Serve in the Light of Truth

Table of Contents

Features

A Culture Built on Ethics
Software entrepreneur Les Muma (South Florida) is spreading a message of sound business ethics.

Bound by Honor
After announcing a new theme for the biennium, Regent Joe Francis (Oklahoma State) talks about the High Council’s ambitious agenda, including what fraternities must do to remain relevant over the next five years.

Face Your Challenges
How Gamma Chapter’s loss provided the motivation the brothers needed to begin shifting the culture and attitudes in the brotherhood.

Building a Family Tradition
How two brothers from the same family helped build two of California’s most formidable Sigma Nu chapters.

Welcome Home
Beta Tau Chapter cuts the ribbon on a new 24,500-square-foot home that’s built to match their legacy as the first fraternity at North Carolina State.

Second Act
How Gerry Zimmerman (Virginia) parlayed a successful career in sales to writing books about historical fiction.

Departments

From the Editor
An introduction to the Spring 2015 issue.

Conversation
A look back in history.

Updates from Lexington
News from the General Fraternity.

Chapter Eternal
Remembering the legacy of two brothers who devoted their lives to mentoring multiple generations of Sigma Nus.

Edward Forester (Northwestern)
Judge George Hearn (Georgia)

Chapter and Alumni News
Dispatches from around the country.

Bookshelf
A new book about Theodore Roosevelt reveals what advice the former president might offer to today’s fraternity men. Plus the latest titles by Sigma Nu authors.

Higher Education
Lack of due process stirs controversy on campus.

Perspectives on Our Past
Grand Historian Bob McCully (San Diego State) explores the mystery of Alpha #4.

Interview
Alumnus of the Biennium and Chapter Advisor of the Year Bill Geddy (Georgia Southern) shares the secrets to an effective Alumni Advisory Board.

Alumnus William B. “Bill” Geddy (Georgia Southern) has held a variety of roles within Sigma Nu. Currently serving as a Division Commander and the Chairman of the Theta Kappa Alumni Advisory Board, he has also served as a member of the Theta Kappa House Corporation. Brother Geddy was named Sigma Nu’s Alumnus of the Biennium and Chapter Advisor of the Year at the 66th Grand Chapter in Nashville, Tenn.

1. How have you structured Theta Kappa’s AAB?

There are 15 people on Theta Kappa’s AAB. As chairman, I’m a facilitator and coordinator for the group. We have advisors for every major office and those that request one. While I helped structure this, we are truly a team of advisors and I give credit to my peers who actively contribute and hold each other accountable — I am just at the helm right now. The chapter is engaged as well — we are always looking for ways to improve our engagement model. In January 2014, we added the outgoing Commander as he graduated.

Finding advisors for the board is like recruitment; and, recruitment is 365 days of the year, you’ve got to go out and find people.

2. Any best practices with your work from Theta Kappa?

We have regular conference calls in addition to our face-to-face meetings. We also took a page out of Mu Chapter’s (Georgia) success and started a call with the new candidate’s parents and laid out our entire program on the phone. In that call we tell them what they can expect and also what we won’t do. It has built strong relations and communications with the parents.

We’ve also instituted a policy that alumni volunteers have to sign an alumni code of conduct. It’s basically the same code of conduct that the chapter officers sign, minus a few items that are specific to students. It adds to the importance of the advisor and helps set the right example.

3. What would you say to a collegiate member who doesn’t take advantage of all that Sigma Nu has to offer?

Becoming engaged, stretching yourself and your skills, and becoming an officer — then participating in regional convocations, school opportunities, and Grand Chapter is a great opportunity. One of my peer Division Commanders in Atlanta, Jason Dooley, has volunteered as an alumnus and attended every Grand Chapter since he graduated. There are many dedicated alumni volunteers out there. Unfortunately, not everybody takes advantage of this and some people come to our collegiate chapters for the wrong reasons and others never think outside their own chapter.

Not every chapter member is going to get this right away and you can’t lose sleep over the minority that don’t figure it out. Some of these guys are just going to take a longer time to develop.

4. What are some trends that you see from the successful chapters you have worked with?

I’m seeing a growing trend of the leaders from strong chapters that include their leadership positions on their LinkedIn profiles. I’ve connected with a lot of undergraduate brothers and I see that they list Commander, Social Chairman, or whatever their officer position happens to be. I think it is a great way for young leaders to advertise what they are doing and also connect with others. Any employer is looking for key attributes that differentiate you from the pack and increase the odds of a successful hire.

5. What’s your advice for working with chapters that can be difficult?

No advisor can be there 24/7, and that’s not their role. We are not there to be policemen, rather it is to provide good, common sense advice and mentoring. When issues are encountered, confront them.

We want Sigma Nu leaders to make good decisions, sometimes that means they are hard and may not be popular, but they are right — we support leaders who make good decisions. But no one is perfect — leaders make mistakes — advisors are there to help developing leaders not make the same mistakes others made.

The goal of a chapter or alumni leader is to have the right programs and structures in place so even the brothers that join for questionable motives have an environment where they too can grow, develop, and flourish

The Curious Case of Robert Semple

By Grand Historian Bob McCully (San Diego State)

Robert Semple was among the very first to take the oath of membership in the Legion of Honor. He was also the first member to be expelled, and for a reason not even against the Constitution of Sigma Nu at the time. Although his expulsion was little more than a year after the Fraternity’s founding, at the time he had already graduated from VMI. Yet 35 years later, the High Council asked the three Founders whether he should be reinstated.

What caused this curious set of events? What was his offense? Was he a traitor or merely an opportunist? Why so many years later was a case made for his reinstatement? How did Hopkins, Quarles and Riley respond regarding a reinstatement?

Unfortunately, most of the early Alpha Chapter records were either not recorded or have been lost due to time or fires. John Scott mentions in The Story of Sigma Nu that fires at the homes of John Alexander Howard and Grant Woodbury Harrington resulted in the loss of many of the original Alpha Chapter records they had been gathering.

Thus, it’s difficult to piece together the exact set of events that took place. Memories are often inaccurate and fade over time. However, Semple’s letter to the original members of Alpha Chapter after their action to expel him, perhaps the first correspondence ever received by Sigma Nu, has survived and is preserved in our archives in Lexington — although at some point in the past it was torn into pieces. Through this document and other materials, I’ll attempt to put this matter in perspective.

Robert Semple

So what do we know about Robert Semple? He was born on November 12, 1848, in Wilkinson County, Miss., to Robert Semple and his second wife, Francina Rosaltha Wade. His grandfather, Colonel Robert Semple, owned Desert Plantation in St. Francisville, La. It was a 1500 acre cotton plantation. His father moved to Wilkinson County, Missi., owned Wyoming Plantation, and was a planter. His father fought for the Confederate side in the Civil War and was issued a pardon after the war by President Andrew Johnson, dated August 21, 1865.

Robert Semple enrolled at VMI on October 17, 1865, and graduated on July 2, 1869, just six months after Sigma Nu’s official birth. After graduation, he remained in Lexington to attend law school at Washington College (now Washington & Lee University). While attending law school, he also served as an assistant professor of languages at VMI. He received his law degree with the class of 1870 and returned to Mississippi to practice law.

Soon after, he relocated to northern Louisiana and the town of Harrisonburg. After two years in Harrisonburg, he moved to Pointe Coupee Parish, La., and practiced law there for the rest of his life. On September 11, 1872, he married Sarah Louise Burress and they had six children.

In 1877, he was elected to the parish Police Jury and served two terms as president. In most of the parishes in Louisiana, the Police Jury is the elected governing body, handling both the legislative and executive functions of the parish. He was elected district attorney in 1879 and in 1888 was elected district judge of the Fifteenth judicial district. He resided on a 240 acre plantation on the Mississippi River. He was a well-respected attorney and judge and a prominent citizen of the area.

He died on May 22, 1905, in New Orleans and is buried in Woodville, Miss.. He was 56 years old.

His Offense

So, what did he do to justify being brought to trial by Alpha Chapter? The April 1883 issue of The Delta contained a couple of extracts from the early minutes including the following note by J. P. Arthur (Alpha 39) dated February 10th, 1871.

“Mr. R. E. Semple, of Mississippi, having joined another secret society, it was decided at the meeting before the last recorded, that although he had not acted contrary to the old Constitution, that the choice should be given him of leaving it, and remaining with the Legion of Honor, or of leaving the latter entirely. He said that he was sorry he had acted so, but could not honorably leave the one he had lately joined. He was dismissed.”

His offense — joining another secret society: but which one and why? A historical note in early copies of The Liturgy states:

“At some time in the following year Mr. Semple joined another society, which was not Alpha Tau Omega, which had a brief existence, and whose very name is not certainly recorded.”

This provides a further clue towards identifying the organization he joined. My assumption is that the reference to “the following year” refers to an academic year. This means 1869-1870, when Robert Semple was attending law school at Washington College right next door to VMI. Further research shows that a chapter of Delta Psi Fraternity was started at Washington College on November 27th 1869. In the June 1889 catalogue of members of Delta Psi, Robert Semple of Mississippi, a law student, is listed as being initiated in 1869 by the Washington College chapter.

What would cause him to join another secret society? At this point, we do have a clue in the letter written on this case many years later by James Frank Hopkins. He stated, “he [Semple] connected himself with another frat[ernity], because…it had more members, and influence than we had.”

From the evidence we have, Robert Semple was an ambitious young man seeking a professional career in law. The Legion of Honor at that time was an organization of approximately 50 men with only one local chapter — at VMI. In 1869, after graduating from VMI, he was offered the chance to join a much larger national fraternity. Delta Psi was founded on the same day (January 17, 1847) at two institutions — Columbia University and New York University. By the time Robert Semple was initiated, chapters at fifteen additional institutions had been installed, although only eight were still active. Clearly, Robert Semple was motivated by his future professional aspirations more than his estrangement from his colleagues at Alpha Chapter.

Of the actual trial conducted by the members of Alpha Chapter, we have no further record than the note I provided earlier. We know that Semple did not attend the trial. After hearing whatever arguments were presented, the chapter voted to expel him. Greenfield Quarles communicated the results to Semple.

Semple’s Response

Semple sent a written response to Alpha Chapter regarding the trial and decision. It is housed in our archives in Lexington. It was a long letter and throughout reflects no desire to impugn the integrity of the Order, its men or their future success.

“Though the last link of friendship’s golden chain is ever shattered — though the fire of love that had burned so brightly through the lapse of many months is extinguished — still will the embers in the smoldering ashes reflect back the Pallid Image as the mind worships a happy past it never more can welcome. Though the hand that once clasped hand in the mystic grasp of friendly brotherhood is chilled by this tempest of separation, still shall it greet you kindly while the heart from out its innermost shrine shall bid you onward! onward! to a glorious destiny!”

However, it is clear from its tone that he did not feel he had done anything wrong or dishonorable.

“Heaven knows my motives free from malice or guile… Still I do find comfort and consolation in the rich relic of an unblemished conscience… My honor, friends, bears no stain to tarnish the splendor of its former luster!”

He ends his letter with a wish for the Legion of Honor’s future success,

“My sincerest wish shall ever be for your prosperity and success in this the loftiest aim of your collegiate life. And when the work begun is finished and ye kneel around your “Holy Shrine” may each and every noble heart throb in unison to the laudable sentiment: Exegi monumentum aere perennins Regalique Situ pyramidum altius. [I have erected a monument more lasting than bronze, built higher than the pyramids of the kings.]”

The Expulsion Revisited

Over his professional career in Pointe Coupee Parish, La., Robert Semple became friends with Dr. Abram Feltus Barrow, an early initiate of our chapter at Louisiana State University. During that friendship, the subject of Sigma Nu came up and Barrow became aware from Semple of the circumstances of his expulsion.

Nothing came of the matter until 1905, when Clarence Woods, Sigma Nu’s Grand Recorder and Editor of The Delta, was in New Orleans and visited with Barrow. Barrow raised the issue and indicated he thought it would be proper for the fraternity to revisit the expulsion and reinstate Robert Semple.

On May 1st, 1905, Clarence Woods sent a letter to the three Founders and four of the leaders of the fraternity including members of the High Council and the Grand Historian. He included a copy of Semple’s original letter to Alpha and solicited the opinion of the addressees as to the propriety of reinstating Semple. Coincidentally, Robert Semple passed away later that same month.

For some unknown reason, there is no record of any response to Woods’ request for input on the subject of reinstatement. However, a year later a similar request must have been sent out because almost all finally responded. The tone of Semple’s original letter had made a positive impact on most of them.

Grand Historian Walter James Sears was the first to respond. He heartily approved the suggestion to reinstate. However, he readily deferred to the opinion of the three Founders, indicating they were more familiar with the events surrounding the expulsion. If they agreed to reinstatement, then Sears stated he was in total agreement.

Regent Isadore Dyer agreed with Sears that the decision should ultimately be left up to Hopkins, Quarles and Riley. If it was okay with them, no time should be wasted in making it happen.

Grand Counselor A. Miller Belfield took, not surprisingly, a legalistic approach to the matter. He stated that the materials presented to him did not provide enough information on the facts and the circumstances of the expulsion to make an informed decision as to whether it was justified or not. However, based on the tone of Semple’s original letter to Alpha and the conduct of his professional career and personal life, he was willing to go along with reinstatement providing it was agreeable to the three Founders.

Those who responded completely deferred to the views of the three Founders on this matter since they had been a part of the original trial and expulsion. If the three Founders felt it appropriate, then they would support it wholeheartedly. If not, then the matter should be dropped.

The Founders’ Position

There is no copy in the file of any response from Founder Riley. However, it would not be unusual at this late stage in his life for him not to respond on matters like this — instead deferring to Hopkins and Quarles.

The response from Greenfield Quarles was entirely supportive of reinstating Semple after all these years.

“I have so often wished when I would read over our catalogue and note the word “Expelled” set at his name and my heart would cry out that it might be taken away. With all my heart and soul I say restore him, and let it be done quickly.

You must remember that we had been soldiers and were young and may be were too strict in our construction of the intention of the law.

Until now no opportunity has been offered to rescind the action then taken. I thank God that I have lived to be able to make the earnest request that Brother Robert Semple be fully reinstated with all honors due him.”

James Frank Hopkins, on the other hand, felt very differently about the action taken by Alpha Chapter so many, many years before. He did not feel they had done Semple a wrong and had provided him ample opportunity to resign from his other secret organization and remain in the Legion of Honor. He saw no reason or basis to overturn that decision.

“I can not admit that we did Mr. Semple a wrong, for those men who took that action expelling Mr. S- were above doing any man a wrong. Their organization was for the purpose of righting the wrongs to which they had been and were then suffering.

The fact Mr. S- wrote an appealing letter or statement to the chapter, cuts no figure in the case, or if so, it simply increases the gulf which separated, and still separates him from the ‘Knights of the Legion of Honor’. He never wavered from his allegiance to his second love, but sought to retain his first, and we who were with him at the time, daily, almost hourly, tried to reclaim him, but to no avail… After more than a generation has passed, I do not know of a single reason why the whole fraternity even; should undo, what the whole fraternity (every member included) with all the evidence, only a few days old, before it; deliberately did, under the law for the good of the order. The question of justice to Mr. Semple does not enter, he received that at the time. It is a question of justice to the Sigma Nu fraternity…Alpha’s work was well done, let it alone.”

