Sigma Phi Epsilon - Oklahoma State University

Page 3 A s a first-generation college student with multiple summer commitments and little knowledge of fraternities or recruitment, Aaron Cromer '16 had virtually no time to visit campus before his freshman year. That's why Recruitment Chairman Dakota Jones '15 drove all the way to Aaron in Elk City, Oklahoma, to discuss SigEp over dinner. "We traded stories about football, Stillwater, and small-town life in general," Aaron recalled. "Most importantly, he didn't tell me about his brotherhood—he showed me. He painted a picture of guys doing life together, whether through Homecoming and football games, the development process, or lazy college Saturdays just bro-ing it out." All that persuaded Aaron to join Oklahoma Alpha, which gave him the network and skills to succeed in his college and professional life. "Through my brothers, I found Homecoming steering (Logan Scott '14), research and academia (Jared Allison '15), leadership (Kyle Krieger '15), and scholarship opportunities that I wouldn't have otherwise." Aaron went from not knowing what to expect from college to graduating law school earlier this year and starting a thrilling legal career at Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Of course, Aaron made wonderful SigEp memories with his brothers along the way, including building Safari decorations each year, the 10 campus shows he had a role in, spring break road trips, and even meeting his wife, Allison, at Camp Cowboy. "There's too much more to list, but the men I lived with for my four years living in the chapter house know we had a great time, especially Corbin Walters '16, Grant Bennett '15, Garrett Davenport '16, and Chase Grewing, '16." Those years of fun memories were not without their low times, including the sanctions Oklahoma Alpha faced in Aaron's junior year. "I wouldn't change a second of it, though, because of how well the men are doing now," he said. "Success through adversity continues to propel the undergraduate men to excellence." Aaron served as the chapter's counselor for several years after college and has held various other alumni positions since, including centennial historian; he also teaches brothers at Carlson Leadership Academy. All these roles have given him SigEp friendships nationwide, and he always loves reconnecting with his Oklahoma Alpha era. "The great thing about men's friendships is they just pause in place," he said. "Weddings are the most fun, and it's like picking up where we left off." "Today I'm sort of Oklahoma Alpha's 'Historian Emeritus' as well as a serial networker," Aaron added. "If you ever need a sounding board or want to find a SigEp in a given industry, let me know! I'm happy to chat and/or connect you with a brother who can help." Sam Anderson | Shawnee, Okla. Jacob Bizzell | Stillwater, Okla. Beck Boedecker | Frisco, Texas Brayden Bowman | Marlow, Okla. Kade Bumgardner | Edmond, Okla. Mack Cairl | Bixby, Okla. Camden Cantwell | Broken Arrow, Okla. Maddox Canty | Edmond, Okla. Dylan Chrisman | Tulsa, Okla. Jacob Clark | Grove, Okla. Hadley Crafton | Flower Mound, Texas Grant Dillinger | Flower Mound, Texas Jon Doescher | Omaha, Neb. Caden Dunlap | Allen, Texas Lincoln Estes | Ada, Okla. Sam Farris | Prosper, Texas Halen Flanagan | Pottsboro, Texas Trey Gregory | Stillwater, Okla. Jackson Hayes | Ardmore, Okla. Will Hoehner | Ashburn, Va. Cooper Hornback | Tulsa, Okla. David Johnson | City, State Bryson Jones | Nashville, Tenn. Levi Kreider | Bartlesville, Okla. Jackson Lambert | Allen, Texas Nathan Lopez | Edmond, Okla. Cade Mackenzie | Tulsa, Okla. Eric Maldonado | Bixby, Okla. Kory Meyer | Stillwater, Okla. Will Morris | Ardmore, Okla. Jack Nelson | Aledo, Texas Daniel Paluso | Dallas, Texas Hayden Pasley | Richardson, Texas Ethan Radebaugh | Rockwall, Texas Drew Robison | Flower Mound, Texas Logan Schindler | McKinney, Texas Duke Sloan | Crested Butte, Colo. Luke Smith | Allen, Texas Cash Sullivan | Ardmore, Okla. Jake Sullivan | Edmond, Okla. Mitchell Trotter | Tulsa, Okla. Orie Walker | Oklahoma City, Okla. Caden Weeks | Allen, Texas Noah Whitmire | Oklahoma City, Okla. Kaleb Young | Tulsa, Okla. Brian Zhang | Marlow, Okla. WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Learning Balance Aaron Cromer '16 Eager to Help Fellow SigEps After all the success Aaron has found, his biggest advice to brothers on finding their own paths: FAIL OFTEN. "I was rejected from more campus organizations and jobs than I ever joined in college, but I kept working on it. I still found what I liked on campus (like SigEps and other clubs). After my first job post-grad, I applied to 93 jobs until I found the one that was meant for me." You can find Aaron at aaron.cromer@yahoo.com or (580) 243-9458.

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