For John Werner, Sigma Alpha Epsilon has never been simply a college memory; it is a lifelong ideal. He believes that without the Ritual, a fraternity is merely “a bunch of guys that hang out together.” But when the Ritual is read, lived, and honored, it transforms men into something far greater. It calls them toward the fullness of manhood and binds them together through the shared pursuit of the True Gentleman. Long after graduation, that ideal continues to guide John’s values, decisions, and devotion to SAE, connecting him to brothers in ways nothing else could.
John’s path to service began early. When he transferred from Tennessee Delta (Tennessee Tech) to Tennessee Kappa, he was quickly asked whether he knew the Ritual. Within days, he was serving as Recorder, reciting his part from memory, watched by his chapter advisor, Dick Koella (DSA #84), and a member of the Supreme Council. Later that evening, when Dick asked how he was settling in, John replied simply, “This is my chapter.” That moment marked a defining sense of belonging that never left him.
Immediately after graduation, John found ways to stay involved, serving on advisory committees, attending rush workshops and Founder’s Days, participating in initiations as Preceptor, and supporting recruitment efforts. Though he humbly admits he “did not do a very good job” at first, his willingness to serve never wavered. Years later, when the Eminent Archon called and asked, “Will you come help us?”, John answered without hesitation. He “grabbed onto the plow” and has never looked back.
As an advisor, John draws deeply from the Ritual to guide his mentoring. Three elements resonate most with him today. First is the Coat of Arms, particularly the four quarters, which he often references, sometimes literally pointing to the large Coat of Arms painted in the chapter’s Temple, to frame conversations around values and responsibility. Second is the Closing Ceremony, which he describes as simple, beautiful, and profoundly meaningful. And finally, “Behold!” a word that encapsulates the gravity and wonder of the brotherhood. Through these symbols and words, John regularly reminds collegiate brothers of the promises they made and the ideals they swore to uphold.
John views advising through the lens of SAE’s rich history. He sees himself standing on the shoulders of giants: DeVotie, Bunting, Moseley, Guerry, Levere, Nippert, Foreman, whose zeal for the Fraternity compels him to serve. For John, the advisor’s role spans past, present, and future: honoring those who came before, ensuring today’s undergraduates experience deep brotherhood and personal growth, and inspiring them to carry their zeal “for years to come,” giving back so SAE may continue “from strength to strength.”
When asked how the advisor role has evolved, John smiles and admits he may be “stuck in the past.” His own advisor, Dick Koella, was the finest gentleman he ever knew, a force whose care for Tennessee Kappa was so genuine that he seemed to have “hundreds of sons.” John consciously strives to emulate that example. From pulling up to the chapter house in his Buick, badge affixed, to practicing ritual cleansing so he can look brothers in the eye and remind them “we are in this together,” his approach is personal, relational, and deeply rooted in tradition. While committees may have their place, John values presence, connection, and shared accountability above all else.
He believes strong alumni advising is a cornerstone of successful chapters because good men want to do well; they simply need guidance. When enthusiasm, determination, and perseverance collide between collegians and advisors, great things happen. Institutional memory, passed down through alumni, provides the foundation and mortar that hold a chapter together. It preserves what has worked, teaches from what has not, and binds generations together through shared principles.
John is equally candid about modern challenges. Most issues chapters face today, he notes, are not new. SAE has encountered and overcome many of them before. History offers a treasure trove of lessons, and when challenges do feel new, chapters are rarely alone. Solutions often emerge from shared effort and collective wisdom across the Fraternity.
Balancing accountability with mentorship remains John’s greatest challenge, but also one of his most meaningful responsibilities. He recalls a freshman facing suspension due to finances, conduct, and academics. By holding firm expectations while offering a path forward, and a promise that effort would be rewarded, John watched that young man rise to the occasion. The pride he felt in that moment reinforced his belief that being tough is often an act of care.
“I expected more from him because he was one of us,” John explains. “It’s our responsibility to help him grow as a man.”
John also understands why alumni sometimes drift away after graduation. Life, success, and comfort can pull them in different directions. Yet friendships forged in SAE have a way of calling men home. Through intentional connection, especially via an active alumni Facebook group he administers, John keeps brothers engaged across generations, whether through internships, career opportunities, or simply sharing stories and laughter in the courtyard.
For John, the most rewarding aspect of advising is the men themselves. He believes most collegiate brothers genuinely want to live the True Gentleman ideal; they simply need someone to show them how. Having benefited from that guidance decades ago, John now sees advising as both a responsibility and a gift, one that has deepened his own understanding of the Ritual and strengthened his commitment to SAE’s moral ideals.
His message to alumni who feel called to serve but hesitate is clear and compelling:
“If not you, who? If not now, when? Brother, it’s time to pay your dues and hop in—the water is fine.”
The future of Sigma Alpha Epsilon depends on men willing to protect its ideals and invest in its brothers. Advising provides that stewardship, ensuring the Fraternity remains rooted in character, strengthened by connection, and guided by purpose across generations.