Sigma Alpha Epsilon - Purdue University

page 3 S A E W e are all well aware that on Friday, March 7, 2014, Sigma Alpha Epsilon put an end to the pledging process as we know it. Talk on campus, social media, and even national news quickly gave SAE the spotlight. A lot of this attention was negative. I encountered a friend of mine from another fraternity who snidely asked, "Isn't this going to be a big problem for you guys?" Luckily, I am able to honestly respond, "Absolutely not." To refresh your memory, new member (pledge) programming will be eliminated completely from our operations, and the classification of new member (pledge) will no longer exist. When a new member accepts a bid he will become a collegiate member. He is expected to learn our rituals and policies and meet our requirements and expectations. Initially, I was concerned that our formal dance landed on the day after the news. However, it did not deter us from going out to Chicago and having a great time. On March 10, we all wore letters to class to show campus that although we need to start doing some things differently, we are still just as strong and undivided as ever. Additionally, on March 12, we had an outstanding number of brothers come support our intramural basketball team in the championship game against Sigma Chi. Despite derogatory chants about our pledging process, we beat Sigma Chi with a score of 49-35. Personally, I was really happy to see that the number of brothers who came out to support SAE doubled that of Sigma Chi's fan base. That week has clearly proven that one cannot easily crush the spirits of Indiana Beta. I spoke with our sophomore fall recruitment chairman, Spencer Khoury '16, to get some insight on how he believes the next recruitment season will be different. He said, "Our strategy regarding this coming semester's recruitment has changed, but it will only lead to improvement throughout our order. It will focus on finding outstanding brother heroes who will move forward with us and continue the success we have been seeing academically, socially, and philanthropically. We will continue to do so, through creative and innovative means." It's comforting to see that Spencer is not quivering in fear of the new regulations. In fact, he is embracing them to make the fall recruitment season yet another successful Indiana Beta recruitment. Few brothers in our house understand the science of recruitment better than Spencer does. Spencer even went so far as to hold a chapter- wide recruitment meeting. Now that it is even more critical to choosing the right young men, recruitment must be as strong of an entire house effort as it has ever been. Many brothers showed up at the meeting and tossed around ideas concerning how exactly we can make recent changes not only part of our agenda, but also an advantage. Among some of Spencer's insights, he brought to my attention a good quote. Winston Churchill once said, "To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often." I am extraordinarily proud to say that Indiana Beta changes often. We do not accept complacency or indulge too much in our accomplishments. We always look to the future with the understanding that our efforts today will determine where we are tomorrow. Although this recent change is major, we will show Purdue that it will not be a big problem for us nor will it stop us from working hard to continue pushing Indiana Beta forward. Phi Alpha, Michael Cody II '15 Eminent Recorder mdcody0712@gmail.com indiana Beta's Spirits not Easily Crushed Undergraduate Response to SAE Pledging Process Changes Our newly initiated brothers. Phi Alpha Club ($1,500 to $9,999) Leonard W. Busse '60 Charles H. Schroeder '60 E. Brian Smith '60 Thomas D. Wilson Jr. '67 Randal A. Sergesketter '80 Brother Hero Club ($1,000 to $1,499) Robert L. Christen '59 Charles M. Jensen '63 Brian R. King '97 Phoenix Club ($500 to $999) Donald H. Morton '57 David A. Bigler '58 Charles W. Kehrt '59 Edward F. Chouinard '63 William D. Schmicker '65 Roger B. Gatewood '68 Jonathan F. Staub '83 David A. Boss '85 James A. Skurner '95 Lion Club ($250 to $499) Robert L. Kirk '52 A. Russell Quilhot '55 Dennis T. Karras '56 William R. Litzler '63 Charles H. Alexander '64 Stephen A. Lochmoeller '67 James C. Fisher '70 Alex A. Jacobs '84 Maurice D. Galey Jr. '85 Gregory J. O'Daniel '90 Daniel R. Byles-Smith '09 Gold Club ($100 to $249) James W. Love '49 Dominic J. Picco '56 Donald G. Halliday '58 Lloyd C. Cooper '59 Russell A. Nippert '59 Paul A. May '60 Peter H. Schueler '61 David L. Hoehnen '62 Ralph E. Roper Jr. '68 Robert S. Terry '68 Robert R. Johnson '69 Clifford J. Sondgerath, M.D. '69 Robert W. Rush '70 Grant T. McBee '80 Keith L. Welcker '80 Thomas S. Pruitt '92 Kurt S. Schmiegel '92 Drew B. Anspach '07 Nick R. Tenhundfeld '07 Nick W. Gibson '09 Purple Club ($50 to $99) A. Thomas Sprich III '53 Donald C. Himsel '55 John H. Hager '58 Robert W. Butler '60 John D. Burckell '62 Dr. Ronald R. Clark '62 Bruce T. Cundiff Jr. '65 Thomas J. Resh '67 Alan W. Polster '71 William C. Meirink '89 Donor (Up to $49) John D. Zarnowiecki '95 Thank You, Loyal Alumni W e wish to thank all those who have contributed to our fall 2013 annual campaign. These donors gave more than $10,000. Your dedication to SAE Purdue is appreciated, and helps us continue to improve our programming for undergraduates and alumni, alike. Donors are listed in their lifetime annual campaign giving level. If an error has been made in recording your gift, or your name has been mistakenly omitted or listen improperly, we sincerely apologize. Please send corrections to Bob Parrin '72 at bobparrin@aol.com. Thank you, again, for giving back to the chapter—it truly does make a difference!

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