History

Sigma Alpha Epsilon Michigan Delta-Omega was founded on January 18, 2003.  The colonization came after a long period of hard work by members of a student organization called The Gentleman’s Club.  The Gentleman’s Club was originally set up because many of campus’ male leaders did not feel they related to any male Greek organization.  The three chapter founders, Steven Hough, Jonathan Seyferth, and Jason Taylor wanted to create a Greek letter organization that upheld the values, traditions, and honor of our great institute, Central Michigan University.  These true gentlemen worked hard and with the help of other men like them, found a fraternity that had the principles they embodied, Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

The idea of bringing a new fraternity to campus began at the LeaderShape Conference in May 2001.  Several of the founding members, many of whom previously turned down joining other fraternities, began discussing their ideal fraternity.  From these discussions Hough, Seyferth, and Taylor met on September 12, 2001 to begin a new group on campus.

At the time of these informal meetings, the Dean of Students had a moratorium on starting new Greek organizations.  The Greek culture on campus was dismal and filled with negative stereotypes; this was the main reason the original founders wanted to create a new group.  With the help of advisor, Dyke Heinze, a group of men decided that Sigma Alpha Epsilon was the fraternity that best fit the ideals they were looking for in a fraternity.  They sent a letter to the Dean outlining their intent for the fraternity and their desire to change the Greek image on campus.  The Dean recognized this group as the premier leaders on campus and lifted his moratorium, allowing Sigma Alpha Epsilon to begin forming.

It would not be for another year that The Gentleman’s Club became a colony of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.  The group, under the presidency of Jason Taylor, did not receive quick responses from the ΣAE national office and even came to a vote at one point of merging with the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity already on campus.  The vote failed overwhelmingly, demonstrating the strong commitment of our founders to the ideals of ΣAE.  Finally, on January 18, 2003 the Michigan Delta-Omega chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon was colonized at Central Michigan.

The fraternity began with 29 members at colonization and during the first semester recruited 6 new members, making them the second largest fraternity on campus.  The recruitment class of six known as the A-DK class, meaning ‘First Strong Fellowship,’ was the second largest recruitment class of male fraternities on campus.

In the fall of 2003, the colony added 11 new members to its ranks.  This recruitment class is known as B-AQ, meaning ‘Second Successful Journey.’

In the spring of 2004, the colony recruited its largest class, a class of 18, known as G-WA, meaning ‘End of the Beginning.’  This was also the largest recruitment class on campus.  In the summer of 2004, the chapter won the Bunting Outstanding Colony Award at the National Leadership School.

The most significant event in the history of Michigan Delta-Omega was the reception of its national charter on April 24, 2004, turning the one time colony into a full-fledged Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.  Fifty-two active and alumni brothers of Michigan Delta-Omega were initiated and honored as Charter members.  Then Eminent Supreme Archon, Tom “The Bear” Bower, initiated them.

In fall 2004 the first class of the new charter, D-KL’s 8 members were initiated into MIDO.  D-KL means ‘Inevitable Growth.’ 2005 was a rewarding year for MIDO.  In the spring, the 13 members of the E-LD’s class became the first class to go from pinning to initiation without losing a member.  Truly, they fit the meaning of their class designators of ‘Growing Strong.’  MIDO also won the IFC President’s Cup at the Spring Greek Academy awards in its first year of eligibility.  Most rewarding of all, at the 70^th John O. Moseley Leadership School, MIDO received the highest honor in the SAE Realm … the John O. Moseley Zeal Award for Fraternity Zeal.  MIDO is the youngest chapter to receive the award and the first from the Province Omega.  It is also the first time a chapter went from being colony of the year to chapter of the year consecutively.

In the fall of 2005, 14 members were initiated as the Z-IΩ class, meaning ‘Preserving the Big Picture’. 2006 was again filled with the excitement of MIDO being recognized for its hard work on campus and throughout the realm.  MIDO won its second consecutive IFC President’s Cup as well as its first Greek Week championship.  On the national level, the chapter made the top 5 in the Zeal Award category for the second consecutive year.  Most importantly, MIDO continued to grow as the H-OT class of 7 joined the group in the spring.  H-OT means ‘Small but Strong’.

In the fall of 2006, six men pledged and completed all requirements for Initiation as the Q-WE Class meaning “brothers forever”.  Also during that school year, the I-TG Class was composed of 11 men and was the third class in Michigan Delta-Omega history to go from pinning to initiation without losing a member of their class.  The designators for the Iota class signify “inspiring truth and genuineness”. Michigan Delta-Omega also enjoyed many successes during Greek Week, IFC Scholarship Awards and Leadership school.

Then in the fall of 2007, six men were initiated in to the brotherhood as the K-IP Class meaning “Integrity and Righteousness”. Our chapter also was able to secure a house this semester for the 2008-2009 school year on Main Street, which has many other Greek groups on it. Then in the spring of the same school year 11 gentlemen were initiated as the Λ-ΦΒ Class meaning “Living for Brotherhood“. Also during the spring of 2008 MIDO won Greek Week with Alpha Sigma Tau, a sorority on campus. Over the summer, MIDO sent seven active brothers to the 73^rd John O. Moseley Leadership School, which was the largest delegation that our chapter had ever sent. MI∆Ω also won many awards while at the Leadership School including being in the top 5 for the Zeal Award once again.

In the fall of 2008, the chapter enjoyed their first house with many socials and even a Homecoming event where alumni were able to come back and see the progress of the group. They also welcome 14 men into the group, one of the largest classes the group has ever had in the fall. They are know as the Μ-ΙΔ class, meaning “influencing destiny.” Then in the Spring of that year our chapter grew by six with the Nu Class. This small but strong class integrated quickly into the chapter as a whole.  The named themselves N-TB “True Brotherhood.” The Xi class, in Fall 2009 was a large class of 12 men. They named themselves Xi-P∑ “Real Sexy”  and have  grown into strong leaders in the chapter. The Omicron class O-T∆ “Onward Toward Destiny” brought 11 new men to the chapter. The Pi class in Fall of 2010 was our latest class, π-T∆ “Penetrating the Darkness” will be communicating with you in your sessions. What legacy will YOU leave behind?