Sigma Alpha Epsilon - Purdue University

M ost consider ΣAE Purdue as King of the Hill both in reputation and size. Good academics, athletics, brotherhood, and engagement make for a strong chapter. ΣAE is the place where students seek social action. B u t f o r u s o l d d u d e s , t h i n g s a r e d i f f e r e n t i n t h e G r e e k w o r l d . The bond to one's fraternity isn't as strong as what many of us experienced. It's more common to see guys "drop" (resign), particularly when they're living out. Many of us lived in until graduation after our time in the dorms, but those days are gone at Purdue, where Greek seniors want apartment living for lifestyle reasons. Most Greeks elect this arrangement (there are many appealing options), and we've adapted. Recruitment each semester (fall is the big one) is more intense, and we recruit with attrition in mind, not unlike how airlines used to overbook knowing that some reservations won't appear. The house can comfortably accommodate 83 brothers, and our target is to initiate at least 75 annually to account for attrition either via resignation or the decision to live out. Many conversations with Purdue's Greek office affirm this is widespread at Purdue. The result is that we lack senior leadership, which can create other issues. O u r o p e r a t i n g b u d g e t e x c e e d s $ 1 m i l l i o n a n n u a l l y . Sounds like a lot, but we spend a lot too— food service, debt service, property/liability insurance, maintaining our house set on three acres, and on and on. Based on expert advice, we raise house bills to compete with the total cost of living in dorms/apartments, but we struggle to build capital reserves for a building first constructed 105 years ago and enlarged 70 years ago when the south wing facing Quincy Street was built. Ours is an impressive property, and our to-do list is daunting. After I win the lottery and have stupid money to morph into Daddy Warbucks, I can easily exceed $1 million underwriting capital projects the house needs now—$275,000 to expand parking on land we've acquired and $200,000 to rehab our crumbling 105-year-old front porch facing the Wabash River. Until then, ΣAE Purdue is tax-exempt, so your contributions can help your tax return. I t w o u l d b e t e r r i f i c t o h a v e m o r e a l u m n i e n g a g e d i n a l l a s p e c t s o f g u i d i n g t h e b e s t f r a t e r n i t y a t P u r d u e . Working with the undergraduates keeps one on one's toes and is most satisfying. Please contact me if you'd like to lend a hand. It was both an honor and a privilege when I became an ΣAE in October 1960, and I still pinch myself that I was invited to join. I hope you feel similarly. Please feel free to call or email me. Phi Alpha, Wayne McIntyre '64 President, ΣAE Purdue House Corporation (408) 930-1438 | wayne.mcintyre@yahoo.com SPRING 2025 Support the Brotherhood A N A L U M N U S ' P E R S P E C T I V E O F ΣA E P U R D U E SEE WHAT ELSE UNDERGRADUATES ARE UP TO INSIDE! ΣAE executive members returning from our Sweep the Streets event where we worked together to keep our local streets clean. From left: Jack Curley '26, Jack Abare '26, Tommy DiVincent '27, Reese Hanrattie '27, Sean Burke '26, and Josh Reed '26.

• Cover