Sigma Nu recognized for fostering leadership

By Brynn Krug, Lifestyle Editor July 13, 2024

Sigma Nu’s Greek house sits on an overcast afternoon at 114 Blackhawk Road. Sigma Nu was named the leading fraternity for leadership development. (Northern Star File Photo)

Sigma Nu was named NIU’s leading fraternity for leadership development on June 12.

They received this recognition from the Center for Fraternal Excellence.

The Theta Eta chapter aims to foster leadership. Members of Sigma Nu have held many leadership positions at NIU within the Student Government Association and Interfraternity Council. 

The 2024-2025 academic year SGA vice president, James Innis, student trustee, Aidan O’Brien, and speaker of the senate, Manny Corpuz, are all members of Sigma Nu.

“I think the big thing is campus involvement,” said IFC president, Sigma Nu member, former Sigma Nu president and senior marketing major Zack Althoff. “I think Sigma Nu has always found ways to get involved on campus whether that be with CAB (Campus Activities Board), IFC, SGA. I think they are the leaders in personal development and professional development as well.”

One way Sigma Nu aims to develop leadership qualities within its members is by creating four-year career plans.

“I think they (Sigma Nu) take, you know, young kids in, that 18-year-old freshman coming into NIU, and they develop them, they create four-year plans, they get them involved and then they prepare them for a future outside of NIU,” Althoff said.

Members of Sigma Nu receive mentorship from older fraternity brothers as well.

“I think the older guys, like the juniors and seniors, when I came in they really took me under their wing,” Althoff said. “They were there helping me write out my four-year plan, helping me prepare for life after college and getting into the IFC.”

Sigma Nu aims to develop leadership skills that will not only be beneficial to future careers but to leadership roles within NIU.

“We’re building up the community together, you know, that’s always important, not just building up Sigma Nu but building up the community and bettering Greek Life at NIU as a whole,” Althoff said.