The true gentleman is the man whose conduct proceeds from good will and an acute sense of propriety, and whose self-control is equal to all emergencies; who does not make the poor man conscious of his poverty, the obscure man of his obscurity, or any man of his inferiority or deformity; who is himself humbled if necessity compels him to humble another; who does not flatter wealth, cringe before power, or boast of his own possessions or achievements; who speaks with frankness but always with sincerity and sympathy; whose deed follows his word; who thinks of the rights and feelings of others, rather than his own; and who appears well in any company, a man with whom honor is sacred and virtue safe.
— John Walter Wayland
This award, called “The True Gentleman of New York Alpha,” is to be the highest order bestowed by our chapter alumni, which provides us with a forum by which the brotherhood can recognize our own. It allows us to highlight individuals who have made worthy accomplishments or performed significant service to society and/or the fraternity, and which exemplify characteristics nobly described in John Walter Wayland ’46’s “The True Gentleman.” This award will be given annually at the discretion of the alumni board president. Furthermore, a memento of this honor will be given to the recipient or his family. During Reunion Weekend 2004, Brother Kevin Merriman, president of the alumni board, announced his selection for the charter members of this award. Thereafter, future alumni board presidents, in consultation with the alumni board leadership, will be given the privilege of selecting a recipient, in keeping with these high ideals, from among those who have been inducted into our chapter, whether still among us or in the “chapter eternal.”
Bob Dean ’49
2004 winner
Fairbairn Gilkeson ’14
2005 winner
Alumni Records Office
New York Alpha Alumni Association
of Sigma Alpha Epsilon
P.O. Box 876,
Ithaca, NY 14851-9980
