2026 John Wayne Birthday Celebration

A Significant Dedication

Some years back the John Wayne Birthplace was visited by Jim Shields of Estero, Florida. Mr. Shields enjoyed the Museum very much but was concerned that there was nothing in the displays to commemorate John Wayne’s lifelong devotion to Sigma Chi Fraternity.  

Shields had a point. It was a century ago, in 1926, when Wayne attended the University of Southern California on a football scholarship and, in joining Sigma Chi, embraced his newfound family of brothers. “I didn’t know what to expect,” said Wayne years later, “but I joined and it was one of the most personally rewarding decisions I’ve ever made. A young man in college, even a football player, can get lost in the crowd.”

A native Iowan himself, Shields wondered how the fraternity’s most celebrated member could be honored at his Birthplace & Museum. It was suggested that a gift of $250,000 would qualify Sigma Chi Alumni for naming rights to the museum’s plaza. It was a tall order but Shields formed a committee that successfully passed the hat to members nationwide. 

In a fundraising appeal, the actor’s daughter, Aissa Wayne, shared how much the fraternity meant to her father. “He wore his membership proudly and fondly, and always had a deep and loyal reverence for his brothers and the entire fraternity. In fact, you could not mention the name of other fraternities because there was only ONE. Sigma Chi, period.”

Please join Aissa Wayne and Sigma Chi Fraternity for this most significant dedication at 11am on Saturday, May 23. There is no cost to attend the ceremony but reservations to other activities can be made at: www.johnwaynebirthplace.museum or call 515-462-1044.