Fraternity History
Nationally:
Sigma Alpha Epsilon is one of the largest North American Greek letter, values-based and social college fraternities.
Nationally founded on March 9, 1856 at the University of Alabama, it has initiated more men since its founding than
any other fraternity with more than 305,000 initiated members. At present, more than 12,300 undergraduates proudly
wear the Purple and Gold, at more than 225 universities in 47 states.
University of Dayton:
Sigma Alpha Epsilon was approved by the University of Dayton’s Greek Community in August 2013. SAE has come
to campus with the Chi Sigma Alpha Fraternity, which dates back to the 40’s at the University of Dayton. With over 550+
living alumni of Chi Sigma Alpha, Chi Sig was the 1st social fraternity recognized by UD in the early 1960’s and was started
as the “Flyer’s Hanger Club” in the 1940’s. Chi Sigma Alpha left campus in 1995 and has returned with Sigma Alpha
Epsilon as the Ohio Chi-Sigma Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Chi Sigma Alpha has a long history at the University of
Dayton and Sigma Alpha Epsilon is looking forward to many more years of brotherhood.
Our Creed: The True Gentleman
The True Gentleman is the man whose conduct proceeds from good
will and an acute sense of propriety, and whose self-control is equal to all
emergencies; who does not make the poor man conscious of his poverty,
the obscure man of his obscurity, or any man of his inferiority or deformity;
who is himself humbled if necessity compels him to humble another;
who does not flatter wealth, cringe before power, or boast of his own
possessions or achievements; who speaks with frankness but always with
sincerity and sympathy; whose deed follows his word; who thinks of the
rights and feelings of others, rather than his own; and who appears well
in any company, a man with whom honor is sacred and virtue safe.
– John Walter Wayland
The True Gentleman Experience
The True Gentleman Experience is a holistic educational program for Sigma Alpha Epsilon members that provides a well-rounded learning experience throughout all of their collegiate academic years. In addition, the comprehensive program allows them to develop personally and professionally and calls upon resources to help our members become gentlemen, scholars, stewards and leaders in their respective communities.
The True Gentlemen Experience also provides standards and requirements that hold our members accountable. Our education and development takes place on an individually chosen basis, much like fulfilling a degree or course of study. The experience allows our chapters and colonies to access best practices and programs but also allows them to maintain positive, local programming that may be approved by advisers and staff.
The experience is divided into five major parts to correspond with the progression of a member through his learning and development each year of school: the Baseline Experience, the Loyalty Experience, the Friendship Experience, the Honor Experience and the Fraternity Experience.
For a complete understanding of the True Gentleman Initiative, refer to the True Gentleman Experience Guidebook.
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