Sigma Alpha Epsilon, an active chapter at Nicholls since 2005, has been helping others by completing 4,500 hours of community service. “We are very involved in the community,” SAE member Matthew Benoit, biology junior from Thibodaux, said.

This held true in the 2006-2007 school year as the fraternity received the Interfraternity Council service award.

Shane Prejean, biology senior from Thibodaux and SAE chapter president, spoke about this semester’s upcoming fundraiser.

He said SAE will once again hold its annual chili bowl.

The chili bowl will consist of teams from around the community, both students and non-students who will come together to compete in a chili cook-off.

The benefit will be held Mar. 1 at La Casa Del Sol Mexican restaurant located in the Rienzi Shopping Center.

A panel selected by the chapter will choose a winner based on taste.

The proceeds from the fundraiser will go to the Relay for Life.

While discussing the chili bowl, Prejean reflects back to SAE’S last fundraiser for the 2006-2007 school year.

Near the end of the fall semester, while most students were preparing for finals and packing for the fall break, SAE was gearing up for its second annual Stay-Up-A-Thon.

The Stay-Up-A-Thon is a benefit given to less fortunate kids in children’s hospitals by helping with the cost of medical care. The money will be donated to The Children’s Miracle Network.

David Vicnair, a 2007 graduate, came up with the idea of the Stay-Up-A-Thon.

The 60 members of SAE went into the community seeking pledges based on how many hours they can stay awake.

The event, which began Nov. 29 at 5 p.m. and ended Nov. 30 at 2 p.m., was held in Shaver Gymnasium.

Activities included a basketball tournament, poker tournament, and Angela Hammerli, distinguised service professional of teacher education, taught the participants dance.

The fraternity raised approximately $6,300, surpassing the $4,500 they raised the previous year.

Prejean said that amount was about an average of $105 per fraternity member.

SAE fraternity members were not the only people present at the fundraiser.

Prejean said many sorority, faculty, staff and family members were also in attendance.