As you can imagine, once Founder Hopkins wrote so strongly on the matter of reinstatement, it was dropped, never to surface again. Thus, the curious case of Robert Semple (Alpha 4) came to a close. From beginning to end, it took place over almost a 35-year period.

Sigma Nu underwent tremendous changes during that 35-year time period. At the time of Semple’s death in 1905, Sigma Nu had grown from a single chapter at VMI to a total of 54 active chapters with over 5,300 initiates. Since its beginning in 1847 until the time of his death, Delta Psi Fraternity had initiated less than 3,000 initiates and only 8 chapters remained active. Perhaps if Robert Semple had been a more patient young man, he would have enjoyed being hailed as one of the very first initiates of the Legion of Honor. Instead he will always remain as an anomaly in our early history.

Archives Weekend

We are currently cataloguing, photographing and rehousing our historical collection in Lexington. There are thousands of documents, photographs, audio tapes and other memorabilia that need to be processed and digitized so they can be made available to our chapters and alumni.

To assist in this process, we will conduct our second annual volunteer weekend on June 19-21, 2015, in Lexington. The goal is to get a small number of volunteers to spend a full two days working in the archives on various projects. Due to budget constraints we are unable to pay the costs of transportation and housing for volunteers, but we will provide the meals. If you’re interested in helping out, please send me an email at news@sigmanu.org indicating your interest.

Rememberance: Honoring Heroes of our Recent Wars

In the fall 2013 issue of The Delta, I discussed an effort currently underway to identify all initiates who served in the military and gave their lives to protect our freedoms during one of the wars the United States and Canada fought in. Their names will be added to the Flag Pavilion at our headquarters in Lexington to appropriately honor and remember them for their courage and ultimate sacrifice. To make sure they are all recognized, I asked our readers to send in the names of those they are aware of who died.

In the last edition of The Delta, I listed brothers killed in the Vietnam War. Listed below, are the names of those brothers we have identified killed in the post-Vietnam Wars. In future editions of The Delta, we will list the names of those who died in other wars. ƒƒ

Cory William Brooks (South Dakota)
ƒƒChristopher James Holland (Valdosta State)
Paul Singh Pabla (Ball State)
Eric Byron Shaw (Southern Maine)
Jacques Juies Fontan (Montana State)

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Please let us know if we’ve missed anyone who should be included on this list by sending an email to news@sigmanu.org.

On October 15th, 28 members of the Harvard Law School faculty released a statement in The Boston Globe strongly objecting to Harvard University’s new sexual harassment policy. The Harvard faculty’s open letter reflects growing concerns among many commentators about new laws, federal guidance, and campus policies that sacrifice due process and constitutional values like “innocent until proven guilty” in order to address sexual misconduct on campus.

“We are gratified to see so many Harvard Law faculty members speak out against Harvard University’s participation in what is a continued and inexcusable disregard for student and faculty due process rights,” said Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) President Greg Lukianoff. “This should serve as a desperately needed wakeup call for those who have ignored or dismissed the fact that fundamental fairness is being unnecessarily jettisoned in the otherwise laudable quest to tackle campus sexual misconduct.”

The Harvard faculty statement, signed by some of the nation’s top legal scholars, expresses grave concerns about the process Harvard recently adopted to handle sexual misconduct, including both sexual harassment and sexual assault. Among their complaints are that accused students and faculty are denied a meaningful opportunity to present a defense or even confront the witnesses against them, and that students are not ensured adequate representation. Further, practically all functions from investigation to appeal are run not by an impartial entity but by the Title IX compliance office, a step signatory Professor Janet Halley told The New Republic was “fundamentally not due process.”

“Policies that essentially presume guilty anyone who is accused of a crime are an affront to our constitutional values and to the idea of justice more generally,”

The professors also note that the definition of sexual harassment adopted by Harvard goes far beyond Title IX requirements and is especially onesided in its treatment of students who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and that Harvard adopted these policies without sufficient faculty input in an apparent rush to placate federal officials.

Harvard Law faculty are weighing in on what’s become a fierce national debate about sexual misconduct on campus, most recently spurred by the state of California’s adoption of an “affirmative consent” law requiring continuous affirmations of consent throughout any sexual interaction between college students. Ezra Klein, co-founder of news website Vox.com, recently poured gas on the fire in an op-ed where he declared the bill “terrible” but nonetheless affirmed his strong support of it, saying that “To work, [the law] needs to create a world where men are afraid,” and that unfair findings that students are rapists are “necessary for the law’s success.” Affirmative consent policies similar to California’s law have spread to the State University of New York System and are being proposed by lawmakers in other states.

The fight for due process on campus is not going unremarked upon by those outside FIRE and the Harvard Law faculty. Politically and intellectually diverse commentators across the country have been pointing out the many pitfalls of institutionalizing unfair and biased procedures on our nation’s college campuses.

“Policies that essentially presume guilty anyone who is accused of a crime are an affront to our constitutional values and to the idea of justice more generally,” said FIRE’s Lukianoff. “No matter how severe the social evil we are fighting, a free society’s answer cannot be to turn every student and faculty member into a criminal and then require them to somehow prove their innocence when accused.”

FIRE is a nonprofit educational foundation that unites civil rights and civil liberties leaders, scholars, journalists, and public intellectuals from across the political and ideological spectrum on behalf of individual rights, freedom of expression, academic freedom, due process, and freedom of conscience at our nation’s colleges and universities. FIRE’s efforts to preserve liberty on campuses across America can be viewed at thefire.org.

Beyond the Dream: Bandon Dunes
Author: Bruce Johnson (Oregon State)
Publisher: Johnson Street Publishing
ISBN: 9-780692-232828

Beyond the Dream is a memoir of place and time. These are the recollections of a landscape architect whose professional career spanned four decades, half of which was spent from the inception of a special destination golf resort built near Bandon, Ore., to near completion of the project. While golf development is the central theme at the resort, natural resource conservation and preservation of the genius loci of the place was pivotal in how the resort master plan was formed and built out. The writer’s insider view of the planning, permitting, facility design and construction of the resort’s infrastructure and architectural features takes the reader deeper into the past and further into the future.

Reprinted from cover.

Razz Ma Tazz
Author: Stan Zabka (DePauw)
Publisher: Big Island Music, Inc.
ISBN: 978-0-615-68640-0

From a Depression era home with a rich family heritage emerges a man whose music career, though interrupted by service in two wars, is seasoned to serve in the entertainment industry. His successes and failures, ups and downs, take him from obscurity to the limelight. His music and recordings still captivates millions.

“In Razz Ma Tazz, Stan Zabka gives us a glimpse into a very specialized corner of the greatest generation’s journey. Surviving the Great Depression and WWII, Stan immersed himself in the fragile fields of broadcasting popular music, and movies — seemingly all at the same time. Never a star but always a player, Stan shows us a world few have seen and adds the perspective of an ultimate insider.”

Reprinted from Amazon.com.

The Campaign Within: A Mayor’s Private Journey to Public Leadership
Author: Neil Giuliano (Arizona State)
Publisher: Magnus Books
ISBN: 978-1-936833-26-9

In The Campaign Within, Neil Giuliano shares in candid and revealing detail his long private journey from growing up a shy, self-doubting kid with a secret in an Italian-American Catholic family to making history as the first openly gay mayor of a U.S. city over 150,000 in population.

In addition to his deeply personal story, Neil takes us behind the scenes of local and national politics, including his elections and involvement with Senator John McCain’s 2000 presidential primary campaign, the anti-gay mayoral recall vote that threatened to oust him from office, co-chairing a 2004 presidential debate, his decision to leave the Republican Party as it tilted further right, becoming a Democrat, and his considering a return to public office.

Neil also chronicles his national social justice work and celebrity-filled tenure as president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and executive producer of the GLAAD Media Awards on the Bravo TV network with behind the scenes stories that surprise and inspire.

Brave and compelling, The Campaign Within demonstrates that the greatest campaigns are not the ones taking place within the public realms of electoral politics but the personal ones inside each and every one of us.

Currently CEO at San Francisco AIDS Foundation and a leadership consultant, speaker and coach, Giuliano resides in Tempe and San Francisco.

Reprinted from Amazon.com.

Solid State Radio Engineering
Authors: Herbert L. Krauss, Charles W. Bostian, Frederick H. Raab (Iowa State)
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
ISBN: 0-471-03018-x

Solid State Radio Engineering became a best seller among engineering texts, with over 31,000 copies sold. This original edition contributed to the Sigma Nu library is 32 years old. It was widely used as the introductory text for radio engineering, and virtually every practicing radio engineer had a copy. It is still available from Wiley through print on demand, and is still often cited as a basic reference on power-amplifier theory.

Solid State Radio Engineering is unique because of its broad coverage of both receiver and transmitter circuits and its illustration of theoretical concepts with numerical examples from real circuits. Design that uses practical circuit elements instead of idealized mathematical models is emphasized. The letter symbols used for semiconductor device currents and voltages conform for the most part with IEEE Standard notation.

A review of Edmund Morris’ The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt

By Drew Logsdon (Western Kentucky)

There are few men in American history who have broken so many constraints and categorizations like President Theodore Roosevelt. A quick review of some of his accomplishments illustrates the point. An asthmatic child, he none-the-less devoted himself to such strenuous physical activity as hiking trips to the Italian Alps and boxing lessons to ward off would-be bullies. He became a US Army colonel after serving as assistant secretary of the Navy. A statesman frequently at odds with his own party, he could be boisterous but also delicate and at ease in dealing with kings, barons, counts, and a Kaiser.

These personal ironies should come as no surprise from the child of a Southern belle and a New York Knickerbocker who came of age during the Civil War. But very few know “Colonel Roosevelt” (as he preferred to be called in his later years) outside of the usual stories. More-so, very few know about his life prior to his Presidency. It is fitting, then, that Edmund Morris had to tackle his biography of Roosevelt in three separate books with the first The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt focusing on his life before the Presidency.

Like any good writer of history, and especially of key figures of history, Morris lets his subject do the talking. In this, Roosevelt does not disappoint. An avid writer, his works included extensive personal correspondence and scholarly books still referenced at the US Naval Academy. He was also a committed diarist (for which we are thankful) and kept very astute records and observations. As the reader grasps the breadth of Roosevelt’s accomplishments and tribulations before his Presidency, it becomes obvious why the biography was best broken into three volumes.

It’s important to realize that Roosevelt was not inherently impetuous, as he is sometimes portrayed. In fact, he moved through life with great deliberation – aside from his personal finances – and took great pains before coming to a decision. His personality had brash qualities but this was not reflected in his deliberations or actions. Even in moments of intense action, he operated within a strict code of conduct and behaved accordingly. Through Morris’ painstaking detail, the reader is privy to the crucible moments of Roosevelt’s early life that would frame his worldview for years to come. For example, his Presidency is well remembered for his conservation efforts that resulted in greatly expanded National Parks and Forests. Morris shows the conservationist’s spirit firmly grounded in Roosevelt’s childhood affinity for natural history where he took great interest in cataloging the natural environment.

Roosevelt’s deeds and accomplishments are meticulously recounted in Morris’ work, so much so, that to attempt to list them all would not be feasible. Let the reader instead draw attention to the great wealth of wisdom we can take from Roosevelt, especially concerning pitfalls of modern manhood.

The Mind and The Body: A Life of Activity

At an early age, Roosevelt’s father told him, “Theodore you have the mind but you have not the body, and without the help of the body the mind cannot go as far as it should. I am giving you the tools, but it is up to you to make your body.” Roosevelt took this counsel to heart and worked hard to stay active, one of his best known qualities. He felt that a keen mind was only fostered by a healthy body and that both should receive regular attention and exercise.

Today this work remains a keystone piece of any naval historian’s library and is standard reading material at the United States Naval Academy.

As a student at Harvard, he began writing The Naval War of 1812 and completed it after graduation. The Naval War of 1812 was received with immediate recognition and no doubt eventually played some part in his appointment as Assistant Secretary of the Navy. Today this work remains a keystone piece of any naval historian’s library and is standard reading material at the United States Naval Academy.

Roosevelt exercised frequently and as a college student in Boston was an avid rower. This activity remained a constant and almost cost him his life when he embarked on a journey through the Amazon rainforest many years later.

“I wish to preach … the doctrine of the strenuous life, the life of toil and effort, of labor and strife,” said Roosevelt addressing the Hamilton Club in Chicago. Indeed, Roosevelt lived what he called a “strenuous life.”

Today, whining has become commonplace over such simple things as slow Internet. Unlike Roosevelt’s doctrine of the strenuous life, modern society has a fondness of idleness in both mind and body. He would no doubt remind us that life is a great adventure and that we have no room for listlessness or allowing boredom to become our best friend.

Values, Love, and Loss

Roosevelt’s college days at Harvard were marked with the enjoyments of a typical college man of those times. He records on at least one occasion being drunk after one of Porcellian Club’s (the finals club he joined in addition to being a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity) events.

However, Roosevelt was not someone who chased women. If anything, he negatively viewed those who succumbed to indulgences and thus marred their character and responsibilities. His own brother, Elliott Roosevelt, succumbed to alcoholism at an early age and allegedly fathered a child out of wedlock, which resulted in his exile by the family to a farm in Virginia.

By all accounts Elliott was more academically minded than his brother but was eclipsed by him due to his addiction. Roosevelt called his own brother “flagrant man-swine” and advised that for Elliott’s wife to continue to be with him given his behavior was “little short of criminal.”

Elliott Roosevelt died at the age of 34 from injuries sustained during an attempted suicide. Despite Theodore’s strong disapproval of his brother’s conduct, he was none-the-less deeply moved at Elliott’s death. “Theodore was more overcome than I have ever seen him and cried like a little child for a long time,” wrote one observer.

Loss was not new to Roosevelt. His first wife, Alice Lee Hathaway, died days after the birth of their first child. Hours before, in the same house, Roosevelt’s mother had died from typhoid fever. Years prior, also in the same house, his father died of stomach cancer at the age of 46 while Roosevelt was still a student at Harvard. Following the death of Alice and his mother there is a solitary but poignant note in his diary, “The light has gone out of my life.”

Before reaching a mature age and long before most of his greatest accomplishments, Roosevelt had lost those closest to him. This cascade of tragedies might send a normal man into a tailspin of personal chaos; but, Roosevelt, while grieving deeply, would continue to great personal triumph.

Great men are truly measured not solely by their success but also by the adversity they overcome to reach their accomplishments. Roosevelt is a great example for the modern man to emulate in overcoming intense personal tragedy.

Roosevelt and Fraternity: The Way Forward

Our world and society today are different from when Roosevelt lived. Today we have become enamored with commercialism and the attainment of things to validate who and what we are. Our fraternity system is under near constant criticism. Websites style themselves as humorous and propagate ideas that all fraternity men should be homogenized into buffoonish satires of themselves. They would take no greater delight than the continuation of “man-swine” who have broken their fraternal vows and glorify hazing, misogyny, and ignorance.

