Joining a fraternity is a process of mutual selection. What does Rho Sigma have to offer you? Here is what our Fraternity is about:
SPIRITUALITY ...
Rho Sigma definitely has its social aspects, but it is based on ethics and values that are strongly rooted in a belief in the Creator. In fact, religion or Bible study is the number three major among all Red Shirts. However, the Fraternity is based on universal values and ideals rather than a specific religious doctrine. As such, Rho Sigma does not exclude membership on the basis of religious beliefs. Red Shirts share a Ritual that cements their friendships, builds character, and emphasizes the high ideals upon which the Fraternity was founded. Although formed at a Baptist institution, Rho Sigma does not pretend to be a church or religion unto itself. Each Red Shirt is encouraged to express his spirituality in his own way. We believe a man should give witness through his deeds rather than his words.
EXCITING SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES ...
Some of the most memorable events of college take place outside the classroom. Rho Sigma makes sure you have plenty of stories to tell your children -- and maybe a few stories that you wouldn't want to tell them! From small, lowkey events designed to get the guys together, to after-game parties, to weekend road trips to points unknown, to exchange parties with sororities from around the state, to more formal parties such as the Founders' Day Banquet, Rho Sigma fulfills your social needs. The Fraternity also offers a chance for you to meet good guys you might never meet as an independent, and a chance for you to form friendships you will remember the rest of your life.
STRONG TIES TO ALUMNI ...
Rho Sigma isn't comprised solely of active undergraduates. Since 1935, we have initiated nearly 1,000 Ouachita men. Many of our alumni are still actively involved in the Fraternity. Over the course of a year, we sponsor several alumni events: a reception at Homecoming, a luncheon for the Henderson game, the Founders' Day Banquet, the May alumni cookout, and occasional golf tournaments or fishing trips. Periodically, we invite all Red Shirts to a massive and festive reunion, where we get together and share experiences with Red Shirts from different eras. Upon graduation, Rho Sigma offers unparalleled opportunities for job placement through our extensive alumni network. Red Shirts can also keep in touch after graduation through the alumni website and forum. Rho Sigma truly is a brotherhood for life.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ...
Forget the Animal House image! A Red Shirt is much more than that. He conducts himself as a high-minded man and accepts responsibility for himself and his actions. A Red Shirt also rejects behavior that harms himself or others -- and he encourages others to do likewise. Rho Sigma is committed to serving the community. Over the years we have established the best record of philanthropy on campus. In 1983, for example, Red Shirts garnered national media attention by raising $162,000 for Clark County Nursing Home. Other philanthropies have included the American Red Cross, Arkadelphia Attention Home, Abused Women and Children Center, Toys for Tots, Twin Rivers Medical Center, UNICEF and Group Living Inc. More recently, each active voluntarily committed to at least ten hours of community service each semester. Last year Red Shirts raised over $2,000 for alumnus Scott Neathery through the Game Ball Relay Run, and Rho Sigma helped raise over $21,000 for multiple sclerosis as the top team in the annual MS Walk.
KNOWLEDGE AND LEARNING ...
According to studies conducted at Oklahoma and Oregon State universities, fraternity men are much more likely to earn a degree than non-affiliated students. A Red Shirt endeavors to achieve his maximum potential during his college years and continues the pursuit of knowledge throughout his lifetime. Rho Sigma has always maintained a cumulative gradepoint average well above the student average, often ranking first among all social clubs. We have also placed a greater percentage of our members in Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities than any other campus fraternity.
LEADERSHIP AND ORIGINALITY ...
Rho Sigma was created as a fraternity of campus leaders. We believe in leading rather than following, innovating rather than imitating. We have set numerous records in scholarship, service, varsity and intramural sports, school spirit and even social life. In addition, we have always taken the lead in introducing new elements to social club life. Among our firsts are the creation of Color Day, the first fraternity blazers and shirts, introducing the big brother system to pledging, using cowbells and spirit events to promote Tiger Spirit, sponsoring the first Ouachita dance, and many, many more. Rho Sigma is truly an original.
DIVERSITY AND INDIVIDUALITY ...
In Rho Sigma, you won't have to give up your non-affiliated friends after initiation. A Red Shirt believes in the inherent value of all individuals, and he treats others with respect and dignity. We do not presume to judge others just because they do not believe as we do. Pledging Rho Sigma is a process of learning, inspiration and achievement -- not of hazing, degradation and humiliation. From the start, Rho Sigma has sought congenial men of good character from ALL areas of campus life, and we are the only fraternity on campus created to benefit ALL students rather than just our membership. The Fraternity boasts alumni of different ages, races and cultures, from thirty-seven states and nine foreign nations. With a wide range of temperaments, talents and convictions, Red Shirts share meaningful bonds of brotherhood while maintaining their individuality.
LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS ...
Some of the friends you make during your college years will become your lifelong friends. The acquaintances you make in Rho Sigma will be more than friends -- they'll be your brothers. You will share with these men a common set of ideals, and you will learn and grow with them through your college experiences. Because of the nature of your fraternal relationship, you will keep in touch with many of your fellow Red Shirts well beyond your undergraduate years. Once a Red Shirt, always a Red Shirt.
STRONG BROTHERHOOD ...
Rho Sigma is a unique organization, the first fraternity founded on campus and recognized by the college. As a local fraternity, Red Shirts do not answer to a national headquarters. They are free to make their own destiny. In Rho Sigma, the men make the fraternity, rather than the fraternity making the man. We are a strong, successful brotherhood. From business to theology to science to education, prominent Red Shirts can be found in any field of endeavor.
