Homecoming 2024 was a time of great celebration for Sigma Tau Nu as members gathered in Tiffin to celebrate the diamond anniversary of the fraternity. Amid the toasts, embraces and stories, the ethos of the founders was shown to be alive and well.
Sigmataun Literary Society: A history
In the 1950-51 school year, Heidelberg English Professor Merle M. Burke put pen to paper. His aim was to capture in poem the efforts and ideals of the newly minted Sigmataun Literary Society. Merle was the fraternity’s first faculty advisor, and he was inspired by what the young men had achieved.
The prior year, on March 14, 1949, a group of mostly freshmen submitted a resolution to the university stating that “We desire to form a strong society of men interested in the advancement of each other to the common interest of Heidelberg College. With the realization of the many difficulties which will confront us, we do hereby submit this application for a new society.”
The freshmen faced opposition but were fortified by high ideals. Burke began his poem, “Born mid struggle, and toil, and strife; Conceived of the finer things in life; Out of the darkness and into the dawn; This is the story of Sigmataun.”
A year later, the fraternity earned its place on campus and formed its founding pledge class. Burke described their challenge. “With no hall of their own, with plans yet unmade; And a hundred decisions to be carefully weighed; They put into words their Heidelberg creed; And sought to confirm them with action and deed.”
The founding Sigs made clear what they sought. They wanted a welcoming, egalitarian society that invited student leaders, artists, athletes and scholars to join. They designed a crest to symbolize that goal and added the helmet of Leonidas to represent courage against long odds. They emphasized brotherhood and service, and chose a motto, Nulli Secundus – Latin for Second to None.
A celebration for the ages
Seventy-five years later, over 100 Sigs, Sig Hons, family, and friends gathered in Tiffin at Homecoming for their anniversary celebration.
The weekend began Friday evening with a Greek Sing performance by the actives, who won the crown with a performance of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.” The next day, the Sigs and alumni of every stripe gathered to dedicate a bench in remembrance of Brad Cobb ’86. As Brad’s brother Chris noted, the Sigs and the Heidelberg community were Brad’s family – and Chris was touched by the outpouring of love and support.
As Heidelberg’s football team earned victory on the field, the Sigs welcomed all alumni and students to join them at their hospitality tent for pizza, beverages and another round of stories and laughter. To cap the night, the Sigs hosted a gala in downtown Tiffin that featured music and dancing as well as a scholarship award and donation.
Sig president receives scholarship
True to their ideal of service, the Sigs have created an endowed scholarship named after one of their founders, Jack Bertolino ‘51. The second Bertolino Scholarship was awarded this year to current fraternity President Cole Miller, a junior music education major from New Riegel, Ohio. Cole also has held leadership positions with the Concert Choir, Marching Band, Theatre,and Heidelberg’s Collegiate Music Educator Association. He plans to become a music instructor and choral conductor.
“The Sigs became a brotherhood I didn’t know I needed and cemented my resolve to graduate from Heidelberg,” said Cole. “We have an amazing group of guys working to expand the fraternity, improve the Heidelberg campus and serve the community.”
“We’re exceptionally proud of Cole,” said Sig Alumni Association President Jeff Sellers ‘92. “His leadership and high standards reflect the principles of our founders.” He noted that the Sig Alumni Association is in a position to award an additional scholarship next year to a second fraternity member.
The 75th Celebration also served as a fundraiser. The Sigma Tau Nu Alumni Association Board presented a check for $3,000 to Sig Advisor and Heidelberg Alumni Engagement Liaison Bob Youngblood, raising the Bertolino Scholarship endowment to approximately $81,000.
Sig alumni from the 1960s to the 2020s attended the events. They not only enjoyed reuniting with old friends and meeting new ones, but many expressed pride that the ideals and spirit of the fraternity carry on. Burke charged the founding members with a challenge that every Sig still learns and strives to achieve, “You’ll give to the college in the years yet to come; The kind of a service that’s second to none.”