Dispatches from the Legion of Honor
Chapter & Alumni News
Akron
This fall the Kappa Lambda Chapter took large strides in the areas of recruitment and philanthropy. Going into the semester with a chapter of less than 20 men, one thing was for sure: Recruitment was vital. With that in mind, the chapter revised the way they did recruitment, Brothers Matt Barns and Zach Wiser set up a recruitment tent to welcome new students to check out all that Sigma Nu has to offer. The Chapter benefited greatly resulting in one of their largest candidate classes including 13 quality men, which included two legacy recruits.
This large candidate class immensely contributed to the success of the chapter throughout the fall semester, especially for the chapter’s annual “Kornhole for the Kids” corn-hole tournament benefitting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In all, the chapter was able to raise a total of $2700 for St. Jude. With the many successes the chapter has enjoyed this semester, the men of the Kappa Lambda Chapter look forward to the future as they continue to strive to excel in honor.
Arizona State
The fall semester has been an exciting one for the Zeta Upsilon Chapter and they have accomplished so much. Earlier this semester they secured their charter and hosted a re-chartering ceremony. After which, they successfully initiated 51 active brothers. During recruitment this semester, they extended 37 bids, and 35 of them were accepted. At the beginning of next semester, Zeta Upsilon plans to initiate 25 new brothers from this semesters pledge class. Zeta Upsilon hosted its first official philanthropy this semester. Sigma Boo, which is their haunted house tour, had over 150 participants and raised over $500.
This semester Zeta Upsilon made great academic progress as well, after receiving #1 in IFC grades this past semester, they plan to keep their new-found academic success alive. This semester they successfully helped lead 8 holdover members to above a 3.0 GPA in under half a semester.
In addition, every Zeta Upsilon brother finds time to be in extracurricular activities weekly, and they don’t see any drop in GPA because of these volunteering and leadership activities. Zeta Upsilon placed first in homecoming this year along with Kappa Alpha Theta. It has been a great semester for Zeta Upsilon and all the brothers are looking forward to continuing the success next semester.
Bowling Green State
The Brothers of Epsilon Chi welcomed 9 candidates on October 7, 2018.
Colorado
The Gamma Kappa celebrated their 116th anniversary with an alumni dedication event that took place on September 15, 2018.
The Chapter honored alumni and their accomplishments, some of the men who were honored were Brein Stears, Robert Demmon, Michael Moore Sr., and Vance Devoe Brand.
One of the honorees was Vance Devoe Brand, a Longmont, Colorado native who served as an acting associate director for programs at NASA Dryden flight research center. He was also the acting director and deputy director for aerospace projects. Brand briefly served as acting chief engineer following an assignment as an assistant chief of flight operations at Dryden. As a recognized aerospace engineer and a test pilot with almost 10,000 flying hours, Brand may be best known for his career as a NASA astronaut.
Brand earned his Bachelor of Science degree in business from the University of Colorado in 1953, after taking some time off to serve with the us marine corps as a commissioned officer and naval aviator, Brand returned to Colorado and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from the university of Colorado in 1960.
At the dedication event 3 bronze plaques were dedicated these Brothers honor. Brand was entered the Sigma Nu Hall of Fame in 2010.
Colorado State
The Brothers of Delta Rho had their most successful candidate class this fall which included 40 men.
Dayton
Alumni Connor Winn from the Kappa Iota Chapter climbed Gray’s Peak in Colorado. It is the 10th highest peak in the Rocky Mountains and he brought along a flag and a shirt to represent his Sigma Nu pride.
East Carolina
The Eta Beta Chapter has had a successful fall semester thus far. For community service and philanthropy, they have been involved with Freshman Move-In, monthly IFC Grid Clean-ups, and selling raffle tickets to benefit Hurricane Florence relief efforts. Eta Beta held their first annual Sets & Nets Volleyball Tournament this fall with all the money raised being donated towards Breast Cancer Research. They also had multiple percentage nights at local restaurants and a Blood Drive with Delta Zeta. Eta Beta raised over 600 cans of food for Hurricane Florence relief efforts and another 3,000 cans during their homecoming food drive paired with Phi Mu. The brothers also volunteered to help set up and run an autism awareness event called Aces for Autism in their Greenville NC community.
Academically, the chapter is looking forward to another strong year. Last year Eta Beta had the highest average GPA among IFC fraternities at East Carolina University and is looking to hold that ranking. Other than that, Eta Beta is aiming to win Fraternity of the Year for a second time by continuing to excel at CSP, academics, and leadership around campus. In other news Rhys Collins, former Commander and current IFC President was the Homecoming King for 2018. This is the second year in a row a brother of Sigma Nu has taken the Homecoming King crown. Eta Beta has also been declared Spirit Cup Champions along with their pairing Phi Mu for winning the events of the 2018 ECU Homecoming Week.
