Also Inside:
Brother charts course of advocacy after Alzheimer's diagnosis
Making the friendly skies safe for all
Revitalizing volunteer engagement at Elon
SigEp has always been different. So, what is it about the Fraternity that appeals to young men today?
In summer 2023, brothers traveled to San Antonio for the Fraternity’s 58th Grand Chapter Conclave. Here’s a fun memory from 2003, when Conclave was also held in San Antonio: This souvenir was created to mark SigEp’s 48th Conclave and commemorate the folklore surrounding the city’s heritage. Complete with a star emblem and the motto, “There’s a new SigEp in town,” this keepsake playfully captures the spirit of frontier-era Texas while noting the influx of brothers from across the country for the four-day event. At the conclusion of the 2003 event, attendees were given this decorative item during the Alumni Awards Dinner.
EDITOR
Tyya N. Turner
CONTRIBUTORS
Vern Gibbs, Columbia ’00
Kevin Knudson, Nebraska ’15
DESIGN AND LAYOUT
Tria Designs
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Brian C. Warren Jr., Virginia ’04
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Ben Ford, Arkansas Tech Renaissance
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER & JOURNAL EDITOR
Tyya N. Turner
DIGITAL MEDIA DIRECTOR
Guillermo Flores
DESIGN & BRAND MANAGER
Sami Tenaglia
ADVANCEMENT COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Erin Palmer
ENGAGEMENT COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Ryan Cannon
2023-2025 NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GRAND PRESIDENT
Brad Nahrstadt, Monmouth ’89
GRAND TREASURER
Daniel W. McVeigh, Texas Wesleyan ’90
GRAND SECRETARY
Victor K. Wilson, Georgia ’82
ALUMNI DIRECTORS
David R. Calderon, Cal Poly Pomona ’88
Scott Carr, California-Santa Barbara ’86
Mike Duggan, Missouri State ’74
Dr. Regina Hyatt
Greg A. Pestinger, Kansas State ’86
Darron Trobetsky, Indiana of Pennsylvania ’94
Michael A. Wolbert, Northwest Missouri ’94
STUDENT DIRECTORS
Matthew Crabtree, Colorado School of Mines ’25
Thomas Fridrich, Florida ’25
Blake Gibney, South Dakota State ’25
SIGMA PHI EPSILON FRATERNITY
310 S. ARTHUR ASHE BLVD. RICHMOND, VA 23220
804.353.1901
SUBSCRIPTIONS
The SigEp Journal, the official magazine of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, is published by the Fraternity for alumni, volunteers and other supporters.
The Journal has been published since 1904. To ensure you receive the Journal, please keep your address current at mysigep.org and make sure the “Subscribe to SigEp Journal” box is checked.
SUBMISSIONS
Have an idea for a story about an outstanding brother, chapter or volunteer? Visit sigep.org/sigepjournal to submit your suggestion.
ARCHIVE
Past issues of the Journal can be viewed at sigep.org/sigepjournal.
Update your communication preferences at mySigEp.org.
Adelphi 21
Alabama 12, 45
Angelo State 45
Arizona.................................... 12, 14, 45
Arizona State ..................................... 45
Arkansas 45
Arkansas State .................................. 45
Arkansas Tech 2
Auburn 45
Auburn-Montgomery 45
Austin Peay State 12, 45
Baker 13, 16, 23, 35, 42, 45
Baldwin Wallace 10, 12, 15, 23, 45
Ball State ...................................... 22, 45
Barton 14, 45
Baylor .............................................12, 45
Boise State 19, 45
Boston College 23
Boston University 12, 45
Bowling Green State 12, 45
Bradley 45
Bucknell 45
California-Berkeley 12, 45
California-Davis 45
California-Riverside ......................... 12
California-San Diego 45
California-Santa Barbara 2, 4, 12, 45
Cal Poly Pomona 2, 4, 13, 14, 45
Cal State-San Bernardino .............. 12
Canisius 13, 45
Carroll 14, 45
Case Western 12
Central Arkansas 13, 45
Central Michigan 45
Central Missouri 13, 16, 45
Chapman 45
Charleston (West Virginia) 45
Christopher Newport....................... 12
Cincinnati 12, 45
Clarkson 45
Clemson 14
Cleveland State 12, 13
Coastal Carolina 12, 45
Colorado 12, 13, 14, 24, 44, 45
Colorado School of Mines 2, 4, 10, 12, 35, 45, 51, 52
Colorado State 13, 45
Columbia 2, 12, 14, 21, 43
Connecticut 13, 35, 45
Cornell ................................................. 45
Creighton 45
Culver Stockton 45
Dartmouth 45
Davidson 14, 25, 46, 49
Davis & Elkins 46
Dayton 14, 46
Delaware 46
Denver 46
Detroit.................................................. 46
Drake 11, 34, 46
Drexel ............................................ 13, 35
Eastern Illinois 29
Eastern Michigan 14
Eastern Washington 13
East Tennessee State 12, 14, 16, 46 Elon 8, 9, 11, 14
Emporia State 46
Evansville ...................................... 12, 46
Florida 2, 4, 16, 35, 46, 49
Florida Gulf Coast ............................. 12
Florida International 12, 16, 46
Florida Southern 46, 49
Florida State 35, 46
Fort Hays State 46
Fresno State 12, 37
George Washington 14
Georgia 2, 4, 12, 35, 46, 50
Georgia Southern 46
Georgia State..................................... 46
Georgia Tech 12, 16, 35, 46
Grand Valley State 12, 13, 46
High Point 46
Hofstra 21
Houston 46
Huntingdon 13
Idaho State ......................................... 46 IIT 11, 12, 46
Illinois......................................12, 29, 46
Indiana 12, 16, 44, 46
Indiana of Pennsylvania 2, 4, 16, 40, 46
Indiana State 46
Indiana Tech ..........................16, 21, 46
Iowa 12, 16, 46
Iowa State ...............................12, 16, 46
Iowa Wesleyan 46
Jacksonville 46
Jacksonville State 30, 31
James Madison 46
Johns Hopkins 46
Kansas 10, 12, 16, 35, 46, 50
Kansas State .......... 2, 4, 12, 14, 16, 46
Kent State 46
Kentucky ............................................. 46
Kentucky Wesleyan 46
Lawrence 44, 46
Lawrence Tech 12, 34, 46
Lehigh 12, 16, 37, 46
Lenoir Rhyne 46
Lewis & Clark 46
Loras 12
Louisiana State 8, 9, 12, 35, 46
Louisville ................................ 12, 16, 35
Loyola 12, 14, 46
Lynchburg 12, 23
Maine 10, 12, 16, 19, 34, 46
Marquette....................... 13, 18, 23, 46
Marshall 46
Maryland-College Park 16, 23, 46
Massachusetts 12, 46
Memphis 13, 14, 46
Memphis Lambuth .......................... 46
Miami (Florida) 14
Miami (Ohio) ....................... 10, 38, 46
Michigan 13, 30, 46
Michigan Tech 12 Middlebury 46
Minnesota 12, 16, 46
Mississippi State 12, 35, 43, 46, 51
Missouri 6, 12, 16, 19, 27, 35, 46
Missouri S&T...... 13, 14, 16, 17, 25, 47
Missouri State 2, 4, 12, 16, 35, 47
MIT .........................................................47
Monmouth 2, 3, 4, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 47
Montana........................................ 14, 47
Montana State 12, 47
Morehead State .......................... 12, 47
Morningside 47
Murray State 14, 35, 47
Nebraska 2, 16, 24, 34, 36, 37, 44, 47
Nebraska-Kearney 35, 47
Nebraska-Omaha 47
New Mexico 16, 47
North Carolina 14, 47
North Carolina-Greensboro 12, 47
North Carolina State ..... 11, 12, 16, 47
North Dakota 12, 16
Northern Illinois.................................47
Northern Kentucky 12, 14, 18
North Texas 29, 42, 47
Northwestern 12, 18
Northwest Missouri 2, 4, 12, 16
Northwood 47
Norwich 47
NYU 14, 21, 47
Ohio 47
Ohio Northern ............................. 14, 47
Ohio State 14, 19, 34, 35, 47
Ohio Wesleyan ...................................47
Oklahoma 18, 42, 47
Oklahoma City....................................47
Oklahoma State 12, 14, 27, 35, 47
Oregon 13, 14, 30, 47, 49
Oregon State 14, 27, 40, 47
Parsons 47
Pennsylvania............................... 33, 47
Pennsylvania State 12, 14, 47
Pennwest .............................................47
Pepperdine................................... 14, 47
Philadelphia 14, 47
Pittsburg State 11, 12, 47
Purdue .................................... 16, 47, 49
Randolph-Macon 12, 47
Rensselaer .................................... 12, 47
Rhode Island 36, 37
Richmond 14, 16, 47
Rider 13, 16
Rutgers 13, 14, 47
Sacramento State 9, 44, 47
Saint Louis 47
Sam Houston State....... 12, 14, 16, 47
San Diego State 12, 14, 16, 47
San Jose State....................................47
SIU-Edwardsville 11, 12, 47
South Carolina 12, 47
South Dakota State 2, 4, 12, 35
Southeast Missouri State 12, 16, 35, 47
Southern California 47
Southern Methodist 48
Southern Mississippi 12, 48
South Florida 48
Southwest Texas State 48 St. John’s 21, 39, 48 St. Joseph’s 12 Stetson 48 Stevens ............... 12, 13, 14, 21, 34, 48
SUNY-Buffalo 48
SUNY-Fredonia ...........................12,
It’s time to reclaim our title as the largest and best fraternity on every campus where the SigEp flag is planted.
When you joined SigEp, you entered a brotherhood that, as our founders said in 1901, “will be different.”
If you’ve brushed up on our history like I have, you know Sigma Phi Epsilon is also the “Fraternity of Firsts.” Time and again, we’ve proven this Fraternity is different through bold and impactful decisions and innovative clarity of vision. I’d like to ask you to participate in our plans that will lead to SigEp’s next first — Raise Your Bar: A Strategic Plan for Every SigEp . Our objective is clear — we will be the largest and best fraternity on every campus where the SigEp flag is planted.
“Time and again, we’ve proven this Fraternity is different through bold and impactful decisions and innovative clarity of vision.”
Today, and in the coming years, I’d like to ask for your support in achieving that bold goal. The Fraternity’s leaders set this goal because we believe that today, collegeaged men are at a crossroads. They are falling behind in academic performance, mental health, relationship building and professional preparedness. SigEp can and will bring more men inside the walls of our welcoming chapter homes and SigEp Learning Community spaces — where development, in-person connection, friendship and brotherhood are alive and well. Through our chapter experience centered on the Balanced Man Program and national leadership events, we will raise a generation of men who go on to lead their communities after college.
As the Journal went to print, the National Board of Directors approved the Fraternity’s new strategic plan, Raise Your Bar: A Strategic Plan for Every SigEp. You should have received email communication unveiling the plan. If you didn’t receive the email, make sure you’ve claimed your account and updated your email address at mysigep.org!
Full coverage of the strategic plan will be available in the next issue of the Journal. You can view the plan at sigep.org/strategicplan.
Raise Your Bar: A Strategic Plan for Every SigEp calls for increased financial investment and unprecedented volunteer support. It challenges us to meet the needs of this and future generations of young men with development opportunities that are essential to success. It demands that we grow and share the SigEp experience with more men than ever before in our history.
If you haven’t been connected to the Fraternity recently, I ask that you get reconnected. Make sure your contact information is up to date on mySigEp. org. Attend events at your chapter and make connections with alumni in your area. Consider making a gift this Nov. 1 on Founders Day of Giving, or consider the rewarding experience of mentoring undergraduates at your home chapter or a chapter near you (sigep.org/ volunteers).
Our new strategic plan demands the involvement of every SigEp, and it is for each of us. I’m working with our National Board of Directors — and relying on all of our 250,000 alumni — to pursue the peak performance that will make us the largest and best fraternity. I hope you’ll join us, in whatever way you’re able, in supporting SigEp’s bold vision.
Brad Nahrstadt, Monmouth
’89
GRAND PRESIDENT
During the Alumni Awards Dinner, the closing event at the 2023 Grand Chapter Conclave, Brad Nahrstadt, Monmouth ’89 , was announced as SigEp’s newly elected Grand President. A former district governor, Nahrstadt was first elected to the national board in 2015. While addressing attendees, Nahrstadt spoke
about SigEp’s ability to make a tremendous impact in the lives of today’s college men.
“I firmly believe the solution to the struggles facing young men today is to provide a bigger and better SigEp experience,” he stated.
Daniel McVeigh, Texas Wesleyan ’90 , and Victor Wilson, Georgia ’82 , were re-elected to the board as Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary, respectively.
Other returning board members include David R. Calderon, Cal PolyPomona ’88 ; Greg A. Pestinger, Kansas State ’86 ; Michael A. Wolbert , Northwest Missouri ’94 ; and Dr. Regina Hyatt, Mississippi State University’s vice president for student affairs.
In addition, Darron Trobetsky, Indiana of Pennsylvania ’94 ; Scott Carr, California-Santa Barbara ’86 ; and Mike Duggan, Missouri State ’74 (a former student director), were all elected to the board for the first time as alumni directors. Three undergraduate brothers were also elected to the board as student directors: Matthew Crabtree, Colorado School of Mines ’25 ; Tom Fridrich, Florida ’25 ; and Blake Gibney, South Dakota State ’25 .
A sampling of what brothers are posting, liking and sharing on social media.
Liked by officialsigep and others fiusigep Our first ever SigEp Career Fair was a success! Thank you to all the gracious alumni for taking time to give back to not only our brothers but other driven students at FIU. fiusigep
Sigma Phi Epsilon (Official)
A SIGEP AND HIS BROTHER WON SEASON 35 of "THE AMAZING RACE!"
Eight countries, 19 cities, more than 23,000 miles: Congratulations to John Franklin '18 and his brother Greg. The brothers raced around the world and came out on top of the latest season of the hit show.
Update your communications preferences at mysigep.org.
Know a student on one of the nearly 200 campuses with a SigEp chapter? If you know a current or incoming undergraduate man who’s looking to raise their bar and would be a great addition to our Fraternity, use the QR code to pass along their contact information to the chapter.
What does it take for a newly re-established chapter to earn its SigEp charter? High academic standards, campus involvement and commitment to the local community are all essential to building a SigEp chapter that will stand the test of time. Not satisfied with just meeting the minimum expectations, these recently chartered chapters far exceeded them. Here, we celebrate the chapters that received their charters in 2023.
CHARTERING DATE
March 4, 2023
GPA AT CHARTERING
3.5 (among the top 2 fraternities every semester since returning to campus)
MANPOWER AT CHARTERING 85
CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT: Participates in campus event to raise funds for pediatric patients
CHARTERING DATE
May 6, 2023
GPA AT CHARTERING 3.27
MANPOWER AT CHARTERING 107
CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT:
PROGRAMMING AND COMMUNITY SERVICE:
Local trail clean-up, partnered with a local church to host an event for Big Brothers Big Sisters, more than 50 percent of challenge meetings facilitated by a subject matter expert or a Mizzou faculty member
RECOGNITIONS
RECEIVED: Noted for being the only fraternity on campus with 100% completion of antihazing education
IFC officers, club hockey, club lacrosse, climbing team, ROTC, CSU rodeo PHILANTHROPY AND COMMUNITY SERVICE: 90 brothers participated in fall 2023 cleanup supporting community members who can no longer take care of their properties; raised
$5,000 through Dance Marathon to support the local children’s hospital; holiday toy drive held at chapter house
AWARDS RECEIVED: Excellence in Recruitment, Intake & Retention; Chapter of the Year
Oct. 21, 2023
AT CHARTERING 3.02
MANPOWER AT CHARTERING 49
CAMPUS INVOLVEMENT: Participates on corecreational teams with sororities and other fraternities
PROGRAMMING AND COMMUNITY SERVICE: Canned food drives; learning community committee members provide info on scholarships, serve as tutors and share mental health resources with brothers
AWARDS RECEIVED: Highest IFC GPA
By Brian Tenclinger, Louisiana State Renaissance
Since rechartering in 2005, SigEp’s North Carolina Mu chapter has steadily built a solid presence on the campus of Elon University, bringing home three Buchanan Cups in the 2010s and the university’s Student Organization of the Year award in 2016. Of Elon’s nearly 6,500 students, more than 90 are currently SigEp brothers. Despite its impressive manpower and consistently maintaining a GPA in the 3.3 range, the chapter hit a plateau and had waning motivation to accomplish more. North Carolina Mu was missing out on a key element that underpins the SigEp experience: connecting with and
learning from volunteers. The chapter had operated for several years with little volunteer engagement, which meant it was essentially functioning without the benefit of alumni mentorship.
According to Henry Cauley, Elon ’10 (alumni and volunteer corporation president) and Scott Swedberg, ’11 (chapter counselor), the AVC had historically not done enough to support and mentor undergraduate brothers.
Cauley shared, “We didn’t have many engaged volunteers. We lost momentum and eventually stopped meeting.”
Swedberg recalls being at a brother’s wedding and talking with a small group of North Carolina Mu alumni about
Undergrads want mentors — motivated alumni and volunteers who are willing to get to know them and help them make the transition to life beyond college.
how the chapter was no longer living up to its potential to earn SigEp’s Buchanan Cup and top fraternity awards from the university. That conversation became the impetus for increased alumni involvement and a new approach to steering the AVC.
District Governor Phil Smith, UNC-Wilmington ’94 , reached out to Cauley and re-engaged other volunteers. With Cauley’s guidance, the group built a strategy that included strong and consistent leadership, increased communication and buy-in from the undergraduates.
Cauley and Swedberg have been working to recruit additional volunteers to serve on both the AVC and the mentor committee. Regular meetings with undergraduate leaders have helped volunteers better understand their needs. What they’ve heard is that the undergrads want mentors — motivated alumni and volunteers who are willing to get to know them and help them make the transition to life beyond college. With the addition of eight new volunteers, the North Carolina Mu AVC has become results-driven and is starting to see success in growth, retention and engagement from the undergraduates.
