Monday, March 16, 2015
Staff report
YOUNGSTOWN
For the first time in 55 years, Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s chapter at Youngstown State University will send an SAE leader to the nationwide fraternity event called the Inner Circle.
The Ohio Alpha Chapter’s Vaughn Gobel Jr., 22, will join 29 other hand-picked SAE leaders for the March 27-29 weekend meeting, a tradition that started a decade ago.
Gobel, of Poland, said he is “honored to be part of the Inner Circle,” which will meet in Prince Frederick, Md. “I am very fortunate to have been accepted and also be the face of SAE here,” he said.
The YSU senior and SAE chapter president said the Inner Circle event features SAE alumni who are successful businessmen and leaders from across the nation. “They will show us the ropes, help us get prepared for life beyond college and talk about their experiences,” he said. “It really is an honor.”
The University of Oklahoma expelled two students March 10 for racist chants claiming African-Americans can never join SAE. According to The New York Times, the two former students “claimed the same chant was used at colleges in other states.”
Top SAE leaders have responded by endorsing the University of Oklahoma’s decision, and by closing that chapter completely. They deny the chant and its underlying sentiments are part of SAE culture.
“I’m disappointed,” Gobel said, commenting on the University of Oklahoma chapter. “This is not what SAE stands for; this is not what we’re about.”
Gobel and others recounted how his SAE experience has been positive.
He noted that he used to be shy and not very sociable. He said he would never have seen himself as a leader when he was a freshman. But when his sister started dating an SAE member, he gained firsthand experience of its community and friendship. “They helped me open up, and they became really good friends,” he said. “I’ve been with them for all these four years.”
“Vaughn was kind of shy, kind of timid,” recalled Carrie Anderson, YSU student-activities assistant director. “But over time, he really came out of his shell. He used to be afraid to talk in a group. He has been a Greek campus coach; he helped plan and coordinate events. He is very involved, and now he’s our president.”
“I’ve known Vaughn for the past four years,” said YSU graduate and SAE alumnus John Brkic. “He has really come into his own with the positions he’s been in. Hands down, Vaughn currently in his role as SAE president — and from the get-go even until now — has taken those positions of responsibility and really excelled. He really has become one of the best presidents I’ve seen in my time since 2007.”
Brkic explained that the nomination process for the Inner Circle is “very selective.” Potential candidates write essays about fraternity life, their leadership skills and community involvement; letters of recommendation also are helpful. “I wrote Vaughn’s letter,” he said. Then the Supreme Council selects the candidates. Brkic said “only 25 to 30 people are chosen out of 15,000 members; and there have been only been 250 to 300 representatives.”
“Leadership style is not really something you see in 20-year-olds, but Vaughn has really shown that,” Brkic said.