For that disease, thankfully Roosevelt’s words from his Nobel Lecture speak across generations for others to listen to and heed. “We despise and abhor the bully, the brawler, the oppressor, whether in private or public life, but we despise no less the coward and the voluptuary. No man is worth calling a man who will not fight rather than submit to infamy or see those that are dear to him suffer wrong. No nation deserves to exist if it permits itself to lose the stern and virile virtues; and this without regard to whether the loss is due to the growth of a heartless and allabsorbing commercialism, to prolonged indulgence in luxury and soft, effortless ease, or to the deification of a warped and twisted sentimentality.”

Roosevelt’s message to the fraternity man of today would no doubt be stern. But, he would also encourage him. “A man’s usefulness depends upon his living up to his ideals in so far as he can,” he wrote to a friend in 1898. His message would undoubtedly be the same to young men of our generation. A firm commitment to the ideals that the fraternity man has pledged himself is the only way to secure a prosperous and honorable life.

Akron

Leadership Akron has selected a class of 34 leaders for its 2014-2015 Signature program including Shon Christy of Focal Point Social Media. With an impressive application field of over 80 qualified applicants, the selection process was especially competitive for Class 31.

Christy brings a strong background in social media and marketing with credits including Inside Business, Smart Business, Akron Beacon Journal and the Young Professional Roadmap promoting major brands. His recent launch of a new company, Focal Point Social Media, brings a focus on social media and current marketing techniques to businesses throughout the Greater Akron area and the United States.

“I have always believed with the right people working together, anything is possible,” said Christy. “It is the opportunity to work with people of this caliber to make our region stronger and more competitive that makes Leadership Akron such an exciting opportunity.”

Alabama

Theta Chapter recently hosted Jocks and Locks – The Fundrazor, a philanthropy event to benefit the Austin Shepherd Foundation. Jocks and Locks featured Alabama’s best football players who were auctioned to bidders aiming to become their personal hair consultant for the first football game of the season. Austin Shepherd, Jacob Coker, Arie Kouandjio, Ryan Kelly and Brian Vogler took part along with other key players. The event raised over $17,000 for Children’s Hospital of Alabama, the principle beneficiary of the Austin Shepherd Foundation.

Since February, Theta Chapter has raised over $37,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Alabama, raised and donated over 3,000 cans to the local food banks, and logged over 2,100 hours of community service.

Alumnus Matthew Calderone who served as chapter Marshal and Alabama student government president during the 2012-2013 school year has continued to represent Theta proudly. Following the devastating Tuscaloosa tornado, Calderone was a member of the Mayor’s Incident Command team where he assisted in coordinating the volunteer relief efforts and aided in managing the distribution of essential items to citizens in need.

In 2013, Calderone was elected to represent district 4 on the Tuscaloosa city council and has also served as a member on the citizen’s advisory committee. Currently, Calderone works for the University of Alabama as assistant to the vice chancellor for government relations and economic development.

Alabama in Huntsville

The chapter is participating in the national It’s on Us campaign against sexual assault, which is coordinated through the White House. The chapter attended a speaker event and signed the pledge – “We will not tolerate sexual assault; It’s on us to take a stand and be part of the solution.”

Brother Austin Finley (Mu Beta 310), who holds positions with both IFC and SGA – the event’s co-sponsors – is the head coordinator of the campaign. His hard work has helped generate local and regional attention.

Mu Beta also finished second in the university’s homecoming week competition.

Albion

Brothers Landon Lefler and Christian Schubert were selected as two of the five male representatives of the Albion homecoming court. Also, on homecoming weekend, Brother Dominic Bona was named MIAA offensive player of the week after the quarterback completed 81% of his passes in Albion’s victory over Hope College.

Auburn

Kevin Newcomb (Beta Theta 2796) spent the summer at Lockheed Martin working as a college student technical specialist. Newcomb worked in the company’s ballistic missile defense department. “Enemy intercontinental ballistic missiles can reach speeds of more than 5,000 m/s; so, in a sense, we are trying to shoot and hit a bullet with another bullet,” explained Newcomb.

Past Commander Tucker Osborne spent the spring and summer volunteering as an assistant coach with the Auburn High School boys’ basketball teams. “It’s a great feeling to see that light bulb go off in someone’s head when they understand something you are teaching them,” said Osborne.

Lt. Commander Nic Dahlgren and Harrison Hill traveled on a month-long medical volunteer trip to Africa this summer. During the trip they worked with the Blue-Med Africa Organization in the Volta Region of Ghana. They volunteered at the local hospital, setup community outreach clinics, played with children at an orphanage, did school health outreach, tended cured leprosy victims, and toured Ghana.

Butler

In the spring, alumnus Dane Suarez was named a national semi-finalist of the Metropolitan Opera National Council, a program designed to discover promising young opera singers and assist in the development of their careers. This season, Suarez has appeared with Fort Worth Opera in Thomas’ Hamlet and in Rigoletto with Houston’s Opera in the Heights.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

On May 10, hundreds of rubber ducks filled San Luis Obispo Creek for Kappa Pi’s Ducky Derby. The chapter’s goal: to “duck” cancer.

The money raised went to the American Cancer Society. Participants bought numbered rubber ducks for $5.00 each to take part in the derby. Once participants purchased a duck, each was entered into the derby. Once all the ducks had been assembled, they were released and raced to the bottom of the creek. The winning duck came with a 50-inch plasma screen TV.

The chapter also hosted a face painting booth, an inflatable jumping gym, and a “Pie a Sigma Nu” booth. The goal was to raise $10,000 which the chapter nearly met.

California

On April 19th, the chapter held its first Carnival for the Cure to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The chapter teamed up with TKE and Delta Delta Delta to co-host the event. The day was filled with games, cotton candy, performances by student groups like the Cal band, and a raffle. Berkeley police officers even joined in on the fun and volunteered to go into the dunk tank!

It was a great event, and over $2,000 was raised for cancer research. Beta Psi hopes to sponsor more events like this in the future and possibly make the carnival an annual event.

Cal State Northridge

On September 30th, Iota Upsilon co-hosted Breaking Plastic, a campus-wide push to encourage environmental sustainability. Award winning director/ producer, Angela Sun was the keynote speaker, and those in attendance were informed about the amount of plastic pollution via her award winning documentary, Plastic Paradise: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

City of Los Angeles Councilman Mitch Englander made an appearance, awarding Angela Sun an accolade for her commitment to the initiative; and, Sigma Nu put in a good word in order for Diane Harrison, CSUN president, to receive an additional award for her perseverance. The chapter also had the pleasure of meeting Assembly Member Matt Dababneh, who was more than happy to share his current projects in the community, and announce that Gov. Jerry Brown had passed the single use plastic bag ban that night, making California the first to do so statewide.

This event gave Iota Upsilon the opportunity to show the campus, fellow college peers and community that fraternities can assist in large scalemovements for the betterment of society. CSUN Fraternities were receiving a lot of negative attention, which made the timing of this event crucial. The event was featured briefly on KTLA, and the chapter made many connections in associated students (the student project development office), raising about $6,000 dollars from various offices on campus for additional funding for the event.

The event continued late into the night, retaining many students and faculty for a private Q&A where students could win reusable water bottles from Klean Kanteen, and bamboo straws from Brush with Bamboo.

Case Western

Congratulations to Brother Anton Spencer and Erika Brentar for being crowned the 2014 homecoming king and queen on October 18th at the homecoming football game!

Central Arkansas

Dr. Chadwin Sandifer has been named a winner in the 2014 NJBIZ Forty Under 40 awards program. The awards program, produced by NJBIZ, is New Jersey’s premier business news publication.

The Forty Under 40 awards program honors men and women under the age of 40 who have been making headlines in their field and who share a commitment to business growth, to professional excellence and to the community.

Sandifer is a 2013 graduate of St. John’s University where he received his doctorate in educational administration and supervision. Dr. Sandifer also holds an advanced certificate in instructional leadership from St. John’s University, which he received in 2009. In 2002, Sandifer completed a Master of Science degree in college student personnel from the University of Central Missouri and received a Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Central Arkansas in 1999.

Dr. Sandifer is both an Alpha Affiliate and former leadership consultant. Sandifer currently serves as the assistant dean for student affairs & programmatic effectiveness for Fairleigh Dickinson University’s school of pharmacy.

Central Florida

Mu Psi is pleased to report that its fall candidate class (23 men) is the largest recruited by the chapter in four years. In addition, the chapter was presented the Highest Retention Rate Award from the UCF IFC.

Clemson

In April, Theta Zeta was named IFC Chapter of the Year at Clemson University among 24 other fraternities. Theta Zeta has many members involved in different organizations at Clemson including IFC, Greek programming board, student government, Order of Omega, the football team, and others.

This past spring, members of Theta Zeta were named to various leadership positions in Clemson organizations. Recruitment Chairman Thomas Johnston was voted IFC VP of finance, Lieutenant Commander Matthew Corbett was voted to be on the IFC honor court, and Curtis Wallin was appointed on the executive board of the Greek programming board. Thomas Johnston, Jonathan Schwartz, Coleman Hellyer, Hugh Smith, and Commander Kyle Kennedy were accepted into Order of Omega, an academic organization comprised of the top 3% of the Greek community.

In the fall, Theta Zeta teamed up with the sisters of Kappa Kappa Gamma to compete in the annual homecoming float building competition for Clemson University. With the theme of “Hear Our Roar” Sigma Nu and Kappa Kappa Gamma won first place overall in the competition. Each year Theta Zeta enters this competition in the “movements” category.

Colorado State

The chapter is excited about winning Rock Chapter this summer and has been hard at work avoiding complacency. The chapter is currently planning its first philanthropy soccer tournament and has been working with several organizations in community service. Service events have included coaching Fort Collins youth sport leagues, the university’s Cans Around the Oval, Northern Colorado’s largest food drive, and the annual fall cleanup day.

Alumni relations are at their strongest since rechartering in 2012. On homecoming weekend, the chapter had its second annual White Rose Formal for alumni and parents as well as the biggest tailgate since rechartering.

Columbia

The Delta Gamma Chapter is proud to have hosted its Columbia Faculty Colloquia, a series of thought-provoking lectures and discussions led by distinguished members of Columbia’s faculty featured at the chapter’s brownstone. For three consecutive weeks beginning on Monday, April 7th and concluding on Monday, April 21st, the chapter had Professor Aaron Johnson (music humanities), Dr. Roosevelt Montas (director of core curriculum), and Dr. Shamus Khan (associate professor of sociology) join in the chapter’s continued commitment to actively fostering enrichment and engagement.

These accomplished faculty members covered topics ranging from the history of jazz music in New York, to the distinction between knowledge and awareness, to current trends in income inequality involving gender and race. Thank you to Professor Aaron Johnson, Dr. Roosevelt Montas, and Dr. Shamus Khan for speaking on their own academic passions and thank you to all members of the community who attended.

Columbus State

On Saturday, October 18, Mu Xi held its second GlowK run to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. This year’s run included 250 participants and raised over $9,000. GlowK is a glow-inthe- dark 5k run that winds through the Columbus State campus and surrounding neighborhood.

The Mu Xi Alumni Chapter at Columbus State University (Columbus, Ga.) held its first Commander’s Dinner on June 28, 2014, at Meriwether Steak Company in Warm Springs, Ga. The invitation only dinner was an opportunity for former Commanders and their guests to share their experiences and advice to the incoming Commander of Mu Xi.

Drury

On June 21st, the Epsilon Beta alumni teamed up with the collegiate chapter’s executive council for a work day on the chapter house. The day was spent working on the grounds, painting, cleaning, and enjoying each other’s company and a BBQ dinner. The day was a success and the house looks as good as when it opened in 2001.

Eastern Kentucky

Theta Theta held its first Jail N’ Bail, a philanthropy event that raised $2,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Theta Theta is also continuing its partnership with Relay for Life in Richmond, Ky. Theta Theta is proud to show leadership in the community as well as on campus and looks forward to building on its proud tradition this year.

Bob Wolff: World Record Holding Broadcaster

News 12 Long Island recently announced that award-winning sportscaster Bob Wolff (Duke) has been recognized by Guinness World Records for having the “longest career as a sportscaster and broadcaster.” Currently enjoying his 75th year in broadcasting, with more than 68 of those in television, Wolff is still going strong. Guinness World Records presented Wolff with the 75 year certificate at the New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden Wednesday, November 12th.

Patrick Dolan, president of News 12 Networks and News 12 Long Island news director, noted, “For more than 28 years, we’ve been thrilled and honored to count Bob Wolff as a member of the News 12 family. Bob is more than a sportscaster – he’s a broadcast legend. His genius and relentless work ethic have been an inspiration for scores of young sport professionals at News 12 and elsewhere. We couldn’t be happier to be a part of his legacy.”

Bob Wolff (Duke) has been recognized by Guinness World Records for having the “longest career as a sportscaster and broadcaster.”

“This has been a wonderful journey and I’m still enjoying every moment,” said Bob Wolff. “I’ve been privileged to work with some of the best professionals in the business and for that I am truly grateful. I feel enormously lucky that I have been a professional sports broadcaster in nine decades, beginning on CBS in 1939, providing play-by-play of some of the most memorable games in sports history. To be honored at Madison Square Garden, where I’ve called so many memorable events, and made so many friends, is something I’ll always cherish, and I look forward to continuing to cover sports well into the future.”

Wolff began his professional career in 1939 working for WDNC-CBS while a freshman at Duke University in Durham, N.C. The Phi Beta Kappa graduate became a sports television pioneer in 1946 when he joined DuMont Network’s WTTG-TV as the first telecaster in Washington, D.C. He was also the first basketball team telecaster in history, calling playby- play for the Red Auerbach-coached Washington Capitols in their inaugural 1946-1947 season. During his 15 years in Washington, D.C., Wolff became a local broadcasting legend. He was the television voice of the Washington Senators beginning in 1947 and, in addition to calling games, he also handled the team’s pre-game and post-game TV and radio shows.

Wolff has been behind the microphone for many sporting firsts. In 1956, he was selected to cover Mutual Broadcasting System’s broadcast of the 1956 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers. He had a sportscasting first in Game 5 when he called Don Larsen’s perfect game — the only one in World Series history. He also called the Baltimore Colts 1958 victory over the New York Giants at Yankee Stadium in the first overtime NFL Championship that has been called “the greatest game ever played.” In 1960, Wolff teamed with Canadian TV hockey great Foster Hewitt to call television’s first-ever pay-per-view game, Toronto against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden. In 1961, Wolff followed the Senators to Minnesota to become the play-by-play voice of the Minnesota Twins and in 1962, he was selected to be the play-by-play telecaster on NBC’s Baseball Game of the Week. Wolff joined News 12 Long Island when it launched in 1986 and continues to serve as an active sportscaster with the network.

I’ve been privileged to work with some of the best professionals in the business and for that I am truly grateful.

Throughout his long and distinguished career, he has received numerous accolades. For starters, Wolff holds the rare distinction of having been the play-by-play broadcaster for championships in all four major professional sports: the World Series, the Stanley Cup Finals, the NBA Championship, and the National Football League Championship. In 2003, he became the first person to capture the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association’s (NSSA) Triple Crown of awards. Wolff was inducted into the NSSA Hall of Fame and was also selected as New York State Sportscaster of the Year for the sixth time and received the national Powerade Award for Best Sportscast for the “Bob Wolff Baseball Scrapbook” show on the MSG Network. That same year, he was also inducted into the Madison Square Garden Walk of Fame. In 1995, he was honored with baseball’s prestigious Ford C. Frick Award for major contributions to baseball and was inducted into the broadcast wing of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. In July 2008, he was voted into the National Basketball Hall of Fame with the Curt Gowdy Award, joining Curt as the only two sportscasters to be in both the basketball and the baseball halls. Wolff is also a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity’s Hall of Fame.