Since engaging these new volunteers, there’s been a shift in undergraduate leaders’ approach to chapter operations. They no longer see doing things “the way we’ve always done” as a path forward because the volunteers are constantly pushing them to improve and grow. This new outlook has resulted in an expanded roster of learning community events and increased interaction with staff from the Offices of Student Involvement and Student Life.
Brothers are now focused on earning another Buchanan Cup and advancing the paradigm that North Carolina Mu isn’t just an average chapter, it’s an excellent chapter with brothers who continually strive to raise their bar.
Brian Tenclinger serves as SigEp’s director of volunteer engagement. To learn more about how you can get involved as a volunteer with a SigEp chapter, go to sigep.org/volunteers.
By Erin Palmer
The place: Phoenix. The time: summer 1997. When they weren’t admitted to a private party at Conclave held by the Freearks (a group composed of past SigEp Headquarters traveling staff members), seven brothers who prided themselves on their SigEp involvement volunteering “in the trenches” signed their names on a piece of paper. Their vow: At the next Conclave, not only would they host a private party of their own, they’d all chip in to pay for an undergraduate’s registration fees as well.
By the 1999 Chicago Conclave, these brothers had organized themselves as the Anthony “NUTS!” McAuliffe Society, named after the brother, West Virginia 1920 graduate and U.S. Army general known for his defiant reply of “Nuts!” when the Germans asked him to surrender.
Dues were set at $25 per Conclave, and Columbus Johnson, Sacramento State ’85 , proposed a longterm goal of creating a $10,000 SigEp Educational Foundation endowment to support their ambition of helping undergraduate brothers experience Conclave.
Since then, NUTS! membership and dues
NUTS! FINANCIAL SUMMARY
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS V. AWARDS $72,769
have increased along with the group’s size and impact. Today, the society sponsors dozens of undergraduates to attend each Conclave and underwrites ancillary costs for Ruck Leadership Institute. It also supports SigEp’s Annual Fund — to the tune of several hundred thousand dollars per year.
Though the spirit of friendly competition between Freearks and NUTS! members is particularly evident during Founders Day of Giving, the two groups have softened toward one another over the years. In fact,
a few Freearks are now also members of the society, joining those whose only service to the Fraternity is “in the trenches” of volunteerism.
After all, we’re all here for the same reason: to help today’s young men find their purpose and pursue excellence in every aspect of life, thanks to the common bond we all share.
The charts above provide a snapshot of the incredible support these “NUTS!” have offered to our young brothers in recent years.
Each of these active chapters observed milestone anniversaries in 2023. Here, they share highlights of their anniversary celebrations, as well as updates on some of their current activities.
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS:
CELEBRATING 75 YEARS:
FOUNDED NOV. 12, 1948
SigEp’s Pennsylvania Nu chapter celebrated its 75th anniversary in fall 2023. Alumni and undergraduate members kicked off their homecoming weekend festivities with a gathering where attendees enjoyed an evening of great food and even better company. Recognizing what an outstanding achievement this was in the chapter’s history, the AVC presented awards to several brothers in appreciation of their exceptional dedication.
FOUNDED MARCH 13, 1948
FOUNDED APRIL 21, 1923
Alumni and undergraduates gathered for a celebration marking SigEp’s century at Colorado School of Mines. Brothers reminisced while participating in a weekend packed with events, including tours of campus and the chapter house, a homecoming tailgate, Burning Heart ceremony, and banquet. One of the banquet speakers, Charles McNeil (’71) (see story on page 52), was unable to attend in person, but shared remarks via video. Since the successful event, many alumni have expressed interest in being more involved, and the AVC has been busy recruiting new volunteers to serve as mentors. In addition, the undergraduates once again earned the top fraternity GPA for fall 2023, continuing their long history of academic excellence.
FOUNDED APRIL 28, 1923
SigEp’s Kansas Gamma chapter at the University of Kansas celebrated its 100th anniversary with a sold-out weekend event in May 2023. It was an enormous success, with over 540 alumni and guests in attendance. KU basketball coach Bill Self served as the keynote speaker for the formal celebration banquet in honor of one of the chapter’s founding fathers, Dr. James Naismith, the inventor of basketball.
For Ohio Zeta, the past year was all about growth and getting back in touch with their history. The undergraduates intensified their focus on recruitment and nearly doubled the number of brothers in the chapter. They also solicited donations for the Annual Fund from alumni as part of SigEp’s Founders Day of Giving call center. This provided undergraduates with an excellent opportunity to connect with alumni and learn a great deal about Ohio Zeta’s history.
FOUNDED MAY 30, 1948
Maine Alpha will celebrate its 75th anniversary during the University of Maine’s homecoming festivities over the weekend of Oct. 18-19, 2024. The AVC is still finalizing plans for the weekend, but has announced it will recognize Douglass Johnson (’48) as a distinguished alumnus at the event.
FOUNDED DEC. 4, 1948
During Miami University’s Alumni Weekend in June 2023, brothers and their spouses gathered for dinner to celebrate Ohio Eta’s 75th anniversary. At the dinner, the AVC kicked off a brick campaign to raise funds for house improvements. The bricks, which will be placed in front of the chapter home, are available for purchase for $275 (standard, 4"x8") or $475 (large, 8"x8"). The next day, brothers attended the dedication of a memorial to one of Ohio Eta’s founders, Tuffy Potter. (See story on page 38.)
FOUNDED MAY 22, 1948
More than 100 alumni and guests — including chapter founder Don “Mac” McKinley (’50) — celebrated Illinois Gamma’s 75th anniversary in spring 2023. Then 95 years young and as sharp as ever, McKinley spoke at the event’s capstone banquet. Remarks were also given by Grand President Brad Nahrstadt (’89), former regional director Eric Ealy (’86), AVC President Pete Widolff (’88), and former Grand President Billy Maddalon (North Carolina State ’90). The festivities also included the initiation of two new brothers, a panel discussion on SigEp today, a Burning Heart ceremony, and displays of the chapter’s regional and national awards, Scholarship Cups, and 14 Buchanan Cups.
FOUNDED APRIL 24, 1948
In November 2023, more than 100 brothers and guests gathered for Illinois Beta’s 75th anniversary celebration at the Chicago Sports Museum. The event highlighted the accomplishments of the chapter through the years and gave alumni a chance to show their support for the re-chartered chapter. Alumni and friends raised over $2,500 for the Balanced Man Scholarship, and a large wooden founders badge was presented to the undergraduate chapter to display in the chapter house, which is currently undergoing renovations.
FOUNDED MAY 9, 1948
The Iowa Delta AVC and undergraduate chapter celebrated the 75th anniversary of its founding and 20th anniversary of its re-chartering with a gathering of over 50 alumni and volunteers during the 2023 Drake Relays. Dr. Deb Bishop, faculty advisor of 15 years, was honored with SigEp's Distinguished Volunteer Award. The chapter and AVC are grateful they had the opportunity to celebrate her incredible career and thank her for the enormous impact she had on the chapter one last time, as she unexpectedly passed away later in the year.
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS:
FOUNDED FEB. 10, 1973
A 50th anniversary banquet was held in Edwardsville with over 120 alumni and guests in attendance, including 11 founding fathers and the chapter’s current executive board. There was also a meet and greet that brought out an additional two dozen alumni, as well as a campus tour conducted by undergraduate brothers. The events resulted in the undergrads learning a lot about the early days of SIU from the charter members and the charter members learning all that had transpired since their days on campus.
FOUNDED MARCH 31, 1973
Texas Mu successfully returned to Texas A&M University in the fall of 2022. After just a year and a half back on campus, Texas Mu already has nearly 120 members. The chapter was recognized in spring 2024 with the “Excellence Award” during the Aggie Greek Awards ceremony. The AVC hosts alumni events in multiple Texas cities and has held its signature Texas Mu Alumni Weekend & Tailgate for the past two football seasons, with alumni spanning across 50 years in attendance.
FOUNDED DEC. 28, 1973
Kansas Theta at Pittsburg State University celebrated its 50th anniversary during a special weekend in October 2023. With well over 300 brothers and guests in attendance, the event included videos and speeches by the chapter’s founding fathers. The highlight of the two-day event was a fundraiser to help pay down the mortgage on the chapter house. Another wonderful moment was the initiation of Vincent Clifford as a Renaissance brother. Vincent is the brother of Kansas Theta SigEps Steve and Jerry. The Clifford family has endowed a memorial scholarship in the name of the late Jerry.
FOUNDED APRIL 28, 1973
Brothers celebrated their 50th anniversary with food, drinks and stories during homecoming weekend. The event was a great opportunity for brothers to reconnect and remind themselves of what it means to be part of this historic chapter. As the night concluded, attendees raised their glasses to another 50 years of brotherhood. The event not only marked an amazing milestone, but also created excitement for the many accomplishments the chapter will enjoy in the years to come.
These brothers and friends worked with alumni and volunteer corporations to support the national Fraternity’s fundraising efforts by rallying donors to contribute during SigEp’s Founders Day of Giving event.
John Abraham, Cincinnati ’77
Bryan Altheide, Evansville ’85
Will Andrews, Lynchburg ’23
Ohio Theta
Indiana Epsilon
Virginia Omicron
DJ Armstrong, Fresno State ’20 ............................................California Phi
Josh Bach, Grand Valley State ’08 ........................................
Jeremy Baker, Wisconsin-Platteville ’00
Clayton Baum, Arizona ’86 ......................................................
Matt Beck, Iowa ’90
Ted Behnken, Toledo ’82
Tony Belcher, Northwest Missouri ’09
Jasper Bishop, South Carolina ’22
Gary Bonas, Villanova ’80
Joe Brandel, Missouri ’91
Joe Brejda, Georgia Tech ’12 ..................................................
Kyle Brown, Valparaiso ’16
Steve Buce, Stevens ’86 ...........................................................
Matt Bunch, California-Berkeley ’05
Michigan Kappa
Wisconsin Theta
Arizona Beta
Iowa Gamma
Ohio Iota
Missouri Lambda
South Carolina Alpha
Pennsylvania Rho
Missouri Alpha
Georgia Alpha
Michigan Beta
New Jersey Alpha
California Alpha
Justin Burnett, Sam Houston State ’02 ........................... Texas Eta
Nate Burns, Maine ’16
Chad Carlson, Baylor ’95
Scott Carr, California-Santa Barbara ’86
Jason Carse, Louisiana State ’95
Craig Casselberry, Texas-Austin ’86
Buck Caulfield, Mississippi ’76
Lucas Commiso, California-Riverside ’17............................
Matthew Crabtree, Colorado School of Mines ’25
Aaron Cromer, Oklahoma State ’16.......................................
Chad Dacus, Mississippi State ’00
Dirk Daveline, Kansas State ’87
Joe Davis, Grand Valley State ’04
Chris Dillion, Illinois ’03
Keaton Dornath, Kansas ’21
Eric Ealy, Monmouth ’86
Maine Alpha
Texas Rho
California Gamma
Louisiana Beta
Texas Alpha
Mississippi Alpha & Texas Delta
California Beta Gamma
Colorado Delta
Oklahoma Alpha
Mississippi Beta
Kansas Beta
Michigan Kappa
Illinois Alpha
Kansas Gamma
Illinois Gamma
Barb Elliott & Mike Elliott, East Tennessee State ’81 Tennessee Gamma
Tommy Elms, Pittsburg State ’89
Kansas Theta
Norm Evans, Coastal Carolina ’82......................................... South Carolina Epsilon
Pat Farrell, SUNY-Fredonia ’86
New York Iota
Denny Fitzgerald, Missouri State ’75 .......................................Missouri Eta
John Fitzgerald, Grand Valley State ’85
Michigan Kappa
Patrick Fontana, Truman State ’94
Missouri Mu
Jeff Gates, Wichita State ’89 Kansas Eta
Blake Gibney, South Dakota State ’25 South Dakota Alpha
Bryce Giesler, Tennessee ’82............................................ Tennessee Alpha
Andrew Gillette, Morehead State ’15 Kentucky Zeta
Zac Gillman, Austin Peay State ’15 .................................. Tennessee Eta
William Githens, St. Joseph’s ’92 Pennsylvania Eta
Hunter Goff, Randolph-Macon ’18 Virginia Zeta
Blake Gurney, Washington State ’21 Washington Alpha
Kieran Harper, Loyola ’13
Louisiana Gamma
Logan Hemmert, Utah State ’17 Utah Alpha
Josh Hodnichak, Case Western ’10 Ohio Sigma
Mark Holm, Iowa State ’98 Iowa Beta
Chris Howe, Washburn ’86 Kansas Delta
Dave Huiett, Cleveland State ’66 ..................................... Ohio Nu
Tyler Ingersoll, Valparaiso ’17 Indiana Zeta
Tom Jelke, Florida International ’90 .............................. Florida Nu
Ron Kaniuk, Northwestern ’93 Illinois Lambda
Brian Kassar, Montana State Renaissance Montana Beta
Craig Kaufman, Washington-St. Louis ’86 Missouri Beta
Jeremy Keller, Wright State ’14 Ohio Pi
Andy King, Wichita State ’01 Kansas Eta
Cliff Kinnunen, SIU-Edwardsville ’81 Florida Omicron & Illinois Eta
Ryan Kooi, Grand Valley State ’15 Michigan Kappa
Chuck Kubic, Lehigh ’72 Pennsylvania Epsilon
Kevin Kwoka, San Diego State ’11 .................................... California Delta
Aaron Lavine, California-Santa Barbara ’05 California Gamma
Joe Lavoie, Massachusetts ’08 ........................................ Massachusetts Alpha
Mike Lincoln, Southeast Missouri State ’84 Missouri Zeta
Taylor Linder, South Dakota State ’16 South Dakota Alpha
Mike Little, North Dakota ’09 North Dakota Alpha
Riley Little, Christopher Newport ’13 Virginia Pi
Jarett Lopez, Northern Kentucky ’20 Kentucky Eta
Jason Mack, Michigan Tech ’96 Michigan Eta
Blake Martens, Washington State ’09 Washington Alpha
Allen Marvel, Valparaiso ’23 Indiana Zeta
Caleb Massey, Virginia Commonwealth ’14 ................. Virginia Beta
Matt Matlack, Columbia ’00 New York Phi
Reggie Maynigo, IIT ’05 ..................................................... Illinois Beta
Austin McCraw, North Carolina-Greensboro ’19 Florida Alpha
Dave McLaughlin, Minnesota ’92 Minnesota Alpha
Brian Michalka, Rensselaer ’16 New York Delta
David Middlemiss, Syracuse ’91 New York Alpha
Jack Millar, Colorado ’83 Colorado Alpha
Brad Moore, North Carolina State ’92 North Carolina Beta
Dan Moore, Loras ’13 .......................................................... Iowa Eta
Sam Moschelli, Lawrence Tech ’00 Michigan Theta
Bill Murschel, Monmouth ’75 ........................................... Illinois Gamma
Gopi Nadella, Baldwin Wallace ’01 Ohio Zeta
Benjamin Nahrstadt, Indiana ’16 ..................................... Indiana Beta
Davis Orr, Alabama ’14 Alabama Beta
Josh Paine, Cal State-San Bernardino ’12 California Upsilon
Drew Parrish, Georgia ’13 Georgia Delta
Josh Pastrana, Lawrence Tech ’22 Michigan Theta
Greg Pestinger, Kansas State ’86
Gary Phillips, Southern Mississippi ’74
Hernan Picalomino, Massachusetts ’01
Greg Pierson, Missouri ’23 ................................................
Skip Pugliese, Grand Valley State ’92
Dan Reagan, Colorado State ’82 .....................................
Jason Richards, Memphis ’97
James Robinson, Huntingdon ’04
Alan Rucker, Ball State ’02
Milton Santiago, Canisius ’97
Kris Schmautz, Valparaiso ’07
Mike Schnur, Rutgers ’86
Jake Schozer, Stevens ’20
Bill Schutte, Cleveland State ’71
Kansas Beta & Kentucky Beta
Mississippi Gamma
Massachusetts Alpha
Missouri Alpha
Michigan Kappa
Colorado Gamma
Tennessee Beta
Alabama Zeta
Indiana Gamma
California Chi
Indiana Zeta
New Jersey Beta
New Jersey Alpha
Ohio Nu
Alex Scull, Westminster ’12 ...............................................Pennsylvania Lambda
Jerry Shipman, Indiana Tech ’75
Greg Steed, Central Arkansas ’93 ...................................
Rick Stepanovic, Michigan ’12
Steve Stewart, Grand Valley State ’05
Craig Sutter, Western Kentucky ’96
Michael Svec, Iowa ’90
Greg Swain, Central Missouri ’85
Roy Sye, Monmouth ’13
Tom Teson, Drexel ’13
John Tyler, Texas-Austin ’63
Indiana Eta
Arkansas Zeta
Michigan Alpha
Michigan Kappa
Kentucky Delta
Iowa Gamma
Missouri Theta
Illinois Gamma
Pennsylvania Beta Beta
Texas Alpha
Tim Tyler, Tennessee Tech ’04.......................................... Tennessee Epsilon
Renato Villacorte, Cal Poly Pomona ’91
California Mu
Don Walde, Colorado ’87 ................................................... Washington Gamma
Dale Werts, Baker ’84
Aidan Westbrook, Oregon ’25
Kyle Whelton, Marquette ’15
Sean Willins, Thiel ’98
Josh Wilmes, Missouri S&T ’11
Levi Wilson, Rider ’99
Bill Wivell, Connecticut ’85
Desmond Worrell, Western Carolina ’21
Kansas Alpha
Oregon Beta
Wisconsin Zeta
Pennsylvania Nu
Missouri Gamma
New Jersey Zeta
Connecticut Alpha
North Carolina Pi
Stephen Yeargin, Tennessee-Martin ’06 ...................... Tennessee Kappa
Chris Yerges, Wisconsin-Platteville ’09
Wisconsin Theta
“Supporting the Beacon Society furthers our fraternal mission. Our donations directly empower programming that shapes young men into their best selves. By giving back financially, no matter the amount, we invest in the personal growth of future generations who will lead the world’s communities with Virtue, Diligence and Brotherly Love.”
