Sigma Nu raises $31,000 for St. Jude through sold-out SNUFest

Image courtesy of Sigma Nu Fraternity 

NORMAL, Ill. – From petting dogs on the Quad to organizing campus-wide concerts, Illinois State University’s fraternities and sororities find unique ways to support the causes they care about.

At Illinois State University, Sigma Nu supports philanthropy year-round through events like Puppy Heaven, where students can pet and walk dogs on the Quad. The fraternity splits its fundraising between Pet Central Helps and other charities, with SNUFest serving as its largest fundraiser.

This year’s SNUFest transformed the Castle Theatre into a stage for ISU talent, with four student performers opening the show before the featured headliner took the stage.

Planning for SNUFest started in October 2024. Organizers selected Ian Asher, a popular DJ and EDM artist, as the headliner and worked to coordinate a date that fit both his schedule and the Castle Theatre’s availability.

SNUFest Chairman, Alex Sitko, described how Sigma Nu’s Events Committee decided on what artist to feature.

“We realized Ian was going to be able to help us raise the most money for St. Jude, while also being popular enough to bring people to our event,” Sitko said.

The event took place Friday, Nov. 7, and sold out with about 800 people in attendance. The fundraiser brought in a total of $31,000.

Sitko mentioned how successful the event went on Friday. In the past, the event has been sold out six other times.

“The goal of this event was making sure we raise as much money for St. Jude as possible,” Sitko said.

Following this year’s success, Sigma Nu plans to expand SNUFest by moving it to Grossinger Motors Arena. Organizers hope a larger venue will help raise more money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and attract a wider audience.