A New York native, Wolff resides in Rockland County, N.Y., with his wife Jane. They have two sons and a daughter. The “Wolffpack” now includes nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Georgia

On September 5th, 2014, Mu Chapter lost Alumnus Judge George J. “Generalisimo” Hearn (Mu 1048) to a hard fought battle with pancreatic cancer. During his funeral service in his hometown of Monroe, Ga. Mu brothers lined the outer isles of the church in respect to a great Sigma Nu brother. Judge Hearn was a very active alumnus of the Mu Chapter. Judge Hearn attended Grand Chapter in Nashville, Tenn., over the summer. His presence at Mu initiation ceremonies was always special. He always closed his remarks to the chapter with the same statement, “The three most important things in my life are God, my family, and Sigma Nu!” The legacy he left on the chapter is embodied by one of his quotes, “S.T.E., Set The Example.” Judge Hearn truly set the example that brotherhood is for life.

Mu Chapter rolled into the fall 2014 semester excited by the success of summer recruitment and by its third consecutive Rock Award earned in Nashville. The chapter welcomed its new candidate class by bringing them to the chapter’s annual retreat at the Jerles Pond Cabin. Mu Alumnus Billy Jerles (Mu 1713) opened his family’s hunting property to the chapter, which includes his two sons, active Brother Hudson Jerles (Mu 2488) and alumnus Brother Row Jerles (Mu 2429) for a weekend of shooting, camping, and planning for the semester ahead. The weekend concluded with a hike to the highest point on the property where the brothers took some time to hold a “White Roses and Thorns” session to discuss the successes and failures of the previous semester.

The start of October proved to be a very busy week for Mu. The chapter opened its doors to welcome all the parents for parent’s weekend 2014. Friday night the chapter held a Cocktails and Coattails reception in downtown Athens where the mothers taught their sons to dance. At the Friday night event a silent auction was held benefiting the chapter’s philanthropy, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Donations from the families of Mu and from Sigma Nu alumni such as Bob Barker and Archie Manning were auctioned and a total of over $9,000 was raised for the Society. The weekend continued with a tailgate for the parents immediately followed by the Bulldogs prevailing over Vanderbilt.

The chapter also initiated 37 new brothers into the arms of Mother Mu with many prominent alumni in attendance. One such alumnus, Dr. Vernor Chaffin (Mu 621) knighted the man receiving the 2000th Mu badge numbers after his. Wyatt Cotter, from Bedford, N.Y., was knighted as Mu 2621.

Mu Chapter continues to have the best social calendar on the UGA campus. This semester marked its second The Big Lebowlski, a date night where the chapter rents a local bowling alley and everyone dresses as a character from the movie “The Big Lebowski.” Year two proved to be better than year one in what is sure to become an annual tradition for the chapter.

Right before finals on the Friday before the UGA vs. Georgia Tech football game, Mu looks forward to the Gameball Run, a philanthropy event also benefitting the National MS Society. For the event Mu Chapter will pair with the Gamma Alpha Chapter from Georgia Tech. The brothers from Gamma Alpha will run the ball to a halfway point between Atlanta and Athens. After meeting with Gamma Alpha the brothers from Mu will run the ball the rest of the way into Athens. This event is a great way to bring the two Rock Chapters together and contribute to a common cause.

Georgia State

Alumnus Myron Christopher Grant of the Eta Gamma Chapter at Georgia State University was chosen to attend the Democratic National Committee’s Hope Institute in Washington, D.C. The Hope Institute provides the tools and training necessary to enter careers in political fundraising, nation- and statewide campaigns, and politically minded organizations.

While studying political science and international affairs at Georgia State University, Grant served as Social Chairman of Sigma Nu, a senator for student government association, and was a member of the mock trial team. In 2012, Grant studied European business and law in London, England. He is currently attending law school. After obtaining his law degree, Brother Grant wants to work for a political campaign and eventually run for public office.

Hampden-Sydney

With fuel from an overturned semitruck spilling all around him, Brother Worth Osgood pulled the driver of an overturned truck to safety. Witnessing the semitruck flip over after colliding with another truck on I-95 near Richmond, Va., Osgood was the first bystander on the scene to help and he had to break the truck’s windshield to ensure the driver was pulled to safety.

Brother Worth Osgood pulled the driver of an overturned truck to safety

“I knew from the severity of that accident that guy was in potential peril. I had to jump over a guard rail to get to him and at that point I had no idea what was waiting for me,” Osgood told Richmond CBS affiliate WTVR. “When someone is in potential peril, you have to do something.”

Hartford

October 17-19, 2014, was Mu Iota’s annual Hawktober weekend. Hawktober weekend is organized by the university and is both homecoming and parent’s weekend. For the alumni of Mu Iota, the weekend consisted of meetings, social activities, and reconnecting with brothers.

This year, the chapter had a large number of alumni attending events throughout the weekend. Initiates as low as badge number 24, and as recent as number 247 were in attendance during the weekend. On Friday night, the alumni chapter hosted a brewery tour at the local Hooker Brewery which included beer samples and a pint glass.

Saturday morning, the collegiate chapter hosted alumni for breakfast in The Commons, the newly rebuilt dining hall on campus. The alumni enjoyed seeing transformations the building had undergone in just a few months’ time. Following the breakfast, the newly reformed alumni chapter met to discuss plans and conduct business. After the meeting, the collegiate chapter hosted an alumni barbeque at alumnus Ed Park’s house which brought brothers old and new together to socialize, play football, and enjoy each other’s company.

Sunday was the annual fall fest carnival and the weekend finally came to a close with a collegiate chapter meeting that alumni were invited to attend. “It’s always great to see so many old and new brothers of Sigma Nu at alumni weekend. It gives us a chance to reminisce and relive our college years. The alumni BBQ was especially nice; it gave us a chance to mingle, eat, play sports, and just chill out with our brothers,” said alumnus Brother Mike Hass.

Jacksonville

Kappa Theta sought to re-invent itself to improve student and organizational involvement on campus this semester and has big plans for the upcoming spring semester. This semester, the chapter donated over 20 man-hours to the Jacksonville Quiltfest and received outstanding community support for its efforts. On October, 25th, the chapter volunteered with The Color Run 5k benefitting the Student Veterans Association on campus. In the coming weeks the chapter will cohost a philanthropy event with the Delta Delta Delta sorority on campus called the Tri and Get Even event, benefitting the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

James Madison

The Iota Delta Chapter is excited to host the first annual Rock Week philanthropy week raising money and awareness for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

This event has been in the works since the first Sporting Clays Classic philanthropy event held last school year. Brothers Matt Goodie and Kyle Jenkins spearheaded this successful event.

Kent State

This semester, Zeta Gamma hosted philanthropies for the American Heart Association and for The Up Side of Downs. On October 12th, Sigma Nu partnered with Alpha Phi at Kent State to host the first Eat Your Heart Out for the American Heart Association. With a $5 all-you-can-eat buffet and hot dog eating contest, the event raised $1,650 for the American Heart Association.

On November 8th, Sigma Nu hosted its yearly philanthropy with Alpha Tau Omega, the Blackfeet vs. Whitefeet charity football game for The Up Side of Downs. The game was played at Dix Stadium, home of the Kent State Golden Flashes. With a $5 charge at the door to watch the game, the event raised over $4,000 for the Up Side of Downs.

The chapter was honored to invite Major League Baseball World Series Champion and future Hall of Fame Manager Jim Leyland to Kent State to host a LEAD session on stress management and motivation. Leyland managed the Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida Marlins, Colorado Rockies, and the Detroit Tigers over his managerial career while winning a World Series Championship with the Florida Marlins.

Kettering (A)

Eta Mu (A) Chapter extended 14 bids and had 7 returned. Those who returned bids will be going through the candidate ceremony next term (January- March). This is one of the largest groups the chapter has returned in quite a while and all are proud of the effort put forward during the term. Even though brothers are not currently at school, the chapter remains in contact with those who returned a bid and are striving to excel in year-round recruitment.

At Kettering University’s Greek semi-formal this year Brother Rich VanElls was nominated for the Golden Principles award while Alumnus Joel Hudson was the recipient of the Chapter Advisor of the Year.

Also, the chapter raised $2,572 for the American Cancer Society through Relay for Life on September 13th and hosted a LEAD session on personal finance and budgeting led by Professor Williams of the business department.

The chapter was honored to invite Major League Baseball World Series Champion and future Hall of Fame Manager Jim Leyland to Kent State to host a LEAD session

Finally, the chapter is pleased to report that all repairs and improvements to the chapter house were completed in August after a pipe burst approximately one year ago. The flood ruined the foyer, entranceway, and one of the bathrooms, and caused the basement to be troubled with mold and mildew. The house in Flushing, Mich., is looking better than ever.

Lamar

The Zeta Psi Chapter kicked off its first rock, paper, scissors tournament benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 150 students, faculty, alumni, and staff participated in this year’s rock, paper, scissor tournament, including the university president, and fellow brother, Dr. Kenneth Evans (Zeta Xi 303).

In addition to Zeta Psi’s love for service, a few members of the chapter have family who have battled cancer. This personal tie encouraged the brothers to host this event honoring cancer survivors and further advance research in finding a cure.

Five months prior to the tournament, Zeta Psi contacted St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital looking to set up an event benefiting the hospital. The chapter contacted local businesses to find sponsors and procured donations from Best Buy, Texas Roadhouse, Cotton Cargo, and Kampus Korner. Each helped in various ways, including t-shirts, publicity, and prizes.

After procuring sponsors, Zeta Psi contacted fellow Greeks asking for support in getting the event publicized. With the help of Facebook, Twitter, and even Yik Yak, the chapter blasted this event all over campus.

One of the milestones that made this event so successful was the grant that was awarded to the chapter through the Gay D. and William F. Scott Foundation by Brother Bill Scott (Zeta Psi 211).

Originally, Zeta Psi Chapter had a goal of $ 3,000; however, the original goal was surpassed with a net of over $7,000 that will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This success has the Zeta Psi Chapter raising their goals for next year’s event, with hopes to raise $10,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Mercer

Eta Chapter worked hard on a successful recruitment this semester. With all the brothers living across the southeast, it was hard for sophomore Brother Kevin Bourne to quickly and efficiently develop a successful recruitment schedule. This didn’t stop him from planning a great schedule filled with different activities for the brothers and the potential new members. Carlos Laguardia, another sophomore brother, was also hard at work. He was steadily working with alumnus Chris Albrecht to reach out to Eta Chapter’s alumni base.

With the support of alumni and approval of the chapter, Eta extended 18 bids and received 18 new candidates on August 30th, 2014. This was a major success for the chapter as it was the largest candidate class since the early 2000s. With this sudden increase in chapter size, the Eta Chapter membership went from 12 to 30 in a matter of hours. The brothers were more than proud. Kevin Bourne was “more than ecstatic” about the new members and “couldn’t find words” for how happy he was. Eta Chapter would like to thank the alumni who helped with recruitment and who have helped the chapter for many years.

Miami

Epsilon Nu has had a busy fall with several events on campus. The chapter enjoyed Miami University’s designated family weekend by hosting mother’s weekend on October, 25th. Several events were held to allow brothers to spend time with family members. Brothers also participated in Greek week which led up to homecoming on Halloween weekend. The chapter hosted a cookout with alumni before the football game. The alumni board has been very generous and active in improving the house, including a new basketball hoop and a theatre room.

Midwestern State

Brother Luis Lopez was elected president of IFC and, for the second consecutive semester, devised the formal rush schedule for IFC fraternities.

Alumni support for the chapter continues to grow. Chapter alumni held a reunion on October 17-19 with participation from the collegiate chapter. Alumni Kevin Small and Chip Lloyd planned the events and Brother Zane Pollock coordinated efforts of the initiates and candidates in making local arrangements. Alumni came from around the country to attend, but Svein Omdal won the prize for travelling the greatest distance: he came from his home in Norway for the weekend.

Community service remains a large part of the chapter’s programming. Initiates and candidates regularly give time to several organizations but the local food bank remains a favored place to work. On their last visit, the chapter assembled 2,000 bags of food for distribution to families with children.

Svein Omdal won the prize for travelling the greatest distance: he came from his home in Norway for the weekend

Eta Upsilon again participated in the Safe Halloween project sponsored by local organizations. The chapter members dressed in costumes, had games for the kids to play and passed out candy. One of the favorites from last year, Dolores (the football player in a tutu), appeared again this year.

The sisters of Alpha Phi Sorority challenged the chapter to a contest to see which group will get the higher grade point average this semester. The losers will cook a meal for the winners. Each group is deciding what it wants the other to serve.

Chung Lee’s Honorable Legacy

As the  first Asian-American judge in Gwinnett County, Ga., the Honorable Chung Hun (Larry) Lee (Illinois) has led a life of service to his community, state, and nation. Coming to the United States as a youth following the death of his father in the Korean War, Lee and his family relocated to a small Illinois town near St. Louis. To support Chung and his sisters, his mother took two jobs. As an immigrant, Lee had to learn a totally new language and transition to life in the states. “It was very tough,” said Lee reflecting on his early years in the United States. When Lee’s sister entered the University of Illinois, the rest of the family followed her to Urbana, Ill. where Lee would graduate high school.

Lee’s Sigma Nu story began when he met several of the Gamma Mu chapter brothers to whom he taught martial arts.

Lee entered the University of Illinois where he earned his B.A. and there joined Sigma Nu. Lee’s Sigma Nu story began when he met several of the Gamma Mu chapter brothers to whom he taught martial arts. Through these connections, Lee began to meet more of the brothers and eventually pledged the chapter. “I thought joining the Greek system would give me a sense of comradery and allow me to grow together with a group of guys,” said Lee, who broke the racial barrier when he joined. “I’m doing what I’m doing now because of the opportunities that I was able to have through the brothers in Sigma Nu. My Sigma Nu brothers were fantastic.”

Joining Sigma Nu Fraternity allowed Lee to have a rich social life and also play intramural sports. In fact, Brother Lee enjoyed playing intramural sports so much that he became an lllini cheerleader to watch the football games free from the sideline.

Brother Lee attended the graduate school at University of Missouri where he also became the first Asian-American Tiger Mascot. His membership with Sigma Nu assisted him in becoming a house father for the FIJI fraternity at University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo.

Lee moved to Atlanta in 1979 where he began law school at Atlanta Law School. Graduating in 1982, Lee began private law practice in 1983 as a first Korean American attorney where his practice focused on litigation, criminal, civil, family, immigration and business law.

Beginning in 1999, Lee began his service as a Judge in the Magistrate Court of Gwinnett County. Lee’s service as a Magistrate Judge continued until 2004 when he ran as the first Korean American candidate for State Court Judge receiving 39% of votes out of seven candidates. Brother Lee lost in the run-off election and resigned as a Magistrate Court Judge. Lee resumed with his service as pro ad hoc judge in DeKalb County (beginning 2012) and as associate judge in the Municipal Court of Duluth (2011).

