To the brothers and alumni of Sigma Phi Epsilon, a recent ribbon cutting ceremony was more than a celebration of a new chapter home.
It represented a new chapter in the history of the fraternity, as well as Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) at NIU.
“This has been a long time coming, and it’s the first of many great steps,” said Sigma Phi Epsilon undergraduate chapter president Larry Aiyelabola, an electrical engineering major from Palatine.
“This is a movement right here. We all want to work together to make this something amazing.”
The fraternity hosted an April 12 grand opening celebration of its newly renovated chapter house at 920 Hillcrest Drive. Speakers for the ribbon cutting and grand opening remarks included NIU President Lisa Freeman, DeKalb Mayor Cohen Barnes, FSL Director Vicki Gerentes, NIU Foundation Board of Directors member Jeff Liesendahl and NIU alumnus Bill Flack.
Drawing more than 100 students, alumni and university and community leaders, the event culminated a student-and-alumni-led initiative called the “Bringing Back the Heart” campaign.
It’s a fitting name, reflecting both the fraternity’s emblem—a red heart designed in 1974 by the late SigEp alumnus and NASA logo designer Bruce N. Blackburn—and its vision to help with Greek Life Revitalizationefforts and bring new energy, community and purpose to Greek Row.
“We’re not just trying to grow our fraternity—we’re trying to change the perception of Greek life and build something that benefits the entire campus and city,” Aiyelabola said.
The Illinois Epsilon chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon has a long history at NIU, with roots dating back to the 1960s and several former homes along Greenbrier Road and Charles Street.
After the chapter lost its charter in the mid-2000s, dedicated alumni continued to stay connected, hosting events and mentoring students with hopes of one day re-establishing a strong physical and organizational presence.
That moment arrived less than six months ago, when alumni and students sprang into action to acquire and begin renovating the Hillcrest Drive house.
“We want to bring life back to Greek Row,” said Markus Loving, vice president of the Alumni Volunteer Corporation for Sigma Phi Epsilon – Illinois Epsilon Chapter. Markus spearheaded efforts to give SigEp a new home.
A 1991 NIU graduate, Markus joined the fraternity his sophomore year, taking on several leadership roles. He now considers the fraternity his family and has been involved with the fraternity’s alumni board since graduating. He has been determined to find a home for the NIU chapter.
“You can’t build a strong fraternity without a house,” he said. “We need to build it and they will come… We love what the fraternity did for us as undergrads and we want to pass that along to the newest generation.”
Renovation work has been done largely by alumni tradespeople and student volunteers—cleaning, painting, polishing floors and preparing key spaces in time for the grand opening.
The entire renovation project is expected to be completed by this coming fall.
The project has been a labor of love, said Jonathan Hernandez, vice president and recruitment chair for Sigma Phi Epsilon’s NIU chapter and a sophomore biochemistry major from Chicago.
“It’s a lot of work and the alumni have all been putting a lot of time and effort into this,” he said. “The house is really coming together. We’re literally building our legacy with our own hands. We’re all just very excited to be officially back on Greek Row.”
With seven current members and several new recruits expected by the end of the semester, the fraternity is poised for growth. Fifteen members are expected to move into the house this fall.
The newly renovated house will serve as a central hub for the fraternity’s mission-driven approach to Greek life. From movie nights and game days to recruitment events and scholarship interviews, the house will be a space where values are lived out and connections are formed, members say.
“This isn’t just a place to live—it’s where we’ll grow into the best versions of ourselves,” Aiyelabola said.
That philosophy is embodied in SigEp’s Balanced Man program, a four-year leadership development experience that replaces traditional pledging with continuous personal growth. The chapter runs an annual Balanced Man Scholarship, awarding $3,000 to high-achieving male students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership and character.
SigEp leaders also have partnered with fellow fraternities, sharing ideas and inspiring similar revitalization projects along Greek Row.
“We’re proud of the impact SigEp has had on this campus and even more excited about what’s ahead—especially with initiatives like our Balanced Man Scholarship, strong alumni involvement and our renewed focus on leadership, community and personal development,” Loving said.
All involved reflected on what the milestone means not only to the fraternity, but to Greek Life and the NIU community.
“The grand opening of the new SigEp chapter house is further tangible proof, beyond just the growth in membership, that revitalization is happening in Greek Life at NIU,” Liesendahl said. “It is exciting to see the administration, students, alumni and the city all working together to create an environment in Greek Row where Greek alumni and students are excited to work together and invest in the future of Greek Life at NIU.
“We know that strong, healthy fraternities and sororities are not only an important part of students’ social lives, they also provide improved academic support as well as leadership and community service opportunities. This creates ongoing bonds that turn students into future successful and involved alumni.”
