Fraternities
Excelsior Society
The Excelsior Men's Society was founded in 1851 by the Reverend Jeremiah Good. Since that time little has changed. The men of Excelsior still pride themselves on honor, duty, and brotherhood nearly as strong as blood. For years, the Excelsior Men's Society has provided the Heidelberg campus with leaders in the academic, athletic, and student organizations fields. Excelsior prides itself on community service, as well as leadership. Last year, the men of Excelsior did over 5,000 hours of community service. We participate in several community service activities including charity car washes, leaf raking, snow shoveling, Adopt-A-Highway, bingo at the Center for Aging, and the Headstart Christmas party, to name a few. All of this can only be achieved through brotherhood and cooperation. Last year was the second Rush and Pledging since 1995 in which we have participated. We appreciate and thank those responsible extensively for giving us this chance. Moreover, we thank our alumni who are one of the greatest assets to active members of Excelsior. The strong relationship we have with our alumni is certainly second to none. We would not be where we are today without their support. Our motto of "Ever Upward" is a driving force in our actions and thoughts. These two words say it all for us in our personal lives, community service, academics, and recreation. Excelsior would also like to take this time to thank our advisors. For two years our advisors have been Dean Hyland and Lee Martin. The men of Excelsior hope that you have an enjoyable year at Heidelberg and take a look at Greek life.
Alpha Phi Tau was founded as a literary society in 1921. The goal of the founding members was to improve not only the literary standards of the college, but the political and social as well. In 1940, the group adopted the Greek letters Alpha Phi Tau. These letters represent the Greek translation of our motto, "Allelois Phamen Talatha," meaning "Hard work conquers all." This is proudly seen in every one of our members. Our by-word, Aptonalton, which means "we speak with one another," in Native American. Alpha Phi Tau has many different symbols, including the Aptonalton Arrowhead, and the red tea rose. Our active colors are maroon and gold, with our traditional colors being maroon and silver, silver and black, and black red and white. We are a very diverse group, who appreciate the different aspects and points of view that all of our members provide. We participate in many different events, including a 24-hour walk for charity, building houses for Habitat for Humanity, the annual Ap auction, and the annual car smash at the Homecoming bonfire, to name a few The Ap's would like to wish you luck and urge you to go Greek.
The members of Sigma Tau Nu Fraternity will be celebrating their 60th anniversary on March 14, 2009. We plan to celebrate even more in the years to come because of our strong commitment to Heidelberg College and the community as a whole. Since their founding in 1949 as Heidelberg’s first true men’s fraternity, the Sigs have sought to build a fraternity with men of backbone and strong initiative who will uphold and strengthen the traditions and standards of the college. The goal is strikingly apparent through the many different leadership roles the Sigs have assumed in Student Senate, Inter-Fraternity Council, BEC, and countless more organizations. Within the group, there are bonds that will never be broken. Each member is committed to one another, and believes in the strong vows that they have taken and the real brotherhood that has developed throughout their years together. A pledge knows he has become a Sig as a result of the personal growth he developed within the fraternity. Members gain the skills to be brave, self-reliant and ever striving to better themselves. The Sigs take pride in giving back to the community. Working with individuals from the Elmwood Assisted Living Center, Community Hospice Care of Tiffin, Humane Society, and a Rock-A-Thon for the American Cancer Society are just a few of the charitable programs that the fraternity helps organize at Heidelberg and in the Tiffin Community. The Sigs can only exist when they are the best in everything they do, with a willingness and determination to always guide the way for all. Our motto is NULLI SECUNDUS, which means second to none, a phrase that every Sig lives by. Go Greek!
Rho Eta Delta
Rho Eta Delta is a men’s social fraternity that strives for academic excellence in the classroom, encouraging diversity and establishing relationships in the Heidelberg/Tiffin community through community service. The fraternity was officially recognized on March 28th, 2007, and on May 3rd, 2007, the fraternity became a new, active organization in Heidelberg Greek Life. Members of Rho Eta Delta seek to build quality men through dedicated work to and in the fraternity, the individual, the campus, the community, and the classroom; to instill values of leadership, integrity, character, dedication, and respect; and to instill virtues of Pride, Honor, and Dignity. Living up to this creed, all Rhos remain extremely active in numerous organizations after becoming initiated into the fraternity. These groups range from political and religious groups to academic honoraries and athletics to special interest groups and communciations/music organizations. Currently, the men of Rho Eta Delta are involved in 46 different organizations o clubs. This dedication to the campus and community is superceded by only one belief, that no matter what, "Character connects us all."
