About Us

Sigma Chi is the largest and oldest fraternity at Fresno State. We originally existed as a local fraternity, Sigma Tau, which was founded on November 10, 1921 at the original Fresno State College (currently the Fresno City College campus).

In 1949, the members of Sigma Tau decided to seek affiliation with a national fraternity, but with the reservation that such affiliation was with one of the top 2 or 3 national fraternities. Sigma Chi was deemed the top fraternity in the Country with which to affiliate, and efforts toward that goal were immediately started. After three years of assessment by Sigma Chi, the alumni & undergraduate members of Sigma Tau were initiated into Sigma Chi, becoming the 122^nd Chapter (Epsilon Eta) of the Sigma Chi Fraternity on February 23, 1952.

Since that time Fresno Sigma Chi members have earned an unusually prominent position on campus, the community, and throughout the world. Our first Chapter President became U.S. Ambassador to Columbia & Honduras, and until 2005 was the highest-ranking Hispanic appointee to have served in U.S. Government.

Other notable Fresno Alumni include a U.S. Congressman, Major General (Marines), three Superior Court Judges, Fresno District Attorney, two Fresno Mayors, and Mayor of Clovis.

On campus, Alumni generosity is also evident. Bud Richter (’49) and his wife donated $3.5 million to the University for community service programs, Marv Meyers (’57) pledged $2 million to develop a new sports medicine center, and Bill Smittcamp (‘63) and Dr. Tom Downing (‘67) are responsible for the Smittcamp Alumni House & Downing Planetarium, respectively.

In addition, the “White Rose Scholarship,” which was created and funded by Sigma Chi Alumni for the benefit of our Undergraduates, is distinguished as the largest fraternal scholarship fund in the entire California State University System!