Purdue Celebrates 150 Years of Greek Life

The Fraternity, Sorority and Cooperative Life community at Purdue (FSCL) celebrated 150 Years of Legacy at Purdue University on September 26 – 27, 2025, in West Lafayette.

Sigs Host FSCL Reception

The weekend schedule of events included hosting an opening reception at the Sigma Chi chapter house Friday evening, September 26.  With a number of distinguished guests and members of FSCL in attendance, it was a great way to highlight Delta Delta’s early history and struggles to become Purdue’s first fraternity founded on March 3, 1875, as well as host the event in our historic chapter house.

Dean Brandon Cutler speaks to the crowd at the FSCL 150th reception at Delta Delta.

Brandon Cutler, Associate Dean of Students/Director of Fraternity, Sorority and Cooperative Life, thanked the Sigs for making their home available for this special night. He also highlighted that total FSCL membership was 7,278 with 3,684 being in fraternities.  That academically FSCL semester average grades were higher than the all-undergraduate average, and that FSCL members had higher retention and graduation rates than the overall Purdue undergraduate rates.

Phil Steele ’77 also had a chance to briefly expound upon Delta Delta’s founding and historic contributions to the university.

150 Most Influential Alumni Recognized

As part of this celebration FSCL solicited nominations from all its members and compiled a list of its 150 Most Influential Alumni based on their contributions and achievements since leaving Purdue.  Sigma Chi was well represented as part of this illustrious group.  Twenty-one Sigs were named giving Sigma Chi the most alumni of any fraternity or sorority in the group.  The complete list of honorees can be found at FSCL 150 Most Influential Alumni.  The Sigs recognized included:

Sigs recognized as Most Influential Alumni: (L-R) Martha and Tom Leslie ’68 (on behalf of their grandfather Harry Leslie); Steve Cosler ’77; Brian Craig ’98 and Jim Vruggink, ZR ’70.

Bob DeMoss ‘49
Booth Tarkington 1893
Brain Craig ‘98
Chase Osborn 1880
Doug Schreiber ‘86
Drew Brees ‘01
Frederick C Scheuch 1893
George Ade 1887
Gerald D. Hines ‘48
Gregory J. Harbaugh ‘78
Henry Stram ‘48
J. Bruce Harreld ‘72
James Dora ‘58
John Bradford Harper 1875
John T. McCutcheon 1889
Keith Carter ‘49
Keith Krach ‘79
Patrick Loehrer  ‘75
Steve Cosler ‘77
Steve Hannagan 1922
Jim Vruggink, Zeta Rho, ‘70

A slide presentation noting the background and accomplishments of each of these brothers is available at Sigs on FSCL List.

Sigs and guests attending the FSCL Honors Banquet (L-R) Phil Steele ’77, Steve Cosler ’77, Lynne Cosler, Martha Leslie, Tom Leslie ’68, Jim Vruggink ’70, Mitch Rittman ’26 and Brian Craig ’98.

150^th Celebration Banquet Held

A formal banquet was held the evening of September 27 at the Purdue Memorial Union with approximately 175 guests attending.  Those chosen as Most Influential Alumni who were in attendance were presented with a plaque and recognized for their achievements and contributions to Purdue and FSCL.  Sigs present were Steve Cosler ’77, Brian Craig ’98, Jim Vruggink, and Martha and Tom Leslie ’68, who represented their grandfather, Harry Leslie.

The keynote speaker, Jim Russell, a member of the FSCL alumni advisory committee remarked how the 150 year journey all started with through the determined effort of Delta Delta in 1875.  He spoke of the many contributions the FSCL community had contributed to the university and thanked the many alumni for the tremendous support given to perpetuate the legacy of their organizations at Purdue.