Keaton Dornath, Kansas ’21
Taking its name from the eternal impact these donors will make with their gifts, the Legacy Society honors those brothers and friends who choose to remember the Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation in their will or estate plans. Learn more about making a planned gift at sigeplegacy.org.
Rick Babcock, William & Mary ’67
Tom Barton, Loras ’89
Ben Benjamin, George Washington ’40*
Dave Bertorello, Evansville ’89*
Gary Blauth, Stevens ’66
Nick Boshears, Oregon State ’90
Paul Buckwalter, Philadelphia ’66
David Burkholder, Utah ’69*
Justin Burnett, Sam Houston State ’02
Walter Catching, Lehigh ’40*
Jack Clarkson, Kentucky ’69*
Richard Cowell, Washington-St. Louis ’52*
Jane Cox*
Phil Cox, Indiana ’84*
Bryan Coy, Wright State ’93
Gary Coyne, Texas Christian ’04
Sean Craft, North Texas ’95
Bill Davenport, Mississippi ’69
Dean Davis, North Texas ’55*
Gene Dewey, Arizona ’61*
Denis Dieker, Wichita State ’77
Donald Duryee, Fort Hays State ’71
Chuck Eberly, Bowling Green State ’63
Claudia Ebersbach*
Mike Farley, Indiana Renaissance
Omar Franklin, East Tennessee State ’88
Yvonne Gentzler*
Jack Gibson, Monmouth ’59*
Bryce Giesler, Tennessee ’82
Gary Griffith, Texas-Austin ’70
Ed Hawley, Washington ’59
Dick Henning, Miami (Florida) ’51*
Horace Herron, Illinois ’25*
Kent Hickman, Colorado ’61*
Hal Hodson, Ohio Northern ’49*
Hank Hoffman, Indiana Tech ’80
Richard Hoover, Ohio State ’55*
Robert Hunter, North Carolina ’66
Bill Hydrick, Loyola ’85
Tom Jelke, Florida International ’90
Mike Kearney, Missouri S&T ’61
Bob Kirkpatrick, Idaho State ’60
Bob Klingenburg, Fairleigh Dickinson ’77
Frank Ko, Pepperdine ’97
Mark Krzywonos, Northern Kentucky ’84
Jim Laycock, Tennessee Tech ’70
Jeffrey Lenci, Montana ’63*
Todd Lewers, Virginia Tech ’78
Paul Litcher, Indiana Tech ’88
Bill Love, Oklahoma State ’49
Kelly Mankin, Western Michigan ’82
Chris Mercer, UNC-Wilmington ’91
Michael Moon, North Texas ’77
Gus Nickou, NYU ’47*
“I believe SigEp provided nearly half of my college education. The Fraternity helped me develop my people skills and reasoning abilities. I’m very thankful for what SigEp contributed to my success in life and would like to ‘pay it forward’ so others can experience the same success I enjoyed. I see being a Legacy Society donor as a smart way to do that. Your heirs really aren’t going to miss a few percentage points from your estate. And by donating through an IRA distribution, a good bit of that donation won’t be lost to the IRS.”
Paul Buckwalter, Philadelphia ’66
Kevin O'Connor, Loras ’88
Greg Pestinger, Kansas State ’86
Zac Pope, Elon ’07
Carlos Quintero, Clemson ’73
Maurie Richards, Tulsa ’52*
Marcus Robinson, Dayton ’99
Maury Rohleder, Evansville ’58
Joe Rooney, Oregon ’44*
Bill Rowland, Iowa State ’47*
Tom Russell, Columbia ’99
Frank Rutherford, East Tennessee State ’57*
Chris Sacra, Jacksonville ’98
Bill Schreyer, Pennsylvania State ’48*
Mike Selby, Eastern Michigan ’02
Steve Shanklin, Murray State ’70
Gary Shepard, Boston University ’61
Gordon Sommer, Carroll ’60*
Michael Thomas, Florida State ’86
Bill Tragos, Washington-St. Louis ’56
Bob Trovaten, San Diego State ’67
John Underwood, Washington State ’58
Kennard Vandergrift, Richmond ’56*
Peter Varney, Davidson ’96
Scott Vaughan, Barton ’93*
Rick Veazey, Ferris State ’64*
Doug Voss, Miami (Florida) ’69
Herbert Wetherby, Florida ’53*
Chuck White, Western Michigan ’62*
Carrie Whittier
Tom Wiggins, Cal Poly Pomona ’84
Michael Williams, Memphis ’69
Charles Wilson, Kansas State '62*
Victor Wilson, Georgia Renaissance
Jack Witemeyer, Rutgers ’55
Archie Yeatts, Richmond ’64
* Deceased
“I started giving to SigEp because I believe in the balanced man. When I accepted my bid in 1997, I didn’t appreciate how much that concept would drive my personal and professional path. SigEp is a leadership fraternity that builds balanced leaders. This is what makes SigEp different from other organizations, and it’s why I am committed to contributing to SigEp. It is my privilege to do so.
For the past two years, I supported Founders Day of Giving as a captain. Through that initiative, I reconnected with alumni and undergraduate leaders at my home chapter in the shared pursuit of ensuring that the leadership and educational opportunities SigEp provides will continue for current and future SigEps.”
Gopi Nadella, Baldwin-Wallace ’01
Bittman, Colorado ’85
Ken Blankenship, Tennessee-Martin ’00
Joe Brejda, Georgia Tech ’12
Carr, California-Santa Barbara ’86
Ken Christianson, Washington State ’74
Davis, Nebraska ’90
Denham, Purdue ’82
Wichita
Pestinger, Kansas State ’86
Prouty, Iowa State ’79
Greg Pusinelli, Indiana ’80
Rodrigue, Maine ’04
Scribante, Kansas State ’56
AJ Scribante, Kansas State ’56
Jerry Shipman, Indiana Tech ’75
Ron Smith, San Diego State ’69
The brothers listed here issued chapter and national challenges to their fellow 2023 Founders Day of Giving donors. These challenges spurred good-natured competition among donors and heightened the excitement of SigEp’s annual giving event. The Fraternity extends a heartfelt thank you to these brothers, not only for their contributions, but for inspiring others to give as well.
“After graduating in 2008, I knew it would be hard to pay back what SigEp had given me. But I started trying anyway. I give to SigEp because I want to make sure today’s young men have access to the life-changing experiences that continue to shape me to this day. I invest in my chapter and in the Educational Foundation through the Annual Fund because I believe those of us who have benefited personally or professionally from our SigEp experiences owe it to current undergraduate brothers to support them in their journey.”
Riley Mieth, Missouri S&T ’08
In honor of the 12 who started it all … a dozen Fraternity facts, stats and items of interest
Across the country, chapters are bringing more men into the SigEp experience. Here, some of the many chapters that exceeded their recruitment goals during the past year proudly share photos of their new members and their most successful recruitment strategies.
“To ensure our success this past spring and summer, we connected with potential new members early to create a good first impression. I believe showing we truly care about new brothers and creating a diverse personality pool within
our
“After months of preparation, we recruited 16 new members for spring 2023. All of the brothers understood the importance of our recruitment goals and the chapter’s future.”
“Our chapter’s goal was to recruit 19 new members, and we ultimately welcomed 29. Our recruitment team utilized many of the SigEp recruitment tools available to us, and every brother in our chapter made an impact by reaching out and building relationships with potential new members across campus.”
— Jack Bach , Northwestern ’26 (vice president of recruitment)
“We focused on our connections on campus, with other organizations and our Balanced Man Scholarship applicants. In addition, every brother is in a club or organization. This ensured there were ample opportunities for potential new members to meet SigEps all across campus.”
“ B eing a new chapter on a campus that already has a number of well-established chapters was extremely difficult. We figured the best way to stand out was to be different. We utilized 365-day recruitment by holding biweekly recruitment events around our campus and putting up flyers with a QR code to our interest form.”
It is a rare brother who can diligently and consistently provide the kind of guidance and leadership necessary to inspire undergraduates and fellow volunteers over the course of decades. The level of selflessness required to commit so fully to our young brothers while often balancing work and family obligations is nothing short of remarkable.
The fact that these brothers give so much of their time and talent with no expectation of praise or recognition makes them all the more worthy of both.
SigEp’s highest honor is the Order of the Golden Heart. It is awarded to brothers who have volunteered with
the Fraternity for 30 years or more. In 2023 at the Fraternity’s 58th Grand Chapter Conclave in San Antonio, five brothers were recognized for their lifetime of service. They have not only given their time, they have left an indelible mark — locally and nationally — that will continue to be felt in the years and decades to come.
Individually, each is quite impressive; collectively, even more so. The contributions of this phenomenal group have had a direct impact on countless chapters, as well as the national Fraternity, and total more than two centuries of dedicated service to Sigma Phi Epsilon.
AS AN UNDERGRADUATE , Paul Litcher led Indiana Eta’s recruitment efforts and served as the chapter’s vice president and academic chair. He also served as a delegate to the 1985 San Antonio Conclave, where he met SigEp heroes Wally Doud, Frank Ruck, and Truman Sanderson, and the 1987 Conclave. Attending these national events made a lasting impression on Litcher. Meeting accomplished brothers from around the country introduced him to SigEp’s extensive alumni network and inspired a legacy of service that continues to this day.
The deep love Litcher cultivated for SigEp as a student leader at Indiana Tech only intensified once he became an alumnus himself. His humility, desire to help others excel and ability to connect with brothers have made him a highly treasured volunteer and resulted in roles with an astounding seven different chapters.
After completing his bachelor’s, Litcher returned home to the East Coast and started volunteering with chapters in New York and New Jersey. He also quickly became a primary resource for other alumni in the area, connecting them to volunteer opportunities and each other. He joined the New York Rho alumni and volunteer corporation (AVC) at St. John’s in an official capacity in 1990, was later appointed chapter counselor and went on to serve as AVC president for 12 years. Litcher held multiple volunteer roles that decade, including balanced man steward for New York Phi at Columbia, chapter counselor for New York Upsilon at Adelphi, and AVC secretary and chapter counselor for New York Tau at Hofstra.
As a founder of the NUTS! McAuliffe Society, Litcher leaves another indelible mark on the Fraternity. For over 20 years, the society has supported undergraduate brothers by covering their registration fees for Conclave and other SigEp leadership programs. Litcher understands firsthand how participating in these programs as an undergraduate shapes the development
of future alumni volunteers. In addition to being a founder, he diligently kept account of every donation and helped formalize operations, both of which have been instrumental to the society’s growth and longevity.
A previous Distinguished Alumnus Award and Exemplary Service Award recipient, Litcher has also served as a lieutenant district governor for more than a decade. He currently volunteers with New York Gamma (NYU), New Jersey Alpha (Stevens) and his home chapter, Indiana Eta. And 38 years after meeting his SigEp heroes at a San Antonio Conclave, Litcher received his own badge of SigEp distinction in San Antonio.
HIS PASSION for mentoring undergraduate brothers is just a natural part of who Don Park is. A former professor of education at his alma mater, his commitment to service and his professional pursuits have always been deeply intertwined. As a newly minted alumnus, Park joined the AVC and served as president for several years. Except for a pause to serve a four-year term as an Indiana state senator, he hasn’t stopped volunteering with SigEp.
As it so happened, Park returned to Ball State to serve as vice president for university advancement a fortuitous moment. Indiana Gamma was going through a challenging time, and Park was there to provide muchneed mentorship that helped turn the chapter around. Thanks to his guidance and encouragement, the chapter not only improved operations, it also saw a steady increase in manpower and went on to earn four consecutive Buchanan Cups.
Park has served in his current role as Indiana Gamma’s faculty fellow for more than a decade. Also a Distinguished Alumnus and Volunteer of the Year Award recipient, Park challenges brothers to reach their full potential and is always looking for ways to bolster the member experience. He personally connects brothers with educational resources on campus and helps them find professional development opportunities.
One of his current projects aims
to expand on those efforts by creating a foundation that will support and enhance Indiana Gamma’s educational programming.
A highly respected fundraising professional who’s managed multimillion-dollar campaigns for Ball State, Park has generously shared his expertise with Indiana Gamma. He established an annual campaign in 1994 to support the chapter's Balanced Man Scholarship that provides $25,000$30,000 each year to support Indiana Gamma's education initiatives. In 2004, Park planned and managed a campaign to raise funds to construct a $3 million stateof-the-art chapter house that was dedicated in 2009.
According to estimates by fellow volunteers, it would take more than a dozen volunteers to accomplish all the things that Park gets done in a year. While that number may be accurate, it can truly be said that to generations of Indiana Gamma brothers, Park is one in a million.
EARL RAINWATER first displayed a passion for service as an undergraduate. He served as chapter president and also diligently chronicled Tennessee Alpha’s history as chapter historian, and he carried out this spirit of dedication his entire life.
After receiving his bachelor’s in 1958 and law degree in 1960, Rainwater moved from his beloved Tennessee to Texas to serve as a judge advocate general in the U.S. Air Force. Those years in Texas would be the only time in his adult life he wasn’t involved in some capacity with Tennessee Alpha.
Soon after returning to Tennessee in the mid ’60s, Rainwater was asked to serve as chapter counselor. His level-headed leadership proved to be a stabilizing force during a challenging time for Tennessee Alpha. This was the start of five decades of dedicated volunteer service.
While serving as chapter counselor, Rainwater also co-chaired the AVC’s building campaign for Tennessee Alpha’s house at Fraternity Park Drive. Decades after co-chairing that first housing campaign, Rainwater was there to support his brothers again when he assisted the AVC with a second capital campaign to renovate the house in 2011.
Following a stint as AVC president, Rainwater began serving as treasurer in 1968, and would hold the position for over 50 years. During this time, Earl served alongside his twin brother, Burl Rainwater, Tennessee ’58, who also held several offices on the AVC and would go on to receive the Order of the Golden Heart in 1989.
For several years in the early 1970s, Earl took on the additional responsibility of serving as district governor of Tennessee.
In 1978, he helped found the Tennessee Alpha Scholarship Foundation and served as a trustee. The foundation is still in operation and has so far awarded more than $1 million in scholarships to undergraduate brothers. That same year, Rainwater became one of the inaugural recipients of SigEp’s Distinguished Alumnus Award. He was also among the first 10 recipients of the Fraternity’s Exemplary Service Award. Due to illness, the Order of the Golden Heart was presented to Brother Rainwater at his home prior to Conclave. Sadly, he passed just a few days after being inducted into the Order. The Fraternity is saddened by his loss, yet grateful for one last opportunity to let him know how much he was loved and appreciated.
His tenure as a volunteer and the depth of his involvement made Rainwater a giant all SigEps can look up to.
DUE TO HIS extensive experience in human resources, Wendell Rakosky has built a career as a highly sought after executive and consultant. It’s also enabled him to relate to and mentor SigEp volunteers and undergraduate brothers with a high degree of empathy and insight.
After earning his degree, Rakosky moved across the country to launch his career in HR and began volunteering with a local chapter so he could stay connected to the Fraternity.
Starting in the 1980s, Rakosky served as AVC treasurer for SigEp’s Maryland Beta chapter at Maryland-College Park for seven years before taking on the role of vice president for another three years.
He then went on to dedicate another decade to developing and supporting volunteers in New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware as a district governor. Serving in this role presented Rakosky opportunities to get to know a greater number of undergraduates and volunteers in the greater Washington area. It was through these interactions that he began to notice college students were graduating without some of the skills employers are looking for. Rakosky’s professional instincts told him it was important to help
brothers leave college better prepared for the workplace. He began connecting them with local alumni who could offer career guidance. He also committed to serving as a facilitator and participating in coaching sessions with brothers at SigEp’s annual Life After College program. He was certainly ahead of the curve, as this was several years before the launch of the Fraternity’s Career Coaching program.
His generosity has also extended to supporting SigEp financially. Rakosky was one of the founding members of SigEp’s lead donor group, the Board of Governors, and continues to be a member year after year. He’s even volunteered to serve as a captain for the Fraternity’s Founders Day of Giving, rallying his Ohio Zeta brothers to donate in support of SigEp’s leadership programs.
As a founding member of another important group within SigEp, the NUTS! McAuliffe Society, Rakosky helped author the original plan to cover the costs of undergraduates’ registration fees to attend Conclave. His involvement in that group, which is still active after more than 20 years, is yet another example of Rakosky’s deep commitment to our undergraduate brothers.
FROM TAKING ON his first volunteer role with his home chapter as a young professional to becoming a key volunteer with a chapter across the country, Dale Werts has been a trusted friend and mentor to countless SigEp brothers for the last four decades.
Werts learned just how much the unconditional love and support of brothers means when he experienced the loss of several family members over a short period. Their friendship sustained him and gave him the strength to continue law school. That experience motivated Werts to spend his life giving back to the Fraternity that supported him in his darkest hour.
During his decade volunteering with Kansas Alpha as AVC treasurer, Werts implemented policies that led to significant improvements in the group’s financial health. Most notably, he helped the chapter realize the long-held dream of renovating and expanding the chapter house. Today, the chapter home stands as a tangible reminder of Werts’ dedication to sound financial management. He not only led the AVC’s fundraising efforts for the project (“Brotherhood 2000”), he also oversaw the construction contracts, permitting and work.
Werts followed his successful tenure as treasurer with an equally impactful 12 years as AVC president. He continued to advocate for and implement policies that improved chapter and AVC operations and also called on his legal background to educate Kansas Alpha undergraduates about member safety best practices. Thanks to his presentations on risk management, brothers have a healthy respect for the importance of consent and awareness of the dangers of alcohol and drug use.
