From The Record Fall 2023
The North Dakota Alpha Chapter was officially installed on Friday, April 13th, 1923 by Eminent Supreme Archon T. Gibson Hobbs (Virginia 1909) and William C. Levere (Northwestern 1897), our highly esteemed Eminent Supreme Recorder from 1912-1927, with help from Brothers from Minnesota Alpha and the Minneapolis Alumni Association. Together, they celebrated with 15 Alpha Lambda Rho (UND local campus organization) alumni and 24 undergraduates, who were initiated that afternoon at the Knights of Pythias Hall.
Since its inception, the North Dakota Alpha Chapter has welcomed 1,920 young men into its brotherhood. To commemorate 100 years of brotherhood, friendship, scholarship, leadership, and service, the brothers of North Dakota Alpha convened at their historic chapter house and the Alerus Center in April 2023.
On Friday night, undergraduate and alumni brothers held a brothers only event at the house. For hours, dozens of men gathered in the parlor and shared stories of their SAE experiences. An open house followed Saturday afternoon for alumni, spouses, family, and friends of the chapter to visit the house and reminisce on beautiful memories. Saturday evening featured the weekend’s closing banquet at the Alerus Center. An enormous crowd of 350 undergraduates, alumni and guests celebrated the chapter’s century milestone. Many North Dakota Beta alumni assisted and were in attendance, including Governor Doug Bergum (North Dakota State ‘78) and the Daggett brothers (Bob – NDAL ‘85 and Fred NDBE ‘85). The Daggett brothers host an annual, joint NDAL/NDBE summer golf alumni reunion in nearby Minnesota.
North Dakota Governor and 2024 Presidential candidate Doug Burgum (North Dakota State ’78) addressed the crowd with a pre-recorded video. He reminded members of their values as True Gentlemen and lauded the North Dakota Alpha Chapter for establishing SAE in the state. “SAE was born in North Dakota with North Dakota Alpha, North Dakota Beta came after,” Burgum said.
The 100th-anniversary celebration of North Dakota Alpha was made possible by the generous support of the chapter’s Alumni Association and Chapter Advisors. The chapter, alumni, SAE Financial & Housing, and Fraternity Service Center extend a special thanks to the following individuals.
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AND VOLUNTEERS:
President: Timothy Lyle (University of North Dakota ’81)
Treasurer: Pete Hoistad (University of North Dakota ’82)
Secretary: Jeffery Ackerman (University of North Dakota ’79)
General Association Officer: Ross Ehrmantraut (University of North Dakota ’81)
Past Chapter Advisor: Curt Stofferhan (North Dakota State University ’75)
