Sigma Alpha (fraternity)
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| Sigma Alpha | |
|---|---|
| ΣΑ | |
 | |
| Founded | 1859 Roanoke College |
| Type | Social |
| Affiliation | Independent |
| Status | Defunct |
| Scope | National |
| Motto | Εςτω Αφαήής |
| Member badge |  |
| Colors | Scarlet, Blue and Purple |
| Symbol | Skull and crossbones, crossed swords |
| Chapters | 16 |
| Members | 800+ lifetime |
| Nickname | Black Badge |
| Headquarters | Lynchburg, Virginia United States |
Sigma Alpha (ΣΑ) also known as the Black Badge, was an American collegiate fraternity. It was established in 1859 at Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia. The fraternity expanded to at least sixteen chapters before going inactive in 1882.
Sigma Alpha was a social fraternity established in 1859 at Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia.[1][2] Its founders were Thomas Carpenter, P. B. Gibson, C. R. Haden, J. K. Hardwicke, J. H. Irvine, R. H. Irvine, R. M. Jobe, B.C. Hartsook, R. M. Lawson, R. R. Lawson, J. R. Meek, G. A. Piper, B. S. Rice, and A. H. Turner.[2] The fraternity went inactive during the American Civil War when Roanoke College closed.[1][2]
Sigma Alpha was reestablished at Roanoke College in 1868.[2][3] A second chapter was chartered at Hampden–Sydney College in 1869.[1][2] It went on to form at least sixteen chapters, both collegiate and community-based chapters for alumni.[2] According to William Raimond Baird, the community chapters "were found to be unsatisfactory", resulting in their charters being withdrawn in 1876, except for Omicron in Lynchburg, Virginia.[1]
Omicron served as the fraternity's grand chapter.[3][4] Its officers were called the D.G., S.D., G.S., A.G.S., and G.T.[4] The fraternity held national conventions, with secret proceedings.[5][4] On January 1, 1874, the convention was held in Lynchburg.[5]
At Roanoke College, the fraternity sponsored an annual contest for the Orator's Gold Medal.[6][7][8]
By 1879, the fraternity had initiated 800 members.[1] Sigma Alpha collegiate chapters went inactive in 1882 for unknown reasons.[2][3] However, its alumni chapter continued to operate into the 20th century.[2]
Symbols
Sigma Alpha was called Black Badge or Black Badge Fraternity because of the color of its badge.[1][2][6] Its badge was a black enameled rectangle on top of a cross-shaped plate.[1] On the vertical arms of the cross was the letter S and a skull and bones; on the horizonal arms were a pair of crossed swords.[1] On top of the rectangle was a white diamond bearing the fraternity's motto Εςτω Αφαήής.[1]
Its ritual was complicated and involved numerous degrees.[3] The fraternity's colors were scarlet, blue, and purple.[1]