Sigma Nu is a collegiate men's social fraternity that was founded on January 1, 1869, at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in Lexington, Virginia. Here's a brief history of Sigma Nu:

1. Founding Principles and Founders: Sigma Nu was founded based on a strong opposition to the hazing culture prevalent at VMI. The fraternity's guiding principles are Love, Truth, and Honor. The fraternity was founded by James Frank Hopkins, Greenfield Quarles, and James McIlvaine Riley.

2. Expansion: Since its inception, Sigma Nu has established over 270 active chapters throughout the United States and Canada, and has initiated over 235,000 members, making it one of the largest fraternities in the country.

3. Opposition to Hazing: Staying true to its founding principles, Sigma Nu has been a staunch opponent of hazing. The fraternity has implemented various programs and policies to prevent hazing and to promote a positive pledging experience.

4. Educational Programming: Sigma Nu emphasizes the importance of leadership and personal development. Through various programs and initiatives, the fraternity supports its members in their academic and personal endeavors.

In the fall of 1966, 23 NIU students decided to form a brotherhood held together by the principles of scholarship, athletics, and fraternal bonds. This brotherhood would become known as Beta Phi Gamma and would endure for several years as its membership grew in number. It wasn't long before larger national fraternities began seeking to incorporate the great men of Beta Phi Gamma into their own national ranks. After, looking at multiple options it was determined that the values of the Sigma Nu fraternity, particularly the three tenets of love, honor, and truth, were the most compatible with the values espoused by Beta Phi Gamma. Shorty, thereafter the Sigma Nu Theta Eta Chapter was formally chartered at NIU in 1970. Our chapter endured for 27 years producing men of character, integrity and leadership. Unfortunately, Theta Eta Chapter was closed down in 1997 but a few great alumni of the chapter, Sigma Nu Headquarters, and several undergraduate campus leaders worked to return Sigma Nu to NIU's campus and Theta Eta recolonized on NIU's campus in the fall of 2006 and swiftly rechartered in the spring of 2008.