Sigma Pi - Missouri University of Science & Technology

Page 2 AlphA IotA EducAtIonAl FoundAtIon provIdEs scholArshIps, IncEntIvEs For AcAdEmIc ExcEllEncE Find Out How You Can Support the Future of Sigma Pi at MS&T T he Alpha Iota Educational Foundation (AIEF) was founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation in the early '90s to provide a tax-deductible means to support scholarship within the house. The initial directors of AIEF were Bruce Gregg '66, Steve Paul '90, Ron Gregg '90, John Dierker '64, Matt Johnson '92, Kelly Kinnett '90, and Steve Buechler '90. Current officers and directors include Mike Munsell '93, Mike King '93, Jeff Ostermann '96, and PJ Weber '95. Recognizing that house bills have increased substantially over the last two years, a trend likely to continue, AIEF started a new scholarship program to provide scholarships to encourage and reward exemplary grade performance, and for exemplary brotherhood and promotion of Alpha Iota. AIEF plans to continue this program for the chapter and its members for as long as the program has funding. The scholarship program will provide $1,000 for a brother achieving a 4.0 for the semester and up to $2,000 if he continues achieving a 4.0 for three consecutive semesters. It will also award $1,000 scholarships to Active of the Year, Brother of the Year, and Pledge of the Year (awards that are voted on by the undergraduate chapter). The program also provides $10,000 for the chapter if it finishes in first place among all fraternities. rEmEmbErIng rIchArd And ruth swAnson AIEF would like to take this opportunity to remember and honor Richard Swanson '62 and his wife, Ruth. Richard was initiated in 1959, graduated with a chemical engineering degree from MSM in 1962, and passed away in 2014. Richard worked for Monsanto and then Flecto Company as president and CEO. Prior to his death, Richard and Ruth set up a charitable trust for their estate. One of the provisions in the trust was a sizable donation to both AIEF and AIBA. Ruth was a champion of Alpha Iota, even after Richard's passing. She kept in touch with a few of our brothers during the last six years and made a donation in 2017 to the capital campaign in Richard's memory. Sadly, we were recently informed that Ruth passed on May 22, 2020, after battling a long illness. We thank Richard and Ruth for their very generous gift that will continue to support the good work of AIEF. AIEF would also ask that you begin to consider your own estate plans and ways that you may be able to put the Alpha Iota Educational Foundation into those plans. AIEF is putting together a more formal program to assist brothers that want to put these provisions into your own estate plans. The impact of estate donations can have a tremendous impact on the lives of many within the undergraduate community at Missouri S&T and can help support and sustain Alpha Iota for future generations of Sigma Pi men. Please contact me if you have any questions, or if you would like more information about AIEF's programs, donations, or volunteer opportunities. Fraternally, Mike Munsell '93 mmunsell@atllp.com (314) 807-1516 to share different talents, perspectives, and experiences with the board. We need a deeper and broader bench of volunteers to mentor the undergraduates and shepherd the chapter house for the future. Please consider how you can help and reach out to me or a current AIBA member to discuss how you can contribute your time to support AIBA. 4. Donations—AIBA is incorporated for the purpose of maintaining and supporting the Chapter House for Alpha Iota. AIEF is a 501(c)(3) charity that exists to support the educational growth of the undergraduate members. Both organizations can benefit greatly from your donations, but they serve different purposes and have different charitable classifications. Please donate to AIBA to support the structure and donate to AIEF to support the scholars and leaders within the chapter. See the article on the left for AIEF and the new scholarship program. 5. Prospector's Club—In early 2021, AI alumni will re-establish the Prospector's Club as an officially recognized alumni club. The Prospector's Club will be an extension of AIBA focused on alumni activities and networking, where AIBA's focus will be on the Chapter house itself. There are several benefits of re-establishing the club, but one of the most important is that the club will give the AI alumni a vote at Sigma Pi International Convocation. If you are interested in volunteering for or working on the Prospector's club, please reach out to me. 6. Convocation—2022 represents the 125th anniversary of the founding of Sigma Pi Fraternity, and there will be quite a celebration at Convocation. I intend to make this trip, and I think it would be a tremendous opportunity for alumni to reconnect with each other and the International Fraternity. I have had a great experience in this first year as alumni director. I look forward to serving for many years, and I am grateful for the opportunity. If I can assist you in your endeavors, or if you want to reach out to learn more about any of these opportunities above, please contact me. Fraternally, Jeff Mockaitis '96 AIBA Alumni Director jeff.mockaitis@gmail.com | (773) 648-3951 NEW ALUMNI DIRECTOR (Continued from page 1)

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