Lee’s service in these roles is significant as Lee became the first Asian-American to serve as a judge in Gwinnett County, a county which has approximately 800,000 people. Brother Lee has served on the boards of directors on over 15 different organizations including the Gwinnett County American Cancer Society, United Way, and Gwinnett Hospital/Health System and the Korean American Scholarship Foundation as a national chairman. Lee has also served as pro bono counsel for numerous organizations including American Immigration Lawyers Association, the Korean American Association of Greater Atlanta, Korean Chamber of Commerce, and Gwinnett Philharmonic Association.

I’m doing what I’m doing now, because of the opportunities that I was able to have through the brothers in Sigma Nu.

Additionally, Brother Lee has attained the rank of sixth degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, has won numerous black belt competitions throughout the United States, and in September 1979, the Official Karate magazine wrote an article entitled “The Practical Tae Kwon Do of Chung Hun Lee.” Brother Lee has traveled to various countries to serve as a  missionary and is an elder at the Korean First Presbyterian Church in Tucker, Ga. Among 80 awards, Brother Lee has received, Lee is very proud and humbled by receiving three special awards, the Korean American Family Service Award, the “Vision in Action” Award in 2011 and the Chief Justice Robert Benham Community Service Award. In particular, the Chief Justice Benham Community Service Award is presented annually to an attorney or judge in the state of Georgia who has shown an exemplary record of community service. Lee was a 2012 recipient of the award. In October of 2014, Lee received a gold medal from Georgia Institute of Continuing Judicial Education as a lecturer teaching Immigration Consequence of Criminal Activity to Georgia Superior, State, and Municipal Court Judges.

Reflecting on his life experience and career Lee said, “I’m the little boy from Urbana who made it to the pinnacle of his profession and achieved the American dream as an immigrant. Sigma Nu played a major role in my life and gave me a chance.”

“I want to contribute to the growth of Gamma Mu Chapter and give back as I have gotten older. It’s a permanent brotherhood as I proudly wear my university class ring with the Sigma Nu insignia and the Sigma Nu Foundation will be remembered in my will as a small token for the friendship and the good old memories I had from when I became a Sigma Nu brother. It would be nice to have Sigma Nu brothers from Illinois to say ‘Hey, I know he is not Harrison Ford but I remember that guy! We are proud that he has achieved an American dream and made our fraternity proud and well known in Georgia.’”

Minnesota

Gamma Tau Chapter has seen numerous strides over the past academic year and is very excited about this upcoming year. Building the framework to become a large chapter on campus, Gamma Tau has increased its size since last fall by over 30 members. With a 28-man fall candidate class, and, now, an 87- man chapter, Gamma Tau is incredibly excited not only for this year, but the future of the chapter.

Gamma Tau has not just grown in numbers but has also grown operationally. Gamma Tau is particularly proud of its LEAD program. Winning LEAD Chapter of the Year, Committee of the Year, LEAD Chairman of the Year, Excellence in programing of all Phases, and Innovation in LEAD, the chapter has gone above and beyond the bounds of the LEAD Program, developing candidates and members to be better brothers, students, and professionals.

Also, Gamma Tau’s spring GPA was a 3.3, which was an improvement from last semester and was also the second best GPA of any fraternity on campus.

The chapter won its 5th consecutive Rock Chapter Award at Grand Chapter this summer, giving the chapter a decade of excellence. A banquet will be held in late March to commemorate the chapter’s success over the past 10 years. More details will come on that event. The chapter is proud of its success and is eager to continue this tradition of excellence, Love, Honor, and Truth.

Mississippi

Epsilon Xi presented a $25,000 check to Friends of Children’s Hospital in honor of Olivia Manning during the Auburn football game on November 1st. The presentation occurred on the field between the first and second quarter. The money was raised from donations of the annual Sigma Nu Charity Bowl game played last March at Vaught Hemmingway Stadium.

The money raised in the game goes to a paralysis victim but proceeds from the last year’s game also went to the Children’s Hospital in honor of Olivia Manning.

The 26th annual Sigma Nu Charity Bowl will be played in March and part of the proceeds will go to Friends of Children’s Hospital at UMMC in honor of Olivia Manning. Since its inception, the Sigma Nu Charity Bowl has raised over $1.3 million, making it the largest Greek fundraiser in the country.

Thanks to all alumni, parents and friends for supporting the Charity Bowl through the purchase of advertisements, via donations and by volunteering at the gate, in the concession or elsewhere on game day.

Mississippi State

The Iota Gamma Chapter at Mississippi State University achieved the highest GPA out of 18 fraternities for the spring 2014 semester and sixth highest GPA out of all 30 Greek organizations on campus.

Iota Gamma has developed positive incentives and has kept an efficient system of governance and accountability to improve academic performance. The chapter looks to continued success by working closely with its alumni and faculty advisors to develop personalized academic plans for struggling brothers.

Sports Announcer Recognized

Judge David Holton (Morehead State) has received significant media attention lately for his work as a sportscaster. Brother Holton’s sports casting is especially noteworthy as he lost his eyesight at the age of ten due to a brain tumor near his optic nerve. Holton uses friend Thomas Patterson as a spotter and relayer allowing Holton to make play-by-play calls through the public address system. Holton has received recognition on WDRB Louisville, a local news station, and on Time magazine’s website.

“I couldn’t believe all the publicity,” Holton told Morehead State’s alumni magazine. “It’s crazy the amount of attention this silly thing’s gotten. I’m just calling a football game.”

Montana

Gamma Phi’s heavy emphasis on recruitment and expansion has paid off this semester. The chapter recruited 18 members this fall, up from 13 last year and seven the year before. The chapter also has legacies for the first time in recent memory – one is a double legacy of the chapter and the other has a brother who just graduated from the Ole Miss chapter. From day one, all have lived up to Love, Truth, and Honor that is held sacred throughout the Fraternity. Collectively, the candidates have contributed $1,650 to overhaul the chapter’s library. The time and effort they have devoted epitomizes the qualities looked for in candidates and they show early signs that they will be prepared for prominent leadership roles in the chapter and to further expand Gamma Phi.

Over the summer, Lieutenant Commander Ryan Mitchel restructured and refined the chapter’s bylaws. With a long chapter meeting at the beginning of the semester, the brothers of Gamma Phi passed and have begun to implement new policies to enforce a higher standard of accountability and compliance with Sigma Nu’s Risk Reduction Policy and Guidelines.

Finally, the implementation of an effective strategic plan has guided all operations in an organized method and has corrected flaws that have held the chapter back in the past. The chapter’s performance on Pursuit of Excellence last year is a black mark and Gamma Phi is using this as a lesson to drastically improve standards and devotion to national values and expectations.

North Dakota

Epsilon Kappa had a successful homecoming in October. The chapter is always trying to improve its relationship with alumni, and this year’s homecoming was proof that relations are headed in the right direction. Several alumni came back for homecoming who had not seen the chapter house since they graduated in the early 1990s. Alumni loved seeing their old rooms and several times throughout the night, alumni were found reminiscing in the lounge about time they spent together over 20 years ago. They appreciated the hospitality shown by the collegiate members and promised to bring even more of their brothers for next year’s homecoming. Seeing alumni was a great reward for the hard work the chapter has put in to form stronger relationships.

This fall, Epsilon Kappa held its inaugural Sigma Alpha Epsilon vs. Sigma Nu Winter Classic. This philanthropy hockey game was held to raise awareness against hazing not only in Greek life, but throughout athletics and other organizations. The event raised over $600 with 100% of the proceeds supporting the Stop Hazing organization. All donations will be used towards research and prevention of hazing. (www.stophazing.org)

Around 200 students attended the classic with 17 chapter members skating for the team and the remaining brothers responsible for other tasks during the event (ticket sales, chuck-a-puck, half ice shot, etc.).

Community Service and Philanthropy Chairman Kyle Szucs held a committee meeting in the summer to plan the event and reserve ice time. The chapter plans for this event to continue in the upcoming years and eventually turn it into a community- wide tournament within the next five years.

Lastly, the chapter would like to congratulate several brothers on their academic and professional accomplishments. Jeremiah Enright was accepted into law school at DePaul University in Chicago, one of the top law schools in the Midwest. Brandon Voung, a junior this year, was accepted into the graduate nursing program here at UND. Brandon frequently tells the chapter that he has always wanted to be a pediatric nurse, and he has now made a great step in accomplishing this dream.

Kyler Nathe, a senior, recently acquired his helicopter license from the John D. Odegard School of Aviation, one of the most prestigious programs in the world. Ever since his early years growing up in a small Montana town, he has wanted to follow in his father and grandfather’s footsteps of becoming a helicopter pilot and serving America overseas. Knowing Kyler received his helicopter license here at UND made his Fraternity brothers and his family very proud.

Eminent Commander Zack Worthy will graduate this December. His commitment and leadership will be missed. Zack paved the way for the chapter by pointing it in the right direction for future endeavors in philanthropy, the community, and on campus. He will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in communications and a minor in sociology, and will pursue a career in television production in Minnesota.

North Dakota State

Eta Theta Chapter hosted their 2nd annual haunted house to benefit the American Heart Association on October 30th and 31st. This is the chapter’s second year hosting the haunted house and it raised $2,811 for the American Heart Association – up from the $2,253 raised last year.

The chapter house was especially scary this year as the chapter put much more time into the details. The chapter had a variety of guests attend including: children from the community, students, and campus staff. All guests commented on how impressed they were by the event and many went through the house both days.

The idea was sparked in spring 2013 after a discussion involving several members. The chapter wanted a unique philanthropic event that had never been done at NDSU. This small idea eventually lead to a passion that all the chapter members shared. A lot of time was put into ensuring that the event would be fun and safe for all. The house tour was timed to see how long it would take groups to get through and props and actors were placed in precise locations to ensure an optimized experience.

North Georgia

Kappa Chapter said goodbye to Brother Felipe Friedrich (K 1036) who graduated in December 2013 and moved back to his home country of Brazil. Friedrich pledged Kappa Chapter in fall 2011, while simultaneously earning Division II All-American team for his outstanding tennis season.

Friedrich was called to a surprise ceremony at the Delta marker on campus where he received a framed plaque and picture, which was paid for and signed by each brother of the chapter. At the Delta marker, the chapter linked arms in a circle each saying their own goodbye.

North Texas

Zeta Omicron Colony has moved back into its house. The house, built in 1990, was the first house built on Greek row at the University of North Texas. This past summer was spent refurbishing the interior and back yard, including several colony workdays under the supervision of Zeta Omicron Alumni House Board Association.

With its first semester back in the house, the colony more than doubled with its fall recruitment class. The colony intends to use this larger member base to build on past success, including best grades on campus and most improved scholarship last fall, and second overall academics in the spring.

Zeta Omicron is currently preparing for two important events. This year’s homecoming will be the first where the colony can host the alumni at the house after the game. The colony is also bringing back an old Zeta Omicron philanthropy event, the Snake Pull, a series of team competitions that culminates in a Greek-wide tug-of-war tournament.

Finally, Zeta Omicron would like to thank its Alumni Association Board, which has been incredibly active and critical to the continued success of the colony.

Northern Illinois

The Theta Eta Chapter hosted an on-campus LEAD session with Mayor John Rey of DeKalb and Northern Illinois Vice President of Operations and Community Relations, Bill Nicklas. These two gentlemen presented on leadership in the community and how college students can enhance the campus and surrounding environment.

Oklahoma

This past year, Delta Epsilon has started to see its first success in campus events. In the Sooner Scandals show, a musical revue composed of the OU Greek community, the chapter’s Sherlock Holmes themed performance took second place. Delta Epsilon’s first University-Sing show has already made the finals.

Delta Epsilon is once again participating in the annual St. Jude walk benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on November 22, 2014. Last year, Delta Epsilon was among the ten largest donors to the Oklahoma City walk. In addition to the walk, the chapter also hopes to work with a sorority on campus to host a multi-day Christmas themed event for the Oklahoma City children benefited by the work of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

In other news, construction on the chapter’s new home began on September 3rd. There are a number of alumni events planned for the spring of 2015 including a poker night and golf tournament.

In intramurals, the chapter made the playoffs in football, and placed second in the 3-on-3 IFC basketball tournament.

Delta Epsilon also recruited 35 excellent candidates this fall. Delta Epsilon alumni can join the mailing list and the alumni Facebook group by emailing gdkern@ou.edu. Also, stay up to date on chapter news by liking Delta Epsilon on Facebook and following them on twitter @OUSigmaNu.

Penn College

The Nu Gamma Chapter partnered with Running without Eating Disorders on October 10th to host an After Dark Run. Nu Gamma and Running without Eating Disorders raised a total of $164 for the organization. About 50 people attended the After Dark Run.

Colorado Alumni Dedication

After a very long journey, Gamma Kappa is extremely pleased and proud to announce that “Sluggo” — the bronze buffalo sculpture, commissioned by over 80 Gamma Kappa alumni donors for the Buffalo Brothers Memorial, has arrived and is now installed in front of the Gamma Kappa chapter house at 1043 Pleasant St.

The delivery and installation occurred on Thursday, September, 11, on a cool, rainy morning in Boulder. A very large “boom truck” was secured to hoist the 750 lb. sculpture and its 2,500 lb. limestone pedestal about 40 feet into the air. This strategy allowed the sculpture to move from the “boom truck” (which shut down Pleasant Street for a couple of hours) over cars, trees and the hedge that surrounds the Gamma Kappa compound and into the chapter’s front yard. It turned out to be quite an event, attended by a majority of our chapter members, alumni officers, and interested neighbors and friends.

The memorial buffalo statue was officially dedicated on October 25th with over 300 alumni, collegiate brothers, family, and friends in attendance. Several family members of deceased alumni who were honored through the memorial statue were also in attendance.

More than 80 Gamma Kappa alumni, spanning five decades of chapter membership, generously contributed over $27,000 to commission and install this magnificent memorial.

Penn State

Delta Delta is pleased to say it had 18 bids accepted this fall. The chapter also had a philanthropy called Doans Bones BBQ in which all the proceeds were donated to Wounded Warrior Project. Delta Delta has been involved with numerous cam- pus blood drives and Mt. Nittany clean ups.

Also, Delta Delta has started its fundraising efforts for THON by canning for money at various brothers homes.

In the spring Delta Delta finished 4th out of 54 fraternities in intramural sports and also had the second highest GPA out of 54 fraternities. On top of this, Property Association President Bob Nelson won the House Corporation Officer of the Year Award at this summer’s Grand Chapter.

Eli Manning Takes To Reddit To Answer Fans’ Questions

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (Mississippi) is a two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback. He is also a Redditor.

On August 29th, 2014, the Super Bowl champion took to the widely used Internet website Reddit where he participated in an Ask Me Anything (AMA). The AMA is a popular avenue for everyday Internet users to ask public figures questions during a set period of time.

Brother Manning got to show off his lighter side by responding to several interesting questions posed by fans.

On the worst prank that was ever pulled on him: “Jeff Feagles (former Giants punter) removed all the air out of my tires one year at training camp and left me a bike pump so I could pump up my tires just enough to get to a gas station.”

On his favorite video game: “Zelda, on original Nintendo.”

