The Quarterly

In late April, Missouri University of Science and Technology profiled two recent graduates, Gamma Xi Chapter alumni Ben Roth and Gavin Hays, who have turned their passion for classic gaming into a growing business venture through STL Arcades, a St. Louis-based company that builds custom arcade machines for homes and businesses. Roth, a 2024 computer science graduate, founded the company after teaching himself the cabinet-building process and launching operations from his home workshop. Hays, a 2025 business and management systems graduate, serves as the company’s sales manager. The two met as collegiate members of Gamma Xi Chapter and now work together to create fully customized arcade machines featuring thousands of classic games.

The Gamma Xi Alumni Chapter held its first St. Louis Thirsty Thursday of the new year on February 5 at Perennial on Lockwood in Webster Groves, Missouri. Twenty brothers showed up to talk about brotherhood and the good old days in Rolla. Pictured are: (L-R): Joe Rodriguez, Bob Minor, Gregg Wilhelm, Jerry Anderson, Todd Meyer, Mike Venneman, Steve Lamitola, Dave Schepers, Todd Forthaus, Brian Klein, Mike Mertens, Jim Grelle, Bill Dale, Dan Angeli, Mike Parsons, Bill Warner, J.R. Ryan, and Bob Baumgartner.

On December 4, alumni of the Gamma Xi Chapter gathered in the St. Louis area for a festive holiday edition of their popular “St. Louis Thirsty Thursday” series. Held at 4 Hands Brewery, the event drew a record turnout of 30 brothers representing an impressive 54-year span of the chapter – from 1970 to 2024 – who came together to share fellowship, reconnect, and swap stories. Hosted every two to three months at local microbreweries, St. Louis Thirsty Thursday has become a cornerstone alumni engagement initiative for Gamma Xi. Its success has even inspired the launch of similar gatherings among alumni groups in Kansas City, Missouri, and Houston, Texas – further strengthening the bonds of brotherhood well beyond graduation. Pictured: Sitting L-R: Mike Parsons, Bill Warner, Dan Angeli, Vince Grelle, Boris Peharda, Bill Lenger. Standing L-R: Darin Everett, J.R. Ryan, Mike Venneman, Ron Bretz, Tom Meyer, Todd Meter, Bill Dale, Eric Grimes, Jim Grelle, Chuck Hess, Jerry Anderson, Todd Forthaus, Bob Baumgartner, Kent Goddard, Brian Klein, Andrew Winingar, Dave Schepers, Christian Winingar, Adam French, Josh LaRue, Steve Lamitola, and Ben Roth.

On September 7, the brothers of Gamma Xi Chapter gathered to honor founding member Glenn Beckley Morgan (ΓΞ 4) on the 100th anniversary of his passing. The chapter performed the Fraternity’s funeral ritual in his memory before visiting his grave at Rolla Cemetery. Brother Morgan, a respected mining engineer and former State Geologist of Wyoming, embodied Sigma Nu’s ideals of Love, Honor, and Truth. His lifelong pursuit of knowledge and leadership continues to inspire the brotherhood today, and his story now plays a meaningful role in the chapter’s candidate development program.

The 7th annual RollaFest took place August 14-17, 2025, at the Gamma Xi Chapter house in Rolla, Missouri. More than 30 alumni returned to reconnect, share stories, and celebrate their days in the chapter alongside collegiate brothers and candidates. Festivities began Thursday evening at the chapter house, continued at Hopper’s Pub downtown, and concluded back at the house. Friday featured golf at Oak Meadow Country Club for some, while others rafted the Huzzah and Meramec Rivers. That evening, everyone gathered for Alex’s Pizza, Jack Phillips’ signature “tea,” and plenty of storytelling. Saturday included campus tours by collegiate members, the Alumni Chapter meeting, and a special tour of the restored Frisco 1501 steam locomotive and passenger car in Schuman Park, arranged by Brother Nick Barrack. The weekend wrapped up with a pork steak barbecue at Lane Spring Recreation Area. The chapter extends special thanks to Jack Phillips for planning the weekend and to Nick Barrack for coordinating transportation through USA Tours.