His genuine fondness for undergraduate brothers shines through in everything he does. Beyond looking out for the chapter’s financial and physical wellbeing, Werts makes a special effort to get to know the brothers of Kansas Alpha and each year, treats the chapter’s seniors to a special dinner to celebrate their graduation.
His leadership is so widely respected throughout the Fraternity that undergraduates from other chapters look up to him and seek out his advice. While advising Massachusetts Iota (Boston College), Werts traveled 1,500 miles to Boston to meet with chapter leaders and volunteers and help them craft a plan to improve the chapter’s finances and recruiting.
As an expression of its gratitude, the chapter named its Balanced Man Scholarship in his honor. Today, he serves as finance mentor to both Massachusetts Iota and Wisconsin Zeta at Marquette, sits on the Virginia Omicron AVC at Lynchburg, and serves as district governor for District 28.
In acknowledgement of his service and leadership, Werts was previously recognized with the Distinguished Alumnus Award and the Exemplary Service Award.
The quality of leadership development SigEp provides continues to be a hallmark of what makes our Fraternity different. For so many brothers, taking on leadership roles in SigEp was their first opportunity to build valuable skills such as budgeting, public speaking and managing teams. And as alumni, those skills have served as the foundation for their professional development and career advancement.
The Fraternity celebrated the careers of several highly accomplished alumni at the 2023 Conclave in San Antonio, each of whom first cut their teeth as student leaders in SigEp. During the Arête Awards Luncheon, the Fraternity presented four brothers who have distinguished themselves in their respective fields with the Sigma Phi Epsilon Citation, the Fraternity’s highest award for career achievement.
The 2023
� Mark Davis, Nebraska ’90
FOR NEARLY 30 years, Mark Davis has been a leader in the disaster restoration and reconstruction industry. He took his first company, Rocky Mountain Catastrophe, from one office with 33 employees to 52 offices and 1,700 employees in just 8 years. Together with Brother Jeff Johnson (Colorado ’89), Davis cofounded BELFOR USA in 1999 and grew the company to be the market leader in North America in the disaster restoration industry.
After selling BELFOR, Davis purchased Signal Restoration Services and soon earned a major contract from the City of New York for the company’s first responder team to assist with remediating and rebuilding five major hospitals after
Superstorm Sandy. Davis is currently chairman and CEO of both Signal and PuroClean, the fastestgrowing restoration franchise in North America. Since purchasing PuroClean in 2015, he has expanded from 200 locations to more than 500 locations and is proud to have helped more than 300 PuroClean franchisees launch their journey as small business owners.
Working with people and launching new ventures are in his blood: Davis’ first job after college was as a regional director and then expansion director at SigEp Headquarters, where he started 22 chapters. He said his time in SigEp played a huge role in shaping him personally and professionally:
“One of my favorite quotes is, ‘Show me your friends, and I will show you your future.’”
Today, Davis continues to pursue his interest in helping young people reach their full potential by raising three young adults and serving as a member of the Junior Achievement of Southeast Michigan advisory board.
A CIVIL ENGINEER and construction manager, Mike Hurst has managed commercial building projects for a wide range of clients, from universities to tech companies.
Hurst says his undergraduate experience, including his time as a member of Missouri Gamma, laid the foundation for his career in construction. With nearly 100 active brothers, leadership positions in the chapter were difficult to come by. Members were encouraged to also seek out other leadership opportunities on campus, and that’s where Hurst made his mark. In addition to serving a term as the chapter’s historian, Hurst was president of two other campus organizations. In all, he was active in an astounding 11 different groups. “My participation in campus organizations was the start of developing my leadership skills, which was fundamental to my career success,” he explained.
JAY HURT GREW The Hurt Company, a family business specializing in marketing and distributing fuel and lubricants that operated primarily in the Houston market, into an international player in the industry. Capitalizing on the company’s location in a major port city and recognizing that upheaval in the former Soviet Union opened the region to new business partnerships, he began exporting lubricants to the newly independent republics.
Hurt observed that many of the skills he uses everyday in business were honed out of a desire to be an effective leader at North Carolina Epsilon. He shared, “Early on, I learned and practiced visioning, change management, conflict management and a host of other things that have served me well in my professional pursuits.”
He later merged The Hurt Company with three others to create RelaDyne, and served as executive vice president of the $3.5 billion company. After selling RelaDyne in one of the largest private equity-backed transactions in industry history in 2015, Hurt retired and has since focused on higher education. Serving on the Board of Visitors at Davidson College, he established the Hurt Hub for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the first center of its kind at a liberal arts college. The 26,000-sq.-foot building’s classrooms, co-working space and other facilities were designed to spur creativity and collaboration within the Davidson community.
Following his graduation in 1974, Hurst began his career with McCarthy Building Companies, one of the country’s largest construction firms. In 1995, after successfully overseeing a large project that grew far beyond its original scope and more than tripled in cost, Hurst was named president and chief operating officer of the company. During his 33 years with McCarthy, Hurst not only contributed greatly to the company’s expansion and development — growing revenue to $2.9 billion — he also implemented new safety measures that are now standard throughout the industry. He retired from McCarthy in 2007.
A longtime Missouri Gamma volunteer, Hurst is also a member of the Missouri S&T board of trustees.
Hurt has served on SigEp’s National Board of Directors, the board of SigEp National Housing and as Educational Foundation president. He received SigEp’s highest honor in 2019, the Order of the Golden Heart.
REID PORTER’S EYES were opened to the challenges crime-ridden properties bring into their communities while serving in a historically underserved neighborhood in his formative years as a young attorney. Using his legal knowledge, Porter developed a legal solution that leverages existing civil laws to complement police efforts to eradicate crime by holding owners accountable for the activity occurring on their properties. Porter founded Act (Advocates for Community Transformation) to help make neighborhood safety a normal reality for everyone by connecting impacted residents to their neighbors, local police officers and pro bono attorneys. Since 2009, Act has represented over 400 clients to end criminal activity at more than 240 formerly crime-ridden properties throughout Dallas and Fort Worth.
Porter noted that serving as a chapter officer during his days at Texas-Austin gave him an opportunity to build many of the skills that have been crucial to his law career and overseeing his nonprofit. He said the experience helped him learn how to prepare for and lead meetings, speak in public and make decisions that are in the best interests of others. Perhaps most importantly, he said, serving as chaplain was instrumental in helping him develop the ability to navigate difficult conversations and to engage in meaningful discussions with brothers, even when they didn’t see eye to eye. Porter began to be noticed as a leader on campus, which led to him running for office and joining student government.
“I am grateful for my experience as a SigEp,” Porter said. “It definitely helped shape my professional and personal pursuits.”
Check out SigEp’s YouTube channel, where you can watch videos of the newly minted Citation and Order of the Golden Heart recipients, other highlights from the Fraternity’s 58th Grand Chapter Conclave, and more.
“I am grateful for my experience as a SigEp. It definitely helped shape my professional and personal pursuits.” - reid porter
FEW PROFESSIONALS GET to affect people in their everyday lives the way Larry Kirkland does. For over 50 years, Kirkland has designed large-scale public art pieces that reflect the unique history and culture of their surroundings. His work has graced libraries, parks and plazas, transportation hubs, universities, and research centers.
A National Endowment for the Arts fellow, Kirkland designed the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial in Washington, D.C. One of his most recent commissions is the breathtaking Waterfront Park in Vancouver, Washington.
Featuring an enormous, elongated mast with cables supporting a 90-foot pedestrian pier, the installation gives the feeling of sailing on the Columbia River.
During an intimate celebration of brotherhood at Oregon Alpha’s 2023 annual alumni event in Portland, brothers and friends gathered to honor
Kirkland’s decades of artistic achievement with the Sigma Phi Epsilon Citation.
Kirkland, who served as chapter president during his junior and senior years, expressed appreciation for the award and gratitude for the enduring friendship of his Oregon Alpha brothers. In particular, he noted his friendship with little brother and former roommate Ken Maddox, ’75, stating, “He has been a champion of my creative endeavors for many years.”
Some of Kirkland’s best-known works can be seen at New York’s Penn Station; the headquarters of the American Red Cross and the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, both in D.C.; and Hong Kong Airport Central Train Station. His current commission is a national Peace Corps park in D.C.
Read more about Larry Kirkland and view select pieces of his work at www.larrykirkland.com.
By Tyya N. Turner
OVER 3,000 young men joined SigEp chapters at campuses around the country in fall 2023 — nearly a five percent increase over fall 2022. In fall 2023, the Fraternity became part of the life stories of thousands of young men who will forever carry with them friendships with their chapter brothers. But brotherhood goes beyond friendship. By entering a community of young men dedicated to understanding their purpose and stepping into their potential together, these new members, like all SigEps, will begin a lifelong journey of raising their bar.
Countless fraternities fall into stereotypes and behavior that does very little to add value to a young man’s college experience. But SigEp has always been different. Our Fraternity is a place where men come together to strive for more, not more of the same. What is it about SigEp that appeals to young men today? Several new members — some of whom initially believed those stereotypes applied to all fraternities — spoke with the Journal about their decisions to join SigEp.
Elijah Lewis first learned about SigEp in the fall of his freshman year through a brother he worked out with. “He told me that SigEp was focused on developing its members into strong leaders and helping them become better men overall, as well as building strong bonds as brothers.” Curiosity made
“He told me that SigEp was focused on developing its members into strong leaders and helping them become better men overall, as well as building strong bonds as brothers.”
Unlike many new brothers, Trent Hettinger was very familiar with SigEp, even before he started college. He grew up hearing stories about the Fraternity from his father, Doug Hettinger, Eastern Illinois ’00.
When he learned Illinois Alpha was returning to campus, the elder Hettinger happily connected his son to the chapter. But meeting other members of the chapter is what solidified the younger Hettinger’s decision to make the Fraternity a family tradition.
He explained, “When I met the guys, I realized this was not your stereotypical fraternity. They were down-to-earth, hardworking, disciplined individuals with real goals, not a bunch of people who just wanted to party.”
Since joining SigEp in fall 2023, Hettinger has been involved in a whirlwind of activity, hanging out with his new brothers, attending chapter retreats and getting up to speed on chapter
him want to check out the Fraternity for himself. When he visited the chapter house, he quickly felt at ease with the brothers and was impressed by how close they were. “After talking to each of them and getting to know them, I realized they had the same drive to achieve their aspirations that I did,” he said. Creating a network of supportive friends was part of the foundation Lewis wanted to build for a successful college career, and he said he found that with SigEp. “I knew I wanted to surround myself with like-minded men.” He added, “Overall, Texas Beta changed my perspective on what fraternity life is, and that’s one of the big reasons I wanted to be a part of it.”
Now having completed his second semester of college, Lewis is serving as the alternate Sigma challenge coordinator. He looks forward to taking on additional leadership roles in the chapter and said he can envision serving as vice president of member development one day. “I definitely want to be a part of building better men for the future,” he said.
operations. Hettinger is currently serving as vice president of recruitment and balancing his involvement in SigEp with pursuing a degree in business and data science, participating in the ROTC program, and serving in the Army National Guard.
In just a short time, Hettinger has found his own place within the Fraternity. But he’s also proud to be a second-generation SigEp. “It's been nice to be able to relate to my dad in this way and get to share my own SigEp stories with him.”
“It's been nice to be able to relate to my dad in this way and get to share my own SigEp stories with him.”
Initially, James Perrin “was very against joining a fraternity.”
Things he’d seen in the media and observed on campus made him feel a fraternity wouldn’t be a good fit for him. Then during the second semester of his freshman year, a friend who’s in a sorority told him he should check out a fraternity that was returning to campus. He remained skeptical, but figured it couldn’t hurt to learn more.
When Perrin spoke to members of SigEp’s new chapter development team, they connected over their shared distaste for the stereotypical fraternity experience and a desire for true brotherhood. They told him about
After learning about the Balanced Man Scholarship, Andrew Nguyen submitted an application. He was asked to come in for a “short” scholarship interview, not expecting it would lead to him joining the Fraternity. “It turned out to be more of an hour-and-a-half conversation than an interview,” said Nguyen. (He was later awarded a $250 scholarship by Michigan Alpha.)
He’d heard negative things about fraternities, though, so he still wasn’t completely swayed. After that conversation, he went home and researched SigEp. Nguyen was impressed by several things.
First and foremost, he admired SigEp’s nonpledging, non-hazing policy. That was a major factor in his decision to join the Fraternity. He was also excited to find out SigEp has a vast alumni network. “There are more than 250,000 alumni,” he said, “so there’s a lot of opportunity for connection and brotherhood.”
Another aspect Nguyen found appealing was that SigEp had just returned to the University of Michigan. “One thing I remember the new chapter development directors telling me is that if I joined, I’d have the opportunity to build something.” Nguyen had founded clubs in high school, so the idea of being one of the first members of a college fraternity excited him.
“Setting the foundation is important, and I want to be that person to help set the foundation for the future,” he said.
Becoming a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon has been such a life-changing experience for many brothers that it begs the question, what would their lives be like if they hadn’t joined the Fraternity? These undergraduate brothers speculated on how their college experiences might be different if they hadn’t joined SigEp.
“Without SigEp, my college experience would be empty. SigEp has given me the ambition to excel in school, and I’ve made true friendships. SigEp changed how I look at life. College life and SigEp are one in the same to me.” — James Perrin
what makes SigEp different and their own experiences as members.
Since becoming a brother in spring 2023, Perrin has embraced everything SigEp has to offer. During his first year in the Fraternity, he was elected chapter president and served as Alabama Theta’s delegate to the 58th Grand Chapter Conclave last summer. He currently serves as vice president of member development.
The entire experience has been a transformative one for Perrin. “SigEp has exceeded my expectations in every way
“SigEp has exceeded my expectations in every way possible.”
possible,” he said. Growing up, he lived in four different states because his father went through a career transition and changed jobs several times. Perrin, a secondary education major, said SigEp has played a huge part in helping him feel settled at Jacksonville State.
“The minute I got comfortable in a place, my family was moving somewhere new again. SigEp brought me a stable, supportive band of brothers that filled a hole I haven’t filled in almost seven years. They mean the world to me.”
Joining a fraternity wasn’t something Max Lauterbach expected he’d ever do. Still, he knew he wanted to be part of something that would make his time in college more fulfilling and help him build strong connections with other students.
“I wanted to get more involved on campus, but didn’t want to be part of any of the preexisting fraternities. I wanted to be part of something that has a purpose and isn’t about drinking,” Lauterbach explained.
When SigEp returned to Oregon, he took notice because it stood out from the other fraternities on campus. One of the things Lauterbach appreciates most about SigEp is the Balanced Man Program’s focus on helping brothers develop both personally and as leaders.
“I think my college life would be static if I hadn’t joined SigEp. I would not be able to experience the great sense of belonging I feel. And at the same time, I wouldn't have access to SigEp’s massive alumni network.” — Andrew Nguyen
“It [college] would definitely be a lot lonelier. Joining SigEp brought me a family away from home. It gave me something to do and people who I knew if I reached out to, they’d be happy to study, play games or just hang out.” — Trent Hettinger
“I like how it’s broken up into stages and the challenges are all geared toward making us more well-rounded and helping us with what we want to do or want to be,” he stated.
He added, “I’m a big fan of the development meetings. We always have someone who’s interested in speaking.”
Lauterbach, who currently serves as vice president of recruitment, said the experience has exceeded his expectations. He believes that joining SigEp helped him get to know some brothers he only knew as passing acquaintances on a much deeper level. Lauterbach was also surprised at how quickly he developed meaningful friendships with brothers he’s known for just a short time. “I didn’t expect the brotherhood to be this real, this strong,” he concluded.
“If I wasn’t a SigEp, I would only find myself being social at the gym. It’s a place I’m at a lot, and I’ve been able to meet a lot of interesting people and make connections there. Other than that, I’d most likely spend my days in class, studying or home with my family.” — Elijah Lewis
“I would have much less involvement on campus if I hadn’t joined SigEp. The Fraternity has made me a more active part of the campus community.” — Max Lauterbach
By Tyya N. Turner
Life was going well for Scott Russell, Thiel ’71 : Happily married to his wife, Amy, and the father of two sons, he was at the pinnacle of his career as a director at consulting firm Watson Wyatt. He enjoyed an active lifestyle and close relationships with family and friends.
But in 2010, he started to notice things that concerned him. “There would be times when I realized there were things I couldn’t remember,” Russell explained. He began to miss meetings and forget details associated with his job. Russell always took great pride in his work, so this was out of character for him.
A series of tests confirmed what Russell feared: He had early onset Alzheimer’s. The disease, a type of dementia that affects memory and behavior, was one Russell was all too familiar with: It ended his father’s life several years prior to his own diagnosis.
Russell acknowledges he went through a period of distancing himself from friends and family after first being diagnosed. He credits his wife with helping him confront his new reality. “After the diagnosis, Amy was the one who reached out to the local Alzheimer’s Association and got me involved in various support groups,” he shared.
While there’s no cure yet for Alzheimer’s, here’s where the story gets even more interesting: Life is still going good for Scott Russell.
Although becoming an advocate wasn’t his original intention, Russell began speaking to groups on behalf of the Connecticut Alzheimer’s Association. Partnering with local educator Dr. Darla Shaw, he started a program in which they visited schools to speak to kids. Hearing about his experience demystified what some of them were seeing family members go through. He even inspired a group of middle schoolers to write a book for younger kids that’s been used to raise funds and build awareness. And the line of stuffed animals he decorates and sells on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Association (named “Alzi Animals”) is loved by children and one of the ways Russell keeps his mind engaged.
Russell has traveled the country giving lectures and speaking at fundraisers and community walks. And after he and Amy served on the National Alzheimer’s Early Stage Advisory Board, Russell was asked to join the board of the National Alzheimer’s
“One of the biggest impacts this has had is to make me realize how fragile and precious life is.”