Eastern Washington
The Knights of the Theta Lambda Chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity were pleased and honored to welcome the 23 Men of the Beta-Rho Candidate Class who accepted a bid to join our fraternity and became Candidates for Knighthood in the Legion of Honor. In the nearly 50-year history of the Theta Lambda Chapter at EWU, this was their largest Candidate Class ever. They currently have 19 Active Members and with the addition of this year’s Candidate Class of 23 their total current manpower is now at 42. This is the highest their local active manpower has been in over 20 years. The future is looking very bright at Theta Lambda.
Florida
The Epsilon Zeta Chapter held their annual Alumni Weekend from November 2nd – 4th and welcomed over 30 alumni from around the country back to the Chapter house for an event-filled homecoming weekend. The Brothers of Epsilon Zeta wishes to thank all Alumni who attended for joining them in this special celebration.
For years, the Epsilon Zeta Chapter has been heavily involved in Dance Marathon (DM) at the University of Florida, this involvement has continued to grow throughout the semester. Brother Ryan Gruszczyk, was appointed as the Design & Technology Overall Director for DM, and Brothers Kevin Anderson, and Brian Nichol, were appointed as Captains for the 2018-2019 fundraising year. These brothers led the charge during DM’s annual Transform Today, where they managed to raise $626,000 in 26.2 hours.
The Epsilon Zeta Chapter would also like to congratulate Brother Tirthan Shah, who accepted a full-time position at Capgemini in New York City, and will be working as a Technology Analyst/Consultant after he graduates from the University of Florida in August of 2019 with a degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering. The Epsilon Zeta Chapter would also like to commend Brother John Hodson, who accepted an internship position as a Software Engineer at Microsoft in Redmond, Washington for the 2019 summer.
This semester alone the Epsilon Zeta Chapter raised over $1000 for St. Jude’s Children Hospital through their fall philanthropic event, bringing the total amount raised for the 2018 year up to $3000, which is a 1300% increase from the funds raised in 2017. Brother Samuel McLane was the driving force behind this incredible increase in philanthropic donations, and he plans to continue his efforts for the 2019 year.
Georgia Southern
Alumnus Anderson Johnson who assisted in helping to rebuild the Theta Kappa Chapter a few years ago had an exciting fall by staring in an Arby’s commercial.
Georgia State
The Brothers of Eta Gamma accepted 28 candidates this fall. They are looking forward to an exciting year, welcoming many new faces to the Brotherhood.
High Point
The Brothers of Nu Delta have been busy supporting many great causes this fall semester. They have come together and rallied behind causes that are important to them not only as individuals but as a Chapter.
During National Hazing Prevention Week, they acted by creating a banner to bring hazing prevention awareness to High Point University Greek Life. They used this banner to show that they do not support hazing and they want people to know the importance of standing up to it.
They also went above and beyond by getting together and raising $13,000 through their annual car show. Each year the chapter decides where they would like the proceeds to go and this year one of their Brothers Jack Boyd lost his father to a heart disease, so they decided to pay tribute to one of their own and donated all money to the American Heart Association. They have made a dramatic impact on their community’s nonprofit after a personal experience.
Houston
The Brothers of Zeta Chi welcomed 17 men to the Brotherhood during a ceremony on September 24, 2018. Several alumni came back to visit for this event.
Illinois State
The men of the Theta Rho Chapter spent their Halloween evening hosting an event they would never forget. For the first time ever, the chapter hosted “SNuFest” which consisted of a philanthropic concert aimed at raising awareness and donations for breast cancer awareness and research. In 2013, Brother Anthony Braglia sadly lost his mother to this horrible disease. In her honor, and for all those who have been affected and continue to fight this disease, the chapter held an event to raise money for the Susan G. Komen organization. The Castle Theatre in Bloomington held the event and over 750 people attended the show, almost selling out the event. The show was headlined by international artist and 12th ranked DJ in the world, R3hab. The event was a complete success and the chapter was able to donate $15,000 towards breast cancer research. The Brothers of Theta Rho thank all who helped contribute to the success of this event and look forward to making this unforgettable event a new tradition!
