Firewood was not the only thing burning at the annual SGA bonfire. One of the university’s oldest fraternities, Sigma Tau Gamma, celebrated their 75th anniversary by retiring their letters through burning them in the bonfire. 

“The letters have gotten really old and needed to be replaced, and we always burn our old letters,” said Bryce Cothern, member of Sigma Tau Gamma.

Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity is an international brotherhood based on the principles of value, learning, leadership, excellence, benefit and integrity. All chapters of this organization share a common commitment to leadership, scholarship and service.

According to Cothern, the bonfire seemed to be the right way to retire their letters officially since the fraternity was sponsoring Homecoming. Since the fraternity is the oldest on campus, they make up a majority of the Alumni Association. This made it possible for the fraternity to sponsor Homecoming. 

“It used be a tradition for Sigma Tau Gamma to put on the bonfire, as we are the oldest fraternity on campus,” said Cothern. “This year being our diamond 75th anniversary and Sig Tau is sponsoring Homecoming, I thought it would be awesome if we could restart that old tradition again.”

In further celebration of their 75th anniversary, the fraternity donated a check to the scholarship fund, which was presented during halftime at the Homecoming football game. 

The new letters have already been made; the fraternity is hoping to unveil them sometime this week.