Fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon

SIGMA ALPHA EPSILON FRATERNITY -  Sigma Alpha Epsilon (ΣΑΕ, also SAE) is a North American Greek-letter social college fraternity.   It was founded at the University of Alabama on March 9, 1856.   Of all existing national social fraternities today, Sigma Alpha Epsilon is the only one founded in the Antebellum South.   Its national headquarters, the Levere Memorial Temple, was established on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, in 1929.

The fraternity has chapters and colonies in 50 states and provinces as of 2011.   The creed of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, The True Gentleman, must be memorized and recited by all prospective members.   New members receive a copy of The Phoenix, the manual of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, for educational development.   In March 2014, the fraternity announced that it was eliminating the tradition of pledging following several alcohol, drug, and hazing-related deaths.