by Eminent Supreme Archon M. Todd Buchanan

When I took over as your Eminent Supreme Archon last summer, I challenged all of our members, young and old, to Be the One. I’m sure you’ve heard that message by now, and I want to tell you that through my travels, I’ve met lots of brothers who are Being the One. It’s that one person, that one degree, that can make all the difference in our lives.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon is here for you today because our forefathers stepped up to the plate and advanced their visions of leadership. They intended our Fraternity to be a social fraternity, as evidenced when DeVotie wrote that “man is a social being” and explained the need for brothers “whose character upholds those social qualities so necessary for the perpetuation of friendships.”

What he was saying is this: While we each live our own individual lives, we have the need to touch others and interact with them. By nature, we should make friends and extend our social network. Growing the membership was our Founding Fathers’ first order of business; hence, their way of Being the One. And, just like they envisioned, we have to Be the Ones to pass that gift of membership along to another true gentleman. Only by leading the charge can we inspire other members to follow in our footsteps.

This issue of The Record is dedicated to those members and groups who are great examples of brothers Being the Ones in their own ways, whether they’re excelling in the fraternity house, sharing common goals an alumni group or leading the way in their careers. They’re a source of inspiration for us all. We could not cover everyone’s success stories, but we can bring you the best of the best. Maybe you, too, can be inspired to Be the One.

Your work as a brother is never truly done until you reach out and bring other quality men into the Fraternity so you can give them what someone gave you. Your fraternal experience does not end when you leave school. And it doesn’t end when you get older and see your brothers less often. You are an SAE for life, so you can Be the One for life.

As we continue with this biennium, you will hear more about the success stories about our members who are Being the One in addition to learning how we’re more connected than we realize. Our outreach to just one man impacts more lives than you know. Be the One who perseveres when the naysayers tell you it can’t be done. Be the One who leads the charge with spirited determination, enthusiasm and perseverance. And you will Be the One others point to and say, “He’s the one who made us better. He’s the one who wouldn’t let us settle for second-best when first was available.” After all, that’s what my call to action is all about. I have no doubt it continues to make us the strongest fraternity across the nation.

In the Bonds,
M. Todd Buchanan (Southern Mississippi ’90)
Eminent Supreme Archon