Over the first weekend of October, the Penn State (Pennsylvania Alpha-Zeta) chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon celebrated 100 years of “The Ranch,” their chapter home and a century-long symbol of brotherhood.
After they rechartered back in 2021, the chapter and Housing Corporation felt they had lost some connection with their alumni base. Todd McGarity (Penn State ’91) and Tim Edwards (Penn State ’91) did a lot of the heavy lifting to help make this event truly special, with the chapter leadership aiding in any way possible.
The weekend consisted of a Welcome Reception Friday night, a Mt. Nittany Hike Saturday morning, a Penn State Gameday BBQ Saturday afternoon, a Gala and Speeches Saturday night, and the annual board meeting Sunday morning. The event was a huge success with ~100 alumni coming back to State College.
“We were honored to have Steve Mitchell (Indiana ’83), Jim Skaggs (Oklahoma State ’78), Joe Richey (Penn State ’09), and Dr. Steadman Boston (Winthrop ’17) attend from Nationals. It was a really special weekend for everyone involved, and we hope to remain in touch with our 70s, 80s, and 90s brothers in the future,” Eminent Archon Max Barton shared.
Kayla McCloud, the Coordinator of Communications for Sigma Alpha Epsilon, reached out to Max Barton to gather a better understanding of the success of the event and to learn more about the history and culture of the chapter.
What makes your chapter house special?
“The Pennsylvania Alpha-Zeta chapter house is special for many reasons. Most importantly, it has been home to a century of memories and a strong brotherhood that continues to thrive within its walls. Sitting atop a hill on Beaver Avenue, the house stands apart from the modern high-rises, bars, and shops that surround it. It is built of limestone and supported by large white wooden pillars; it’s watched over by Leo and Rex, our lions. While the landscape around it constantly changes, the SAE house has remained a steady presence on the corner of Beaver Avenue and Pugh Street and serves as a lasting reminder of the fraternity’s strong roots in State College.”
What kind of history or traditions are tied to your house?
“At Pennsylvania Alpha-Zeta, the house is full of both tangible and intangible traditions. The chapter house is commonly referred to as “The Ranch” due to its Southern-inspired architecture and design. When you walk in, you’re greeted by a grandfather clock, similar to the one the brothers received in 1925 when they first moved in. It now sits in the corner of our Great Hall (or main floor), and the updated version features a golden pendulum engraved with the SAE crest.
In the lounge, you’ll find a large mounted moose head named Pierre. Pierre has been a comforting presence for decades, and he’s still a hit with guests, as we even celebrate his birthday every year. Down in the basement sits our chapter room, which was considered state-of-the-art when the house opened. It remains largely untouched, with the same benches that brothers have sat on since 1925.
Above all, the Pennsylvania Alpha-Zeta chapter continues to uphold the tradition of living as True Gentlemen and maintaining a strong, lifelong brotherhood.”
How has the house evolved in the past 100 years?
“The chapter house has evolved with the times while still staying true to its origins. Recently, the Housing Corporation completed major renovations to all four floors. The third floor is now a carpeted study area, aiding in the chapter’s accomplishments as a top-five GPA among fraternities at Penn State. The second floor, which holds most of the rooms, also received new carpeting.
One of the highlights of the renovation was the bathroom updates in 2018. The old tile was replaced with marble slabs and modern shower dividers, something that impressed every visiting alumnus. Overall, the house continues to modernize while preserving the look and spirit that have made it home for a century of brothers.”
What inspired the chapter to host such a major centennial event?
“After the chapter was rechartered in 2021, we realized some of the connections between alumni and actives had been lost. The Ranch holds countless memories for generations of brothers, so celebrating its 100th anniversary felt like the perfect opportunity to bring everyone back together.
Having a chapter house last a full century is something truly special, and is a major milestone worth celebrating. Few fraternities have a chapter house with so much tradition, longevity, and prominence. We wanted to honor that history while reengaging alumni and re-strengthening the foundation for the next 100 years.”
How did you bring alumni and actives together for this event?
“Most of the outreach was done through Facebook and social media. Our alumni Facebook group continues to share monthly updates about the chapter and the house, helping brothers stay connected. A large number of 1990s alumni attended thanks to the hard work of event organizers Brother Todd McGarity and Brother Tim Edwards, who personally reached out to hundreds of brothers.
The excitement for the event was obvious, as it hosted a strong schedule and the significance of celebrating a place that means so much to everyone who’s lived there.”
What were some of the most memorable moments from the weekend?
“The weekend was filled with unforgettable moments. Friday night’s reception at the house brought brothers together to reconnect, share memories, and reflect on their time at PAAZ. Saturday morning began with a Mount Nittany hike led by active brothers, where alumni enjoyed a picture-perfect overlook. Later that afternoon, we hosted a barbecue at the house, with even more brothers returning to take photos and enjoy the sunny weather.
The highlight of the weekend was our closing Gala at the Nittany Lion Inn. Brothers celebrated 100 years of excellence alongside representatives from the Supreme Council, the Housing Corporation, and the active chapter. The energy in the room was incredible as everyone joined in singing SAE songs and closed the night with “Friends,” which served as a perfect ending to an unforgettable weekend.”
What did it mean to see a generation of brothers come together under the same roof again?
“Reuniting decades of brothers was truly special for both alumni and actives. It reminded everyone that SAE membership is lifelong and that our brotherhood never fades, no matter how long it’s been since graduation.
The event gave current members the chance to hear alumni stories and reconnect with traditions from the 1980s and 1990s. Many alumni expressed how meaningful it was to feel like they were back in college again. One brother told us, “You guys allowed us to feel like we were back in this house — thank you.” For the actives, seeing alumni reconnect gave them a deeper appreciation for their own time in the house and the privilege of experiencing SAE brotherhood every day.”
Did alumni share advice, lessons, or reflections that resonated with younger brothers?
“Yes. Many alumni emphasized how important it is to appreciate your time in the house as it goes by fast. They talked about how much they missed their brothers after graduation and how the friendships made here stay with you for life.
They also shared advice about life after college, especially about building success and staying connected to the brotherhood. Many actives were able to network with alumni working in their target industries and made valuable connections that will benefit them in the future.”
What do you hope the next 100 years will look like for the chapter and the house?
“I hope the next 100 years are filled with the same brotherhood, tradition, and pride that have defined the past century. I hope future brothers continue to live as True Gentlemen and strive for excellence as SAE men.
As Penn State and State College continue to change, I hope the chapter house remains standing tall on Beaver Avenue and remains full of the strong spirit of the Pennsylvania Alpha-Zeta brotherhood.”
