From collection Member List
Byron R. Lewis was initiated into Alpha Chapter, Vincennes University, in 1902. Shortly after graduating, he officially installed the Fraternity’s second chapter, Phi, at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He was selected Grand Herald of Sigma Pi, a position he held from 1910 to 1938.
For 28 years, Lewis not only was the official record keeper and historian of the Sigma Pi, but he also left his mark in other ways on the Fraternity. He helped design the coat of arms with M. Atlee Ermold (Temple 1909). He also helped write and revise The Golden Quest in 1909 and 1910, which was adopted as the Sigma Pi ritual at the 1910 Convocation and printed for the first time (under Lewis’ direction) in 1914.
Perhaps his most enduring contribution to Sigma Pi is the donation he made to create the Educational Fund, which was established and named in his honor at the 1948 Convocation. It would later be incorporated and named the Sigma Pi Educational Foundation, and it continues to provide scholarships to Sigma Pi members.
Lewis is one of six men to be named Honorary Grand Sage, and was one of the first three recipients of the Founders’ Award, presented at the 1962 Convocation.
