Sigma Chi - Auburn University

2 THE AUBURN SIG Cecil G. Stokes Jr. '58 Howard E. Palmes III '59 Robert A. Benz '60 J. Scott Vowell '60 Sam H. Edwards '63 Stephen B. Gillikin '65 B. Seth Harp Jr. '66 Thomas A. McMillan Sr. '66 James J. Thompson Jr. '66 Harry I. Waddle Jr. '66 Christian F. Hamff III '69 Arthur H. Metcalf II '69 Edward F. Murray Jr. '70 Charles S. Henagan III '79 L. Preuit Mauldin '79 Fred J. McCallum Jr. '79 Douglas T. Turnbull '79 Dr. Richard C. Alker '81 Reid A. Brown '81 Javier C. Goizueta '81 Benjamin M. Palmer '82 Vince R. Costanza '84 Douglas H. Brown '88 Stephen M. Davis '88 Greg R. Shilling '89 James L. Batson III '91 Thomas A. McMillan Jr. '92 John A. Smyth III '93 Zack Lundy '22 Douglas Lundy ank You, Generous Donors W e are truly thankful to the following thirty dedicated Brothers who have made significant contributions to the capital campaign in order to secure Gamma Sigma's future. As we gain back notoriety on campus, their contributions will ensure that future Sigma Chis have the same opportunities that they were afforded during their time at Sigma Chi. T he teachings of Sigma Chi are more than rituals; they are instructions on how to live a well-purposed and meaningful life. Jim Thompson '66 often reflects on the richness of his fraternity experience and how it was bolstered by its exemplary teachings and creed. "My life has been forever enriched by the high ideals and unwavering principles of the Sigma Chi fraternity," he stated. Sigma Chi made a profound impact on Jim's life, blessing him with scores of brothers. These weren't simply fast friends but lifelong companions. That companionship with his Sigma Chi brothers taught Jim the meaning of "true friendship," motivating him to stay involved with Gamma Sigma Chapter as an alumnus. He is thrilled to see the chapter reinstalled at Auburn University and encourages all alumni to contribute to the capital campaign. "The return of the chapter is the result of years of extraordinary efforts by a group of highly dedicated Sigma Chi alumni and colony members who genuinely have a great love for the fraternity and, especially, the Gamma Sigma Chapter," Jim said. Dedication to Gamma Sigma's return to campus is evidenced by the hundreds of man-hours expended in meetings, traveling, and out-of- town lodging, and thousands of dollars spent in support of this "herculean effort to reinstall the chapter." Jim is most excited about the new brothers, all of whom have admirably supported this effort and, in the process, have brought honor and distinction to Gamma Sigma Chapter and Auburn University. "I am fully confident and expect the chapter to reach new heights and a laudatory place within the fraternity system at Auburn," Jim stated. "This expectation is not a hyperbole but is supported by the ultra-high quality and work ethic of the new brothers and the alumni who refuse to accept mediocrity and, much less, failure. Gamma Sigma is and will continue to be the best fraternity on the Auburn campus." For more than 50 years, Jim has worked as an attorney in Birmingham; he is also a licensed airline transport pilot. He received his pilot's license from the Auburn University School of Aviation, driving him to focus his law practice on catastrophic aviation accidents, including airline crashes, military, and general aviation cases. Jim's love of aviation extends to his personal life. He has a passion for flying WWII military airplanes, and he owns a North American AT-6 WWII advance trainer that is used for formation flights. Additionally, Jim serves as president of the Southern Museum of Flight Foundation. When he's not in the courtroom or flying airplanes, Jim enjoys fishing for speckled trout at Dauphin Island and tending to his small farm at his home in Mountain Brook, Alabama, where he also breeds and raises Arabian horses. Jim and his wife, Becky, have been married for 53 years and have two sons, Jay, Samford University '93, and Scott. You can connect with Jim at jt@jimthompsonlaw.com. In is Sign You Will Conquer Jim ompson '66 Shares Excitement of Gamma Sigma's Return to Auburn

• Cover