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.