The Mu Beta Chapter put on their first annual First Responders Festival over the weekend to benefit the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. The Brothers held a shrimp boil and hosted demonstrations with the local fire department and campus police department for the Huntsville community.
Arizona State
On March 28th, 2019, eight brothers from the Zeta Upsilon Chapter were elected to serve in their campus’s Undergraduate Student Senate. The Student Senate has 24 total members representing 10 different schools within the University. Its responsibilities include allocating funds for events and student organizations, maintaining the Undergraduate Student Government Bylaws and Election Code, as well as ensuring student interests are met. Once current vacancies are filled, Sigma Nu brothers will make up one-third of the Student Senate and will play a major role in the University’s decision-making process for the 2019-20 school year.
The Zeta Upsilon Chapter has often been praised for its campus leadership in years past, an attribute that contributed to the Chapter’s three Rock Chapter awards in 1986, 1988 and 1994. The Chapter is thrilled at the opportunity to once again serve as a leader on campus and looks forward to continuing to grow this model in the years to come. Congratulations to the brothers elected: Dominic Frattura – W. P. Carey School of Business, Thompson Vipond – W. P. Carey School of Business, John C. Hopkins – W. P. Carey School of Business, Travis Wanless – Fulton School of Engineering, Matt Diprima – Fulton School of Engineering, Ian Samuel – College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Michael Graham – College of Integrative Sciences and Arts, and Scott Scalisi – College of Integrative Sciences and Arts.
The Brothers of Eta Gamma celebrated their 60th Anniversary on June 15th with over 300 in attendance. The evening also included a Hall of Honor induction ceremony, in which 6 brothers were inducted, Ed H. Bowman, Jr., Don K. Martin, Frederick J. Steinbrenner, III, J. Carl Jackson, Jr., Roderick S. Tumlin, Jr., and Keven M. Lake.
On March 26, 2019, alumnus and Division Commander Jason Dooley assisted the Georgia Legislature in adopting a resolution recognizing and honoring the 150th Anniversary of Sigma Nu Fraternity! We currently have 9 brothers serving in the Georgia Legislature which Dooley says is “one of the many testaments to our legacy and tradition of leadership in the Peach State.” Dooley and a few brothers were present for the reading of the resolution.
Knox
Brother Joe Thompson attended the Delta Theta Reunion urging his brother to submit their chapter news.
Louisiana State
Phi Brothers volunteered for Habitat for Humanity with Angela Guillory, Louisiana State Universitys Director if Fraternity and Sorority Life.
Midwestern State
The Brothers of Eta Upsilon went to The Arc of Wichita County this past spring, which is a local IDD nonprofit. While there they hosted a cookout and dodgeball tournament. The chapter had an awesome time getting involved in their local community and was able to raise over $1,000 to fund summer camps for The Arc of Wichita County. During Founders Month of Service, the brothers also made an impact by volunteering at their local American Red Cross.
Mississippi
Ole Miss Football coach and Sigma Nu alumnus Matt Luke teamed up with Wesley Walls at the Reynolds Lake Oconee Resort, outside of Atlanta, Ga. to partake in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Challenge. This is Team Ole Miss’ fourth consecutive win, making it the first time in the events history a team has won that many times in a row. They finished at 13-under par and won the $100,000 first-place prize. The first-place prize money will be split between an endowed scholarship at Ole Miss along with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes program at the University. The team from the University of Georgia came in second at 11-under par, following by teams Clemson, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, and Ohio State tied for third with 9-under.
Alumnus Michael Watson recently announced his candidacy for Mississippi Secretary of State. Michael is a 2002 graduate of the University of Mississippi. Michael says his “record of public service proves that I have consistently focused my skills, education, and experience to serve our state as a champion of liberty. I look forward to bringing my conservative record of consistent success in the legislature to the Secretary of State’s office.”
Missouri State
The Alumni men of the Theta Sigma Chapter have long been deeply involved in the support of the active chapter. That involvement dates to the founding of the pre-Colony organization and the recognition of the men who were involved in that recognizing that it takes more than just young men wanting something to get that something done! As a side note to this article, the Theta Sigma Chapter will be celebrating that founding date 50 years ago during the weekend of October 12, 2019.
Recently, the alumni have turned their attention to a variety of issues, though are most proud of the improvement in Chapter scholarship. About two years ago, attention was called to Theta Sigma’s academic rank among campus organizations, and the percentage of members who were below the ideal academic GPA. Alumni stepped up. A meeting was held on campus during which alumni from all over the USA met as a group with individual Chapter members to discuss the importance of learning and education. At the conclusion of this informative session, each of those collegiate members was assigned an alumni mentor whose job it was to help that man improve study skills, thus improve his learning and of course, GPA. The result of that effort was even bigger than hoped! At that same time, we began what will be another continuing tradition of having dinner to recognize those men who attain the honor of making the Dean’s List. We hold a dinner in the Spring to honor the Fall scholars and in the Fall to recognize the Spring awards. Alumni donate to a designated scholarship fund set aside to purchase dinner for each honoree and to provide a small cash recognition, as well as a scholarship pin. Parents are invited to attend with their son and accomplished professionals address the group. The most recent speaker was the President of Missouri State University, Dr. Cliff Smart and before that, the Dean of the School of Business, Dr. Kent P. Ragan. As a result, approximately 25% of our chapter members earn the Dean’s List honor.
