About Sigma Alpha Mu
On November 26, 1909, eight sophomores from the College of the City of New York appeared at a meeting to decide on a plan for class redemption. Discovering they held many ideals in common, the eight became inspired and a new Fraternity was formed. Two years later, Sigma Alpha Mu began to grow and those eight men, Lester Cole, Hyman I. Jacobson, Adolph I. Fabis, Samuel Gaines, Abram N. Kerner, Jacob Kaplan, Ira N. Lind, & David D. Levinson are inscribed in the Fraternity’s history. Their stories follow.
In the fall of 1909, the sophomore class at the College of the City of New York had found itself embarrassed by “lowly freshmen.” At a school where “warfare” between freshman and sophomore class was a tradition, the sophomores found it necessary to regain their fallen honor. Class Marshal Lester Cole called a meeting of sophomore leaders on November 26, 1909, to decide on a plan for redemption. Eight appeared- Cole, Hyman I. Jacobson, Adolph I. Fabis, Samuel Gaines, Abram N. Kerner, Jacob Kaplan, Ira N. Lind, and David D. Levinson. These men are the Founders of Sigma Alpha Mu.
It is interesting to note that while there were many friends among the eight, none of them knew all the others. During the discussion which took place, much loftier ideals were expressed than the mere formulation of plans for asserting sophomore honor. The men discovered that they shared values and the inspiration for the formation of a new fraternity came to them. During this meeting, it was suggested that the Greek Letters “Kappa Phi Omega” be used to symbolize the words “Cosmic Fraternal Order” as the new name for the fraternity. This proposal was accepted and the meeting was adjourned.
Two years after the founding, Sigma Alpha Mu began to grow. To a small group of five at Cornell University, the Founders imparted their ideas and inculcated their ideals, and then guided, watched and aided them-their brothers in far-off Ithaca. Little wonder that Beta chapter patterned its growth as Alpha had and the two chapters, in the bond of brotherhood, were as one. After this, slowly but surely, Sigma Alpha Mu expanded North, South, East, and West. Sigma Alpha Mu maintains its commitment to growth and attends and assists both the old and new chapters.
About Beta
The Beta Chapter at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, was chartered on September 2, 1911. After the formation of the Alpha Chapter at City College, the founders sought out other colleges for Sigma Alpha Mu to expand to. Around 2 years later, they chartered a chapter at Cornell University with 5 members. After Beta’s inception, the 8 founders were known to travel up to Ithaca to visit our chapter. Over 1,692 men have been initiated into the Beta Chapter since its inception.Following the COVID-19 pandemic, in November 2022, our refounders, who had lived in Keeton House on West Campus during their sophomore year, decided that Greek life at Cornell University needed a positive impact. Refounding Prior, Jeff Cameron, met with staff members at Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity who were tabling on campus. He brought the idea back to fellow refounders Louis Zavala, Lucas Peirce, Paul Yang, and Craig Jacobson-Immelt. The refounders were tired of the negative reputation and normalization of sexual violence that prevailed among other houses, as well as the way many houses withheld membership from the majority of students on campus. The refounders set in motion a chapter that would be for any upstanding man who treated others with respect and held the values of Sigma Alpha Mu. Our chapter today not only upholds these values but actively seeks to further this mission in each of our daily lives.