On competitiveness with his brother Peyton: “We’re probably not as competitive now as when we were both teenagers, we had some pretty physical basketball matches back in the day, I guess so much that my dad ended up removing the basketball goal.”

On the dreaminess of Tom Brady: “He’s pretty good lookin’.”

On being able to do a back-flip from a standing position on solid ground: “Negative.”

Of course, not every question and answer were as zany. Manning answered several questions about his personal life where his responses indicated that he prioritizes spending time with his wife and two young children.

Another topic for many questioners was Manning’s relationship with his brother Peyton and father Archie. While there were several examples of their competitiveness, Eli also spoke of the respect that exists between he and his brother — and the occasional goofiness that they get to have together.

“Anytime I get to see my big brother and spend some time with him while also making a fool of ourselves is enjoyable,” said Manning speaking about the rap that he and Peyton performed for a DirecTV commercial that aired last August.

In several answers, Manning provided insight into his approach to the quarterback position where he focuses on knowing the playbook and being aware of opposing defenses. Manning also spoke about what keeps him motivated to improve, “You know, just to get better. To know that we have a full team of guys who are working hard to win each game, to ultimately win a championship, and I don’t want to let these guys down.”

In responding to a question about his career after playing football, Manning indicated that he might coach youth football. For now though, Manning appears to be happy just where he is, “I couldn’t ask for a better job than the one I have right now.”

Brother Eli Manning’s Ask Me Anything is still available on reddit.com.

Rochester

Lambda Eta Chapter hosted its annual hot wing eating contest on Friday, September 12, in the student union. This year’s contest was cosponsored by the Rochester Delta Gamma Chapter with proceeds benefiting the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

This was the chapter’s fifth annual contest, and beat last year’s record setting fundraising numbers, raising approximately $1,215, with $650 being donated to the Hospital. 45 students participated, including 10 brothers, and over 250 people attended the event.

Philanthropy Chair Daniel Parker (Lambda Eta 358) and last fall’s Philanthropy Chair, Jordan Schilling (Lambda Eta 348), worked closely together for several months to organize the event. For the first time in this contest’s history, separate prizes for the top male and female were offered. For the second year in a row, the chapter offered a prize for the contest’s top fundraiser. This year’s top fundraiser raised $242.

Samford

At the end of the spring semester, Iota Chapter won the Most Outstanding Campus and Chapter Involvement Award, the Administrative Chapter Operations Awards, as well as its 4th consecutive Intramural Fraternity Sports Championship at Samford’s Greek awards banquet.

The Intramural Sports Award includes winning two of the last three flag football championships, as well as five consecutive basketball championships. Iota continues to have a high emphasis on athletics as 11 brothers and five candidates play on the football team, five of whom start for the Bulldogs. Brothers Hogan Whitmire, Josh Baker, Matt Reid, and Chase Owen were named to the first ever Samford University Women’s Basketball Practice Team.

Also, in a span of about four weeks, led by Brother Matt Arnwine the Iota Chapter raised nearly $7,000 to help provide shoes for the nation of Dominica. Brother Jake Moore was named IFC president for the year 2014.

Southeast Missouri

Brother Weston Blankenship just finished his term as IFC president and was also named university Man of the Year at this year’s homecoming. Blankenship was chosen by popular vote after being selected as one of five male finalists. He is the first Sigma Nu brother to receive this honor at the university. “It was amazing to feel the support of my brothers as they rushed the field when my name was announced at the homecoming half-time show,” said Blankenship speaking about the honor.

Southern Poly

In December 2012, Brother Dana Whitlow (Iota Pi 19) lost his beautiful wife Kathryn of 33 years after a long battle with ovarian cancer. The passing of Brother Whitlow’s wife prompted the chapter to seek ways to assist Brother Whitlow and have an impact on those fighting ovarian cancer. The results of the chapter’s search resulted in the idea to host a golf tournament benefitting the Ovarian Cancer Research Institute.

Iota Pi hosted the second annual Kathryn Whitlow Memorial Golf Tournament on October, 27th at the Indian Hills Country Club in Marietta, Ga. A total of 96 golfers participated in this year’s tournament and with the combined efforts of the collegiate and alumni chapters of Iota Pi, the event has raised over $25,000 in only two years.

In attendance were members from the Ovarian Cancer Research Institute and Dana Whitlow’s daughters Stephanie Whitlow and Elizabeth Farrell.

Many collegiate and alumni brothers were instrumental in executing the golf tournament. Brother Jeff Post (Iota Pi 4) encouraged alumni of the chapter to participate and to donate time, money, and items towards the tournament. Brother Dana Whitlow (Iota Pi 19) played a major role in working with the Ovarian Cancer Research Institute at Georgia Tech. Brother Jimmy Bryan (Iota Pi 503), as a member of the Indian Hills Country Club, set up the tournament. Brother Daniel Dawkins (Iota Pi 478) established a committee of collegiate brothers and contacted business leaders for potential sponsorships.

In addition to hosting the second annual Kathryn Whitlow Memorial Golf Tournament, the Iota Pi Chapter hosted a LEAD day for several chapters in the region including Iota Lambda from Jacksonville State, Eta Gamma from Georgia State, and Mu Xi from Columbus State University. The event allowed brothers from the attending chapters to complete a session from LEAD Phase I – Phase IV, including All Chapter as well.

LEAD Chairman Marshall Murphy (Iota Pi 492) began to implement the LEAD Day by reaching out to members from other chapters he met during Grand Chapter. After proposing the idea, he followed up to ensure facilitators, materials, food, and space for the activities would be provided to create a successful day.

Moving forward, the chapter would like to host similar LEAD Days once a semester to provide other chapters the opportunity to participate and collaborate in the pursuit of excellence.

Other notable accomplishments include: Brother David-Luc Graap (Iota Pi 480) being elected IFC president for a second term, Brother Alex Harrington (Iota Pi 479) being elected SGA president, and Brother Robert Bailey (Iota Pi 486) being elected vice president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers at Southern Polytechnic State University.

Celebrating 100 Years at Idaho

Delta Omicron will celebrate its 100th anniversary since chartering in 1915 on May 1-3, 2015, in Moscow, Idaho. A full weekend of activities are planned, beginning Friday May 1st with afternoon golf, registration and a social gathering, leaving plenty of time for candidate class gatherings afterwards. Saturday’s events will include morning golf, campus tours to include walking and trolley tours of the campus and a tour of the newly updated Kibbie Dome. The chapter house will be open all day and will be hosting a BBQ lunch with plenty of time to catch up on all that is going on with the chapter members.

A 100 year celebration dinner will kick off at 5:30 Saturday evening with a reception at the University Inn, followed by dinner at 6:30. Mark your calendars for May 1-3, 2015 and plan on celebrating 100 years of brotherhood with old and new brothers. Spouses are welcome and encouraged to attend. Call a brother today and encourage him to attend – special recognition will be given to the candidate class with the highest percentage of returning brothers.

All event times except the banquet are tentative at this time. The University of Idaho Alumni Relations office will send official invitations and registration forms to all Sigma Nu Delta Omicron alumni, and these forms will be returned to and tracked by the office.

For additional information, please email Brad Wing at bwing@gsstrategygroup.com or Ben Rae at brae@idfbins.com.

Stephen F. Austin

It has been another busy and eventful fall semester in the Piney Woods and Stephen F. Austin State University. This October marked 15 years that Sigma Nu has been on the campus of SFASU, with the colonization beginning in October 1999.

The chapter has recommitted to sponsoring a 2-mile stretch of highway to maintain and keep clean. The candidate class took a hit when it lost half its numbers. The remaining candidates have rallied and launched a large fund-raising effort.

In conjunction with the alumni chapter, Mu Upsilon has planned the third annual Keith Beall Memorial Golf Tournament, being held at the Woodland Hills golf course. The tournament is held in memory of Keith Beall (Mu Upsilon 3) with proceeds going to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This event coincides with homecoming weekend each year.

Davis Inducted Into Ole Miss Hall of Fame

Dr. James Davis (Mississippi) was recently inducted into the Ole Miss Alumni Hall of Fame. Davis, who has taught accounting at the University of Mississippi since 1965, has served as the faculty advisor for Epsilon Xi Chapter for many years.

Named Outstanding Teacher in 1985, Dr. Davis served as dean of the Patterson School of Accountancy from 1993-2002. While Davis officially retired in 2009, he has continued to teach part-time and retains the title of Peery Professor of Accounting Emeritus.

Stetson

Delta Mu is pleased to announce and congratulate its 33 new candidates, one of the chapter’s largest classes in history. The chapter is excited to report that it will be initiating these candidates at Sigma Nu Headquarters in Lexington, Va. This is sure to make one of the best memories in a Sigma Nu brother’s life even more memorable than before!

Stevens

Gamma Delta set a new standard for its philanthropy and community service with the new War of the Roses event. This event raised a total of $3,200 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Gamma Delta also made over 400 cards for children and cleaned up the Hoboken community.

During the spring 2014 semester, Gamma Delta Chapter continued to uphold its high standards for academics with 48 brothers on the Dean’s List. Furthermore, 18 brothers excelled academically to the standard of receiving scholarship keys. Thirteen knights achieved a gold key with a semester GPA above 3.75 – one of which is a varsity athlete and thus earned President’s Cup Recognition. Additionally, five brothers performed well enough to earn themselves a silver key designation: GPA between 3.5-3.74.

In conclusion, the chapter continues to work to further raise the bar in terms of academic standards each and every semester. The brotherhood also has grown closer together by attending events such as bowling trips, paintballing, and trips to the movies.

Texas State

Eta Tau is proud to report that it received first place for Texas State University’s IFC event Letters in the Library as the chapter had the most members present in the library among all Greek organizations during the spring semester. That same semester, the chapter also won first place for Texas State’s Bobcat Build for the most members participating among all Greek organizations.

This semester, the candidate class of Alpha Iota along with new members from Delta Gamma Sorority placed second at Anchor Splash (Delta Gamma’s annual fundraiser).

Also, the Eta Tau Chapter would like to acknowledge the academic achievements of Giuseppe Cilona (HT 888) who made a 4.0 on a 4.0 scale in the spring semester of 2014.

Texas Tech

Zeta Pi has had a more than successful fall semester. After winning Rock Chapter this past summer at Grand Chapter, the chapter is pleased to welcome 69 new candidates. So far, the chapter has participated in community service activities, and hosted its own philanthropic event, Sigma Nu Bowl. Sigma Nu Bowl is a flag football competition hosted by Zeta Pi and is made of teams of the campus’ sorority members. All proceeds benefit the Beyond Batten’s Disease Foundation.

This fall, Zeta Pi participated in homecoming events such as the Student Organization Sing, built its own Great Gatsby themed homecoming float, and participated in the homecoming parade with the ladies of Alpha Chi Omega. Sigma Nu nominated Brother Michael Friedrichsen as its homecoming nominee. Zeta Pi is also proud to announce that Brother Grant Messenger has been elected IFC president, and Brother Tyler Underwood has been elected the vice president of judicial board for IFC.

Honoring Dr. Panko

On April 16th, Dr. Thomas Panko (Southern Mississippi/Louisiana State) was inducted into the Southern Mississippi Greek Life Hall of Fame. Panko, an alumnus of both the Theta Gamma and Phi Chapters is an influential Sigma Nu having served as Associate Executive Director, Division Commander, and Vice Regent of Sigma Nu Fraternity. Dr. Panko is also a consistent contributor to the community of Hattiesburg and USM. His dedication and service truly display a high sense of honor.

Dr. Panko was initiated into Theta Gamma as the 200th member in 1982. He later served nine years as both a faculty and chapter advisor to Theta Gamma, and he also functioned as the house corporation president for a number of years. Through his work with the General Fraternity, Dr. Panko has collected a variety of historical items and donated them to the local chapter ranging from original copies of The Delta to a miniature knight for the mantle. Having vast amounts of knowledge and experience, Panko is always available to advise the chapter.

A majority of his profound understanding on fraternities and Sigma Nu stems from his impressive background while volunteering and working for the General Fraternity. Dr. Panko was a Division Commander for six years and was a two term Vice Regent on the High Council. Panko was later appointed Grand Sentinel. In addition to these positions, he served as the Associate Executive Director of the Sigma Nu Educational Foundation. Dr. Panko was part of the committee that revised The Ritual during the mid-80s and he also created a Sigma Nu board game, the only one of its kind. His extensive hard work within the Fraternity can be translated into his personal and professional life as well.

Dr. Panko has been a professor at the University of Southern Mississippi for 31 years from 1973 to 1992 and then returned in 2002 until present. He originally taught sociology and later began teaching criminal justice. As Dr. Panko teaches the introduction course, he is one of the first professors that students in the School of Criminal Justice interact with.Through his education, additional training, and experiences, he provides students in all of his classes the necessary resources to perform well in school and beyond. In the community, Dr. Panko has exceeded normal contributions, especially in assisting victims of crime.

In the community, Dr. Panko has exceeded normal contributions, especially in assisting victims of crime.

For the past five years, he has functioned as a Criminal Justice Liaison to the Schafer Center for Crisis Intervention located in Hattiesburg. The Shafer Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving victims of sexual assault and co-victims of homicide and suicide. In 2009, Dr. Panko received the Jackie Dole Sherill Community Service Award, the highest local victim’s volunteer award. Shortly after, he was given the Amy Clayton Volunteer Service Award from the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, the highest statewide honor. In recent years, he was a main organizer of Walk a Mile in Her Shoes at Southern Mississippi, which is an international men’s march to stop rape, sexual assault, and gender violence.

His impact on the community, university, and Sigma Nu Fraternity display his great attributes and impeccable record of service. Panko is humbled and honored by his selection into the Southern Mississippi Greek Life Hall of Fame, and he should be recognized for his example of what it means to be a Sigma Nu and servant leader.

UC Davis

The men of Sigma Nu at the University of California, Davis have made it their mission to raise awareness of the trials soldiers and veterans face on a day–to-day basis. In an effort to show solidarity for the physical duress that soldiers endure as well as symbolize the long, difficult journey of returning home, many Zeta Xi brothers have taken part in the third annual trek along the John Muir trail in Northern California. Starting September 14th and ending September 23rd, these brothers went “Trekking for Troops” over 100 miles in nine days, completing their journey by summiting Mount Whitney in honor of forgotten veterans.

By teaming up with The Pathway Home, a center that focuses on providing resources and support for soldiers suffering from PTSD and other post-battle ailments, the brothers of Sigma Nu have dedicated their trek and the funds that it will raise to improving care for veterans in their own community. Each brother has pledged to raise $1,000 for the Pathway Home, and has also made it their personal goal to spread awareness of the daily struggles that veterans face that go unnoticed.

This trip has proven to be a life-changing experience for every brother that has chosen to participate. Not only has brotherhood been fostered with every step, the participating brothers worked to raise tens of thousands of dollars for a cause that draws near to the fraternal spirit.

The chapter is very attached to this cause, since Sigma Nu is a fraternity founded with military history. If any other chapters would like to set up a trek for their chapter, please contact Kyle Wright, kpwright@ucdavis. edu, the leader of the trek this year.

