To the brothers and alumni of Sigma Phi Epsilon, a recent ribbon cutting ceremony was more than a celebration of a new chapter home.
It represented a new chapter in the history of the fraternity, as well as Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) at NIU.
“This has been a long time coming, and it’s the first of many great steps,” said Sigma Phi Epsilon undergraduate chapter president Larry Aiyelabola, an electrical engineering major from Palatine.
“This is a movement right here. We all want to work together to make this something amazing.”
The fraternity hosted an April 12 grand opening celebration of its newly renovated chapter house at 920 Hillcrest Drive. Speakers for the ribbon cutting and grand opening remarks included NIU President Lisa Freeman, DeKalb Mayor Cohen Barnes, FSL Director Vicki Gerentes, NIU Foundation Board of Directors member Jeff Liesendahl and NIU alumnus Bill Flack.
Drawing more than 100 students, alumni and university and community leaders, the event culminated a student-and-alumni-led initiative called the “Bringing Back the Heart” campaign.
It’s a fitting name, reflecting both the fraternity’s emblem—a red heart designed in 1974 by the late SigEp alumnus and NASA logo designer Bruce N. Blackburn—and its vision to help with Greek Life Revitalization efforts and bring new energy, community and purpose to Greek Row.
“We’re not just trying to grow our fraternity—we’re trying to change the perception of Greek life and build something that benefits the entire campus and city,” Aiyelabola said.
The Illinois Epsilon chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon has a long history at NIU, with roots dating back to the 1960s and several former homes along Greenbrier Road and Charles Street.
