by James Irwin,
contributing writer

The Ritual of Sigma Alpha Epsilon is more than just a set of ceremonies. If nothing else, it is a set of principles and a foundation of values on which our organization is based, and it’s this philosophy that was emphasized to the undergraduate attendees at the DeVotie Ritual Institute.

On April 15 and 16, nearly 60 undergraduates representing 39 chapters from across the Realm traveled to the Levere Memorial Temple in Evanston to take part in the first DeVotie Ritual Institute. These undergraduates experienced an intense weekend of Ritual education designed to enhance and reinforce the values and virtues of our Fraternity.

The purpose of the DeVotie Ritual Institute is to educate undergraduates in the Ritual of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, including its practice, performance, and use in daily chapter operations. By discussing in detail our values and virtues, and how they are really used in our daily life, from chapter operations to our interactions with others, each undergraduate is taught how to improve the quality of the chapters of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

The weekend began on Friday night with dinner in Nippert Hall followed by the opening session in the Panhellenic Room. Throughout the weekend, that room, much like for the original Leadership Schools, would be the main location for most general sessions. After welcoming and reviewing the code of conduct for the weekend, the faculty introduced themselves. They included Eminent Supreme Chronicler Thomas Dement; Ritual Committee Chairman James Irwin, Ritual Committee Member Jason Scott Embry, Former Ritual Committee Chairman Tim Strobl, Director of Educational Programs Zach Rus, Associate Executive Director for Communications Brandon Weghorst and Kerr Regional Director Jeff Hall.

The undergraduates divided into four chapter groups and met with their faculty leaders several times throughout the weekend in smaller sessions. These sessions were used to discuss in greater detail the topics that were presented in the larger general sessions.

What was interesting in some of the early sessions is what many thought the Ritual was. Basically, Ritual = Initiation Only. It was clear at that point there would be many good points of discussion throughout the weekend as this was the concept we wanted to improve upon. The faculty asked the undergraduates why they were attending. One attendee answered with, “We know we don’t have any Ritual in our chapter, and we are here to figure out how to do it.”

Following the opening general session and small-group session, the Institute met as a whole in the Peace Chapel, where Eminent Supreme Chronicler Thomas Dement re-administered the Oath of Initiation. Undergraduates were asked what words jumped out at them during the oath, and a discussion about these words was held later in the weekend.

Following the oath, each chapter went to the Tower Room and held a brief meeting. The Institute reconvened again later that evening when Tim Strobl provided an overview of the History of the Ritual.

Saturday morning began bright and early with breakfast in Nippert Hall. Immediately following a brief paper, rock, scissors tournament that fired up everyone, Strobl led the group in an SAE song session. As a part of our Ritual and history, learning to sing the songs correctly is something that merited attention.

Jason Scott Embry then spoke to the group and led a discussion on the unwritten forms of our Ritual. This led to many interesting discussions and was good to have everyone hear correctly— at the same time.

Pages: 1 2