 The dream began in 1920 with, Eminent Supreme Recorder, William C. "Billy" Levere. Sigma Alpha Epsilon was already the first Greek letter organization to have a national headquarters. Levere wanted to expand on this foundation and envisioned a facility that would serve as a memorial to SAE's war dead, central business office, and repository for the Fraternity's treasures. After gathering support from the Supreme Council and financial backing from alumni, Levere solicited plans for the Temple from architects nationwide. The building had to serve many purposes and competing plans had to contain private offices, workrooms, storerooms, bedrooms, committee rooms, clubrooms, and a memorial hall or chapel.
Arthur H. Knox's design was selected as the winning plan. The commission was especially personal for Knox who himself was a brother from the Illinois Psi-Omega chapter at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Unfortunately, Levere would not live to see his dream realized and the building completed. Just days after Levere passed away in February 1927, SAE leaders voted unanimously to proceed with the building plans with one alteration: the Temple would be named in honor of Billy Levere. While the Temple itself is dedicated to Billy Levere, it is another SAE member whose leadership and vision were responsible for its majestic detail and artistry: Judge Alfred K. Nippert (Cincinnati 1894). During his near 30 years of service as the Chairman of the Building Committee, Judge Nippert oversaw the Temple's many details and was responsible for securing contracts with the leading artistic firms of the day, such as Rookwood Potteries of Cincinnati and the Tiffany Studios of New York.  In June 1929, in the hot summer sun of an Evanston afternoon, architect Knox ceremoniously broke ground for the Temple. In September, during the laying of the cornerstone, SAE leaders gathered on the site to bury a time capsule containing various SAE-related documents. Construction then proceeded at a rapid pace.
The Temple was dedicated on December 28, 1930. In fact, just a little more than one year after the groundbreaking ceremony, the Temple staff had already moved in and weddings had been held in the Chapel. At a total of $411,292.34, building the Temple was expensive, particularly considering that it was financed during the Great Depression. Using Levere's bequest of $25,000, the Foundation solicited member subscriptions (partly through the establishment of the Founder Member donation level of $1,000 or more during the 1928 National Convention) and received a loan in the form of a 25-year mortgage. At a total cost of nearly $40,000, the Tiffany stained glass windows were the most expensive single feature, and were financed by Judge Nippert, various individuals, and SAE provinces. 
For questions or more specific information about the Temple's collection and archives contact (847) 475-1856 or (800) 233-1856 or email Nanci Gasiel, Archivist, at ngasiel@sae.net.
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