Connections and Reflections - Sigma Mu Delta

 Johnson University Alumni Connections and Reflections for Friday, September 4, 2020

Sigma Mu Delta

As I was driving to campus this week, I heard a news report about the challenges facing fraternities and sororities at colleges campuses across the country due to COVID-19.  It inspired me to reflect on the only unofficial fraternity/sorority ever to exist at Johnson University.

Does anyone remember Sigma Mu Delta?  During Wednesday small-group chapels, some students would spend time with Harvesters (missions emphasis group), the Timothy Club (preaching emphasis group), or any number of other small groups dedicated to a particular emphasis or subject of study. Sigma Mu Delta was one such group.

When I returned to Johnson University as an employee in 2002, I was given the opportunity to take on the leadership of this small group as a part of my role as the Christian Service Coordinator. I knew it was a service-oriented chapel but I had no idea where the group got it's name.

Sigma Mu Delta at Johnson University had absolutely nothing to do with the pre-medical fraternity founded at U.C. Davis in 1994. In fact, it was not a fraternity or sorority at all. Instead, Sigma Mu Delta was a small group focused on serving needs of the community in and around Knoxville. Each letter represented the first letter of three key words that served as the core values of the group:
Σ (Sigma) = Service
Μ (Mu) = Motivation
Δ (Delta) = Dedication

In its latter days, Sigma Mu Delta became a catch-all group for students searching for a convenient way to complete their regular Christian Service requirements. As the Christian Service program evolved into a Service Learning model more closely associated with a student's path of study, the Sigma Mu Delta small group faded away.

While this particular small group no longer meets, the spirit of Sigma Mu Delta continues. Students are still involved in a variety of service projects each semester, including our annual "K-Day" of service to the Knoxville community.  Student motivation and dedication is evident with each service project and they continue to serve the community, churches, and individuals with excellence and Christian character.

If you were a member of Sigma Mu Delta, comment below with some of your favorite memories. I look forward to seeing what you have to say about your own service, motivation, and dedication to others during your time as a student at Johnson University.