When SigEp set out to align the Balanced Man Program (BMP) with today’s college experience, the goal was to create a fresh, modern take on the groundbreaking development program that was originally conceived for Generation X in the early 1990s. Incorporating feedback from alumni, higher ed professionals and — most importantly — current undergraduates, the program is now more fun and engaging for today’s brothers while also equipping them with the lifelong relationships and foundational skills to build successful and fulfilling lives after college.

Based on undergraduate feedback, BMP focus areas have been updated to encompass four pillars, each of which supports a crucial element of development: Know Thyself, Seek Balance, Build Relationships and Pursue Excellence. There are core experiences that align with each pillar, and brothers choose several additional experiences each semester to incorporate into the goals they set for themselves (see “How the new BMP delivers lifelong development” below).

Enabling chapters to test out these concepts in the real world was necessary to ensure the program’s success. The Fraternity enlisted the participation of 57 chapters in a pilot program to see the concepts in action. Participating chapters saw a jump in satisfaction with the member experience that resulted in 16% fewer resignations compared to non-pilot chapters.

The Journal checked in with four of the chapters that participated in the pilot to learn more about their outcomes.

Mississippi State

Self-knowledge Through the Ritual

Equal rights and responsibilities for all brothers has long been a foundational concept within SigEp. So it made sense to align our Ritual with this belief — enabling brothers to experience it in full from the beginning rather than waiting until they complete the Epsilon Rite of Passage.

This charge to update to the Ritual provided an opportunity for chapters to revisit their relationship to the ceremonies that underscore SigEp’s values and commitment to brotherhood. But as one of the chapters participating in a pilot to understand how to best implement the updated Ritual Fraternity-wide, Mississippi Beta brothers were initially uncertain about changing how the Ritual is performed.

“We were a little skeptical at first about having everyone go through the Ritual at the beginning of the semester,” explained Dayne Woodin, Mississippi State ’25. Woodin, who was vice president of member development at the time, took on the responsibility of overseeing the pilot on behalf of the chapter at Mississippi State. He was actively involved in helping brothers see how the Ritual impacted the Balanced Man Program and their everyday lives.

“I don’t know that brothers, especially the new guys, really understood how to use the Ritual to guide them,” Woodin said.

The solution came in the form of a Ritual retreat where brothers gathered to watch a performance of the Ritual, with a discussion and Q&A session afterward. Although Woodin had scheduled an hour and a half for the event, questions and conversation extended it to three hours.

“Since we did the chapter-wide Ritual study, we’ve been able to connect it in a more meaningful way for everyone. We’ve seen a lot of seniors and fifth-year brothers become more engaged,” Woodin shared.

Woodin attributes this success in large part to the fact that the retreat wasn’t a one-and-done. Mississippi Beta held a series of ongoing events related to the Ritual, including a Ritual trivia night and several conversations with Chapter Counselor Chad Dacus, ’00, about what it has meant to him at various points in his life.

Sacramento State

Volunteer Support Drives Mental and Financial Wellness

Creating an environment where all brothers feel comfortable and heard has been paramount to the mission of California Theta. The chapter’s programming runs the gamut from events focused on health and wellness to those designed to help brothers thrive post-college.

An area where the chapter has excelled is tapping into the deep well of expertise available in the community and through connections to SigEp volunteers.

Stephanie Lake, a certified addiction treatment counselor, served as guest speaker for a Sound Mind Talk, one of California Theta’s best-received events. Lake, a SigEp University Partner of the Year award recipient and past volunteer with California Eta at UC Davis, spoke about mental health and the importance of brothers reaching out to and supporting each other.

“She held a fantastic, interactive presentation with us and answered all our questions,” said Colby Lafaille, Sacramento State ’25. The recent graduate served as vice president of member development when his chapter joined the pilot and played a key role in enhancing chapter programming by including more events that drive healthy habits and relationships.

In addition to Lake’s presentation, California Theta furthered its support of mental health awareness by holding several events that encourage individuals to meet in small groups where they can speak openly about challenges they are facing. The chapter also hosted a presentation on affirmative consent presented by an ambassador from the nonprofit When Everyone Acts, Violence Ends. The program gave brothers an opportunity to learn about and discuss this important topic in a nonjudgemental environment.

My Financial Future events included a series of talks facilitated by former AVC President Trevor Frew, ’92, on topics like home buying and understanding credit and loans. Along with presentations on time management and financial literacy given by chapter volunteer Chuck Stegman, Colorado ’81, these events laid a foundation for sound habits that will serve brothers well in college and afterward.

