Description: The Order of the Phoenix is one of the highest levels of recognition that an undergraduate member can receive. It can only be awarded to a member while he is still an undergraduate member. The purpose of this award is to recognize outstanding commitment and loyalty to the Fraternity by a collegiate brother.

Materials: Recipients will receive a printed certificate, medallion and lapel pin.

Requirements: The recipient must have demonstrated outstanding service to the Fraternity on any level for an extended period of time.

Cost: The cost of the award is $10 plus shipping.

Nomination: Collegiate members may be nominated by any individual or any governing body.

Approval & Presentation: This award may be approved and presented by any governing body of the Fraternity.

Description: The second highest award an individual alumnus can receive, the Merit Key recognizes an alumnus who has demonstrated significant service and loyalty to the Fraternity on combined levels for an extended period of time.

Materials: Recipients will receive a printed certificate, lapel pin and badge in key design customarily worn on a tie.

Requirements: The nominee must have served ten years of sustained leadership in multiple positions (e.g. chapter adviser, alumni association officer, province officer and national committee member or Leadership School faculty.) However, if the service has been truly extraordinary, the strict ten-year requirement may be waived. The recipient also must have made significant contribution on national, regional and local levels. In addition, he already should have received the Order of the Lion, Order of Minerva, and Shield of Brotherhood.

Cost: There is no cost for this award.

Nomination: An alumnus member may be nominated by any individual or any governing body.

Approval & Presentation: The award is approved by the Supreme Council and is presented by a Supreme Council member or his designee.

The Distinguished Service Award, created in 1946, is the highest individual award a member may receive. It recognizes a lifetime of service and loyalty to the Fraternity.

Nominees must have demonstrated outstanding loyalty and dedication to the Fraternity for many years that distinguished themselves as a member deserving recognition above all others. Their actions exhibit a deep understanding of the Fraternity’s teachings, adherence to Fraternity Laws, attention to the promotion of its welfare and exemplary conduct that guards well its honor and high standing.

Understanding the nomination form and process:

• Nominations must be received by the Eminent Supreme Recorder/CEO at least eight weeks in advance of a desired presentation date.
• All nominations will be reviewed once a quarter.
• Not all nominations will ultimately be selected, and there is no guaranteed time window in which a nominee will be selected.
• Nominations only need to be submitted once and will stay on file with the Supreme Council.
• If your nominee is selected, you will be notified. Otherwise, your nomination is still under consideration.

Tips and suggestions:

• Nominees should have previously been recognized with the Merit Key, Order of Minerva, and Order of the Lion Awards.
• Much of the nomination form is providing insight into the nominee’s service to the Fraternity. If you need any assistance in verifying dates of service or previous awards the brother has been recognized with you can work with the Alumni Services team, alumni@sae.net.

This award is approved by the Supreme Council and presented by the Supreme Council at the Fraternity Convention or at other times as deemed appropriate. Nominations can be made by any member of the Fraternity. To prevent dissapointment, the nominee should not be notified of their nomination.

Description: The Order of the Violet recognizes outstanding commitment and support of the Fraternity by the spouse or significant other of an alumnus or collegiate member over an extended period of time.

Materials: Recipients will receive a printed certificate and special jeweled gold pin.

Requirements: The spouse or significant other must have shown commitment to the Fraternity and its mission through actions, support, involvement or volunteer effort, demonstrating loyalty and service to Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

Cost: The cost of the award is $25.00 plus shipping.

Nomination: The person may be nominated by any individual member or any governing body.

Approval & Presentation: This award may be approved and presented by any individual or governing body of the Fraternity.

Description: The Order of DeVotie is presented to an collegiate or alumni member for recognition of proficiency in the Ritual of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. This does not necessarily require memorization of the Fraternity’s Ritual. This honor encourages undergraduate participation and excellence in the use of our Ritual at all appropriate occasions as well as to recognize alumni members for their volunteer service and commitment to promote proper usage of our Ritual at the chapter level. Consideration for the award shall be given upon proper nomination for the award.

Materials: Recipients will receive a printed certificate and lapel pin. The award is completely separate from the sequenced awards of Order of the Lion, Minerva, etc.

Requirements: Requirement for the award is outstanding proficiency in the Fraternity’s Ritual as demonstrated by the following: • Knowledge – The member has a demonstrated, working knowledge of the Ritual and its tenets. • Execution – The member has demonstrated proper execution of the Ritual in one or more appropriate settings. • Education – The member has demonstrated a commitment to sharing the values and context of the Ritual to our collegiate members through teaching both the proper ceremonial process and facilitating the meaning of the Ritual and its application to one’s daily life. • Application – The member has demonstrated through behavior consistent application of the principles of the Ritual to his life, the chapter and encouraging others to live the life of a true gentleman.

Nomination: Any individual or governing body may nominate a member.

Cost: The cost of the award is $10.00 plus shipping.

Approval & Presentation: The award is approved by the Eminent Supreme Recorder. It should be presented at a Founders Day celebration, Fraternity education program, province meeting, chapter banquet or other event of similar nature.