Jacksonville State
Last winter the Iota Lambda Chapter crossed over 9 candidates into the Brotherhood. This fall they matched that number with another 9 candidates initiated, which raised their Chapter to 31 active Brothers. They had a 100% retention rate both semesters and it was the first time in Iota Lambda Chapter history that they had 100% retention rate two semesters in a row. They were also awarded the highest GPA out of all the IFC fraternities for 3 consecutive years now.
James Madison
The Brothers of Iota Delta had an exciting Fall semester which included many activities as a Chapter. One of which, was winning the 2018 Championship with intermural soccer for the 2nd year in a row.
Kansas
Current and past Nu Brothers came together for a group photo while celebrating homecoming weekend together this fall.
Kennesaw State
Kennesaw State University’s 27th Annual Distinguished Alumni Awards dinner was on October 5, 2018 at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel and Convention Center. During the ceremony two Iota Pi alumni Brothers; Matt Finn and Darryl Higginbotham were honored as some of KSU’s most accomplished graduates. KSU describes the recipients of this award as a “distinguished alumnus/alumna is a person who exemplifies the ideals and mission of the University; demonstrates distinguished achievement in his/her chosen field at a local, regional and/or national level; and embodies the spirit of Kennesaw State’s commitment to community engagement through service, University involvement or philanthropic endeavors.
Finn, graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Architecture and went on to work for the Atlanta office of Perkins + Will, an interdisciplinary, research-based design firm. He has served full time as founder of Cognitive Design LLC, since October 2016. This is an Atlanta-based network of experts that provides consulting, design, and research services for projects to improve human health and wellbeing.
Higginbotham, graduated in 1989 with his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology and he is still an active member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. In 1988, Higginbotham and his wife Becky started Higginbotham and Associates Inc. from their basement. Higginbotham also formed Marietta X-Ray LLC in 1999 and Marietta Nondestructive Testing LLC in 2007, which is a leading nondestructive testing equipment provider with a worldwide customer base.
Nathan Humphrey, the President of the Kentucky State University Alumni Association made a statement about the night saying, “It was an incredible night, and true privilege to recognize these outstanding alumni for the significant impact they are having in their professional careers, and more importantly in their communities,” Humphrey said. “They are a fantastic representation of what it means to be KSU alumni.”
Louisiana State
On September 9th, 2018 Phi Chapter hosted its annual philanthropy event, Sigma Canu. Sigma Canu is a canoe race in which teams from different sororities on campus race to the middle of the lake, turn around, and race back. Teams were to face one vs. one in a march-madness-like bracket, until it got down to the final team. Phi Chapter had a total of 16 teams, with a signup fee of $100 per team. Waitr, a food delivery company, decided to match up to $1000 of donations. Phi Chapter was able to raise $2,980 and donated the proceeds to St. Jude’s Baton Rouge Affiliate Clinic: Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health. Overall, it was a very successful event, with Tri Delta taking home the title of Sigma Canu champions.
In January of 2018 Phi Chapter initiated 32 candidates at Virginia Military Institute. Phi Chapter started its pilgrimage in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and took a 14-hour bus ride to Lexington. This was Phi Chapter’s first trip to Alpha Chapter in its 131-year history, and brothers were able to tour Sigma Nu HQ. While in Lexington, the chapter was taken around and explored the historic VMI campus. Overall, it was a great trip and something Phi chapter hopes to do again in the future.
Louisiana at Lafayette
The Brothers of Eta Nu initiated 9 new men into the Brotherhood, during a ceremony on November 4, 2018.
Minnesota State
This fall the Brothers of Lambda Delta pinned their candidate class which included 15 new Brothers.
Mississippi
66 out of 69 Brothers of the Epsilon Xi Chapter made a pilgrimage to the Rock in Lexington, Va. on October 13, 2018. They took a tour of the campus as well as visited the history around Virginia Military Institute.
Missouri State
On September 30, 2018, Theta Sigma had a great Luncheon for Chapter members who made the Dean’s List for spring 2018 at Missouri State University. They had 20 honorees, and many parents and alumni were in attendance. The Guest Speaker Dr. Marissa LeClair Weaver addressed the group about leadership.
Mount Union
The Brothers of Beta Iota hit a huge milestone this fall by initiating beyond pin number 2000. They had an initiation ceremony where past and recent alumni came back to witness the ceremony.
North Dakota
The Brothers of Epsilon Kappa received 20 new candidates for the fall semester.
Northern Illinois
Theta Eta had a very successful Fall 2018 with recruiting 21 new members adding to their 46 current active members, making their Chapter 67 Brothers total. This is a 45% increase in manpower. They needed it because of letting go of close to a dozen guys earlier in the year. Their goal is to return with about 60 men each fall, having 45 living in the Chapter house and gaining a pledge class of about 20 quality men.