The group has also engaged in activities that take advantage of the campus’ natural surroundings, like hiking and camping. This has allowed California Theta brothers to be active while enjoying each other’s company.

Lafaille expressed appreciation that SigEp has exposed him and his chapter brothers to new experiences and ideas. “We felt like we were getting what we were promised by joining the Fraternity. I know I joined because I wanted to develop myself and wanted to become a better man.”

Missouri

Prioritizing Sharing and Service

At Missouri Alpha, you’ll find a group of brothers focused on cultivating deep friendships while enjoying time together and serving their community.

One of their most impactful events has been a sound mind experience called Dudes with Depth. While standing together in a circle, each brother shared a highlight of his chapter experience. As they went around the circle a second time, brothers were encouraged to speak about a low point in their lives.

On his second turn, Jack Shaughnessy, Missouri ’27, spoke about a particularly vulnerable period of his life. Shaughnessy, who serves as vice president of member development, said he wanted to share that moment to demonstrate the need for brothers to support each other in difficult times.

“We had a handful of guys who said opening up is tough and not something they wanted to do in front of everyone,” Chapter President Evan Gresham, ’27, stated. He added, “I feel like this is the kind of event the majority want, though. Sharing and being vulnerable is what I think makes the guys feel the brotherly love in SigEp.”

There’s also a strong service component to the chapter’s programming. During the 2024-’25 academic year, brothers gave their time to a variety of community projects, including cleaning up nearby trails and a fundraiser to support research for multiple sclerosis.

Shaughnessy said making some events mandatory has simplified how the chapter conducts the BMP. Previously, brothers chose nearly all of their activities. He said implementing some required events helped brothers become more focused because they know what is expected of them and stress less about choosing activities.

The chapter has balanced out activities with fun brotherhood events, like bowling and a trip to a trampoline park, that give brothers across all four challenges time to get to know each other. Members also get to participate in Sound Body Olympics, an event in which groups compete in a variety of fun challenges. The winning team receives a reduction in chapter dues.

“Ultimately, the guys just want to participate in something they feel is worth their time,” Gresham stated. “Bonding is important.”

William & Mary

Collaboration Builds Brotherhood

Josiah Santiago, William & Mary ’27, called the opportunity to participate in SigEp’s pilot program “a no-brainer.” When Virginia Delta signed on to take part, there were around 20 brothers in the chapter. Santiago was all for trying something new to build closer relationships among brothers and appeal to potential new members.

The chapter took a unique approach to development by involving brothers directly in planning events. They were split into teams to test how members could work together (with the teams holding friendly competitions against each other) to plan brotherhood events to increase engagement.

“We split the chapter into teams and asked each team to be responsible for an event,” Santiago explained. Santiago had his doubts at first, though: Would it seem like he was blowing off his responsibilities as vice president of member development by asking brothers to plan events?

As it turned out, he didn’t need to worry. “The guys really took to it,” he noted. Not only did the teams enjoy getting to decide what activities they would do, Santiago said he started to notice a competitive spirit and pride of ownership in creating well-received events.

“To have a say in what we do in the chapter and getting to do things they want to do” has brought a new level of enthusiasm to and involvement within the chapter, he said. For his part, Santiago schedules when each team in the now 60-man chapter is due to plan an event, checks in to see if they need any assistance and makes sure snacks are available.

Overall, he’s happy with the chapter’s response to the team approach, but has some ideas to improve it for the upcoming academic year. One thing he’s looking forward to is establishing more structure by creating a calendar of all planned activities so brothers have advance notice about events.

How the new BMP delivers lifelong development

Each pillar of the new Balanced Man Program includes core experiences that promote personal growth and deep, lifelong friendships.

KNOW THYSELF

• Rite of Brotherhood: Ritual to teach our values and set a common first SigEp experience
• Pathways to Potential: Explore communication styles through DISC assessments and small group discussions led by certified coaches

SEEK BALANCE

• Sound Mind Talks: Activities and discussions facilitated by volunteers and undergraduates that foster openness and mental wellbeing
• Sound Body Olympics: Fun, customizable events that promote health, teamwork and balance

BUILD RELATIONSHIPS

• SigEp History: Find meaning through discovering your place in SigEp’s history
• Brotherhood Retreat: An overnight, off-campus, social media-free retreat that focuses on building relationships
• Brotherhood Reconnect: Unstructured time that allows brothers to reconnect
• The Perfect Pitch: In-person practice in conversation, public speaking and persuasion

PURSUE EXCELLENCE

• Balanced Man Playbook: Relevant goals set by members with guidance from mentors
• Professional Development: Activities to prepare for job or graduate school applications
• My Financial Future: Hands-on discussions that build financial literacy