Palm - Fall 2007 - (Page 2)

GOOD OF THE ORDER 1941 ATO initiate recently had the opportunity to visit his chapter for the first time in 40 or 50 years. Now in his mid 80s, this elder brother was so impressed by what he saw, specifically a room full of newly initiated young men who had just formally entered into the vital but short period known as caretakers of the chapter — his chapter. Upon receiving the gavel during the Good of the Order, he slowly stood up, reminisced for a few seconds and then, with an emotional crack in his voice, told his new brothers what an impact ATO had and is still having on his life. It’s difficult to imagine a more inspiring message for young men just entering into the Brotherhood. It is also a vivid example of the power to bridge disparate generations of brothers. It’s a good thing. Recent data from the Narcissistic Personality Inventory survey point out that the current generation is the most narcissistic generation ever. The average college student ranks right up there with celebrities on the NPI survey. In her best selling book, “Generation Me,” researcher, Dr. Jean Twenge, says that if something doesn’t change, that this generation runs the danger of facing serious issues of depression. Generation Me was (and is) emersed in the waters of selfesteem which preaches love of self over love of others, fosters the growth of meritless self-esteem, and teaches that working together should take a back seat to looking out for number one. Without writing another word, most of us immediately think that our chapter experience missed the self-esteem boat…at least self-esteem for its own sake. In fact, according to Dr. Twenge, chapter life is a college experience that serves as a bit of an antidote to naval gazing. Life in a strong, or even marginal chapter helps college men develop their sense of worth based on true accomplishments made possible only by teamwork among brothers who have, no doubt, wrestled with differences in personality, style and work ethic but yet found the bonds of brotherhood to be strong enough to overcome. Of course, not all members of Generation Me struggle with issues of self-centeredness leading to depression. I’ve met more undergraduates than not who have demonstrated their passion for ATO and selflessness to their brothers. Still, the question is, would those same men have been as willing to work as hard to strengthen their chapters or been as giving to their brothers without their ATO experience? The ATO experience was important for generations past, is important for our 1941 brother, it is clearly important for Generation Me and it will continue to be important for generations to come. CXXVIII, Number 1, Fall 2007 Editor: Wynn R. Smiley Managing Editor: Matthew S. DeWolf Magazine Design: David S. Hilliard Chief Executive Officer: Wynn R. Smiley Publishing continuously since 1880. The ATO Palm is the official publication of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. Membership: The Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity is a participating member in the North American Interfraternity Conference, the Fraternity Executives Association, the College Fraternity Editors Association, FIPG and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. “Alpha Tau Omega” and “ATO” are registered trademarks of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. ©Alpha Tau Omega 2007. w w w. a t o. o r g Wynn R. Smiley Chief Executive Officer Scores on the Narcissistic Personality Inventory survey are escalating at record rates. Thanks, in part, to the self-esteem movement, today’s generation is the most narcissistic in history. http://www.ato.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Palm - Fall 2007

Palm - Fall 2007 Table of Contents Focus on Generation Me 2007 ATO Award Winners Life Loyal TAU Members Loyal Tau Douglas Rosentein HQ: NHQ News SIR: Success in Review TAU: Alumni News ITS: In the Spotlight

Palm - Fall 2007

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