"Like many others of the staunch chapters of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Michigan Alpha had her origin in a local society. On Sept. 13, 1884, there was organized in Adrian College the 'Sigma Society.' The organization was effected by seven men, three of whom were members of the faculty, banding together for social pleasure. The local society existed for more than two years and initiated nineteen men. It was absorbed into Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Jan. 22, 1887. S. M. Rinehart, F. H. Kinney, W. L. Lowrie, A. B. Newton, H. H. Cowan, Guy Varney, C. A. Dungan, and N. L. Jones became charter members. J. H. Focht, of Ohio Sigma, class of '84, conducted the initiation.
The charter members of Mich. Alpha were enthusiastic Sigs, and succeeded in infusing a part of their own spirit into those initiated during the succeeding years. Few chapters in the fraternity have been more active than this one. In the work of extension, perhaps none have done more efficient work. As the result of her toil, four staunch chapters have been ushered into exsitence: Michigan Iota Beta, Pennsylvania Sigma Phi, Indiana Beta, and Pennsylvania Alpha Zeta. All these were firmly established and are an honor to the fraternity at large, as well as to the chapter that gave them birth.
Two of her men are of national fame in fraternity cirlcles: H. H. Cowan and W. L. Lowrie, both being noted for their ardent enthusiasm in the advancement of the interests of Sigma Alpha Epsilon."
- William C. Levere - 1897(?)
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