Sigma Alpha Epsilon - University of Montana

sigma alpha epsilon PAGE 3 B ob Higham '58 followed his father's footsteps when he pledged Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Along with his dad, two uncles (one of whom helped found Montana Beta) were also members of SAE, so he chose to continue the legacy. Bob didn't pledge until he was a sophomore. He was deep into musical performance and drama, which helped because SAE was a musically inclined chapter ("We specialized in serenades.") Once he moved into the house, strong bonds were immediately formed and the initiative and leadership skills he had developed found a home. "I was appointed pledge master, and out of that we built an active strategy for pledging quite possibly the strongest class the chapter had yet to see. I was later elected E.A., and priceless friendships came from that. The time spent with brothers before and after mealtimes was flooded with bonhomie, singing around the piano, a perpetual bridge game, animated talk of classes and professors, and Mrs. Yonse's tasty food." Even though the capital campaign has ended, Bob's participation and investment in Montana Beta is ongoing. "I have a great affection for Montana Beta. Small-group living is a uniquely effective way to develop social and leadership skills and deep friendships across academic disciplines. For the chapter to rebuild and thrive, there was no alternative to remodeling 1120 Gerald. "We didn't leave anything in the bank to maintain and upgrade the house. If the chapter is to survive, it is essential that alumni pay off the mortgage, because current actives, as in our day, don't have money to do more than pay costs and tuition. My contribution was smaller than I had hoped to make; it was much less than I owed the fraternity for my success, happiness, and confidence over the last 55 years since I graduated. SAE was the best thing to happen to me." Bob is retired from 44 years of teaching and administration. He helped build an outstanding rural early childhood education program in California. "For the last 32 years, I taught kindergarten and first grade, 22 of which was in a school my wife and I developed for around 30 children in our home based on a strong arts program, self-reliance, self-discipline, eating out of the garden and orchard, and being responsible for the animals." Bob and his wife, Nancy, live in Santa Rosa, California, and have a son, Rick, who passed away in 2011, and a daughter, Jennifer. In his spare time, Bob sits on the Sonoma County Fair board, takes part in environmental preservation and restoration efforts, and stays up to date with local politics, education, land-use policy, water reclamation, agriculture, and international relations. He also gardens, keeping fruit trees, hens, and bees. You can contact Bob at johnbob@sonic.net. Bob higham '58 Credits montana Beta for successful, happy life D uring the last semester and the beginning of this spring, our members have been hard at work improving all aspects of SAE, and I am proud to share their achievements. CHAPTER GPA HOLDS STEADY Academics had another strong semester, with a cumulative chapter GPA of 2.77. Nine men re- ceive a 3.3 GPA or higher last semester (three of whom are new members as of the fall), which I don't believe we have seen since I joined the chapter. Our new focus on causes of less-than- stellar grades will reflect the majority of the chapter's scholastic integrity. MONTANA BETA EXCELS IN PHILANTHROPY Last semester, SAE kept its wonderful relation- ship with the C.S. Porter Middle School Flagship Program, tutoring and assisting children that are "at-risk." We completed, for the second consecu- tive semester, over 400 hours of community ser- vice. Additionally, we raised $500 in donations for St. Jude Children's Hospital, as well as gath- ered clothes and books in last fall's book drive, which were donated to Goodwill. Our 20-hour per semester requirement ranks among the highest for community service on campus, which puts us in the running for recognition during Greek Awards. CHAPTER EVENTS PAST AND PRESENT This spring, Montana Beta hosted an undergrad- uate/alumni gathering at the chapter house in celebration of Founder's Day on March 9. Last semester, we successfully hosted Parents Week- end in which most of our parents were able to attend. This was a great way to show our big- gest supporters that their sons are safe, happy, and thriving. We all, including the parents, left with better understanding of each other and a strengthening of our personal relationships. INTRAMURALS REMAIN STRONG Football is the main intramural sport that our chapter is involved in. Making the playoffs for the third year in a row, we lost principally to the semi-pro football team that participates every fall. Many of our opponents are other chapters, and we have forged new partnerships with our neighboring chapters. Delta Gamma also hosts its annual Anchor Slam event, which involves three-on-three basketball games with an entry fee that is donated to Delta Gamma's chosen phi- lanthropy. Aside from Delta Gamma, Montana Beta proudly had the strongest Greek presence at the event. The chapter continues to grow by leaps and bounds, and I look forward to watching us suc- ceed again this semester. Expect another 500 hours of community service, a possible break- through in chapter GPA, a fall list of live-in members in the 20s, community recognition and, most importantly, the continuance of the True Gentleman legacy, something we all hold very close to our hearts. In the Bonds, Tucker Finley '14 Eminent Archon (406) 529-5621 tucker.finley@umontana.edu Montana Beta Continues Upward Momentum

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