Sigma Pi () is one of the four male

literary societies A literary society is a group of people interested in literature. In the modern sense, this refers to a society that wants to promote one genre of writing or a specific author. Modern literary societies typically promote research, publish newsle ...

Illinois College Illinois College is a private liberal arts college in Jacksonville, Illinois. It is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the Presbyterian Church (USA). It was the second college founded in Illinois, but the first to grant a degree ( ...

. It is the oldest literary society at Illinois College and one of the oldest literary societies in the United States, having been founded on Saturday, June 24, 1843. Sigma Pi resides in Beecher Hall, the oldest college building in Illinois.

William Jennings Bryan William Jennings Bryan (March 19, 1860 – July 26, 1925) was an American lawyer, orator and politician. Beginning in 1896, he emerged as a dominant force in the History of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party, running ...

, a three time presidential nominee, is one of its most distinguished members.

Origin

"To Samuel Willard and Henry Wing, the idea first occurred of founding a society which would live while their Alma Mater sat in proud eminence. Accordingly, on Saturday, June 24th, 1843 the first regular meeting of the Sigma Pi Society was held in room 32, Old College Building."Ensley Moore, History of the Sigma Pi Society of Illinois College (Jacksonville,1871)p.1. Thus was born the first permanent literary society at Illinois College. Sigma Pi was nameless until Barbour Lewis suggested the appropriateness of keeping "Union and Progress" and Samuel Willard selected the corresponding Greek Words, ''Sustasis Kai Prokape'' along with Henry Wing's suggestion that Sigma Pi adopt the Hebrew sentence from the history of Creation, from Genesis "let there be light". The fourteen founders of Sigma Pi are: *Samuel Willard *Thomas K. Beecher *Charles H. Tillson *William E. Catlin *William Ireland *Newton Bateman *Henry Wing *Henry M. Lyons *Barbour Lewis *George W. Harlan *William C. Goudy *John B. Shaw *Joseph L. Thayer (died August 25, 1843) *John Tillson

Purpose

The purpose of Sigma Pi Literary Society is concisely stated in its constitution. "The purpose of the society shall be the attainment of truth, and the advancement of its members in literary and scientific pursuits." The society also strives to develop the social, communication, and leadership skills of the membership.

Operations

Sigma Pi hosts a number of literary functions throughout the year. It assembles three literary productions a semester, while still providing community service and a strong bond of brotherhood within its members. Each semester, three judged Literary Productions are held. These judged meetings consist of pieces given by society members to an audience. Sigma Pi conducts weekly business meetings, which are conducted using

Robert's Rules of Order ''Robert's Rules of Order'', often simply referred to as ''Robert's Rules'', is a manual of parliamentary procedure by U.S. Army officer Henry Martyn Robert. "The object of Rules of Order is to assist an assembly to accomplish the work for which ...

. These meetings are intended to direct the everyday operations of Sigma Pi.

References

Student societies in the United States Illinois College College literary societies in the United States {{Fraternity-stub