Sigma Chi - Auburn University

2 THE AUBURN SIG WHY THEY JOINED WHY THEY JOINED Lessons in Leadership Significant Sig Dr. Paul Stumb IV '82 Reflects on His Fraternal Values H ow have Sigma Chi's core values shaped you as an alumnus? For Paul, his undergraduate years and a deep appreciation for the Jordan Standard helped him develop into the leader he is today. Following in the footsteps of his father, a former Consul of Alpha Psi Chapter at Vanderbilt in the 1950s, Paul joined the brotherhood that was sure to change his life. A Student of Fair Ability "I was proud to wear my Sigma Chi letters and colors across the AU campus and later throughout life as an alumnus," Paul said. As an undergraduate, Paul took aer his father by serving Gamma Sigma Chapter as scholarship chairman and later being elected Pro Consul in his junior year. ough completing a bachelor's degree in engineering prepared Paul for his career, it was service to Gamma Sigma Chapter that developed his leadership, time management, communication, and teamwork skills. He entered a bountiful job market in 1982 with exceptional classmates, including Apple CEO Tim Cook and Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. Paul began work in the Oak Ridge nuclear weapons complex, and he immediately began graduate studies at UTK while teaching as a graduate assistant. "Since that first job out of college, I have had many wonderful mentors and many wonderful jobs, but I have always maintained an appreciation for and affiliation with higher education," Paul said. Paul completed a Ph.D. in engineering while working in multiple industries, raising a family, and serving in the U.S. Navy reserves. With Ambitious Purposes Along with his assistant role at UTK, Paul was a faculty member at Georgia State University, Shorter College, MTSU, the Navy War College, and Cumberland University. Staying true to the leadership lessons learned in Gamma Sigma, Paul accepted the role of Dean of the Business School at Cumberland. ese skills eventually propelled him to the position of President of the University. rough his position as President, Paul had the opportunity to recharter the Nu Chapter of Sigma Chi at Cumberland University in 2015. Originally chartered in 1872, the chapter's rechartering was a product of Paul's commitment to the fraternity that eventually honored him as Significant Sig. "It is a great (albeit in my case undeserved) honor to be a member of this very exclusive club of truly outstanding men," Paul humbly said on the honor. A Congenial Disposition Still keeping in touch decades later, many of Paul's lifelong friends are his brothers from 737 W. Magnolia. "I have many fond memories of wrestling matches in the living room, card games downstairs in 'mole hall,' Derby Days, band parties like our annual luau, road trips to Destin, and all the wonderful traditions like Quest that are unique to Sigma Chi brothers." Paul especially remembers a cross-country road trip to Glacier National Park in summer 1980, stopping at Sigma Chi chapter houses and receiving warm welcomes along the way. He made sure to connect with alumni chapters in Knoxville, Nashville, and Wilson County as a graduate student, and Paul continues to make new friends in the fraternity to this day. Possessed of Good Morals While Paul's position at Cumberland University is demanding, Sigma Chi's core values shaped him to be fit for the role of President. Continuing the family legacy, Paul's late son, Paul Stumb Jr. '08, served as Gamma Sigma Consul in 2006. His second son, Trey, was Magister of Nu Chapter at Cumberland University in 2016. ough Paul's time outside of work is limited, he enjoys spending as much of it as possible with his seven grandchildren. Paul also enjoys flying his Beechcra Bonanza airplane, working on his Life Master status in contract bridge, skiing, and racquet sports. You can connect with Paul at paul.stumb@cumberland.edu. Dr. Paul Stumb IV '82 with his wife and six of their grandchildren at their home in Lebanon. "To establish meaningful, long-lasting relationships, improve my social and leadership skills, and find people to share my passions and hobbies with." –Luke Smith Luke Smith "It was a place where I felt wanted and it matched a lot of the values I want to hold close to my heart. I will continue to represent these values for the rest of my life." –William Norris William Norris

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