Sigma Chi - University of Nebraska

5 T Sigma Chi Leaders in Action he many facets of the values of Sigma Chi contribute to a rich and diverse mosaic in our fraternity. Arguably, the virtue that most defines who we are as a fraternity is leadership. It is what we seek; it is what we value. In fact, the core mission of Sigma Chi is to build values-based leaders. Alpha Epsilon has intentionally and enthusiastically embraced this mission. The development of strong leaders within our undergraduate Chapter has been a principle reason that the Chapter has survived some tough times these past few years. Building strong leadership underpins our determination to bring Sigma Chi back to the top of the Greek System in the months and years ahead. Leaders: it is what we want for our young men. It is what has built—and will continue to build—the core strength of Alpha Epsilon. Our undergraduates are not just talking the talk as they articulate to potential new members what it means to be a Sig. They are walking the walk. And as they do, they are rebuilding a culture within Alpha Epsilon that will build character, create sound decisions, and attract others who share the desire to lead. Here is a snapshot of just a few of our undergraduates in their leadership roles on campus. Trevor Jorgensen '16, a University Honors Program Student, serves as a mentor at the Nebraska Human Resources Institute. Trevor was also a lead facilitator at NPower, an important youth leadership conference. Fellow Sig Josh Johnson '16 also served in these capacities. Joel Girouard '15 serves ASUN Student Government as a member of the Engage Party and is currently seeking a leadership position on the University Judicial Appeals Board. Manuel Medina '13 is one of seven members of the Vice Chancellor's Character Council, whose members are chosen on the basis of being an "agent of character" at UNL. Thien Chau '16 authors presentations to visiting students and their families as a Campus Visits intern at the Van Brunt Visitors Center. He also is the student manager for the UNL soccer team and is on the Club Crew Team. Thien was also chosen to attend the prestigious Horizons Leadership Program this summer. This is but a cross section of a movement at 1510 Vine Street to value contribution of time and energy to lead; to set a leadership example; to create a culture that values and promotes leadership. Gentlemen, we are headed in a fine and sustainable direction. At the National Chapter Workshop this summer, several of our young leaders met privately with new Grand Consul Mike Greenberg, Illinois Wesleyan '82, and key members of his executive staff. The International Fraternity has been extraordinarily helpful and interested in seeing Alpha Epsilon restored to full citizenship on campus and seeing it grow its influence, man by man, by promoting more volunteer involvement in campus leadership. They are intentionally and strategically pointing our undergraduates to take more responsibility in the Chapter and on campus. The seed has been planted. We have a nucleus of young men who are setting the stage for more and more involvement, influence, and contribution at the University of Nebraska, leadership in the best traditions of Sigma Chi. My View: Alumni Musings Where Do We Stand? By Steve Davis '67 pivotal question for an given This should be aAlpha Epsilonrulesfacedengaged alumni body years. the challenges has over the past several Perhaps young men bending the is an inevitable part of growing up, but the fact that a few misguided decisions from a few misguided young men have had disproportionate consequences for the larger Sigma Chi body. In the midst of the most aggressive alumni financial and emotional commitment to Alpha Epsilon, we experienced two serious episodes, both of which hurt our reputation and led to sanctions from the University. I have closely followed the results of these events over these past several years, and worked with a group of talented, committed, and wise alumni brothers as we course-corrected. This difficult and uninvited situation caused me to try to understand how we lost our way and, more importantly, to rethink what Sigma Chi can be in its finest hour. While I don't have all the answers, I think there are some key fundamental truths that have been unearthed in the process. The successful businessman and author Max DuPre observed that the "first job of leadership is to define reality." I think this forced all of us—alumni and undergraduates alike—to do just that. After four years working shoulder to shoulder with some great and dedicated Sigs and learning along the way, these are my three principle realities. I am encouraged by what I see and hope to share some of that encouragement with my Sig brothers. Values Count In retrospect, perhaps our troubles in these times were a blessing in disguise. While the sanctions the University imposed were and continue to be punishing, I sense that institutions are prone to drift into forgetting who they are and why they exist. I think this happened to us. Whether by innocence or neglect, we forgot who we were and accepted some young men into the fraternity who simply weren't up to snuff. As I look out on our undergraduate Chapter now, I know that the course corrections involved needed to happen. Troubles create course corrections. We have corrected course and, one man at a time, our alumni and undergraduates are rebuilding a good and values-based Sigma Chi. Leadership Makes A Difference At the risk of being hopelessly divorced from the times, I believe that the all-too-nice relativistic culture we live in promotes a "live and let live" mentality. I think that is a losing strategy for groups of people who gather together for common purpose. We buy into the direction, the values, and the principles of those groups we join. And, in the best of circumstances, we hold one another accountable for upholding a shared path. The pressure on young men to gain approval and conform, rather than think and lead is considerable. Sigma Chi has given us the tools, the experiences, and the permission to do the right thing, however unpopular. I believe that we have rediscovered those things that really matter—that define who we are at our best and brightest. There is today—now—unmistakable evidence that we are developing strong young leaders with Jordan Standard values at Alpha Epsilon; it is at once palpable and gratifying. We Need One Another Responding to adversity has many options. I love what I have seen from our alumni leadership. It would have been convenient to take the easy path in addressing the problems we have encountered over these past few years. However, their response was one of dedication, care and resolve, boldly stepping up and committed to bettering Alpha Epsilon and Sigma Chi. Curt (Continued on page 6)

• Cover