Geneseo’s Sigma Alpha Mu chapter is a national fraternity that emphasizes strong alumni relations in order to create life-long connections. Sammy’s is also committed to serving the community and to raising awareness for different charitable organizations (Courtesy of Brian Herman).
Correction: An earlier version of this article stated that the Sigma Delta Tau sorority is Sigma Alpha Mu’s national sister sorority. That is incorrect. We apologize for the mistake.
Since the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity came to Geneseo in 2003, the organization has been a well-known presence on campus. Known as Sammy’s, its members are part of a national fraternity with chapters on over 50 campuses.
International relations major senior Brian Herman has been apart Sammy’s since the spring of his freshman year. Herman knew since high school that he wanted to join a Greek organization. Herman was attracted to the brotherhood and bonds that form in a fraternity.
“I joined Sammy’s because I wanted to find a group of guys that I could make life-long connections with and also make connections for the future, post-graduation and the professional world,” Herman said. “We are all like-minded people; we have our ups and downs but at the same time there is a rapport amongst each other.”
Sammy’s offers many opportunities for members to grow and prepare themselves for life after graduation. Sammy’s and their national sister sorority Sigma Delta Tau lead an annual leadership conference. The conference equips emerging leaders with transferable skills that will help them succeed in their careers after graduation. “Every year we send a group of around eight people to the emerging leaderships conference in Westchester,” Herman said. “At the conference, we are trained on how to properly execute our roles on e-board; how to be a better president, vice president etc. The conference is a really awesome day of learning and networking with other Sammy’s chapters.”
Herman emphasized the many perks associated with membership in a national fraternity, especially the base of well-connected alumni. Alumni are very keen on helping recent graduates find careers after college, according to Herman.
“Throughout my internships I have met other Sammy’s [members]. When I tell them I was also a part of Sammy’s, they are very welcoming. There is a fraternal relationship between Sammy’s members, we are a part of this brotherhood and we enjoy helping each other out,” Herman said. “I think one of the best parts of being in a national fraternity is that you feel like in some capacity you have a secure future.”
Sammy’s has received donations from graduates who have helped them pay for housing and other necessities. A highlight of each semester for Sammy’s is alumni weekend when graduates come back to Geneseo to hang out and catch up with current members.
Community service is very important to members of Sammy’s, according to Herman. Sammy’s tables annually in the Union for their national philanthropy, the Judy Fund, a sector of the Alzheimer’s Association. Sammy’s also sends members to Rochester to volunteer with Food Link where they help sort, categorize, inspect and assemble bags of non-perishable food items for those in need.
Sammy’s has been the highlight of its members’ college experience. The fraternity has given its members, both past and present, lifelong friends, career opportunities after college and a chance to give back to the Geneseo community through philanthropic events.