Sigma Alpha Epsilon - University of Illinois

the lion tattler illinois beta Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon • The University of illinois Undergraduates and alumni enjoy the Phi Alpha Golf Outing. Illinois Beta Continues Positive Growth with Alumni Assistance W ith the beginning of another school year, the Illinois Beta Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon continues its rise to the top of the U of I fraternity system. Success in recruitment, leadership development, and revision of the new member education program promise to pay off by making Sigma Alpha Epsilon one of the top chapters on campus. The hiring of a new house director, Rick Eyestone, is also a positive change for the chapter and the improvement of the living environment at 211 E. Daniel. The chapter leadership and alumni advisory board met for goal setting and strategic planning retreats twice during 2013. The alumni board, comprised of Greg Martin '76, Tom Jepsen '76, Gregg Werner '77, Jeff Price '78, John Epifanio '81, Tom Dillavou '81, and yours truly, met for several hours with the chapter executive board on Saturdays in January and before the start of the 2013-14 school year in August. The combined group listed challenges and areas for improvement for the chapter, then broke into smaller groups to set SMART goals for each officer to attain during the semester. This goal setting allowed officers to focus on completing one or two tasks in order to address challenges and improve continuity in chapter leadership. One of the spring semester goals, handled very admirably by Alumni Chairman Scott Ingram '15, was the planning of a Founders' Day dinner, held March 9, 2013, at Biaggi's Restaurant in Champaign. This event was small in numbers but large in Phi Alpha. Local alumni George Grubb '58 and Joe Rank '68, and their wives, dined with 12 active members. The actives loved hearing the alumni stories and had plenty of questions about how life at Illinois Beta has changed and stayed the same. We hope this was the first of many Founders' Day celebrations to come. The 31st annual Phi Alpha Golf Outing (PAGO) was another great success and, for the first time in many years, included active brothers as golfers. Jerry Gust '78 won his second PAGO championship in three years with a stellar round of 74 at the Stone Creek Golf Course in Urbana. Alumni Chairman Mike Colucci '15 hosted an excellent barbecue at his campus apartment after the round. The alumni gathered the next day to witness the exciting and surprising Illini football victory over Cincinnati. All in all, it was a great weekend of fun and brotherhood that all Illinois Beta alumni would enjoy. Finally, I'd like to invite you to visit the chapter this fall. Brother Colucci promises to welcome back all alumni and families with the same success that he achieved with PAGO. The house looks great, the chapter is strong, and the Illini might actually be competitive against Michigan State. I hope you'll take the opportunity to stop by and rekindle your relationship with Illinois Beta. In the bonds, Doug Fink '77 Chapter Advisor

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