Sigma Chi - University of Nebraska

Page 2 NEBRASKA SIG ALUMNI GIVE ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR CAPITAL CAMPAIGN Still Time to Contribute I like to describe our capital campaign efforts as uncommonly successful. We originally set out on this journey to rebuild the facilities at 1510 Vine to make it the best student living facility at UNL and identified our need to raise $2.1 million to achieve that goal. Given unanticipated delays and changes in UNL building codes along the way, we revised our goal to $2.6 million. I'm pleased that this short update on our progress does not include my pleading for more pledges. Alumni response to our previous pleas has been simply outstanding; so much so that we actually exceeded our upwardly revised goal. Our pledges stand at $2,679,000 thanks to the generosity of so many of you. How many? Two hundred and seventy four to be exact, which represents a participation rate of 23.5%, almost 10% higher than the average for Greek fraternities. Moreover, a full 80% of the pledged contributions have been received and our late/delinquent rate is very low at 1.6%. This means, among other things, that those that pledged have strong fidelity to their commitments. I'm proud of our achievements, brothers, and am even more proud to say I'm a Sig as a result. Collectively, we have made a big difference. In all of this effort, the great old house at 1510 Vine has a new and vibrant feeling without losing the great "bones" she has possessed from the beginning. And, as you'll read elsewhere in this issue of The Husker Sig, the remodeling of the house is one of several key initiatives that has reshaped a new, better, and more principled Sigma Chi. I am truly pleased to close out our capital campaign without pleading for us to make up deficits. However, I'd be completely remiss if I didn't mention in closing that there is still a rich opportunity to be a part of our transformation at 1510 Vine. If, for whatever reason, you found yourself a part of the 76.5% who couldn't make the opportunity to contribute, don't be discouraged. Any additional funds we recieve will be gainfully used to pay down debt, fund operations, and enhance the quality of experience of our undergraduates. No matter how large or small the amount, you may always contribute by writing a check to the Greater Nebraska Area Alumni Chapter and, in the process, join the long line of contributors who have "paid it forward" to keep the good traditions of Sigma Chi alive. Thank you many times over for your support. You have helped shape the history of Alpha Epsilon for years to come! In Hoc, Robert L. "Bob" Seidell '65 Campaign Chairman (239) 498-5077 | bobseidell1@gmail.com M. Curt "Woody" Denker '77 Elected to Order of Constantine By J. Steve Davis '67 A lpha Epsilon is proud to announce that our own Curt "Woody" Denker '77 has been selected by the International Fraternity to receive the Order of Constantine, one of Sigma Chi's most important and prestigious awards. Woody, as Alpha Epsilon's go-to Sig in Lincoln for years now, is no stranger to most Sigma Chi alumni and undergraduates. He has been intimately, patiently, and faithfully involved in serving the Chapter in so many important capacities since his graduation from UNL in 1977. The Order of Constantine is bestowed on a select group of Sigs for their continued, faithful, and dedicated service to the Fraternity in a manner the founders would have commended. Similar in nature to the Fraternity's Significant Sig Award, which recognizes brothers who have achieved outstanding distinction in their professional lives, the Order of Constantine recognizes those members who have specifically undertaken exemplary service to the Fraternity. The Order's tradition is to name only 14 Sigma Chi brothers for this high honor each year. In fact, the recognition of being named an Order of Constantine Sig has been conferred on just over 670 brothers since the Order's inception at the 47th Grand Chapter in 1948. Woody will receive this award from Sigma Chi in a special ceremony in Chicago on June 27 and will visit our International Headquarters in Evanston following the presentation. A local presentation and acknowledgment with an Alpha Epsilon perspective will take place in conjunction with Sigma Chi alumni activities over Homecoming weekend in Lincoln on September 27. Specific details will be announced prior to that event. His selection from a pool of 120 nominees this year acknowledges the enormous contributions he has made to Alpha Epsilon over the years. Woody served as Chapter advisor for eight years; 26 years on the house corporation board, including 14 as its president; he currently continues to serve as president of the Greater Nebraska Area Alumni Chapter. Most recently, he played a pivotal role in the financing and operational management of the highly successful capital campaign, which raised nearly $2.7 million for the restoration of the Chapter House at 1510 Vine Street. Not incidentally, Woody simultaneously found the time and energy to oversee the entire restoration project. Woody has been a friend and mentor to so many who have passed through 1510 Vine. His steadiness, insight, grace under pressure, and fidelity to Sigma Chi has been an inspiration to us all and a significant gift to Alpha Epsilon. We're enormously pleased for him as he receives this very special recognition. To put his election into perspective, Woody is only the eighth Alpha Epsilon Sig in our 135-year history to receive this award. Among the other Alpha Epsilon Nebraska Sigs to be recognized were the legendary Frank Proudfit '10 and the International Fraternity's Grand Consul Floyd M. Baker '37. Woody also joins the company of two Constantine Sigs who he considers mentors, Corwin D. Moore '38 and Dr. Gregg Kallos '49. Gregg was our most recent recipient of the Order of Constantine in 1994. The other three Huskers to receive this award for exemplary service were Kenneth Craig '19, Bennett Martin '25, and Bill Moore Jr. '38. All honor to their names! Please join me in thanking Woody for his tremendous service to Alpha Epsilon, and the countless hours of dedication that went into that service, and in congratulating him for this lifetime achievement. We are indebted beyond words and truly honored by his extraordinary service.

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