Sigma Alpha Epsilon - Kansas State University

LION'S LORE A P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E K A N S A S B E T A C H A P T E R O F S I G M A A L P H A E P S I L O N SPRING 2025 C hapter Adviser John Hatfield '77 remembers that when he was recruitment co-chairman with Ed Kite '76 back in 1974, recruitment began after finals week in May and was mostly a summer affair. This year, Recruitment Chairmen Jake Stephens '26 and Grant Snowden '26, assisted by four brothers, will have a class of 30 recruits for fall 2025 wrapped up by May, when Hatfield was just getting started in 1974. "It begins so shockingly early," said Housing Corporation President Steve Lacy '76. Starting early is one way Kansas Beta has set a high recruitment standard. The chapter was rewarded last year when it won the national SAE Outstanding Recruitment award. The award was a culmination of years of effort to fine-tune the approach. The process combines high standards for recruits, tight coordination between alumni advisers and the recruitment team, and well-organized planning and execution. SETTING EXPECTATIONS High standards start with a high school GPA of 3.5 for every recruit. "We are really kind of stingy about that," said Stephens. "We've had to drop legacies because of the 3.5." As a result, the chapter has fewer problems with the transition from high school to college. Stephens and Snowden said they also look for young men involved in sports, student government, who have had a job, and are comfortable in groups of people. FRATERNAL LEADERSHIP Another major contribution to success has been guidance from alumni advisers. In late October, Lacy and Hatfield go to the house and, with the previous recruitment chairmen, interview candidates for the new year. Once the team is chosen, Hatfield conducts intensive training. In addition to Stephens and Snowden, this year's team includes Gunnar Gross '28, Nick Pearson '28, Henry Merkel '28, and Connor Keogh '28. Every Wednesday at 4:30 p.m., the recruitment team has a call with alumni advisers. Every Sunday evening, the team meets to plan their week. They get some names of prospects from a database called ChapterBuilder, but many come from referrals. RECRUITMENT METHODS The main method of recruitment is planned dinners at a restaurant where chairmen sit down with a prospect. "We have a spiel about SAE that emphasizes four pillars: grades, philanthropy, intramurals, and the social scene," Snowden said. They don't just go to Kansas City and Wichita. Kansas Beta caps the number of signings from eastern Kansas to 60% of the class. Kansas Beta prides itself on strong recruitment in western Kansas and also recruits out-of-state. They supplement dinners with other social gatherings during the year The most formal event is at the Mission Hills Country Club in Kansas City. SETTING BOUNDARIES There is no alcohol at these events. Kansas Beta has been a "dry" house since 2015. This means that even recruiting chairmen who are the legal drinking age, don't do so in front of recruits. "You shouldn't have to get a guy drunk to get him to sign a card," Stephens said. Use of the word "pledge" is discouraged because recruits are initiated within 96 hours of beginning their fall semester, a measure introduced by SAE national to stifle hazing. The chapter's success in recent years has helped recruiting. Alumni are eager to refer candidates. "Alumni are proud to refer candidates to such an accomplished chapter," Lacy said. KANSAS BETA HAS HIGH RECRUITMENT STANDARDS Strategies for Growth and Strong Membership Recruiting Co-Chairs Grant Snowden '26 and Jake Stephens '26 holding 2024 Zeal Award.

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