Association. It marked the first time the organization had someone living with early onset Alzheimer’s on the board. He was also the first person with the disease to co-chair the annual Alzheimer’s Advocacy Forum, which draws hundreds from all 50 states to Washington, D.C., to lobby Congress for more funding for research. One year, he gave the keynote at the national convention of Tau Kappa Epsilon, the fraternity of former President Ronald Reagan (who also had Alzheimer’s).
With support from a major research institute, Russell and a former colleague are now developing a potentially groundbreaking survey examining the impact of diet, exercise and other lifestyle factors on the development of dementia and Alzheimer’s in particular.
Russell remains incredibly upbeat and is proud of the work he’s done to increase awareness about Alzheimer’s. He serves on several nonprofit boards and volunteers with faith-based organizations and other local groups to build ramps for disabled members of the community.
While he takes medication to slow the progression of the disease, he said having Amy’s support, maintaining a healthy diet and staying active (he continues to play with a soccer league) have all played a role in helping him retain memories and a level of alertness that’s unusual for someone who was diagnosed nearly 15 years ago. Spending time with good friends and chapter brothers like Barry Stamm, M.D., ’70, and John Zawacki, ’71, and their wives has also provided a community of support.
Russell’s quick to say his journey hasn’t been linear; while experiencing declines in some areas, he’s remained steady in others, producing a zigzag path that might be surprising to anyone who hasn’t experienced dementia or had a loved one with the disorder. He’s also had medical issues arise, including a recent heart surgery.
Still, Russell continues to look on the upside. “One of the biggest impacts this has had is to make me realize how fragile and precious life is.”
“One of the mantras of SigEp was to be involved on campus in a positive way. The Fraternity wanted you to expand your horizons and encouraged you to do that.”
While his memories aren’t as sharp as they once were, being involved in SigEp is something Scott Russell looks back on with immense fondness. He not only appreciates the friends he made, but also how being a member of the Pennsylvania Nu chapter shaped his personal development as an undergraduate. He credits much of that development to his good friend and mentor, Pete Steffens, Thiel ’70, who Russell still talks to almost daily.
“One of the mantras of SigEp was to be involved on campus in a positive way,” Russell said. “That’s how I got involved in student government and became senior class president. The Fraternity wanted you to expand your horizons and encouraged you to do that.”
He can also lay claim to a role in starting a longstanding Fraternity tradition. One year while attending SigEp’s Grand Chapter Conclave, Russell and others at his table began kidding around about the colorful sports jacket Conrad Eberstein, Pennsylvania ’65, was wearing. At one point, Russell joked that the unusual jacket should be auctioned off. To the group’s surprise, Eberstein was game. Since then, the jacket has been auctioned at major SigEp events, including Conclave’s closing banquet, the Alumni Awards Dinner. The proceeds go to the SigEp Educational Foundation, and hundreds of thousands have been raised to support undergraduate brothers since the tradition started.
During the Balanced Man Celebration at SigEp’s 58th Grand Chapter Conclave in San Antonio, 30 chapters, all SigEp Learning Communities, were presented the Buchanan Outstanding Chapter Award— the Fraternity’s highest chapter award. Named in honor of Past Grand President Edwin Buchanan, Ohio State 1911, this award acknowledges excellence across all areas of chapter operations. These chapters are communities of highachieving young men who are committed to raising the bar for themselves and their campuses. They represent the best of our Fraternity’s undergraduate experience.
Seven of these chapters have earned the award five or more Conclaves in a row and were presented gold Buchanan Cups — representing a decade or more of sustained excellence.
Iowa Delta SigEp
Learning Community Drake University
Maine Alpha SigEp
Learning Community University of Maine
Michigan Theta SigEp
Learning Community
Lawrence Technological University
Nebraska Alpha SigEp
Learning Community University of Nebraska-Lincoln
New Jersey Alpha SigEp
Learning Community
Stevens Institute of Technology
Ohio Iota SigEp
Learning Community University of Toledo
Washington Alpha SigEp
Learning Community
Washington State University
Colorado Delta SigEp
Learning Community
Colorado School of Mines
Connecticut Alpha SigEp
Learning Community
University of Connecticut
Florida Alpha SigEp
Learning Community
University of Florida
Florida Epsilon SigEp
Learning Community
Florida State University
Georgia Alpha SigEp
Learning Community
Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Delta SigEp
Learning Community
University of Georgia
Indiana Zeta SigEp
Learning Community
Valparaiso University
Kansas Alpha SigEp
Learning Community
Baker University
Kansas Gamma SigEp
Learning Community
University of Kansas
Kentucky Beta SigEp
Learning Community
University of Louisville
Kentucky Epsilon SigEp
Learning Community
Murray State University
Louisiana Beta SigEp
Learning Community
Louisiana State University
To watch video highlights and read about the achievements of these chapters, scan the QR code.
Mississippi Beta SigEp
Learning Community
Mississippi State University
Missouri Alpha SigEp
Learning Community
University of Missouri-Columbia
Missouri Eta SigEp
Learning Community
Missouri State University
Missouri Zeta SigEp
Learning Community
Southeast Missouri State University
Nebraska Gamma SigEp Learning Community
University of Nebraska-Kearney
Ohio Gamma SigEp
Learning Community
Ohio State University
Oklahoma Alpha SigEp
Learning Community
Oklahoma State University
Pennsylvania Beta Beta SigEp
Learning Community
Drexel University
South Dakota Alpha SigEp
Learning Community
South Dakota State University
Virginia Kappa SigEp
Learning Community
Virginia Tech
Wisconsin Theta SigEp
Learning Community
University of Wisconsin-Platteville
By Kevin Knudson, Nebraska ’15
At 28, Michael Camal, Rhode Island ’18, a senior manager at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is often the youngest and least experienced participant in the room when he meets with airline executives and seasoned government officials. While that might feel like flying outside their comfort zone to some, Camal sees his age as the jet fuel to his success.
“As I grew as a leader, I realized being young is actually an advantage,” Camal stated. “The federal government needs new perspectives, ideas and ways of doing things. That’s how agencies grow and missions advance.”
Camal oversees the Blue Lightning Initiative (BLI), a joint DHS and Department of Transportation program aimed at training airline and airport staff to recognize signs of human trafficking. Under his leadership, the initiative expanded from 17 to 150 partners, establishing connections with airports, universities, aviation associations and foreign airlines. His strategy focused on comprehensive training for aviation staff, empowering them to spot and report potential trafficking scenarios.
To date, 350,000 aviation professionals have been trained under the BLI.
Camal credits his SigEp brothers and mentors at Rhode Island Beta with encouraging him to take that first leap into working in the federal government.
“I built lifelong friendships, developed a network of support, and was motivated by my brothers to secure federal internships and pursue a career in public service. Those internships ultimately led to my role at DHS.”
Camal, who has led the BLI since 2018, speaks candidly about his initial struggles with the program. “It was a big challenge at first. The program was understaffed, coordination was not happening among the agencies and the initiative needed a clear direction,” he said. He was able to turn things around by helping the agencies find common ground and bringing on new partners.
His determination to overcome bureaucratic obstacles played a crucial role in expanding the program’s reach. Camal elaborated on his strategy, emphasizing the significance of reallife narratives to build empathy and action. “We leveraged the expertise and voices of survivors of human
“The federal government needs new perspectives, ideas and ways of doing things. That’s how agencies grow and missions advance.”
trafficking who traveled through airports and on airplanes while their trafficking was going on,” he shared. “When aviation executives hear stories of people traveling through their airports and on their planes, the issue becomes real, and it motivates them to take action and get involved.”
Camal’s tenacity in expanding the program was recognized with a nomination in 2023 for the Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal, which recognizes the accomplishments of exceptional federal employees.
Testimonials from colleagues and those directly affected by human trafficking paint a complete picture of Camal’s impact. Karinda Washington, executive director for social impact at DHS, stated, “Michael’s hard work and dedication to human trafficking awareness training has contributed to betterinformed staff, safer airports and greater awareness among the traveling public.”
Karla Solomon is a human trafficking survivor who now serves as director of outreach and training at Mercy Gate Ministries, a faith-based nonprofit that assists survivors of trafficking. She has collaborated with Camal on training programs for airline personnel and lauds him as a “committed advocate.” Solomon added, “He is really mindful of our experiences and the importance of our voice.”
It’s clear that Camal’s dedication is both professional and deeply personal. He reflected, “Once DHS arrests a trafficker, it’s not ‘case closed.’ We need to be here for the victims every step of the way. That is what motivates me on a daily basis.”
Kevin Knudson is an associate at Censeo Consulting Group in Washington, D.C., and enjoys writing in his spare time.
For the past 10 years, Mitch Goldich, Lehigh ’09, has been living his childhood dream of being a sports journalist. Now, he can lay claim to a landmark achievement most writers would envy: his first-ever Sports Illustrated cover story.
Goldich and co-writer Conor Orr penned a look at the innovative behind-the-scenes operations of the Miami Dolphins’ support staff for the magazine’s Nov. 9, 2023, issue. Part of the publication’s How It Works series, the story gave an up-close look at the staff who work the sidelines during a game, from members of the tech support team, to athletic trainers, to staffers who are typically in the background like security guards and equipment managers.
“I remember reading SI as a kid and knowing I wanted to be able to do something like that,” Goldich said, reflecting on his journey from dreaming of writing about professional coaches and athletes to actually doing it for a living.
In an unusual coincidence, Goldich also wrote a 2011 Journal cover story on former NFL running back Ryan Mathews, Fresno State ’11.
By Tyya N. Turner
Known as the “Mother of Fraternities,”
Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, is recognized as the birthplace of five national fraternities, including three established in the mid-1800s.
And although SigEp wasn’t chartered at Miami until 1948, the Ohio Eta chapter and one of its founding members, Myron “Tuffy” Potter, Miami (Ohio), have their own unique connection to the school extending back to the 1920s.
In 1922, Potter was a founding member of Phi Sigma Phi, a local fraternity. In 1925, it affiliated with Theta Upsilon Omega, a national fraternity. Twenty-three years later, Tuffy, a dedicated alumnus, became a SigEp and charter member of Ohio Eta after Theta Upsilon Omega was merged into the Fraternity in 1938.
Tuffy was highly involved in getting the Miami University chapter re-chartered as a SigEp chapter. During the Great Depression, Miami’s Theta Upsilon Omega chapter fell dormant and wasn’t rechartered after the merger. Tuffy wrote to alumni brothers about their chapter returning to campus as part of Sigma Phi Epsilon. Because of this, many Theta Upsilon Omega alumni attended Ohio Eta’s chartering ceremony so they could be formally initiated as SigEps. By then, Tuffy was a fixture in Oxford and on campus, having served as city council president. He opened a sandwich shop in 1929 that was highly popular with students — the star of the menu
was his variation on a sweet bun he called a “Toasted Roll,” which was buttered, cooked on the grill and sprinkled with confectioner’s sugar.
Tuffy’s Toasted Rolls were a hit, and his restaurant offered a casual alternative to the university’s more formal dining hall for students to eat and hang out. When his son closed the restaurant in the mid-’70s after nearly 50 years on campus, the tables and booths attracted much interest at auction. The 21 booths were covered in students’ initials, representing a treasure trove of university history.
Considering the nostalgia alumni continue to hold for Tuffy’s, Joe Hornsby, Miami (Ohio) ’06 , thought it fitting for its proprietor to be permanently memorialized on campus, along with his unique connection to fraternal history. During his tenure as Ohio Eta AVC president, Hornsby spearheaded an effort to place a monument on campus to serve as the starting location of the University Historic District Walking Tour.
That hard work was rewarded during the university’s 2023 Alumni Weekend when the monument was unveiled and officially dedicated at the site where Tuffy’s once stood. Over 150 Ohio Eta alumni and other former students who had been regulars at Tuffy’s were on hand to celebrate and share fond memories.
Tuffy’s Toasted Rolls are still served at the university student center — with Tuffy’s blessing — and remain a cherished Miami University tradition.
By Tyya N. Turner
Brothers at SigEp’s New York Rho chapter have come up with a novel way to showcase Sound Mind and Sound Body on their campus while also honoring St. John’s University athletic heritage. At a school where highly competitive basketball is a tradition, the AVC decided hosting a 3-on3 tournament would serve as an ideal fundraiser for its scholarship.
AVC President Cesar Pozo, St. John’s ’09, and Chapter Counselor Gabriel Vazquez ’10, reached out to the university’s alumni relations office for assistance with organizing the
tournament and promoting the scholarship. That outreach resulted in more than just administrative support. “St. John’s University is a true partner with our SigEp alumni,” Pozo stated. He added that St. John’s provided courts for the tournament and communicated with alumni and students to ensure its success. In addition, three members of the university’s staff served on the scholarship committee.
Upon learning the office also oversees the university’s diversity and inclusion efforts, brothers thought it would be appropriate to use the scholarship to recognize students involved in diverse communities. The chapter decided to make its
scholarship available to undergraduates who have made an impact on the lives of veterans, women, or members of multicultural or LGBTQ+ communities.
other students at the university.”
It seemed like an ideal fit, because as Vazquez noted, “St. John’s is one of the country’s most diverse college campuses.”
“Much of our chapter's diverse alumni network is successful in their respective fields because of the opportunities provided by SigEp and St. John’s,” Pozo added. “It’s up to us to pay that forward by opening doors for
Since launching the tournament in 2022, the chapter has raised more than $68,000 through corporate gifts, alumni donations (including some matching donations from employers), entry fees, ticket sales and a raffle of memorabilia from New York sports teams. During the second annual event, held during the university’s 2023 homecoming weekend, the chapter awarded its first scholarship for $1,000.
Top: Brothers Kevin Thompson and Gabe Vazquez, St. John's staff member Mark Andrews, and Brother Jorge Luis Jorge. Inset: Cesar Pozo poses with the first place team.
By Tyya N. Turner
Achampionship-winning coach. An entrepreneur in the manufacturing industry. A sales leader in technology consulting. The director of a global apparel brand. Each of these accomplished professionals has shared his vision for building a successful life and career with Oregon Alpha brothers as guests at the chapter’s Arê te Conversations discussion series.
The brainchild of Chris Sarles, Oregon State ’86 , the series was inspired by visits in decades past from luminaries such as UCLA’s 10-time championship-winning basketball coach John Wooden, country music icon Winona Judd, and advertising giant and SigEp Past Grand President Bill Tragos, Washington-St. Louis ’56.
None of those visits were part of a formal program; they were simply arranged as opportunities arose. What Sarles has now created is a carefully curated roster of world-class guests all speaking to a common theme: their unique formulas for success. Having realized their potential, personally and professionally, each speaker is well positioned to help undergraduates consider how best to reach their own potential.
Sarles describes Arête Conversations as “visits intended to create conversations of inspiration, intellectual stimulation, insight and values about living a successful life.”
Guests so far have included three-time national championship-winning Oregon State baseball coach Pat Casey; Mike Fritz (Oregon State ’88), who grew the company
his parents founded to design equipment to automate manufacturing processes from 18 employees to more than 550 employees on three continents; Mike Powers (’07), who is among the top 1 percent of sales executives at Gartner, a global advisory firm; and Darron Trobetsky (Indiana of Pennsylvania ’94), a member of SigEp’s board of directors and the global business director for Nike’s Jordan brand.
Perhaps the most unique aspect of this speaker series is that these aren’t events where a speaker gives a boilerplate lecture on his blueprint for success. Firstly, Sarles works with each speaker beforehand to define their own personal path to success in a way that makes it relatable to undergraduate men. Secondly, this speaker series takes place in the relaxed environment of the chapter home. As the name implies, that elevates these events beyond a typical carefully rehearsed speech and turns it into a conversation.
At the Oregon Alpha chapter facility, each speaker is welcomed and treated as a guest. The speaker usually arrives early in the evening and joins the chapter for dinner, which gives brothers a chance to get to know their guest a bit before he speaks. After dinner, the group gets comfortable in the living room, and Sarles offers an overview of the speaker’s accomplishments. After the guest’s prepared remarks, the conversation continues, as brothers get to ask questions.
Sarles is continuously planning the next quarterly event in the series and is working to confirm speakers for the fall and into 2025.
“[These are] visits intended to create conversations of inspiration, intellectual stimulation, insight and values about living a successful life.”
— C hris
Sarles, Oregon State ’86, describing the Arête Conversations series
The Brotherhood Luncheon at SigEp’s 2023 Conclave in San Antonio served as an opportunity to honor members whose real-life actions mirror one of the most enduring ideals in SigEp: brotherly love. Three alumni were recognized with these biennial awards for their heartfelt sacrifice and dedication to others.
When Jim Clayton, Tennessee ’57, fell on hard times with his business, Clayton Homes, fellow SigEp Wallace C. Doud, Wisconsin ’48 , helped him navigate the situation and get the business back on track. Clayton was so moved by Doud’s act of selflessness that he endowed the ClaytonDoud Award to recognize brothers who come to each other’s aid in times of trouble.
The 2023 Clayton-Doud Award was presented to Oklahoma Beta chapter brothers Mark McConnell, Oklahoma ’86 , and Brad Schick ’87, who dropped everything and rushed to Nevada’s Inyo National Forest when their brother and longtime friend Ron Bolen ’86 , got lost during a solo hike on Boundary Peak. The pair, along
with one of Bolen’s childhood friends, organized a search for Bolen and felt extremely blessed when their efforts and prayers were answered when they found him.
Past Grand President and Order of the Golden Heart recipient Jack D. Wheeler, North Texas ’61 , with his wife Kate, established the Honor of Philias to recognize special expressions of the Fraternity’s cardinal principle of brotherly love by chapters and/or individuals.
The 2023 Honor of Philias was awarded to nature enthusiast and nonprofit founder Mike Mathisen, Baker ’90 Mathisen was inspired to found Follow the Footsteps and make adaptive equipment available to disabled people who want to enjoy the outdoors after seeing his own daughters struggle to navigate difficult terrain. The organization teaches people with disabilities and their families how to navigate the National Trails System with the assistance of adaptive equipment that enables them to safely explore the outdoors.
