Sigma Nu - Louisiana Tech University

2 Commander Graham Clary HZ1351 Lieutenant Commander Nick Heath HZ1396 Treasurer Pierce Althoff HZ1349 Recorder Andrew Bolton HZ1390 Recruitment Chairmen Matt Ramsey HZ1374 Brennan Barber HZ1388 Chapter Officers L ast October, Eta Zeta Chapter celebrated its 60th anniversary weekend in Ruston, Louisiana. It was a very successful event for all that came—near and far—to attend. I am grateful to see the unification of six decades of brotherhood coming together to enjoy brotherly fellowship. EVENT BANQUET e big event banquet was held on Friday night at the Ruston Civic Center. Bud Richey HZ169 was the emcee and, in usual fashion, did a fabulous job. With over 350 alumni, actives, pledges, spouses, and plus ones attending the well-decorated banquet, we enjoyed the privilege of reflecting on the many facets of Sigma Nu history at LA Tech. Brother John Pecoraro HZ0344 led the opening prayer, and Active Commander Jackson Kalahiki HZ1325 gave the state of union address for the active chapter and shared the excitement they have heading into the new house. Next, Alumni Commander Jason D. Smith HZ642 gave a short presentation on the support and encouragement given during COVID, the blessing of the temporary house purchase, and what that purchase has meant to the chapter and its ability to remain solid through uncertain times. Chris Barr HZ452 gave the HC treasurer report, announcing that we had just reached our $1.5 million goal to start the new house and that the House Corporation had voted to begin construction immediately (with grading already underway!). is was a milestone moment in our ability to do what many said could not be done. We proved them wrong in classic HZ fashion and pressed forward. Next, HC President Frank Potts HZ465 spoke briefly to the crowd in praise of reaching our fundraising goal and recognized all alumni present who had contributed to the campaign with a nice Sigma Nu golf hat with "Building on Our Legacy" inscribed in gold letters. Frank then called Danny Rea HZ284 to the stage and presented him with a Sigma Nu Medallion in honor of his top gi to the house fund to date at $100,000. Danny was one of the earliest alumni to step up and show his support for making this project a reality. He was at Louisiana Tech in the late '70s and remembers the newness of the last house while he lived there. Next, Bud Richey HZ169 introduced keynote speaker Jerry Jones HZ279, former third series recruitment speaker, with the best closing story one has ever known to be told. Jerry gave a magnificent and well-memorized speech of the value, foundation, building, and greatness of the HZ brand at Louisiana Tech and all the historical background that is important to why we have remained strong to our ideas and beliefs through six decades. Jerry has been very impactful while helping HZ through the years and continues to support our building fund with his generosity in giving. To cap off the evening, Barry Maxwell HZ100 was invited to present comments from the perspective of the late 1960s at the Everett St. house. We were we all shocked at the level of humor Barry brought to real-life stories from college. I will not attempt to repeat his comments, but I do want to say that he brought the house down, quick on the wit and humor from the days when struggles and priorities were at a different level than even just a few years later. Having to drive to Cheniere Exit near West Monroe just to buy a beer (as none was to be found in Lincoln Parish) was just the beginning of Barry's seven minutes of sheer laughter. Barry asked me why I chose him to tell some stories from the past; it was because he had a certain wit about him at our 2019 meeting. My inclination told me that, if anyone could share a funny story about good ole HZ days from the times that Terry Bradshaw was quarterback at La Tech, it would be Barry Maxwell—and Barry more than exceeded my expectations! e Maxwell family has been a major contributor to the fraternity in many ways, including donations. We are blessed to have them all as brothers of HZ. We wrapped up the evening with the singing of our traditional "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" in HZ style and spent time with one another while taking pictures. I don't know who came the longest distance to be there, but I would like to thank brother Lt. Col. James Fondren HZ106 and brother Col. Ben Barnard HZ132 for making the drive down from Virginia to Louisiana for the weekend. I also enjoyed getting to know brother Ken Custer HZ155 from South Florida. It was great to see brothers Tony Stutes HZ458 and Phillip Templeton HZ449 from my pledge class of 1981, as I have not seen them in decades. What a great event for us brothers to reunite at! We all share the bond that makes us uniquely proud to be members of Sigma Nu. GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY On Saturday, we met at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new house and took photos. Danny Rea and Mark Porter HZ315 gave a short speech while we also received praise from the mayor of Ruston, Ronny Walker. We stayed and enjoyed lunch on the grounds in the form of a wonderfully prepared fish fry from Ben Christmas of Ruston. e weather was great, and the food and fellowship were spectacular. TAILGATE We all met at the temporary house for the pregame party and then enjoyed some late-aernoon tailgating and the game. It was an awesome finish to a fine day of memories of Sigma Nu and LA Tech Homecoming. It was truly a highlight of the 40th year since I pledged Sigma Nu and our 60th year at Tech. If you missed it, you missed a real treat. Fraternally, Frank Potts HZ0465 House Corporation President and Chris Barr HZ452 House Corporation Treasurer Stafford Vallery II HZ013 entered Chapter Eternal on November 23, 2021. Stafford was one of the founders of Eta Zeta Chapter. Sigma Nu was important to him, and he wholeheartedly believed in the ideals. By helping to found HZ, he enabled so many to become lifelong friends. James Parks HZ024 entered Chapter Eternal on December 21, 2021. Jim is survived by son Jeff and daughter Jennifer, two grandsons, father James, and many extended family and friends. Will Reardon HZ 111 entered Chapter Eternal on February 17, 2022. Will was a loving husband, devoted father and grandfather, and respected physician. He was a member of numerous organizations, including the Texas Club of Internists, and served as president of the Symphony Guild. Steven Wayne Barlow HZ270 entered Chapter Eternal on January 11, 2022. Steve excelled at Louisiana Tech University, making lifelong friends with fellow Sigma Nu fraternity brothers and meeting the woman who would chart the course of his life. His kindness, generous spirit, love for all creatures great and small, and fierce devotion to his family will live on in his grandchildren, who already exemplify so many of the qualities that made him unforgettable. Alan Batusic HZ297 entered Chapter Eternal on March 10, 2022. Alan worked in sales with Frito-Lay and with the Overseas Service Corporation. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Phyllis; daughters Hannah and Allison; three grandchildren; brother Mike Batusic; and a host of Sigma Nu brothers and friends. Chapter Eternal Sigma Nu Eta Zeta 60th Anniversary Weekend Recap A Weekend of Celebration and Reflection

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