...An Update on our Headquarters Shrine. The September 1957 issue of The Delta featured an article entitled, "Sigma Nu Goes Home." The article read, "Sigma Nu is going home. Home to the Legion of Honor in Lexington, Virginia, where our Founders met at The Rock by the parade grounds of Virginia Military Institute in 1869 to commit themselves and their successors to our ideals of Love, Honor and Truth."

Brother Dick Fletcher (Penn State) said it best when explaining why our headquarters was moved from Indianapolis to Lexington, "Sigma Nu is going home. . . to give added emphasis to history, traditions and ideals; to provide greater operational effectiveness. . . to stimulate pride in our heritage and encourage pilgrimages to our birthplace."

Our newly remodeled Headquarters Shrine was dedicated on June 9, 1960. A quote from Founder Hopkins was read during this dedication ceremony, "If Sigma Nu will cling to the old landmarks, and not get off on a tangent, seeking pleasure instead of happiness. . . she will grow and live when you and I are but a memory."

Today, the Headquarters Commission continues to oversee the care, maintenance and upkeep of our 10 acre Headquarters Shrine, "The Rock." Brother William Stoffer (Albion), Chairman of the Headquarters Commission, states that the Mission of the Commission is "Serving to protect, maintain and improve the 'Crown Jewel' of Sigma Nu. . . our Headquarters Shrine." Over the last two years, the major maintenance projects have included the repainting of the Ethical Leadership Center and the Headquarters building. (To view photos of these projects and other projects, click here.)

The Rock is not only the general offices of the Fraternity and Foundation. The main Headquarters Building houses the Hall of Honor, the Hall of Fame, the Alpha Room, the Fletcher Honor Library and the Museum as well. Also included on the property are the Ethical Leadership Center, the Carriage House Barracks, the Memorial Flag Pavilion, the Pathway of Honor and a living piece of the original White Rise bush as well as an original piece of the Rock excavated from the VMI parade grounds.

As Brother Fletcher noted in 1957, The Rock represents much more than just buildings and acreage. It is a place, no, a home which stimulates pride in our Fraternity's heritage and encourages pilgrimages.

Today, over 2,000 visitors make this pilgrimage annually. Last year, over 40 undergraduate chapters stayed in the Carriage House Barracks as part of our Chapter Pilgrimage program which includes Candidate and Initiation Ceremonies in the Alpha Room, tours of the Headquarters Shrine, V.M.I. and Lee Chapel and educational and leadership programming designed to enhance the undergraduate experience.