These alumni are to be commended for their unwavering commitment to helping their fellow man. Scan the QR code to learn more about the selfless acts of these brothers.
By Vernon Gibbs II, Columbia ’00
Garrett Knotts, Mississippi State ’24 , a biochemistry major, is one of just 68 students across the country to receive the 2023 Astronaut Scholarship.
In 1984, the six surviving Mercury 7 astronauts established the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation to ensure the United States would remain a global leader in technology in the decades to come. The ASF works with leaders in technology and science to identify the best and brightest college juniors and seniors in the country and award them with scholarships to continue their pursuits in science, technology, engineering and math.
Scholarship recipients also receive mentorship, personal and pre-professional development, and lifelong access to the ASF network of partners and advisors.
Knotts’ research has focused on the interconnections between cancer treatments, heart cell reproduction and biochemistry. The recent graduate has also been studying how electricity works in the heart.
“I don’t consider myself a super student, so being the winner of the ASF award was a shock, and I am honored,” Knotts stated. “When I got the call confirming I was a recipient while I was at the research lab, I was so surprised. Winning has really built
up my confidence in my studies and my research.”
Knotts served as the MSU Student Association’s legislative director and vice president of the Judy and Bobby Shackhouls Honors College Ambassadors. The honors program was established at the university by MSU alumnus and SigEp Citation recipient Bobby Shackhouls, ’72 , and his wife.
“I love SigEp because of the confidence and the brotherhood it brings.”
Knotts’ other awards include the Mississippi Eminent Scholar Grant and Colvard Future Leadership Scholarship.
Knotts said he’s enjoyed serving as a member of the recruitment team and on the Buchanan Cup Committee at Mississippi Beta. “I learned about SigEp through the Balanced Man Scholarship. I participated in virtual recruitment because of COVID, but at the time did not feel comfortable joining when I’d only met the guys online.” Later, when he met the brothers in person, he was ready to join. “I love SigEp because of the confidence and the brotherhood it brings.”
As he thinks about life post- graduation, Knotts plans to use a portion of his $15,000
Astronaut Scholarship to attend graduate school and eventually go on to earn a Ph.D.
Vernon Gibbs II is a founding father of SigEp’ s New York Phi chapter. He is a self-published author of two children’s books, one about healthy eating and one about the beauty of Christmas.
SigEp celebrates the lives of these devoted and accomplished brothers. They contributed greatly to our brotherhood and the world around them, and their impact will never be forgotten.
To read more about these amazing brothers, visit the Journal’s In Memoriam page at sigep.org.
SigEp celebrates these devoted and accomplished brothers. They contributed greatly to our brotherhood and the world around them, and their impact will never be forgotten.
To read more about these amazing brothers, visit the Journal’s In Memoriam page at sigep.org.
Clark Byrum Sr., Indiana ’57, was an active volunteer with his home chapter while also building one of Indianapolis’ most respected insurance, banking and real estate companies. In 1966, he became alumni and volunteer corporation (AVC) president, serving for nearly 20 years. He also shared his financial expertise with the Fraternity as a member of the board of SigEp National Housing, the National Board of Directors and several committees. Byrum invested in the future of SigEp through significant gifts to the Fraternity and as a longtime member of the Board of Governors, the lead donor group supporting the SigEp Annual Fund. In 2005, Byrum received the Order of the Golden Heart, SigEp’s highest honor, in recognition of his decades of selfless service.
Jim Alderman, Florida ’58, had an impressive legal career,
rising through the ranks from county judge to an ppointment to the Florida Supreme Court in 1978. He became the first judge to serve on all four levels of the state’s judicial system. In 1983, the Fraternity recognized Alderman’s remarkable achievement with the SigEp Citation.
Ross Hecht, Nebraska ’54 , dedicated more than 60 years of service to his home chapter. In addition to holding several volunteer offices, he chaired the fundraising campaign for the 1960s expansion of Nebraska Alpha’s facility. Nearly 40 years later, he oversaw a $2 million campaign to renovate the beloved facility. Always ahead of the curve, he advocated for the removal of alcohol from the chapter home several years before SigEp undergrads voted to make all chapter facilities substance-free. In 2013, Hecht’s many years of service were recognized with the Order of the Golden Heart.
SigEp Citation recipient Bruce Blackburn, Cincinnati ’61 , was a highly regarded artist and graphic design pioneer. His legacy endures through his contributions to the iconic NASA “worm” logo and the logo for the United States’ 1976 bicentennial. He also designed SigEp’s red heart logo. Through these and other designs, he lived out his belief that good design should create an image “in the public eye that is permanent.”
Brother Kent Hickman, Colorado ’61 , was deeply committed to supporting the leadership development of undergraduate SigEp brothers. Over the years, he helped hundreds of rising leaders from chapters around the country with the costs of attending Carlson Leadership Academy. The training these Hickman Scholars received enabled them to step into leadership roles and create a meaningful experience for thousands of other brothers. Due to his desire to continue impacting the Fraternity beyond his lifetime, Hickman also made an estate gift to SigEp and will be forever honored as a member of the Legacy Society.
Reconnecting with the Fraternity after he was presented the Citation in 1971, Wallace C. Doud, Wisconsin ’48 , joined the national board in 1975. He went on to serve as Grand Treasurer
from 1983 to 1985 and was elected Grand President in 1985. In 1987, Doud was honored with the Fraternity’s highest recognition, the Order of the Golden Heart. A passionate supporter of SigEp’s mission, he later served on the Educational Foundation’s Board of Trustees and was named a Life Trustee. Throughout his life, Doud was considered a mentor and devoted brother by many.
While an undergraduate, Kent “Oz” Nelson, Ball State ’59 , took a part-time job with UPS, launching a 37-year career with the company. He rose steadily through the ranks, becoming CEO in 1990. Many of the innovations he implemented, like real-time package tracking and Saturday and next-day delivery, are still in use today. In 1995, the Fraternity recognized Nelson’s professional achievements with the SigEp Citation. He later served on the Citation Nominating Committee and was also a member of the Board of Governors. Nelson was a board member of several national organizations, including the CDC Foundation, and played an instrumental role in modernizing facilities across the Centers for Disease Control campus in the early 2000s.
Glenn Ezell, North Texas ’87, was highly involved in fundraising for his home chapter’s facility and served as chapter counselor. A former district governor, he was also a longtime member of the Board of Governors and recruited several other brothers to become regular donors as well. He was honored for his service with a Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2020.
With bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees in economics, Robert Lee Qualls, Mississippi State ’54 , built a career as a highly sought-after financial expert. His career spanned many sectors, including government and business. He also held faculty and advisory roles at Rutgers, Southern Methodist and other universities. The Fraternity recognized his accomplishments with the SigEp Citation in 1977.
After serving as a U.S. Air Force judge advocate general officer in Texas, Earl Rainwater, Tennessee ’60, returned to Tennessee and stepped into the role of chapter counselor with his home chapter. He later became AVC treasurer, a role he held for more than 50 years. In 1978, he helped establish Tennessee Alpha’s scholarship fund and became an inaugural recipient of what is now the Distinguished Alumnus Award. He was also instrumental in helping the AVC raise funds to build a new facility and decades later, led a campaign to renovate the home. Prior to his passing in 2023, Rainwater was awarded the Order of the Golden Heart.
A former district governor, Don Kindle, Cincinnati ’55 , also chaired several national committees. When he was recognized with the Order of the Golden Heart in 1991, he simply said, “There’s still a lot more to do.” His statement proved to be prophetic. In the early 1990s, Kindle spent countless hours speaking with undergraduate leaders across the country about the Balanced Man Scholarship and encouraging them to implement it at their schools. The scholarship has proven to be one of the Fraternity’s most effective recruitment tools.
Arthur Peterson, Lawrence ’47, became the nation’s youngest state legislator when he was sworn into the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1951. An outspoken critic of Senator Joseph McCarthy’s unproven accusations of Communist activity in America, he went on to chair the Ohio Civil Rights Commission during the early years of the Civil Rights Movement. After earning his Ph.D., he embarked on a new career as a professor and higher ed administrator before being named president of the Center for the Study of the American Presidency. In 1979, the Fraternity recognized Peterson’s many accomplishments with the SigEp Citation.
Order of the Golden Heart recipient Richard “Dick” Rodgers, Illinois, ’52 , was a founding member of the Georgia Alpha Alumni and Volunteer Corporation (AVC) and served as chapter counselor for over 30 years. In the early 1990s, he chaired a $1 million capital campaign that enabled the AVC to renovate the chapter facility and later oversaw a second successful capital campaign. He also played a major role in promoting the Balanced Man Program and encouraging the chapter to implement it.
A witty and warm spirit with a gift for bringing people together, Rod Smart, Sacramento State ’77, served as California Theta’s recruitment chair, vice president and president. Immediately after graduation, he hit the road as a regional director. After leaving the Headquarters staff, Smart spent nearly two decades recruiting and guiding volunteers as district governor for Southern California and Arizona. He will forever be remembered as one of the architects of the Freeark Society, a network that connects former SigEp traveling staff members. Smart was awarded the Order of the Golden Heart in 2013.
The following is a partial listing of deceased brothers, as reported to SigEp Headquarters from Jan. 1, 2023, to Dec. 31, 2023. Names are organized by school in alphabetical order by last name.
Names of national volunteers, past staff and those who have received national recognition for their service, such as the Order of the Golden Heart, SigEp Citation, Exemplary Service Award, Volunteer of the Year, Distinguished Alumnus or Distinguished Volunteer, are highlighted in red.
ALABAMA
Walter Batson, Alabama ’66
Henry Cobb, Alabama ’72
ANGELO STATE
Sonny Garcia, Angelo State ’86
ARIZONA
Gene Dewey, Arizona ’61
Phil Oelze, Arizona ’86
James Turner, Arizona ’68
ARIZONA STATE
Thomas Larkin, Arizona State ’76
David Vanyo, Arizona State ’87
ARKANSAS
Tom Ewart, Arkansas ’92
Jay Folladori, Arkansas ’75
Archie Ryan, Arkansas ’56
ARKANSAS STATE
Chris Charette, Arkansas State ’88
John Gardner, Arkansas State ’67
David Rees, Arkansas State ’74
AUBURN
Jim Warren, Auburn ’47
AUBURN-MONTGOMERY
Michael Barnett, Auburn-Montgomery ’84
AUSTIN PEAY STATE
William Coke, Austin Peay State ’73
Brian Coons, Austin Peay State ’96
BAKER
Connie Braun, Baker ’55
Albert Brown, Baker ’45
Elbert Corpeny, Baker ’51
Donald Keith, Baker ’59
Jack Roberts, Baker ’50
BALDWIN WALLACE
Chet Lesniak, Baldwin Wallace ’67
BALL STATE
Thomas Beerman, Ball State ’63
John Bingaman, Ball State ’61
Gerry Bowell, Ball State ’66
Jared George, Ball State ’23
Jack Hamilton, Ball State ’67
Charles Hassel, Ball State ’53
Stan Hess, Ball State ’58
Richard Hochstetler, Ball State ’67
Robert Johnson, Ball State ’63
David Jones, Ball State ’74
Larry Kiefer, Ball State ’61
John McClure, Ball State ’59
Oz Nelson, Ball State ’59 (Citaton)
David Park, Ball State ’54
Phillip Sizelove, Ball State ’69
David Skelton, Ball State ’59
Clark Stahly, Ball State ’59
BARTON
Lonnie Robinson, Barton ’61
BAYLOR
David Morris, Baylor ’89
Jim Ogden, Baylor ’91
Cal Staggers, Baylor ’85
BOISE STATE
Domenic Cutaia, Boise State ’85
Patrick Patterson, Boise State ’82
Kurt Scudder, Boise State ’82
BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Sal Caruso, Boston University ’61
Rob Melikian, Boston University ’62
Charles Morris, Boston University ’67
Edward Sturtevant, Boston University ’53
John Vanderkieft, Boston University ’60
BOWLING GREEN STATE
Paul Banko, Bowling Green State ’80
Larry Casterline, Bowling Green State ’64
Lawrence Cook, Bowling Green State ’66
James Gooding, Bowling Green State ’65
John Ingersoll, Bowling Green State ’56
Richard Mallet, Bowling Green State ’55
Dick Markle, Bowling Green State ’55
William Schroyer, Bowling Green State ’67
Bill Shields, Bowling Green State ’68
BRADLEY
John Holmes, Bradley ’59
Dana Rosendall, Bradley ’69
BUCKNELL
Lewis Corcoran, Bucknell ’50
Frederick Pond, Bucknell ’51
CALIFORNIA-BERKELEY
Arnie Brown, California-Berkeley ’51
LeRoy Frame, California-Berkeley ’51
Tom Hobday, California-Berkeley ’64
Howard Mel, California-Berkeley ’47
James Monical, California-Berkeley ’51
CALIFORNIA-DAVIS
Christophe Tennant, California-Davis ’88
CALIFORNIA-SAN DIEGO
Jacob Carritte, California-San Diego ’17
Jay Goldberg, California-San Diego ’90
CALIFORNIA-SANTA BARBARA
Sherwood McOwen, California-Santa Barbara ’66
Terrence Rager, California-Santa Barbara ’70
Chris Signorelli, California-Santa Barbara ’90
CAL POLY POMONA
Michael Langrell, Cal Poly Pomona ’92
CANISIUS
James Bove, Canisius ’83
George Dolce, Canisius ’83
CARROLL
Larry Bartis, Carroll ’71
George Cousin, Carroll ’53
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Donnie Trexler, Central Arkansas ’95
Jay Turpin, Central Arkansas ’14
CENTRAL MICHIGAN
Gary Bohas, Central Michigan ’65
Lewis Fenton, Central Michigan ’58
Gordon Miesel, Central Michigan ’60
Ben Nye, Central Michigan ’90
CENTRAL MISSOURI
Nolan Fryatt, Central Missouri ’80
Jim Quesenberry, Central Missouri ’78
Jeff Wiltfang, Central Missouri ’85
CHAPMAN
Roy Smith, Chapman ’94
CHARLESTON (WEST VIRGINIA)
Randy Parmer, Charleston (West Virginia) ’75
CINCINNATI
Byron Crabill, Cincinnati ’58
Patrick Decker, Cincinnati ’64
Jerry Hill, Cincinnati ’69
CLARKSON
Stone Mercurio, Clarkson ’23
COASTAL CAROLINA
Howard Oliver, Coastal Carolina Renaissance
COLORADO
Brad Ghent, Colorado ’75
Kent Hickman, Colorado ’61 (Major donor)
Fred Smoot, Colorado ’08
Don Snow, Colorado ’65
Joseph Stransky, Colorado ’64
Tom Trimble, Colorado ’60
COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES
William Bradley, Colorado School of Mines ’52
Allan Cerny, Colorado School of Mines ’63
Lewis Dimovski, Colorado School of Mines ’83
Marvin Kay, Colorado School of Mines ’60
Joseph Keating, Colorado School of Mines ’60
David Lohr, Colorado School of Mines ’51
Thomas Maul, Colorado School of Mines ’84
