by Martin D. Wiglesworth, Eminent Supreme Archon

Ten years ago I rose to serve in the ranks of the Supreme Council in Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Since that summer convention in Orlando a decade ago, our world—and my world—is completely different. In my final words to the Realm via The Record, allow me to reflect on some of those changes and to share my experience with you.

In 2001, the Fraternity looked different. The Supreme Council had majority membership on the Foundation Board, a structure that would not change until the following convention. So being on the Council, our roles included serving as Foundation board members. There was no entity named the SAE Financial & Housing Corporation. It was termed SAE Services and was separate from the Fraternity. Also that year, our Leadership School took place at the University of Chicago in dorms, and it would be my last time as Director of the Leadership School. Our attendance consisted of 325 undergraduates. The world around us was about to change dramatically. When I was elected to the Supreme Council, the World Trade Center towers still stood tall as part of the New York City skyline, and Osama Bin Laden and Al Queda were names you heard but that required little attention. The tragic events of September 11 will always be etched into my memory. This Fraternity lost several brothers that day and in the conflicts that took place as a result. However, the one thing that has been forgotten through the years is the incredible sense of patriotism and community that existed for several months after our fateful day.

The Fraternity changed over ten years. The structure of our organization has evolved into the current tri-board system that ensures separate governance and few entanglements. Even our Ritual changed in that time, such as the addition of “The True Gentleman” to its ceremonies. Further, I have been fortunate to have worked with three Eminent Supreme Recorders, dozens of devoted board members, numerous excellent staff members, hundreds of Province Archons, thousands of undergraduates and, finally, my best friends—those men with whom I served on the Supreme Council.

I have been fortunate to be an instrumental part in pulling the Fraternity from the brink of bankruptcy, taking a gamble on a unique idea for Leadership School on a cruise ship and brainstorming with Council on a “wild concept” of having a elite leadership-training event that would be called the Inner Circle. I am proud I am leaving this organization with growing numbers in all areas and a financial stability while professing the ideals and precepts of our forefathers.

I could not offer a summary unless I spoke about the people who have been most impacted by my tenure—my family. I have spent hours upon hours on conference calls. I have stayed hundreds of nights on the road working for Minerva. At the start of my term, Marty was 15; Michael, 10; Matthew, 8; and Mercedes, 6. My wife, Dora, and I added Mark on the way, and he will see me end my Council years at the age of 6. Each of them is ten years older now, and I know they’re proud of their father. My family has suffered the most for my time away from home, and I will never get those years back. But more importantly, during that time, my wonderful wife of 25 years has been the rock of our household. My future includes making up that time to my family, for they deserve it for all of their patience.

In conclusion, I humbly believe that I have made a difference. In the scheme of all that occurs over a decade, if one can be proud to say that he believes he has made a difference, then—as I hand over the Eminent Supreme Archon Badge over to Ken Tracey—I can raise my head proudly knowing I have given all of my heart, wipe a tear from my eye for the memories for which I have been so fortunate to be a part and bid the realm a “thank you” for allowing me to make that journey with all of you.

Phi Alpha,
Martin D. Wiglesworth (Centre ’84)