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SigEp Regional Director Blog » Reflecting on the Tragos Quest to Greece

SigEp Regional Director Blog » Blog Archive » Reflecting on the Tragos Quest to Greece - Life on the Road:

Andrew Palmer, Regional Director for Region 6, reflects on his experience on the "Tragos Quest to Greece" and  has a reminder the the application deadline for the 2013 experience is fast approaching.

There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about the unforgettable experiences and lessons learned from the Tragos Quest to Greece almost 15 months ago. With this year’s application for the Quest to Greece out, I decided to reflect back on the trip and the impact it has had on my life since.

The Tragos Quest to Greece was a truly life changing trip. This is an incredible opportunity that very few men will ever have the chance to experience. Sigma Phi Epsilon prides itself on being different. One of the many ways we do this is through our exemplary Leadership Programs, and more specifically the Tragos Quest to Greece.

The Trip

The first leg of our trip started in Chicago where all the questors and mentors met for a day to discuss expectations and prepare for the trip. When we finally landed in Greece, we immediately traveled to The Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounion. From that point, there was no looking back, as our next nine days were filled with fun activities and site seeing from sun up to sun down. We toured the Agora where Socrates taught, learned about the Mysteries of Eleusis, raced in the original Olympic Stadium, sang SigEp songs in the Epidaurus theater, and climbed nearly 1,000 stone steps to the top of a mountain where we gazed over the city of Nauplion. One of my favorite memories though, was our hike through the mountains in Delphi that led us to the ancient Cave of Dionysus where we discussed our Ritual.

Overlooking the city of Nauplon

Sigma Phi Epsilon returns from life changing quest to Greece

Sigma Phi Epsilon returns from life changing quest to Greece:

Archie Messersmith, an advisor for the University Program Board and the advisor for ISU’s Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter, said SigEp believes in “sound mind, sound body,” and that the fraternity strives to keep themselves in shape while also being leaders in the classroom. He served as a mentor at this year’s Tragos Quest to Greece and explained many apply but few are selected. 

“The trip is called Tragos Quest to Greece and it is named after one of our past grand presidents Bill Tragos. It’s SigEp’s premiere leadership experience where sixteen undergraduates are chosen from around the country, after hundreds apply. The trip is fully funded by the fraternity and for ten days sixteen undergraduates and five mentors travel across the country of Greece,” Messersmith said.

Despite the beautiful scenery, the men of Sigma Phi Epsilon stayed focus as they had assigned readings and were accompanied by a professor from the University of Crete. In the mornings, the fraternity men would have discussions about mythology and the readings of Greece, and relate them back to today’s society. 

“We would get on the bus and see ancient ruins somewhere whether it was the Temple of Apollo or Olympia … it was big things in Greece that we had read about that we got to see in real life. The purpose of the trip is for the men to have this experience in Greece, where modern-day philosophy was said to have begun, and then have conversations and tie them back to our fraternity with the idea that when these men [return home] they will be forever changed, and then they in turn will give back to the next generation,” he said.

'via Blog this'

Ryan Price: Student; Freedom Rider; SigEp

Bro. Kevin Teets passed on this YouTube clip:

Friends, this is a pretty amazing video clip on Ryan Price, the Drake President who was chosen to be a part of the Freedom Ride. Ryan has got an amazing summer ahead of him. As you know, he was also chosen for the Tragos Quest to Greece. 

 Thanks, Kevin

Quest to Greece Applications Due

Tragos Quest to Greece

The Tragos Quest to Greece is an intense, ten day, journey through ancient Greece in search of Sigma Phi Epsilon's foundation. During the Quest, you will discuss the Socratic method of teaching in the Agora where Socrates taught, compete in the original Olympic stadium, and study the ritual in Delphi after learning about the Mysteries of Eleusis. The Quest is an exhausting personal and educational experience that will challenge you intellectually, physically and emotionally.

In 2009, the Tragos Quest to Greece will take place during the last two weeks of June. Sixteen scholarships will be awarded to the most deserving undergraduate brothers. Although chapter leadership positions are important to the application, no specific SigEp, campus or community involvement is required. Interested brothers must complete the online application form. This includes references and a recent photo. Applications must be received by December 1, 2008. Only online applications will be accepted. The 2009 Tragos Quest to Greece Ambassadors will be announced in February at their respective regional Carlson Leadership Academies.

For additional information, please contact Travis Swanson, Director of Leadership Development, travis.swanson@sigep.net, 804-612-1422.

Learn More or Apply Online


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