John Owings, Colorado School of Mines ’54
Eugene Risch, Colorado School of Mines ’55
COLORADO STATE
Gilbert Fechner, Colorado State ’47
Donald Kerr, Colorado State ’53
Frederick Kupilik, Colorado State ’56
Lee Marteney, Colorado State ’61
Eugene Miller, Colorado State ’51
Walter Scott, Colorado State ’53
Dewey Smith, Colorado State ’64
Scott Webermeier, Colorado State ’76
CONNECTICUT
James Allen, Connecticut ’63
Thomas Burke, Connecticut ’61
Frank Dillon, Connecticut ’62
George Grandell, Connecticut ’58
Bill O'Connor, Connecticut ’66
Alan Stickles, Connecticut ’59
CORNELL
Thomas Hoy, Cornell ’70
David Maurer, Cornell ’61
Stephen Schaefer, Cornell ’73
CREIGHTON
Mike Gordie, Creighton ’00
CULVER-STOCKTON
Michael Jones, Culver-Stockton ’79
DARTMOUTH
Dennis Barnes, Dartmouth ’62
Michael Chen, Dartmouth ’95
John Coe, Dartmouth ’62
Dick Davidson, Dartmouth ’50
Lin Davis, Dartmouth ’57
Douglas Dodge, Dartmouth ’61
Fred Entwistle, Dartmouth ’53
John Felter, Dartmouth ’54
Tom Hughson, Dartmouth ’55
William McNamara, Dartmouth ’56
Bill McSwain, Dartmouth ’67
Arthur Nichols, Dartmouth ’44
Robert Nystrom, Dartmouth ’44
John Prentice, Dartmouth ’45
Otto Stock, Dartmouth ’57
Richard Weber, Dartmouth ’56
Doug Wheeler, Dartmouth ’59
Richard Wilcox, Dartmouth ’52
DAVIDSON
Ernest Brown, Davidson ’54
Louis Fogleman, Davidson ’60
John Murchison, Davidson ’61
DAVIS & ELKINS
Walter Calhoun, Davis & Elkins ’58
Robert Holmes, Davis & Elkins ’62
Robert Tilly, Davis & Elkins ’53
DAYTON
James Bartlett, Dayton Renaissance
DELAWARE
Richard Armstrong, Delaware ’57
Kenneth Schilling, Delaware ’64
DENVER
Richard Henke, Denver ’53
DETROIT
Bill Bissett, Detroit ’58
DRAKE
John DeSalvo, Drake ’50
Ronald Harner, Drake ’57
Michael Peterson, Drake ’14
Donald Werner, Drake ’59
EAST TENNESSEE STATE
Shawn Gray, East Tennessee State ’93
Gary Harrell, East Tennessee State
Renaissance
William Hilton, East Tennessee State ’95
Joseph Tipton, East Tennessee State ’72
EMPORIA STATE
Charles Holloran, Emporia State ’60
Pete Ramos, Emporia State ’78
Charles Reid, Emporia State ’54
Lynn Singer, Emporia State ’73
Bill Spicer, Emporia State ’77
EVANSVILLE
Donald Dean, Evansville ’68
FLORIDA
Johnny Agno, Florida ’62
Pete Belcher, Florida ’76
Fotios Bokas, Florida ’50
Charles Burton, Florida ’48
Gene Clark, Florida ’64
Dick Clarke, Florida ’65
George Hapsis, Florida ’57
Skip Jordan, Florida ’67
Patrick Obrien, Florida ’57
Jim Siebert, Florida ’62
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL
Ricky Rivera, Florida International ’11
Humberto Villarreal, Florida International ’00
FLORIDA SOUTHERN
Robert Ninfo, Florida Southern ’61
FLORIDA STATE
Kenneth Almond, Florida State ’63
Max Bromley, Florida State ’72
Sim Sparkman, Florida State ’64
FORT HAYS STATE
Mac Reed, Fort Hays State ’64
GEORGIA
Bobby Booth, Georgia ’67
Bob Dyer, Georgia ’71
John Glenkey, Georgia ’74
Ty Tuggle, Georgia ’05
GEORGIA SOUTHERN
John Bedingfield, Georgia Southern ’73
GEORGIA STATE
Thomas Belt, Georgia State ’70
GEORGIA TECH
Douglas Conti, Georgia Tech ’81
Larry Crosby, Georgia Tech ’52
Mike East, Georgia Tech ’97
William Hensley, Georgia Tech ’57
George Purker, Georgia Tech ’74
William Terry, Georgia Tech ’66
GRAND VALLEY STATE
Bob Drake, Grand Valley State ’97
HIGH POINT
Stan Baker, High Point ’57
HOUSTON
Guy Haltom, Houston ’67
Kirby White, Houston ’14
IDAHO STATE
David Blackwell, Idaho State ’63
IIT
Donald Buenger, IIT ’73
Marvin Calvert, IIT ’58
Michael Clemetsen, IIT ’83
ILLINOIS
Joseph Boborci, Illinois ’73
John Boyle, Illinois ’55
Milton Kruger, Illinois ’75
Randal Lyons, Illinois ’92
Arthur Murray, Illinois ’58
Ronald Wood, Illinois ’81
INDIANA
Clark Byrum, Indiana ’57 (Order of the Golden Heart, Distinguished Alumnus)
Charles Davis, Indiana ’60
David Maierhofer, Indiana ’84
Michael Nowlan, Indiana ’87
INDIANA OF PENNSYLVANIA
Gene Mazzola, Indiana of Pennsylvania ’55
James Shea, Indiana of Pennsylvania ’56
INDIANA STATE
Anthony Gibbs, Indiana State ’61
Billy Ritchie, Indiana State ’75
Bill Schatz, Indiana State ’57
Thomas White, Indiana State ’72
Richard Wild, Indiana State ’60
INDIANA TECH
Raymond Denault, Indiana Tech ’64
Frank Ello, Indiana Tech ’65
Donald Zehner, Indiana Tech ’67
IOWA
Craig Ellyson, Iowa ’59
Channing Nixon, Iowa ’58
IOWA STATE
Mike Carlson, Iowa State ’66
Robert Jordion, Iowa State ’54
Harold Mullison, Iowa State ’53
David Schrader, Iowa State ’54
Joe Terry, Iowa State ’52
George Wiedmann, Iowa State ’61
Ray Wiley, Iowa State ’56
IOWA WESLEYAN
Jack Tanner, Iowa Wesleyan ’54
JACKSONVILLE
Patrick Hopkins, Jacksonville ’74
JAMES MADISON
Charles Ballard, James Madison ’72
Ronald Snyder, James Madison ’80
JOHNS HOPKINS
Dutch Devilbiss, Johns Hopkins ’53
KANSAS
Jack Leatherman, Kansas ’59
Mason Ormsby, Kansas ’62
Dennis Park, Kansas ’61
Frank Spurney, Kansas ’56
Del Williamson, Kansas ’60
KANSAS STATE
Ted Baehr, Kansas State ’62
Steven Blickenstaff, Kansas State ’73
Charles Clinkenbeard, Kansas State ’64
Bill Everett, Kansas State ’79
Bob Exline, Kansas State ’57
Bill Manion, Kansas State ’50
Doc Railsback, Kansas State ’55
Jack Sampson, Kansas State ’50
Dick Scrogin, Kansas State ’59
Brett Sims, Kansas State ’88
Dan Sloan, Kansas State ’65
Bruce Tillery, Kansas State ’82
Earl Wright, Kansas State ’60
KENT STATE
Stan Cahill, Kent State ’69
Ronald Kilbride, Kent State ’70
KENTUCKY
William Stagg, Kentucky ’59
KENTUCKY WESLEYAN
Gordon Furukawa, Kentucky Wesleyan ’62
LAWRENCE
Art Peterson, Lawrence ’47 (Citation)
LAWRENCE TECH
Roland Bedell, Lawrence Tech ’74
Nick Szydlek, Lawrence Tech ’94
Jim Taggart, Lawrence Tech ’94
LEHIGH
Paul Babcock, Lehigh ’54
William Dove, Lehigh ’75
Gene Hartzell, Lehigh ’67
Justin King, Lehigh ’77
LENOIR RHYNE
David Mitchell, Lenoir Rhyne ’71
LEWIS & CLARK
Bill Bessolo, Lewis & Clark ’85
LOUISIANA STATE
Rob Shirley, Louisiana State ’74
LOYOLA
Coates Charbonnet, Loyola ’14
Bev Coiner, Loyola ’07
MAINE
Stephen Atkinson, Maine ’75
Pete Radsky, Maine ’68
David Sumner, Maine ’86
Toby Walls, Maine ’87
MARQUETTE
Larry Giantomas, Marquette ’72
Thomas Searle, Marquette ’77
MARSHALL
George Lambros, Marshall ’54
Charles Romine, Marshall ’58
MARYLAND-COLLEGE PARK
Stanton Boteler, Maryland-College Park ’59
William Boyd, Maryland-College Park ’67
Morris Jaffe, Maryland-College Park ’69
Eric Johnson, Maryland-College Park ’94
MASSACHUSETTS
Carl Briggs, Massachusetts ’56
Ned Canty, Massachusetts ’51
Charlie Carlson, Massachusetts ’58
Jeffrey Gordon, Massachusetts ’91
MEMPHIS
Carl Brown, Memphis ’57
MEMPHIS-LAMBUTH
Charles Aaron, Memphis-Lambuth ’78
Ben Mauck, Memphis-Lambuth ’02
Ron Stevens, Memphis-Lambuth Renaissance
MIAMI (OHIO)
Don Lorenz, Miami (Ohio) ’57
Scott Moorhead, Miami (Ohio) ’62
MICHIGAN
Robert Nichols, Michigan ’53
Robert Ohlheiser, Michigan ’52
MIDDLEBURY
Henry Vanvleck, Middlebury ’55
MINNESOTA
John Klopp, Minnesota ’56
Dick Kozitka, Minnesota ’56
MISSISSIPPI STATE
John Clower, Mississippi State ’53
Clarence Coon, Mississippi State ’48
John Crecink, Mississippi State ’74
Everett Crudup, Mississippi State ’81
Timothy Earnest, Mississippi State ’82
George Shelton, Mississippi State ’66
David Slocum, Mississippi State ’77
Van Zachry, Mississippi State ’79
MISSOURI
William Ellis, Missouri ’67
Ernest Ittner, Missouri ’51
Garry Moore, Missouri ’70
Carroll Palmatary, Missouri ’64
Eric Romero, Missouri ’88
Jim Russell, Missouri ’61
MISSOURI S&T
Donald Bailey, Missouri S&T ’53
Jim Burton, Missouri S&T ’57
Richard Hallahan, Missouri S&T ’62
Dave Hudder, Missouri S&T ’61
Peter Koppel, Missouri S&T ’50
Kevin Lamb, Missouri S&T ’86
Bill Logel, Missouri S&T ’66
Joseph Lowe, Missouri S&T ’69
Stanley Moore, Missouri S&T ’59
Stanley Niemczura, Missouri S&T ’51
Conrad Stergas, Missouri S&T ’64
M.J. Turnipseed, Missouri S&T ’51
Dave Ward, Missouri S&T ’70
Rick Westerhold, Missouri S&T ’77
Michael Wolf, Missouri S&T ’71
MISSOURI STATE
Mike St. Clair, Missouri State ’76
John Whittington, Missouri State ’60
Frankie Wohlrab, Missouri State ’89
MIT
Leon Hovsepian, MIT ’55
MONMOUTH
Robert Bilderback, Monmouth ’59
Michael Clark, Monmouth ’81
Fred Graue, Monmouth ’63
Leslie Montgomery, Monmouth ’62
Chris Oney, Monmouth ’78
MONTANA
Bradly Scheet, Montana ’83
Tom Tutt, Montana ’65
Gregory Yockey, Montana ’90
MONTANA STATE
Carl Leaman, Montana State ’63
Jim Nelson, Montana State ’75
Mark Warfield, Montana State ’68
MOREHEAD STATE
Kody Johnson, Morehead State ’12
Richard Stumpf, Morehead State ’74
MORNINGSIDE
James Fraser, Morningside ’70
MURRAY STATE
Anthony Strawn, Murray State ’76
NEBRASKA
John Albin, Nebraska ’76
Ross Hecht, Nebraska ’54 (Order of the Golden Heart, Distinguished Alumnus)
Scott Johnston, Nebraska ’08
NEBRASKA-KEARNEY
Joseph Heinrich, Nebraska-Kearney ’70
NEBRASKA-OMAHA
John Emery, Nebraska-Omaha ’61
Keith McMillan, Nebraska-Omaha ’58
Travis Starkey, Nebraska-Omaha ’17
NEW MEXICO
David Fiedler, New Mexico ’71
Paul Tufts, New Mexico ’65
NORTH CAROLINA
Bob Breese, North Carolina ’49
Bob Grubbs, North Carolina ’50
Thomas Lawrence, North Carolina ’63
Fred Mattox, North Carolina ’54
Theodore Matus, North Carolina ’69
NORTH CAROLINA-GREENSBORO
Brian Beaupre, North CarolinaGreensboro ’83
Dale Nix, North Carolina-Greensboro ’96
NORTH CAROLINA STATE
Douglas Curtis, North Carolina State ’69
Dick Dillender, North Carolina State ’50
Thomas Giblin, North Carolina State ’79
James Propst, North Carolina State ’61
Kell Williard, North Carolina State ’58
NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Terry Bolin, Northern Illinois ’85
NORTH TEXAS
Bobby Chaney, North Texas ’57
Neil Davidson, North Texas ’55
Jack Kellam, North Texas ’59
Bill Lewis, North Texas ’58
Dan Parrish, North Texas ’54
Bobby Savage, North Texas ’54
Alfred Travis, North Texas ’56
Tommy Wallace, North Texas ’58
NORTHWOOD
Doug Best, Northwood ’78
NORWICH
Bud Canney, Norwich ’49
Dennis Maud, Norwich ’53
Bartlett McGee, Norwich ’57
Eric Mortenson, Norwich ’55
NYU
Rob Gansel, NYU ’58
Dave Smith, NYU ’67
Marc Wolpo, NYU ’85
OHIO
Ed Molnar, Ohio ’68
OHIO NORTHERN
Edward Gmyrek, Ohio Northern ’65
Hal Hodson, Ohio Northern ’49
Dick Leagre, Ohio Northern ’59
Carl Lowe, Ohio Northern ’63
James Spangler, Ohio Northern ’62
OHIO STATE
Jack Clark, Ohio State ’54
William Hawver, Ohio State ’54
George Hay, Ohio State ’67
John Petro, Ohio State ’59
Rolland Strausbaugh, Ohio State ’57
Don Swales, Ohio State ’56
OHIO WESLEYAN
Stephen Butler, Ohio Wesleyan ’73
Frederick Coe, Ohio Wesleyan ’41
James Hunt, Ohio Wesleyan ’67
William Libby, Ohio Wesleyan ’55
George Mitchell, Ohio Wesleyan ’49
Stan Noland, Ohio Wesleyan ’60
Ed Pfaff, Ohio Wesleyan ’65
Garret Roosma, Ohio Wesleyan ’74
Norman Zigrossi, Ohio Wesleyan ’58
OKLAHOMA
David Applewhite, Oklahoma ’89
Gregory Clarbour, Oklahoma ’70
Chance Deupree, Oklahoma ’88
Jay Hall, Oklahoma ’85
James McLeod, Oklahoma ’72
William McRae, Oklahoma ’52
Ozzie Shoup, Oklahoma ’49
OKLAHOMA CITY
Robert Thomas, Oklahoma City ’58
OKLAHOMA STATE
Ray Bascom, Oklahoma State ’57
Bob Brown, Oklahoma State ’54
Lonnie Buchner, Oklahoma State ’62
Don Bugh, Oklahoma State ’53
David Carey, Oklahoma State ’62
Guy Clark, Oklahoma State ’62
Brad Cockings, Oklahoma State ’93
Bob Harrison, Oklahoma State ’52
Craig Mandeville, Oklahoma State ’63
Jeffrey Marburger, Oklahoma State ’89
James Nestle, Oklahoma State ’64
BJ Patterson, Oklahoma State ’51
William Renshaw, Oklahoma State ’73
Larry Speer, Oklahoma State ’82
Colton Walker, Oklahoma State ’18
OREGON
Berge Borrevik, Oregon ’58
Gerry Bowden, Oregon ’54
Alan Carter, Oregon ’68
William Deller, Oregon ’48
Delb Lee, Oregon ’53
George Maddox, Oregon ’57
Henry Reents, Oregon ’65
James Schray, Oregon Renaissance
Dana Skulsky, Oregon ’72
Ed Tyler, Oregon ’53
Bruce Urey, Oregon ’49
OREGON STATE
Gerald Brog, Oregon State ’53
David Bucy, Oregon State ’55
Dave Cox, Oregon State ’59
Daniel Grischkowsky, Oregon State ’62
Clifford Kenyon, Oregon State ’64
Richard Lamberton, Oregon State ’86
Jerry Ligon, Oregon State ’58
Arthur Makinster, Oregon State ’66
John McLoughlin, Oregon State ’68
David Saucy, Oregon State ’49
Jack Talbott, Oregon State ’49
PARSONS
Gary Newlon, Parsons ’63
PENNSYLVANIA
Bob Davis, Pennsylvania ’50
Laurence Ruggiero, Pennsylvania ’69
Andrew Shapiro, Pennsylvania ’93
Joseph Zahn, Pennsylvania ’55
PENNSYLVANIA STATE
John Crombie, Pennsylvania State ’51
Andrew Daneff, Pennsylvania State ’52
Kenneth Fasick, Pennsylvania State ’59
PENNWEST
Timothy Bearfield, PennWest ’90
PEPPERDINE
William Noland, Pepperdine ’22
PHILADELPHIA
Tom Mantle, Philadelphia ’68
PITTSBURG STATE
Scott Wilson, Pittsburg State ’85
PURDUE
Bob Foster, Purdue ’54
Bob Kroeger, Purdue ’58
James Kuhle, Purdue ’71
Raymond Stephens, Purdue ’49
Clark Walser, Purdue ’55
RANDOLPH-MACON
Lyle Brown, Randolph-Macon ’70
Howard Gaines, Randolph-Macon ’51
RENSSELAER
Peter Albrecht, Rensselaer ’59
Duane Belden, Rensselaer ’52
Bruce Dutton, Rensselaer ’60
Richard Harrison, Rensselaer ’52
Tom Heislein, Rensselaer ’54
Robert Martin, Rensselaer ’60
Allan Mongardi, Rensselaer ’60
James Robb, Rensselaer ’72
Orin Smith, Rensselaer ’43
RICHMOND
James Capps, Richmond ’66
Edward Dunn, Richmond ’65
Ross Hotchkiss, Richmond ’63
John Marshall, Richmond ’56
John Reames, Richmond ’56
RUTGERS
Robert Bulik, Rutgers ’78
George Deibert, Rutgers ’49
Peter Evans, Rutgers ’64
Bob Heydt, Rutgers ’60
John Tassini, Rutgers ’52
Richard Thompson, Rutgers ’63
SACRAMENTO STATE
James Britt, Sacramento State ’76
Dallas Phillips, Sacramento State ’87
Jeffery Raimundo, Sacramento State ’68
SAINT LOUIS
Glenn Tolentino, Saint Louis ’11
SAM HOUSTON STATE
Jim Ashmore, Sam Houston State ’65
Richard Drake, Sam Houston State ’89
Vance Lemley, Sam Houston State ’98
Ralph Norman, Sam Houston State ’70
SAN DIEGO STATE
Milton Costello, San Diego State ’51
Tom Nowell, San Diego State ’64
SAN JOSE STATE
Peter McGrath, San Jose State ’64
SIU-EDWARDSVILLE
Eugene Brady, SIU-Edwardsville ’78
Freddy Eaglin, SIU-Edwardsville ’79
Ted Hoef, SIU-Edwardsville ’79
Bob Signorello, SIU-Edwardsville ’90
Roland Sundberg, SIU-Edwardsville ’87
SOUTH CAROLINA
Steve Burnette, South Carolina ’73
Ansel Gantt, South Carolina ’69
William Gravely, South Carolina ’54
Matt Johnson, South Carolina ’00
Alexander Sagun, South Carolina ’65
Mike Sanders, South Carolina ’70
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE
Todd Bizzel, Southeast Missouri State ’87
Robert Browning, Southeast Missouri State ’63
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
William Burlem, Southern California ’50
Zack Estrin, Southern California ’93
Mike Kerr, Southern California ’91
Barton Kubelka, Southern California ’71
Brent Noyes, Southern California ’74
Gene Oswalt, Southern California ’46
Dennis Wagstaffe, Southern California ’75
SOUTHERN METHODIST
Phil Duda, Southern Methodist ’89
Thomas Toland, Southern Methodist ’90
SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
Randy Watts, Southern Mississippi ’99
SOUTH FLORIDA
Larry Peters, South Florida ’71
Thomas Smith, South Florida ’74
SOUTHWEST TEXAS STATE
Joseph Barta, Southwest Texas State ’91
STETSON
Terry Malcom, Stetson ’61
STEVENS
Theodore Bicking, Stevens ’86
Jack Dunne, Stevens ’45
Timothy Enright, Stevens ’46
Allen Vautier, Stevens ’63
ST. JOHN’S
Richard Barquero, St. John’s ’08
SUNY-BUFFALO
Joseph Mastromonico, SUNY-Buffalo ’60
Daniel Petit, SUNY-Buffalo ’66
SUNY-FREDONIA
Sean June, SUNY-Fredonia ’87
SUSQUEHANNA
Thomas Kiczula, Susquehanna ’09
SYRACUSE
James Arakelian, Syracuse ’65
Tom Baker, Syracuse ’72
Arthur Lewis, Syracuse ’63
Guy Webster, Syracuse ’61
TAMPA
Craig Cerrone, Tampa ’69
Paul Danahy, Tampa ’56
TEMPLE
Sherod Cooper, Temple ’51
Bernie Rosenbaum, Temple Renaissance
TENNESSEE
David Amonette, Tennessee ’64
Nate Bastian, Tennessee ’51
Buddie Bruce, Tennessee ’61
Thomas Carrier, Tennessee ’70
Bobba Chambers, Tennessee ’57
Tony Darsinos, Tennessee ’93
P. D. Evans, Tennessee ’56
