This year, sixteen scholars were selected to attend the most highlighted fraternity experience Sigma Phi Epsilon has to offer, known as “Tragos Quest to Greece.” This annual program pulls together a select group of brothers from all across the country to travel to Greece to explore the depths of Greek culture, philosophy, mythology, and arts. In doing so, they will not only find a relationship between Greece and their daily lives but a direct correlation to how the Greek’s have impacted the Sigma Phi Epsilon brotherhood. Of these sixteen scholars, the Nebraska Gamma chapter was honored to have one of their own be represented on the Quest again, Gabriel Crocker, who was chosen out of over 300 applicants, traveled to Greece this past June.
When asked about the emotions that went into applying for the Quest, Gabe said “I didn’t feel that I was on the same level as many of the scholars who have gone before me. Yes, I try to live an upright and just life for others and myself, but I would have never thought I would have been selected. I felt I needed much more personal growth before being selected for such a prestigious honor. If it were not for my Regional Director, Matt Rowe, and a fraternity brother who had previously gone on the Quest in 2018, Austin Jacobsen, I would not have applied. They urged me to apply, and quite frankly, saw much more in me than I did myself. So, after hours of pondering whether or not I should apply, I did. Months passed and on February 9th, 2019, I was selected as one of the sixteen scholars.”
After attending, coming back, and reflecting on the Quest, Gabe spoke on the impact the Quest had on himself as well as other brothers who attended:
“The very first day I led a discussion which touched on ideals, leadership, and purpose. Immediately it made me look into what I valued in my own life and why I am who I am or even why I chose to be a leader in the first place. This is how the rest of the trip continued for me; a continual search for depth within our own lives. As each day came, I slowly started looking more and more inward. It was an experience that truly made me dive into “Knowing Thyself” as Aristotle once said. Each day I was physically, mentally, and quite honestly emotionally tired but I needed every second of it. I realized a lot about myself including the fact that I love and love and love others so much while taking care of their needs, that I forget to love myself in the process.
For some reason, the location combined with the other brothers who went on the journey had such an impact on my heart. The Quest planted a seed in my heart and now a flower is beginning to grow. Flowers have already been planted but this is a new one unlike any other. During the Quest, we were broken down and vulnerable. Strength came afterward. This came with coming down from the mountaintop, alone without my brothers, but continuing to reflect on my life. I feel charged to further invest time and love into the brothers of my chapter by sharing my experiences.
All in all, I never would have thought that the Quest would have made me love a group of guys and our fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon, so much. I thought the Quest’s purpose was to seek knowledge pertaining to the relationship between SigEp and Greece alone. What I found was myself very vulnerable along with 21 other brothers who all had pain in their lives, but this pain we all helped each other overcome and relieve from our lives. Because of this fraternity, I have first-hand experienced of the impact this fraternity can have on the world and ourselves.”
When asked if others should pursue the same experience, Gabe replied “ten-thousand percent yes! I never would have thought the Quest would have taught me so much about myself and those around me, especially when it comes to forming relationships. I considered myself a leader before the Quest, but now, I know I am one. I may have not believed at first that I belonged on that journey, but I know now I was exactly where I needed to be.”