In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Fletcher Honor Library, the following text has been reprinted from the Summer 1976 issue of The Delta, which chronicled the dedication ceremony and official resolution from the High Council.
Dedication and Reception: The Richard Rolston Fletcher Honor Library
On April 30, 1976, at a special ceremony in the library wing of its headquarters, Sigma Nu Fraternity paid tribute to Brother Richard R. Fletcher and named the Fraternity's library the Richard Rolston Fletcher Honor Library.
Dr. William K. Amiott addressed members and friends of the Fraternity at The Rock, headquarters of Sigma Nu, "Every so often there walks a giant among us whose praise cannot go unsung; such a man is Dick Fletcher." Amiott said. Representing the General Fraternity, former Regent Charles E. "Ted" Palmer of Pittsburgh addressed his remarks to the physical contributions the former Executive Secretary made to his fraternity: the return to its site of founding and the centennial addition of wings and arcades, turning an office into a home and shrine.
Maurice E. Littlefield, representing the High Council, reflected on the character of "the Fletcher Years." "There was a great deal of anti-fraternity sentiment in the fifties; it followed in the wake of Sputnik. Brother Fletcher met, head on, the opponents of the fraternity system. I can remember his saying, 'If a man is what he says he really is, he need make no apologies; if a fraternity is really what the word implies, it needs no defense.' Dick led the way."
High Council Resolution
BE IT KNOWN:
WHEREAS, Richard Rolston Fletcher established the Honor Library
as an integral part of the international headquarters of the Sigma Nu
Fraternity; and
WHEREAS, his interest in the library has continued unabated during
his years of service to the Sigma Nu, Inc. Educational Foundation; and
WHEREAS, Sigma Nu has been greatly enriched by his dedication
to the Fraternity and has prospered in its pursuit of the ideals of
Brotherhood and Honor because of his example; and
WHEREAS, his long and devoted career of service to his Fraternity
has earned the gratitude of its entire membership, and
WHEREAS, it is fitting that his influence on the lives of thousands
of his Brothers should be perpetuated by a permanent reminder of
his inspiration;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED in the year of our Founding
107, of the Establishment of our Nation 200, of our Lord 1976, that
the High Council of Sigma Nu Fraternity does hereby name this room
the RICHARD ROLSTON FLETCHER HONOR LIBRARY.
About Richard “Dick” Rolston Fletcher (Penn State)
Brother Fletcher, affectionately known as “Mr. Sigma Nu,” was an initiate of Delta Delta Chapter at Penn State University and served as Executive Secretary from 1956 to 1972. During his tenure, he oversaw the relocation of the Fraternity’s General Offices from Indianapolis to Lexington, Va., and supervised the construction of Headquarters, including the recovery and display of the original Rock and Rose. Nationally respected in the interfraternal movement, he received the North American Interfraternity Conference’s Gold Medal in 1977. He was inducted into the Sigma Nu Hall of Honor in 1966.