In 1856, a conversation alongside the Black Warrior River in Tuscaloosa, Alabama spawned the beginning of a legacy. Noble Leslie DeVotie discussed the idea for a fraternity with a few of his closest colleagues. On March 9th of 1856, Sigma Alpha Epsilon was officially founded at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. More than 150 years later, the legacy lives on at college campuses everywhere. The expansion of Sigma Alpha Epsilon has found its way to the University of New Haven. What started as a “Fraternity Interest Group” in fall of 2008 has developed into something much more. On Sunday, September 20th, 2009, a ceremony was held in order to declare the colonization of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Connecticut Nu Eta at the University of New Haven.
The members will work hard over the next several months in order to become an official chapter of SAE. However, the brotherhood looks forward to the process. Eminent Archon of the colony, Gavin Maxfield, gave a few words about the colonization, “I speak on behalf of the organization when I say that we are excited to begin our journey through colonization. I believe that the marriage of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and University of New Haven will be a great occurrence where both organizations will mutually benefit.”
Sigma Alpha Epsilon promotes being a true gentleman. Brothers of the fraternity will explore the twelve core areas of the “True Gentleman Initiative” in order to become true gentlemen. The organization looks forward to contributing to the campus as well as its surrounding areas. SAE supports the Children’s Miracle Network, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving the lives of children and improving children’s hospitals everywhere. The brotherhood will also work to take part in many other aspects of philanthropy around New Haven as well as its surrounding areas.
The Sigma Alpha Epsilon Connecticut Nu Eta colony would like to thank all of those who have dedicated their time in order to achieve the interest’s group goals. The colony hopes to inspire the students of UNH to explore all Fraternities and Sororities on campus. Justin O’Brien, IFSC President and Executive Assistant of Kappa Gamma Rho, recently shared his thoughts about the new SAE colony, “I am extremely excited about SAE’s coming onto our campus. I am confident in their ability to encourage an even larger percentage of our student body to explore Greek life and hope to see them participate in our mission to help the local community.”
The colony would like to thank Justin for his supportive words. The new addition of SAE will surely inspire more Greek life as incoming classes grow larger and larger each year.
Good luck to Sigma Alpha Epsilon Connecticut Nu Eta as the colony works hard toward becoming an official chapter at the University of New Haven!