UCLA

Epsilon Pi Chapter of UCLA has made some rather noteworthy strides in the right direction. This fall, the men of Epsilon Pi have, with the aid of the alumni and General Fraternity, exceeded expectations and recruited one of the largest classes in the chapter’s history (43). This was the highest number on fraternity row.

There have also been extraordinary internal improvements including an improved focus on risk reduction and an improved LEAD Program. Chapter morale is at an all-time high and the impressive advancements that have been made are just the beginning. Here’s to a great year and a renewal of what it means to live by the Sword with Love, Honor, and Truth.

Vanderbilt

This semester, the Vanderbilt IFC has – of their own ambition and execution – drafted and published an inclusivity agreement and established a Greek Allies Program. The main contributors to this agreement have been Alec Renfroe of Sigma Nu, Brian Rizzo as the president of Phi Kappa Psi, and Nick Elder as the president of IFC.

Both at Vanderbilt and at schools across the country, there is a glaring problem: fraternity men may have failed to include men of all backgrounds, races, religions, creeds, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and have failed to make them feel truly welcomed and included in the recruitment process. This is not a result of overt exclusion, but rather as a result of decidedly more traditional times that are changing for the better. The Greek man today, and indeed the Sigma Nu today, is a different man than he was decades ago. Therefore, the Vanderbilt IFC has aimed to use this agreement to reaffirm commitment to creating cultures of inclusion, openness, and love, for potential new members, candidates, and brothers. The IFC has aimed to put the spotlight on itself so that it might be able to prove what fraternity truly means for the men of today.

The agreement also establishes a Greek Allies Program, which will include several brothers of every chapter going through appropriate training to become Greek Allies. These allies will be considered a resource to be used, behind closed doors, for any potential member, candidate, or brother that needs help in some way. Maybe he feels excluded from the rush process because of his sexual orientation, or perhaps he is a brother who cannot pay his dues, and does not know how to raise the question with his president. These allies will create safe spaces for tough conversations, and they will help drive forward the ideals of a community based in love.

The agreement is already receiving positive attention. Thank yous and congratulatory remarks are pouring in from deans all over campus, and administrators in the Office of Greek Life have been busy sharing the IFC’s work with eager colleagues.

Sigma Chapter is proud to have played a major role in the development of this agreement. Countless Sigma Nus, in fact more than the program can support, have already stepped forward asking to be Greek Allies. The chapter will undoubtedly be leaders in the Greek community here at Vanderbilt in demonstrating what it means to believe in the life of love.

Cincinnati Alumni Golf Outing

Eta Lambda alumni gathered for a golf outing at the California Golf Course in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Saturday, August 23rd.

Despite one of the hottest days of the summer, 21 Eta Lambda alumni brothers showed up for the first of what they hope to be many alumni events to gain support for a return to Cincinnati. There was a wide spectrum of alumni ranging from the late 1980s to 2011. Alumni enjoyed a great time hearing stories and getting upto- date on the current status of the Eta Lambda Chapter.

All golfers teed off in the early afternoon and finished just in time to avoid an end-of-the-day rainstorm. A special thanks goes to Brother Paul Rieder who organized the event which ran smoothly and had some great prizes for the winners of the day.

If any Eta Lambda alumni would like to connect, participate in future events, or receive the Eta Lambda alumni newsletter, email sigmanucincy@gmail.com.

Virginia Tech

The Theta Xi Chapter at Virginia Tech is proud to announce that it has rededicated itself to giving back to the community in Southwestern Virginia. The chapter held a canned food drive that helped feed hundreds of families in the New River Valley region that the chapter calls home. In addition to cans and boxed items, monetary donations were collected from the Greek organizations at Virginia Tech and local community. The chapter has also volunteered time with Habitat for Humanity where the entire chapter was able to assist in building a home for those less fortunate. The chapter is looking forward to making a difference in Southwestern Virginia and the Virginia Tech community.

Theta Xi also wants to thank its alumni organization, Progress Properties Inc. and all alumni for amazing participation during several events including homecoming, initiation of members of the preceding local chapter, and the alumni weekend, during which actives participated in an alumni golf tournament that helped to raise $1,300 for house restoration.

Washington

The Gamma Chi Chapter participated in the Seattle Brain Cancer Walk on September 20th in honor of Brother Colin Carty, who succumbed to brain cancer in 2008 at the age of twenty-two. The chapter participates annually in the walk with Carty’s parents.

On October 10th the Gamma Chi Chapter held its first ever glow run. Participants ran a 5km course around the UW campus at night covered in glow sticks and finished the run at a concert with three DJs. The event raised money for the Ben and Catherine Ivy Center for Advanced Brain Tumor Treatment.

The run was a big success

The philanthropy chairs were thrilled with the event saying, “The run was a big success, not only did we raise over $1,200, but everyone looked like they were having fun! We hope that this is something that could turn into an annual event for our house.”

West Virginia

Brian Westfall (Gamma Pi 1160) was appointed district deputy grand exalted ruler for the Maryland west district of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, for the 2014-2015 fraternal year. He is a past exalted ruler of Frostburg, Md., Lodge #470, and a past vice president of the Maryland, Delaware, and District of Columbia Elks Association. He currently serves the association as scouting coordinator.

The West Virginia University community and Gamma Pi Chapter have teamed up with friends and family of Brother Jordan DeMaske to raise more than $17,000 to help combat DeMaske’s medical bills.

DeMaske was recently diagnosed with sarcoma cancer that metastasized into his bone marrow and lymphatic system. He was treated by Pittsburgh UPMC but was able to go home to his family in Morgantown. He will start chemotherapy treatments within nine months.

DeMaske was merely months short of graduating and will have to wait to continue his collegiate studies. The Gamma Pi brothers have stood behind DeMaske and are helping support him.

“We’ve always been close, but this brought us closer as friends,” said Brother Michael Summers. “We all went to see him and just the will power he has is amazing. He just kept telling us to calm down and stop worrying.”

DeMaske’s sister, Lauren, helps to communicate to friends and family about Jordan’s updates through her family’s GoFundMe site. The site is easy to use, and people are able to make donations for Jordan’s medical expenses. To donate to DeMaske’s medical bills, check out his page gofundme.com/ DonationsForJordan.

Tulsa Alumni Reunion

The Zeta Lambda Alumni Chapter hosted their seventh annual reunion and tailgate on October 18, 2014. The annual reunion was held on the campus of the University of Tulsa after the TU vs USF football game. The reunion started as a fairly small backyard BBQ and has evolved into a successful event aimed at mobilizing alumni and fundraising to support an ongoing recolonization effort.

This year’s reunion saw over 100 alumni members and their families attend. The wife of the late C.A. Towne, a Zeta Lambda founding father, presented the alumni chapter some documents related to the 1951 founding of the chapter, specifically its transformation from Beta Tau (a small, local organization) into Sigma Nu. These documents will be put on display in the University of Tulsa’s Heritage Collection. Mrs. Towne even wore her husband’s original Sigma Nu badge.

Zeta Lambda has been participating in an ongoing recolonization effort since its dormancy in 2004. At the event, the chapter announced that the university has confirmed their support of its recolonization effort. Future events such as this are sure to generate more interest and support from the alumni base.

Wyoming

This fall at Epsilon Delta, Brother Randy Elledge became the IFC president. The colony’s homecoming float was recognized as the Best Use of Theme in this year’s parade and it helped Chi Omega to win homecoming overall. Paired with the sorority, Chi Omega and the fraternity Lambda Chi Alpha, the Epsilon Delta Colony won the University of Wyoming’s Homecoming Parade Float Contest for the second year in a row on Saturday, October 18.

With help from ARCON Inc. who supplied the trailer, truck and tools to build the float, the men of Epsilon Delta, crafted the float, which included a steam-powered oil rig, and hand cut wooden representations of the Grand Tetons and Devil’s Tower, both Wyoming landmarks. In the center of the float was a cutout of Wyoming’s most notable mascot, the Bucking Horse and Rider.

Working long nights with the men and women of Lambda Chi Alpha and Chi Omega, Sigma Nu was able to establish their dominance on the University of Wyoming campus, much like they did last year.

Following the parade was Epsilon Delta’s open house for homecoming alumni. After four years of being closed, the fraternity house is again being repopulated.

Southeast Missouri State Turns 20

The Mu Kappa Alumni Chapter (Southeast Missouri State University) is proud to have celebrated the 20th anniversary of its founding. A weekend celebration was held October 24th and 25th in Cape Girardeau, Mo., with over 175 Mu Kappa brothers (more than half of all initiates), the university president, and past Regent Joe Gilman (Morehead State/Georgia) present for the events.

The weekend included the first use of the newly created Alumni Rededication to Honor Ceremony and a formal dinner celebration. At the dinner, Joe Gilman presented the chapter with its original charter which had been missing for many years. University President Dr. Kenneth Dobbins spoke at length of the contributions Mu Kappa has made to the university and also announced the university’s plans to begin a Greek village in the near future. Mu Kappa will have a prominent place on Southeast Missouri State’s campus for years to come as the chapter is a leading fraternity when it comes to donations to the Southeast Missouri Foundation, with five scholarships fully endowed for Sigma Nu undergraduates.

The highlight of the night was the re-presentation of the chapter’s original charter. Shortly after Mu Kappa’s founding, the charter mysteriously disappeared. This past August, it was found at the home of a chapter alumnus. Only four individuals knew that the charter had been found and it was a great surprise when Brother Gilman presented the charter back to the chapter’s founding fathers.

It was a great event and the alumni were proud to celebrate the chapter’s third Rock Award and 20 years at Southeast Missouri.

Northwestern Celebrates Rededication of House

On October 19, 2014, The Gamma Beta Chapter celebrated the rededication of their house with an open-house brunch for alumni, university officials and key construction workers. Notable attendees included Regent Joe Francis, Sigma Nu Fraternity Executive Director Brad Beacham, and Sigma Nu Educational Foundation President Brad Hastings. The event was filled with joy, laughs, and tears as over 50 Sigma Nu alumni and their families took tours of the newly remodeled house while sharing stories and memories of the past.

During the event, attendees had an opportunity to see pictures of what the house looked like before and after the remodeling. The house is now adorned with a display case full of items from Gamma Beta’s past, including composites of some of the original Gamma Beta members, antique Sigma Nu badges/pins and a plaque to commemorate Brother Ed Forester. The appearance of the house truly calls to mind Gamma Beta’s rich history and shows signs of its promising future.

Founding father and Commander Mark Nelson gave a speech about his personal journey as a Sigma Nu. Ben Buettell, who was essential in the re-chartering process of the Gamma Beta Chapter, read the minutes from one of the first chapter meetings of Gamma Beta as well as spoke about how far the house has come and the meaning the house holds for all those involved in its grand reopening.

After rousing speeches from Brad Beacham and Joe Francis, the event closed with a Sigma Nu tailgate outside the Gamma Beta house to prepare for the Northwestern University homecoming football game against Nebraska.

After rousing speeches from Brad Beacham and Joe Francis, the event closed with a Sigma Nu tailgate outside the Gamma Beta house

 

A longtime volunteer at Gamma Beta Chapter, Brother Ed Forester used his trademark leadership style to pioneer national alumni programs, all the while mentoring multiple generations of young Sigma Nu brothers.

In 1965, Brother Edward Forester (Northwestern) was among a core group of Gamma Beta alumni who accepted the difficult challenge of rebuilding their chapter from the ground up. He would go on to serve as president of the Northwestern alumni interfraternity council for six consecutive terms. In the 1970s, he was the only non-faculty member to serve on the Northwestern’s presidential advisory commission, a role he held for seven years.

Ed was a guiding force at Gamma Beta Chapter, through the best of times when the chapter was thriving and at the worst of times when alumni were forced to close the house in 1967. “The decision to again suspend the charter in 2004 was probably the most difficult thing for Ed to endure,” recalls Ben Buetell, president of the Gamma Beta alumni chapter. But Ed never wavered in his commitment to Sigma Nu and his desire to see Gamma Beta return to Northwestern.

Brother Forester served as president of the Gamma Beta House Corporation and remained on the board for over 30 years up until his passing. Brother Forester played an instrumental role in the refurbishment of the Gamma Beta chapter home leading up to the chapter’s centennial celebration in 1998. His role in securing substantial resources in support of the chapter continued through the recent recolonization and up to his passing.

As a member of the High Council, Brother Forester was tasked in 1973 by then Executive Secretary William Amiott to study the existing alumni relations programs in place at the time. The findings of this study were presented to the High Council, upon which two plans were recommended for further study. The High Council proceeded with plans to establish a network of alumni organized into 53 divisions, which would become a foundation for the alumni volunteer program we have today.

“He did what he thought was right and he avoided playing politics. He was a plotter, always moving ahead.”

Brother James Truesdale, speaking at the 1972 Grand Chapter in Dallas, spoke on Ed’s behalf before High Council elections. “Ed has served diligently his Fraternity since he was active in the collegiate chapter and then on into his alumni chapter,” he said.

“Ed has served many years with great distinction as a Division Commander in the Midwest,” Truesdale continued. “Ed has served as unselfishly and as devotedly as any man that I know in many, many happy experiences and friendships through Sigma Nu Fraternity. Ed is a devoted husband, father, and a very accomplished businessman.”

Brother Forester’s contributions to Sigma Nu are perhaps best summarized by one collegiate delegate speaking on his behalf during High Council elections in 1976. Brother Lee Stetson: “He has done a fine job in developing a program for us to use nationally to salvage chapters that are in deep trouble, and I think this is something that we all feel is an important aspect of development of our Fraternity.”

Brother Stetson continued: “Secondly, Brother Forester strongly supported the idea of adding Collegiate Grand Councilmen to the High Council so that we have input from the undergraduates during the various meetings of the High Council.”

What Brother Stetson said next again highlighted Ed Forester’s visionary thinking, in this case foreseeing the need to develop educational programs that would become the early stages of Sigma Nu’s award-winning leadership development programs. “He’s also been involved actively with the more recent trend toward educational effort of our Fraternity,” Stetson observed. “Specifically, he’s been a member of our Mini-University faculty since its inception.”

Brother Forester became known as someone who would listen carefully, particularly during challenging debates for the fraternity. He reiterated this commitment during one of his speeches for High Council positions. “One of the first things my father said to me that I can recall is that you never learn by talking; only by listening,” he explained during the 1972 Grand Chapter in Dallas. “This has been my philosophy of life. I hope to be able to listen, to interpret, and to act upon your wishes in the best way I can.”

“Because of my father’s involvement with Sigma Nu, I could see how the fraternity formed meaningful connections that continued later in life.”

This ability to listen, combined with resolute decisiveness, were signature traits of Brother Forester’s leadership style. “He would listen and make up his mind,” recalls Jeff Forester, Ed’s son and fellow Sigma Nu. “When he made up his mind he had a motivating personality. He did what he thought was right and he avoided playing politics. He was a plotter, always moving ahead.”

Brother Forester was also quick to remind the Grand Chapter of the High Council’s priority to serve the collegiate members of Sigma Nu. “The High Council serves the undergraduates,” he said during a speech at the 1976 Grand Chapter in Nashville. “I promised the undergraduates I would remain as close to them as I possibly could. I would listen to them. I would weigh the various factors. I would look at the directions they wanted us to take, and I would attempt to the best of my ability to carry them through.”