North Texas
The Brothers of Zeta Omicron welcomed 22 candidates to the Brotherhood during an initiation ceremony on September 21, 2018. Later in the semester the Chapter had the opportunity to host Brothers from Eta Delta (West Texas A&M) during their homecoming weekend in November.
Oregon
On September 22, 2018 Gamma Zeta Alumni John L. Cooper, Michael W. Kimball, and Theodore R. Simmoneau came together to watch their Oregon Ducks take on Stanford.
RIT
The Mu Zeta Alumni Association wishes to express their gratitude to Brothers who attended their second regional event in Rochester, New York during the Brick City Homecoming weekend.
Recently, their scholarship name at RIT has changed to Vernon W. Davis Memorial / Mu Zeta Chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity Endowed Scholarship. This name change is in respect to Brother Vernon W. Davis, a very well-respected RIT/ NTID Faculty Member, Brother, and former advisor of the Mu Zeta Chapter of the Sigma Nu Fraternity. Vernon impacted many brothers and students during his tenure at RIT/NTID. The Chapter feels that the renamed scholarship will honor Vernon and recognize his passion and his dedication to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.
The 27th White Rose weekend will be happening on April 19, 2019 to April 21, 2019. The co-chairperson for the 27th White Rose will be Brother Matthew Freeberg and Brother Marshall Hurst.
Lastly, the Mu Zeta Alumni Association (MZAA) is thrilled to announce that they achieved a new all-time high with the number of Gold members at 54. They have several big goals to achieve in 2019, one of them would be collecting $60,000 in total for two of their endowment scholarships.
Southern Mississippi
Adrian Webster is serving overseas and his Brothers from the Theta Gamma Chapter sent him a Sigma Nu flag with the active members signatures on it.
Southeast Missouri State
Southeast Missouri State University President Carlos Vargas along with Mu Kappa Alumni Advisor Chris Foeste, Housing Corporation President Paul Dobbins, and Alumni Chapter President Jake Risk, recognized sixteen men from the chapter during a scholarship reception over Homecoming weekend. These sixteen men are the recipients to over $13,000 in annual endowed scholarships setup to directly benefit the members of the Mu Kappa chapter. The recipients for 2018-2019 are: Connor Griffin, Michael Peters, Jacob Stringer, Jake Eversman, Bryce Graham, Dylan Schmidt, Raymond Killian, Jacob Wilson, Zach Reger, Aaron Crowell, Justin Jacobs, Abraham Gonzalez, Grant Brown, Kevin Yaeger, Alex Bargen, and Jacob Oppenborn.
Tennessee
The fall semester has been an exciting time of growth for the Epsilon Eta Chapter. Beginning the semester, they welcomed 36 new initiates into the chapter which brought the overall chapter size to 132, the largest it has been in its 97 years of existence. Their annual Snake Daze Powderpuff Football Philanthropy included participation from many organizations on campus and allowed the Chapter to raise money for Camp Koinonia, a non-profit camp for children with disabilities in the Knoxville area. This semester their alumni have raised over $12,000 to award the Dan Tindall and Steve Curtis Memorial Scholarship to 4 members of the Chapter. This year’s award recipients were Michael Brown, James Eun, Allen Pack, and Garrett Russell. The Chapter also placed first in the University of Tennessee’s Big Orange Give Greek Challenge with 199 donors, which was a part of UT’s successful campaign to raise 2 million dollars in 1 day. Epsilon Eta continues to thrive on-campus as they approach their 100-year anniversary in 2021, continuing to grow great men into leaders.
Texas State
The Brothers of Eta Tau were only able to recruit Texas State credit hour Sophomores and Juniors due to a school wide deferred recruitment. Although this limited their recruitment, they were still able to recruit 9 great Candidates for the Fall 2018 Semester. They are looking forward to showing them the way into the bond that is the Legion of Honor.
Utah
Epsilon Lambda welcomed a group of new men to the Brotherhood this fall.
Washington and Lee
Lambda Alumni David Thomas was elected County Auditor in Ashtabula County, Oh. on November 6, 2018 during this year’s elections. David graduated from Washington and Lee with a double major in education and government and went on to get his master’s in business administration from Baldwin Wallace University.
Western Kentucky
The Brothers of Eta Rho made their pilgrimage to Lexington, Va. in November. 14 men took a trip to The Rock where they received a tour of Headquarters, Virginia Military Institute, and participated in a LEAD session.