Theta Sigma Alumni established a scholarship fund with the Missouri State Foundation in 1996 to honor, Tom Edwards. That scholarship fund quickly grew to the endowment level and has been providing at least one scholarship to a worthy Theta Sigma Chapter man ever since. Theta Sigma also has a scholarship fund with the Sigma Nu Foundation, which reached endowment after a push in 2017. That fund has been named after, Scot Franson. A drive will begin soon to increase the balance in this fund to at least $20,000 in order to provide two scholarships per year for Theta Sigma Men.
MIT
Epsilon Theta Brother Mason Grimshaw is dedicated to social change after his time at MIT. Grimshaw graduated in 2018 with a degree at the Sloan School of Management and is currently working toward a Master of Business Analytics (MBAn) degree. Since growing up on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation in South Dakota, he wants to bring what he has learned back home. He says there is a great community where he is from and his hopes are to open a software or web development consulting firm where he could teach community members computer science skills, that they could, in turn, teach to others. He wants to bring business and show people it is worthwhile to invest in overlooked areas.
Montana State
During Founders Month of Service, the Brothers of Zeta Nu made busy bags, which are bags with activities and positive cards, for the children at Shodair Children's Hospital. The people at Shodair loved them! They made about 200 bags and hope to continue to improve and grow this project next year.
Northern Illinois
Brother Brett Young was named Forbes, Best-in-State and The Financial Times, Top 400 Financial Advisors for 2019, this past spring. This is his fifth consecutive year on FT400. These awards are presented to advisors who present a high-quality experience and go above and beyond to assist their clients in achieving their goals. Brett is currently a Private Wealth Advisor with Ameriprise Financial in Oakbrook Terrace.
Oklahoma
Brother Gene Rainbolt turned 90 years old this year. He is the Chairman of Banc First in Oklahoma and his date of birth om 1929 falls on the 20th anniversary of the original chartering of the Delta Epsilon Chapter.
RIT
The Brothers of Mu Zeta gave back to their community in a huge way this past spring while participating in the 50 Acts of Kindness to commemorate 50 years on the Henrietta campus. Over 2,400 Rochester students, faculty, staff and alumni gave back by blood drives, fundraising, food donations, and many more. During the St.Baldricks haircutting fundraiser, the brothers were able to raise more than $54,000 in the eight years it has been organized on the events campus.
San Jose State
Zeta Iota Brother John McLemore was awarded San Jose State University College of Social Sciences Outstanding Alumnus of the year. A ceremony took place on May 2nd where he was given an award presented by Dr. Walter Jacobs, Dean of the College of Social Sciences at San Jose State University. McLemore says he was “shocked and humbled to say the least” when accepting this award.
South Florida
On March 24, 2019 the Brothers of Theta Alpha hosted their inaugural White Rose Carnival philanthropy in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. After months of planning, the carnival was set up with games, sponsors, and many activities available for donations. When the day of the event came around, seven Greek organizations from around campus came out to compete in these activities and raise money for the cause. Between donations from local businesses, other organizations, and the brothers of the active chapter, the Theta Alpha chapter is proud to announce that they raised $14,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Attached are some pictures that were taken at the event, each with captions to describe what was going on.
Brother Jim Crotty was selected this spring as part of the University of South Florida’s Fraternity and Sorority Life Hall of Fame. The school launched this hall of fame this year where Brother Crotty was inducted on Sunday, April 14th. The university created this hall of fame to recognize fraternity and sorority alumni for their notable contributions to the fraternity/sorority experience, the University, the community, and their profession. Jim was selected for being an outstanding representative of the University of South Florida and being a great illustration of what Sigma Nu Fraternity stands for. Nominations were submitted by chapters, alumni, headquarters staff, USF faculty, and USF staff members.
Stephen F. Austin
Mu Upsilon Brothers held their annual car wash to help in raising money to fight against endometrial cancer.
UC Davis
on May 11, the Zeta Xi chapter celebrated its 10-year anniversary since it was reestablished and received its charter back in 2009. It was a fantastic event with more than 250 brothers (old and new) and guests. Ex-Regent Joe Gilman was also in attendance to represent the national fraternity, just as he was at the original chartering event in 2009. He stated his amazement at what the chapter has accomplished in the 10 years since he had been back.
The celebration was a long time coming. Zeta Xi chapter was off-campus for more than 16 years. But when it was recolonized in 2008, the new brothers and previous alumni joined together to establish a compelling vision to become one of the top chapters in the country, a rock chapter. And they did it! They achieved their first rock chapter within three years of reestablishment and have been so recognized two more times since in the last decade.
To kick off its next 10 years, Zeta Xi has now established vision 2.0 to carry the chapter to higher mountains and service to the national fraternity. And part of their mission is to help other West Coast chapters also chart a course to become rock chapters.
West Georgia
Alumni Edward Crumbly, Milton Shiver, Royel Vreeland, and Lindsay Davis visited Headquarters this spring.
West Virginia
Gamma Pi Brothers, 2nd Lt. Ian Salazar and 1st Lt. Jon Slazar have served in the Middle East, both finishing ROTC in the top of their class.
Western Kentucky
The Eta Rho Chapter participated in Dance Big Red this past spring, which is a student-led fundraising event benefiting the Children’s Hospital Foundation. This is a non-profit organization whose sole purpose is to raise funds for Norton Children’s Hospital and its sister facilities in Louisville, KY. The Norton Children’s Hospital and Norton Children’s Medical Center – Brownsboro care for more than 180,000 children from Kentucky and Southern Indiana each year. This year over $71,000 raised by attendees of the campus-wide event.