SPIRITUALITY ...
Rho Sigma definitely has its social aspects, but it is based on ethics and values that are strongly rooted in a belief in the Creator. In fact, religion or Bible study is the number three major among all Red Shirts. However, the Fraternity is based on universal values and ideals rather than a specific religious doctrine. As such, Rho Sigma does not exclude membership on the basis of religious beliefs. Red Shirts share a Ritual that cements their friendships, builds character, and emphasizes the high ideals upon which the Fraternity was founded. Although formed at a Baptist institution, Rho Sigma does not pretend to be a church or religion unto itself. Each Red Shirt is encouraged to express his spirituality in his own way. We believe a man should give witness through his deeds rather than his words.
EXCITING SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES ...
Some of the most memorable events of college take place outside the classroom. Rho Sigma makes sure you have plenty of stories to tell your children -- and maybe a few stories that you wouldn't want to tell them! From small, lowkey events designed to get the guys together, to after-game parties, to weekend road trips to points unknown, to exchange parties with sororities from around the state, to more formal parties such as the Founders' Day Banquet, Rho Sigma fulfills your social needs. The Fraternity also offers a chance for you to meet good guys you might never meet as an independent, and a chance for you to form friendships you will remember the rest of your life.
STRONG TIES TO ALUMNI ...
Rho Sigma isn't comprised solely of active undergraduates. Since 1935, we have initiated nearly 1,000 Ouachita men. Many of our alumni are still actively involved in the Fraternity. Over the course of a year, we sponsor several alumni events: a reception at Homecoming, a luncheon for the Henderson game, the Founders' Day Banquet, the May alumni cookout, and occasional golf tournaments or fishing trips. Periodically, we invite all Red Shirts to a massive and festive reunion, where we get together and share experiences with Red Shirts from different eras. Upon graduation, Rho Sigma offers unparalleled opportunities for job placement through our extensive alumni network. Red Shirts can also keep in touch after graduation through the alumni website and forum. Rho Sigma truly is a brotherhood for life.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ...
Forget the Animal House image! A Red Shirt is much more than that. He conducts himself as a high-minded man and accepts responsibility for himself and his actions. A Red Shirt also rejects behavior that harms himself or others -- and he encourages others to do likewise. Rho Sigma is committed to serving the community. Over the years we have established the best record of philanthropy on campus. In 1983, for example, Red Shirts garnered national media attention by raising $162,000 for Clark County Nursing Home. Other philanthropies have included the American Red Cross, Arkadelphia Attention Home, Abused Women and Children Center, Toys for Tots, Twin Rivers Medical Center, UNICEF and Group Living Inc. More recently, each active voluntarily committed to at least ten hours of community service each semester. Last year Red Shirts raised over $2,000 for alumnus Scott Neathery through the Game Ball Relay Run, and Rho Sigma helped raise over $21,000 for multiple sclerosis as the top team in the annual MS Walk.
KNOWLEDGE AND LEARNING ...
According to studies conducted at Oklahoma and Oregon State universities, fraternity men are much more likely to earn a degree than non-affiliated students. A Red Shirt endeavors to achieve his maximum potential during his college years and continues the pursuit of knowledge throughout his lifetime. Rho Sigma has always maintained a cumulative gradepoint average well above the student average, often ranking first among all social clubs. We have also placed a greater percentage of our members in Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities than any other campus fraternity.
LEADERSHIP AND ORIGINALITY ...
Rho Sigma was created as a fraternity of campus leaders. We believe in leading rather than following, innovating rather than imitating. We have set numerous records in scholarship, service, varsity and intramural sports, school spirit and even social life. In addition, we have always taken the lead in introducing new elements to social club life. Among our firsts are the creation of Color Day, the first fraternity blazers and shirts, introducing the big brother system to pledging, using cowbells and spirit events to promote Tiger Spirit, sponsoring the first Ouachita dance, and many, many more. Rho Sigma is truly an original.
DIVERSITY AND INDIVIDUALITY ...
In Rho Sigma, you won't have to give up your non-affiliated friends after initiation. A Red Shirt believes in the inherent value of all individuals, and he treats others with respect and dignity. We do not presume to judge others just because they do not believe as we do. Pledging Rho Sigma is a process of learning, inspiration and achievement -- not of hazing, degradation and humiliation. From the start, Rho Sigma has sought congenial men of good character from ALL areas of campus life, and we are the only fraternity on campus created to benefit ALL students rather than just our membership. The Fraternity boasts alumni of different ages, races and cultures, from thirty-seven states and nine foreign nations. With a wide range of temperaments, talents and convictions, Red Shirts share meaningful bonds of brotherhood while maintaining their individuality.
LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS ...
Some of the friends you make during your college years will become your lifelong friends. The acquaintances you make in Rho Sigma will be more than friends -- they'll be your brothers. You will share with these men a common set of ideals, and you will learn and grow with them through your college experiences. Because of the nature of your fraternal relationship, you will keep in touch with many of your fellow Red Shirts well beyond your undergraduate years. Once a Red Shirt, always a Red Shirt.
STRONG BROTHERHOOD ...
Rho Sigma is a unique organization, the first fraternity founded on campus and recognized by the college. As a local fraternity, Red Shirts do not answer to a national headquarters. They are free to make their own destiny. In Rho Sigma, the men make the fraternity, rather than the fraternity making the man. We are a strong, successful brotherhood. From business to theology to science to education, prominent Red Shirts can be found in any field of endeavor.
