. Levinson, Abraham N. Kerner, Adolph I. Fabis, who are now known as the Founders of Sigma Alpha Mu.
During the discussion which took place, much loftier ideals were expressed than the mere formulation of plans for asserting sophomore honor. The men discovered that they held many ideals in common, and the inspiration for the formation of a new fraternity came to them. During this meeting, it was suggested that the Greek Letters "Kappa Phi Omega" be used to symbolize the words "Cosmic Fraternal Order" as the new name for the fraternity. This proposal was accepted and the meeting was adjourned.
A second meeting was held a week later. It was found necessary to revise the name of the fraternity because several members had inadvertently made public the chosen name. Ginsburg then suggested a motto which was unanimously adopted and which has since remained the Fraternity motto. From that time the Fraternity was known as Sigma Alpha Mu.
The new Fraternity settled down to the accomplishment of the ideals which had promoted its creation. It was its aim to prove to the outside world that criticism and objectives leveled against fraternities in general—specious though many of those arguments may have been—were not applicable to Sigma Alpha Mu. The founders decided to plan and grow along lines different from those of existing fraternities.
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