Indiana Beta of Sigma Alpha Epsilon is one of the elite fraternities at Purdue University for undergraduate male students. Founded on May 18, 1893.
The storied tradition of the Indiana Beta Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon dates back to 1893. For 120 years ΣΑΕ has been an important part of Purdue University and the West Lafayette community. Our brotherhood is an important and positive part of our lives, and ΣΑΕ plays a significant role in the personal and professional development of its members.
With more than 2,400 initiated brothers, Indiana Beta is part of the Purdue fabric, and it is our duty to ensure that it will continue to influence generations of men, cultivating lasting friendships and memories. Indiana Beta alumni have distinguished themselves as leaders in their professions and communities. The things we learned outside of the classroom—in the chapter house, with our brothers, together at fraternity events—have played significant roles in shaping the principles and values integral to our personal success.
Our brotherhood is a sacred bond, forged during our time spent at Purdue. Every living Indiana Beta brother spent time in our chapter house at 406 Littleton Street. It was our home, and our headquarters, as we developed academically and socially and became men. The lessons learned at Indiana Beta will carry on throughout our lives and to lead us to a successful life.
Chapter History:
“Indiana Beta was established May 18, 1893. For some time previous, a movement had been on foot to secure a chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon in Purdue. Harold Ulmer Wallace, of the class of ’94, opened communication with C.D. Hazelton, of Indiana Alpha, in regard to the project, and, as a result, Beta was ushered into existence. On the night of May 18, Messrs, Hazelton, Hill and Davis, of Alpha, initiated three of the men of Purdue University into the mysteries of Greek fraternity life. These were H.N. Wallace, Burt German and Harry B. Rust. For a short while the chapter was ‘sub rosa,’ but in the afternoon of June 1st, permission was received from the faculty to ‘go abroad.’ The news was hailed with delight, but, before making it public that a new fraternity had been organized, it was deemed advisable to muster re-enforcements. That same night three more men were ushered into Sigma—Messrs, Jeffries, Crane and Kipp. The college community was surprised on the following morning to see six staunch Sigs flaunting the ‘royal purple and old gold.’ Here were Sigma Alpha Epsilon pins, colors, letter-heads—all as if having come by miracle.
Purdue is an institution well adapted for fraternity life. Beta was initiated too near the close of the term to take a very active part in college matters. Her beginning is auspicious, and her men are the kind that make things move. They will be back to the University in full force at the opening of the coming session, and will ably represent Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s interests in this institution.
Beta meets five other fraternities: Delta Delta chapter of Sigma Chi organized Jan. 28, 1875; Chi, of Kappa Sigma, 1885; Beta Zeta, of Sigma Nu, 1892; Zeta, of Phi Delta Theta; and Alpha, of Tau Beta Pi.”
-Compiled during the terms of the following Eminent Supreme Recorders:
Howard P. Nash, Edward H. Virgin, & William C. Levere
The mission of Sigma Alpha Epsilon is to promote the highest standards of friendship, scholarship, and service for our members based upon the ideals set forth by our Founders and as specifically enunciated in our creed, "The True Gentleman."