 

The words he offered in Nashville would prove to be as relevant in 2015 as they were in 1976. “Years ago the Grand Chaplain spoke of Sigma Nu as though it were perfect and composed only of scholars and true gentlemen,” he recalled. “Now, we know that we are a community constantly in need of reform. How often have people rushed in with ill-conceived ideas of what we ought to be?”

From the time he accepted his bid and up until his last days Brother Forester kept a focus on helping his fraternity brothers reach their full potential. He leaves a legacy of incredible generosity, one who embodies the spirit of a humble leader. “The foster child my parents adopted was one of many young people who rolled through our house when I was growing up,” Jeff remembers. “There was a constant influx of young people – some needed a place to stay as they passed through town, others a reference for a job. My dad liked to build personal relationships with people and help them. But he didn’t talk about it much – he was quiet about it. Both of my parents were non-judgmental and open to people of all backgrounds. Sigma Nus of all ages sensed this and they would seek my parents’ counsel on all sorts of questions.”

Ed’s love for the fraternal movement trickled down to his whole family. Lynn, one of three daughters, got involved with Tri Delta because of the example her parents set. (Ed’s wife, also a Tri Delta, was Gamma Beta Chapter’s White Rose Sweetheart.) “They were so involved, both of them,” Lynn says. “They had such love for their fraternity and sorority.” Lynn has served as a national volunteer and president to several Tri Delta alumni groups since becoming an alumna. “Because of my father’s involvement with Sigma Nu, I could see how the fraternity formed meaningful connections that continued later in life. It’s so important for college students to form these relationships and get leadership experience. You don’t get any of that living in a dorm room.”

“I see my role as continuing to listen,” Ed once told the Grand Chapter, “but also to attempt to have the wisdom to show all of you the way to seize your special talents, your special graces, while you still have the opportunity.”

Brother Forester entered Chapter Eternal on July 31, 2014, with three generations of family members at his bedside. They told stories and listened to big band tunes – Ed’s favorite music. He had particular fondness for Glenn Miller, a fellow Sigma Nu brother.

Judge Hearn’s legacy is proof that you don’t need an official title to transform an organization.

The story of Judge George Hearn (Georgia) is a modern history of the Mu Chapter itself. It’s a story of resurgence, peaks and valleys, and earning influence the right way. It’s a story about lowercase “l” leadership – proof that you don’t need a title to transform an organization.

Impact on Mu

Judge Hearn’s fraternity experience began with a phone call from a certain Mu Chapter alumnus who convinced him to become a Sigma Nu. “If Sigma Nu is good enough for me, I hope it’ll be good enough for you,” he told him. The caller was Senator Herman Talmadge.

From that moment forward Judge Hearn’s Sigma Nu career would span six decades, during which time he played a key role in at least two resurgences of his own Mu Chapter at University of Georgia. The Judge and his contemporaries were not happy with the way things were going with the chapter post-Vietnam. The chapter had little interest in engaging with alumni – not even to tailgate on football game days.

During the Fall 1975 semester the chapter started experiencing positive change. “The chapter leadership wanted to make it more like a true fraternity than a club,” recalls Robert Durham, past Regent of Sigma Nu. “We would go out and engage with alumni at tailgates. All of a sudden more of these alumni would show up. By bringing his contemporaries back to the house he showed us he was proud of us.”

The chapter eventually reached a manpower just shy of 80, one of the largest chapters on the University of Georgia campus. This is when Judge Hearn gave Robert the now famous ‘Obligation to Excellence’ message that would guide the national fraternity’s strategic goals beginning with Robert’s term as Regent.

Some struggles returned in the mid-2000s when the chapter experienced a rare low point in performance and membership. Low manpower, no house, no reputation, no money, and no alumni support. When many asked what the chapter was doing there at all, Judge Hearn’s wise counsel once again helped the group stay on track. Focus on what you can control, he always said. “Those who can, do; and those who can’t should get out of the way.”

When the chapter reorganized and started an Alumni Advisory Board in the 2004-05 academic year, Chapter Advisor Michael Barry knew Judge Hearn would be involved. “Everyone else wanted to be on the board to just hear what he would say,” Michael says. “He attracted other leaders.”

The Judge was known for his quotes and one-liners, and one in particular stuck with the newly reorganized chapter: Vires Acquirit Eundo (“It gains strength by continuing”), a motto he coined for the collegians who committed themselves to reviving the chapter in 2005.

From that moment forward the Mu Chapter’s resurgence would barrel ahead and never look back. Manpower surged while chapter members earned top campus leadership positions. Years of hard work resulted in three consecutive Rock Chapter awards and recognition by the North American Interfraternity Conference as one of the top fraternity chapters in the entire nation.

Leadership style

The Judge had a unique leadership style that would tacitly expect the officers to strive for excellence. Hearn would ask the chapter officers questions about the chapter – whether they were using the Ritual and countless other questions about the operations of the chapter. “He had that influence on the chapter officers. He gave us confidence to do our own first capital campaign,” Robert recalls. “His influence was to tell alumni to start going back to the house. ‘You’ll be proud of the chapter,’ he would tell them.”

Judge Hearn’s leadership also illuminated the importance of campus involvement, once urging the officers to run for IFC so they could positively influence the direction of student governance. “UGA believes in student self-governance. You need to be part of that governance if you want to excel,” he told them. This advice would eventually help brothers of Mu Chapter earn spots in UGA’s Gridiron Secret Society, an achievement previously unrealistic given the chapter’s lack of influence in campus affairs.

Judge Hearn’s personal career success contributed to the rapport he had with the chapter officers, as Michael remembers: “We looked up to him. The word ‘can’t’ wasn’t in his vocabulary. He would help you understand how you get around the mental block. He wouldn’t do it for you. He was quick to praise you, quick to correct when you needed it. He was always there to support as long as you did the right thing.”

“He wasn’t going to hear about how we couldn’t do something, how we weren’t big enough, etc. He wanted to know what you were going to do about it.”

The more the chapter improved the more passion he would get, and the more passionate the chapter would get in return. It created this positive cycle that reinforced itself.

Leaving a mark on the national fraternity

Judge Hearn was a local chapter leader first. He had an impact nationally because his local chapter was successful, as Robert points out: “National involvement gave us a chance to spread his message. Few would be willing to listen to these ideas had Mu Chapter not excelled locally.”

“This whole ‘Obligation to Excellence’ idea can be traced back to him,” Robert says. “We moved College of Chapters to January and changed the location back to Virginia because we weren’t satisfied. The curriculum was revised to focus on collegiate Commanders, with emphasis on equipping our best leaders to hold their peers accountable. We created the Best Practices Library so chapters could learn from each other. Anyone who’s used the BPL was influenced by Judge Hearn.”

Other chapters experiencing a low point have much to learn from the Judge’s wisdom. “He wasn’t going to hear about how we couldn’t do something, how we weren’t big enough, etc. He wanted to know what you were going to do about it,” Michael says.

“If you believe in the concept of excellence then you need to be willing to go out and find help from others. This is a concept Judge Hearn imparted in us.”

Robert echoed a similar sentiment: “If your chapter is in bad shape and you haven’t engaged with Rock chapter delegates at convention, then you’re missing a major opportunity to improve.”

Judge Hearn’s affinity for Sigma Nu as a national brotherhood culminated with his attendance at the 66^th Grand Chapter in Nashville last summer – only a few weeks before his passing. “I am going to Nashville in a passenger seat or a pine box, but I am going to Grand Chapter.”

The Judge expected excellence from the chapter and he made sure they knew it. He never hid being a fraternity man; he was first to tell everyone how proud he was. And the chapter shared a mutual respect, as demonstrated by all the brothers who lined the aisles at Judge Hearn’s memorial service in Monroe, Ga. Attendees at the graveside service locked hands and recited the short Creed.

Judge Hearn entered Chapter Eternal on September 5, 2014, at the age of 80. His funeral services were attended by hundreds of friends, family, and Sigma Nu brothers, all of whom recounted lessons they learned from the Judge.

“Keep a positive outlook, tell the truth, do what’s right. Those are the key messages I’ll always remember from the Judge,” Michael says.

Robert says he will remember the Judge as a wise man who freely dispensed his wisdom. “After he died we would hear more stories from people in his Monroe community,” Robert says, reflecting on the memorial service. “We heard story after story about Hearn counseling young men in his community – Sigma Nu or not.” Judge Hearn went out of his way to support young people his entire career – from Lt. Col. in the military to football coach to a judge in the family and juvenile court system. He closed his living will with a fitting quote – another one of his favorite sayings: Sic Vos Non Vobis (“Not for ourselves but for others”).

“If you believe in the concept of excellence then you need to be willing to go out and find help from others. This is a concept Judge Hearn imparted in us,” Robert says. “Whether he had a title or not, people knew he cared. He wanted to help these young men develop into better leaders.”

Dr. William S. Spears Pledges $1.5 Million for Leadership Training Facilities

The Sigma Nu Educational Foundation (SNEF) received a pledge of $1.5 million last December from Dr. William S. Spears (Oklahoma State) to build new leadership training facilities on the Sigma Nu Headquarters property. The Spears Family Epsilon Epsilon Center of Excellence will house classrooms, a climate-controlled archives room, and lodging for up to 75 for visiting chapters from around the country.

Dr. Spears became inspired to make this gift after reflecting on the experiences he gained in his own chapter. “I feel indebted to Sigma Nu for the leadership capabilities I developed during my time with the chapter,” he said. “I believe my time with Epsilon Epsilon Chapter shaped me in ways that are still bearing fruit to this day.”

“The fraternity experience is important for our nation’s future,” he added.

In June of 2014, Dr. Spears challenged his fellow brothers of Epsilon Epsilon Chapter to match his gift of $1.5 million by November of this year. His Oklahoma State chapter brothers answered the call and raised the matching funds by the deadline. Nearly 300 brothers of Epsilon Epsilon Chapter stepped forward to contribute.

“It is our expectation that this challenge – this collaborative effort to support Sigma Nu – will be the spark that prompts brothers from other chapters to join what has become a growing coalition of alumni dedicated to making Sigma Nu the most formidable men’s fraternal organization in North America,” he said.

For Brother Bill, Sigma Nu was the bridge to adulthood. “It took me from the adolescent years to early manhood,” he says, “and the leadership skills I learned and developed through my fraternity experience have served me for more decades than I want to count.”

Dr. Spears also cited the important role his father and uncle played in encouraging him to join the Epsilon Epsilon Chapter at Oklahoma State. “They were exceptional role models for me,” he said. “This gift honors their memories and the Spears family overall.”

The founding principles of Sigma Nu are of particular importance to Brother Bill, as they align closely with the values his family taught him. “As the first Honor fraternity, Sigma Nu has a set of values that I embraced,” he continued. “They were the same values I was taught in my early years. So the gift honors both the fraternity and my family.”

Past Regent and SNEF chairman Joe Gilman (Morehead State/Georgia) is among the many longtime alumni volunteers to understand the significance of this pledged gift. “I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Brother Spears for his transformational gift supporting the ideal of ethical leadership,” said Gilman. “We are proud to have one of the most visited headquarters of all national fraternities,” Gilman continued. “This gift will enhance the experience of tens of thousands of collegiate and alumni brothers who will visit the Headquarters Shrine for decades to come.”

“In recent years we have witnessed a positive trend of local chapters forging stronger partnerships with the General Fraternity,” Gilman observed. This relationship with Lexington has long been a priority for Brother Bill and the Epsilon Epsilon Chapter, as illustrated by the chapter’s annual bus trip to visit VMI and the Headquarters Shrine. “Knowing the ties our chapter has to Lexington,” Brother Bill said, “the annual trip serves to ensure that Epsilon Epsilon is always tightly connected to its Sigma Nu roots.”

Neil Gilpin, longtime advisor for the Epsilon Epsilon chapter, was also quick to recognize the impact this investment will have on the fraternity’s budding leaders. “This will be a place where brothers will learn and develop the skills to become ethical leaders and embrace the ideals of Sigma Nu while at the birthplace of our great fraternity,” he said. Gilpin also reiterated Dr. Spears’ goal for this matching gift to spur other chapters to host similar fundraising competitions that support programs and scholarships coordinated through the Sigma Nu Educational Foundation.

“This kind of engagement simply confirms what I believe about the lasting positive influence that a fraternity provides,” Dr. Spears added. “Our members are truly part of a brotherhood: these gifts are tangible evidence that brotherhood lasts.”

Association Recognizes Fraternity’s LEAD Program

Sigma Nu Fraternity was presented with the 2014 Power of A Silver Award for its LEAD Program, the organization’s comprehensive ethical leadership development program.

The Power of A Silver Award is presented by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). ASAE honored Sigma Nu Fraternity’s commitment to instilling in its members the knowledge and skills needed to be an effective ethical leader in life.

“Congratulations to Sigma Nu Fraternity for benefitting not just their own industry, but society at large,” said Paul Pomerantz, CAE, CEO of the American Society of Anesthesiologists and chair of the Power of A Awards Judging Committee.

Over the years, the LEAD Program has adapted to meet the changing demographics of Sigma Nu’s collegiate membership. This effort to make the LEAD Program even better led to the determination that scientific evaluations conducted by a third-party research institution were needed.

Sigma Nu Fraternity subsequently partnered with George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Public Health to develop and implement the evaluative component. The conclusions from the evaluation speak to the benefits of the LEAD Program, but also help the fraternity identify the changing needs of today’s student leaders. The fraternity has used these findings to let the program evolve to provide relevant training to prepare ethical leaders for society.

“Recognizing how important it is for students to develop useful skills before entering the job market, Sigma Nu Fraternity has vowed to be a pioneer in providing relevant leadership programs for the fraternal movement,” said Scott Smith, Sigma Nu Fraternity’s director of leadership development.

ASAE’s Power of A (association) Awards, the industry’s highest honor, recognize the association community’s valuable contributions on the local, national, and global level. The Power of A Awards reward outstanding accomplishments of associations and industry professionals for their efforts to enrich lives, create a competitive workforce, prepare society for the future, drive innovation and make a better world.

Staffing

After 13 years of dedicated service, Justin Wenger (William Jewell) has concluded his tenure with the Sigma Nu Headquarters staff team. Wenger held a variety of roles with the Fraternity including Leadership Consultant, Director of Education, and Director of Financial Operations. Specifically, Wenger’s contributions to Sigma Nu included management of the Fraternity’s consultant program and development of the Helping Hand Initiative.

In October, Wenger became the business director of O’s Ark Printing, a custom print shop based in Buena Vista, Va. Wenger is also the head baseball coach at Rockbridge County High School.

Tyler Young (Florida) joined the Headquarters staff in September 2014 as Director of Development for the Sigma Nu Educational Foundation. Prior to joining the staff, Tyler served as director to numerous metro Atlanta counties for the Boy Scouts of America. In addition, he has helped coordinate volunteer efforts at 11 Super Bowls.

During his time at University of Florida, Tyler served as Commander, Alumni Relations Chair, and was integral in the recolonization of the Epsilon Zeta Chapter. His father, James Young, is a brother from Gamma Chapter (Duke). Tyler holds a bachelor’s degree in sport management and a master’s degree in management; both from the University of Florida. Tyler lives in Atlanta and enjoys golf, traveling, and live music.