James Fox, Tennessee ’59
Ellis Galyon, Tennessee ’84
Wade Green, Tennessee ’59
Morrison Jackson, Tennessee ’56
Jim McCord, Tennessee Renaissance
Jerry McCracken, Tennessee ’57
Robert Moon, Tennessee ’66
John Pomeroy, Tennessee ’54
Earl Rainwater, Tennessee ’60
(Order of the Golden Heart, Exemplary Service Award, Distinguished Alumnus)
William Smith, Tennessee ’55
Andy Stallings, Tennessee ’66
Robert Thurman, Tennessee ’11
Mark Venrick, Tennessee ’52
TEXAS A&M-COMMERCE
Scott Cole, Texas A&MCommerce ’72
John McDonald, Texas A&MCommerce ’70
TEXAS-ARLINGTON
William Pippin, Texas-Arlington ’79
David Sury, Texas-Arlington ’78
TEXAS-AUSTIN
Karol Bobko, Texas-Austin Renaissance
Warren Cash, Texas-Austin ’57
Orville Finch, Texas-Austin ’48
Jeffrey Fisher, Texas-Austin ’91
Jeff Foster, Texas-Austin ’85
Brooks Goldsmith, Texas-Austin ’55
James Lloyd, Texas-Austin ’52
Rick Martin, Texas-Austin ’77
William Neal, Texas-Austin ’70
Harold Orr, Texas-Austin ’60
John Roberts, Texas-Austin ’67
Fred Ryals, Texas-Austin ’52
Charles Shields, Texas-Austin ’89
Russell Sweeney, Texas-Austin ’57
TEXAS CHRISTIAN
Gene Grant, Texas Christian ’74
Billy Manning, Texas Christian ’55
TEXAS TECH
Stephen Chandler, Texas Tech ’71
Kosse Maykus, Texas Tech ’77
TEXAS WESLEYAN
Robert Bennett, Texas Wesleyan ’90
Robert Vleck, Texas Wesleyan ’76
THIEL
Lorin Altman, Thiel ’68
William Babcock, Thiel ’51
Loyal Black, Thiel ’52
Jack Chaney, Thiel ’52
James Fletcher, Thiel ’74
David Harig, Thiel ’89
Rafael Juliano, Thiel ’00
Robert Lenkner, Thiel ’52
Cork Lynn, Thiel ’67
George Mirabal, Thiel ’60
Thomas Stennett, Thiel ’55
John Timm, Thiel ’57
Richard Weiss, Thiel ’64
TOLEDO
Nicholas Curto, Toledo ’60
Jeff Hillman, Toledo ’67
Albert Kleine, Toledo ’51
Van McDonald, Toledo ’63
Butch Starrett, Toledo ’74
James Terry, Toledo ’62
Robert Witt, Toledo ’60
TRINE
Glenn Doppes, Trine ’76
Ronald Stosak, Trine ’71
TRUMAN STATE
Nate Aldrich, Truman State ’22
Jim Lyons, Truman State ’84
Bruce Payne, Truman State ’84
Randel Ries, Truman State ’85
TYLER JUNIOR
Samuel Jordan, Tyler Junior ’76
UCLA
Daryl Rice, UCLA ’89
UNC-WILMINGTON
Steven Sappe, UNC-Wilmington ’91
UTAH
David Clegg, Utah ’67
VALPARAISO
Charles Aufdenkampe, Valparaiso ’67
James Borgstrom, Valparaiso ’57
Tom Brankin, Valparaiso ’89
Stephen Deckro, Valparaiso ’62
Blake Dinkmeyer, Valparaiso ’85
Michael Kettner, Valparaiso ’83
Albert Steele, Valparaiso ’58
George Stunkard, Valparaiso ’60
VERMONT
Garrit Mace, Vermont ’72
VILLANOVA
Brandon Gonzalez, Villanova ’23
VINCENNES
Phil Maxwell, Vincennes ’72
VIRGINIA
Bill Bauknight, Virginia ’42
John Berryman, Virginia ’46
Paul Shelly, Virginia ’68
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH
Donald Bray, Virginia Commonwealth ’74
Michael Day, Virginia Commonwealth ’79
VIRGINIA TECH
Rusty Lindsay, Virginia Tech ’78
Roger Shipley, Virginia Tech ’79
WAKE FOREST
Les Cansler, Wake Forest ’41
Glenn King, Wake Forest ’56
John Ormand, Wake Forest ’84
William Swicord, Wake Forest ’56
WASHBURN
Al Camblin, Washburn ’59
Arthur Carey, Washburn ’65
Joseph Copp, Washburn ’61
Richard Holzmeister, Washburn ’56
Richard Kingman, Washburn ’61
Doc Kratina, Washburn ’67
Lucas Osborn, Washburn ’02
Edward Swift, Washburn ’78
WASHINGTON
Steve Beasley, Washington ’62
Jack Blondin, Washington ’62
Brack Jaskey, Washington ’82
Scott Lawson, Washington ’82
Donald Lightfoot, Washington ’62
Richard Siegart, Washington ’64
Bob Vandaveer, Washington ’57
WASHINGTON & LEE
Anderson Smith, Washington & Lee ’66
Kevin Twillman, Washington & Lee ’74
WASHINGTON STATE
James Ball, Washington State ’54
Walt Hitchcock, Washington State ’40
Newton Kier, Washington State ’52
George Knapp, Washington State ’49
Thomas Moody, Washington State ’68
Jeff Simpson, Washington State ’75
Jerry Stocker, Washington State ’54
Ross Tello, Washington State ’23
WESTERN CAROLINA
Tony Parker, Western Carolina ’86
WESTERN MICHIGAN
John Kearns, Western Michigan ’66
Charles Schueneman, Western Michigan ’79
WESTMINSTER
Edwin Davis, Westminster ’51
George McKee, Westminster ’62
WEST VIRGINIA
George Cromer, West Virginia ’52
Bill Lichte, West Virginia ’53
WEST VIRGINIA TECH
George Brown, West Virginia Tech ’66
Henry Clower, West Virginia Tech ’69
George Duffield, West Virginia Tech ’63
Bobby Pauley, West Virginia Tech ’87
WICHITA STATE
Richard Balluch, Wichita State ’81
Donald Rude, Wichita State ’59
WILLIAM & MARY
Steven Marcy, William & Mary ’67
WINTHROP
Bryan DeYoung, Winthrop ’93
Bill Grey, Winthrop ’86
WISCONSIN
George Bonney, Wisconsin ’50
Thomas Breuch, Wisconsin ’63
Lee Mevis, Wisconsin ’58
Marvin Neumann, Wisconsin ’51
Jack Slater, Wisconsin ’47
WISCONSIN-PLATTEVILLE
David Nevins, Wisconsin-Platteville Renaissance
WISCONSIN-STEVENS POINT
Jack Zei, Wisconsin-Stevens Point ’55
WPI
Brady Buckley, WPI ’52
Bill Rawstron, WPI ’57
Neil Spellman, WPI Renaissance
WRIGHT STATE
Gary Callison, Wright State ’78
Pat McElhany, Wright State ’81
Ralph Myers, Wright State ’77
YOUNGSTOWN STATE
Walter Cwynar, Youngstown State ’60
Roger Hedlund, Youngstown State ’82
John Ulicney, Youngstown State ’59
Email obituary notices to contact@sigep.net or send to: In Memoriam, Sigma Phi Epsilon, 310 S. Arthur Ashe Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23220.
1
Number of Conclaves held in Houston (2019) 8
Number of Conclaves held in the state of Texas
3,000
Catching up with a few of SigEp's prominent Houston-based alumni
The Jay Hurt Hub for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Davidson College launched Amplify Davidson, an initiative to assist local small businesses, in fall 2023. The program provides educational programming, consulting and other services. SigEp brother and longtime Houston resident Jay Hurt, Davidson ’88 , established The Hurt Hub with a $5 million gift to his alma mater to create a space where innovators and entrepreneurs at the college and throughout the region can work on solutions to complex issues. The Hurt Hub marked its fifth anniversary in 2023.
Former astronaut Drew Feustel, Purdue ’89, is embarking on a new kind of launch. When he wasn’t preparing for one of his three missions to space, Feustel represented NASA at more than 200 speaking engagements at schools and events around the world. Since retiring from NASA as acting chief astronaut in 2023, Feustel and his spouse, Indira, who are based in Houston, have launched their own public speaking business. The pair is currently booking appearances to present keynotes and serve on panels at conferences and corporate events in 2024 and beyond.
(andrewfeustel.com)
John Hudek, Florida Southern ’89, spent six seasons during the 1990s as a pitcher in the major leagues, including four years with the Houston Astros. The former National League All-Star has continued to influence the next generation of players in the Houston area as a coach.
From leading the Gemini and Apollo missions of the 1960s and ’70s, to serving as home of the space shuttle program for three decades, to managing operations of the International Space Station, Johnson Space Center has been involved in nearly every aspect of the country’s quest to explore our universe. The center hasn’t just increased our understanding of the world beyond Earth: It’s also a major driver of Houston’s economy, with more than 52,000 employees and more than a million visitors each year.
Known as one of the country’s most creative marketers, Stu Redsun, Oregon ’87, has been behind some of the country’s most recognized marketing efforts. Redsun’s storytelling approach has resulted in unique and memorable campaigns for leading apparel and technology brands like Nike, Columbia Sportswear, Motorola and Sony. He’s now based in Houston as the VP of Brand & Marketing at WM (formerly known as Waste Management). Part of Redsun's role is managing the PGA TOUR’s bucket list WM Phoenix Open.
Mike Watford, Florida ’75 , a SigEp Educational Foundation trustee, is well known in the city for his acts of philanthropy. In addition to making major gifts to the Fraternity and his alma mater, the retired CEO of Ultra Petroleum heads the Watford Family Foundation. Since 2011, the foundation has supported a range of nonprofits, from faith-based organizations to the American Heart Association.
Chapter facilities play a vital role in the SigEp experience by serving as a welcoming space where members can develop through rest, study and socializing with other brothers. For the volunteers who support our undergraduate brothers, keeping these facilities in top condition is a labor of love.
The Cornerstone Award recognizes alumni and volunteer corporations (AVCs) for major improvement projects on chapter facilities that support SigEp Learning Community programming. At SigEp’s 58th Grand Chapter Conclave in San Antonio, the Fraternity presented the award to three AVCs that completed projects in the past two years and recognized one AVC for its consistent care and stewardship of its facility.
Kansas Gamma SigEp Learning Community
Georgia Delta SigEp Learning Community
PROJECT SCOPE: A nearly $1 million renovation, with $300,000 capital campaign and $750,000 SENH loan; 12,000 sq. feet; completed in stages in summer 2021 and summer 2022
FACILITY FEATURES: Recently renovated study spaces include a chapter library with seating for 27 and a computer lab, in addition to other study areas; house sleeps 36 brothers
PROJECT SCOPE: 18,000-sq.-foot main house with 1,900-sq.-foot and 1,700-sq.foot adjoining properties; spends nearly $200,000 annually maintaining the three properties
FACILITY FEATURES: Group study room equipped with a whiteboard; quiet area set up with 15 spaces for individual study; house sleeps 97 brothers
CHAPTER PRIDE: Holds career dinners where undergrads can discuss career paths and network with alumni; etiquette seminars hosted by house mother; awarded Chapter of the Year four years in a row
CHAPTER MANPOWER: 126
CHAPTER PRIDE: Each Balanced Man Program challenge class participates in a service project with a local nonprofit; created a list of campus and community mental health organizations and hosts speakers from these groups; brothers serve as leaders in a range of student organizations, including in the IFC and student government and as orientation leaders and campus tour guides
Chapter manpower: 141
Mississippi Beta SigEp Learning Community
PROJECT SCOPE: $600,000 renovation; 20,000 sq. feet; renovation completed in summer 2021
FACILITY FEATURES: Four study/meeting spaces to accommodate groups of various sizes; courtyard with a grill; sand volleyball and half-court basketball courts; house sleeps 50 brothers
CHAPTER PRIDE: Hosts bystander intervention and conflict resolution workshops; hosts sports watch parties and other brotherhood events
CHAPTER MANPOWER: 138
Colorado Delta SigEp Learning Community
PROJECT SCOPE: $250,000 renovation; 10,500 sq. feet; completed in 2022
FACILITY FEATURES: chapter room for meetings and social gatherings, upper and lower study rooms that can be used for small meetings or office space for chapter counselor; house sleeps 41 brothers
CHAPTER PRIDE: 3.46 GPA (spring 2023 — highest on campus); received Greek Man of the Year and Chapter of the Year awards in 2023; chapter hosts tutoring sessions open to both brothers and nonmembers
CHAPTER MANPOWER: 89
Did you know … your alumni and volunteer corporation can invest funds of any amount directly with SigEp National Housing into an AVC Investment Fun d that currently pays interest at 3.65%?
No other fund under the SigEp umbrella offers this combination of liquidity, return and organizational impact:
A better rate than low-interest checking or savings accounts, without the kind of volatility investors face in the stock market AVCs can divest at any time, providing high liquidity to funds
As a fund participant, your AVC makes a direct impact on the SigEp member experience by providing capital that supports high-quality living-learning environments at chapters around the country.
The fund in action: The AVC for our Colorado Delta chapter at Colorado School of Mines recently renovated its facility with assistance from a local bank. SENH refinanced at a better interest rate, enabling the AVC to lower its payments and reinvest the savings into their chapter home.
For more information, contact: SENH Managing Director Ben Hutto at ben.hutto@ sigep.net
Colorado School of Mines ’71
How did you get started in the energy industry?
A RELAXING DAY IS … being at our mountain home skiing in the winter or enjoying a hike in the summer
FAVORITE MUSICIAN … Neil Diamond
I’m a mining engineering graduate. I became interested in the energy industry because of the oil embargo in the 1970s and the opportunity to help develop more coal, oil and gas energy resources in the U.S.
What led you to start NexGen?
I always had an interest in running my own company.
My entrepreneurial drive was satisfied about 35 years ago when I founded NexGen Resources Corporation for the development of the next generation of energy resources.
How has the industry changed since you entered the field?
The biggest change I’ve seen is the “shale revolution.” Through
A Q&A with a brother who embodies the spirit of arête — the pursuit of excellence in all things
Chief Executive Officer, NexGen Resources
Charles ("Charlie") McNeil founded NexGen Resources, utilizing his decades of experience in the energy sector to build a company focused on developing oil, gas and coal resources. McNeil has greatly expanded the scope of his energy business, which now includes holdings in real estate, consumer finance and oral surgery centers. In addition to managing his businesses, McNeil is active in professional and civic organizations in Denver and serves on his alma mater’s board of trustees. The Journal spoke with McNeil about his philosophy of success and his SigEp college experience.
Q&A
technological advances in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, we produce record volumes of oil and natural gas today. In the ’70s, as a country we reached peak oil, and production was on the decline.
Without the technology to release oil and gas molecules in tight shale formations, we could not, as a country, become energy independent.
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced, and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge I’ve had is the challenge that comes with being an entrepreneur. You have to believe in yourself and persevere through difficult times. Risk-taking is part of being an entrepreneur, and with risk comes difficult times. From the experiences gained over the years, I coined what I call my PIE principles of business and life:
f Persistence, which means never to give up.
f Integrity, which means to be honest in all your interactions.
f E xcellence, which means you must be excellent in all you do.
What are your best memories of being an undergraduate member?
The brotherhood provided a solid foundation and common bond during challenging times. With our rigorous engineering studies, having each other’s support was invaluable. We also developed an eternal bond, as we had good and bad times together.
How have you stayed connected to SigEp as an alumnus?
One of our brothers has kept us all connected over the past 50 years through group emails. In September, we celebrated the 100th anniversary of the house and gathered to remember and share the good times we had together.
A. Emmett Necklace, #EMMET
B. Henry Ring, #HENRY
C. Edge Ring, #EDGE
D. Tungsten Ring, #Q001
E. Official Ring, #3301
F. President’s Badge, #0075
G. Large Size Crown Pearl Badge, #0115
H. Official Founders Badge, #0100
I. Official Size Crown Pearl Badge, #0104
J. Crown Pearl Double Letter Guard, #0600
K. Enameled Crest Guard, #9006
L. Chapter President Dangle, #01A
