Sigma Nu - University of South Carolina

2 ooking back on his years in Delta Chapter, Alan M. Lipsitz '83, ∆1063, remembers fondly those Friday afternoons when he was walking home from class after a long week, hearing the Delta chapter house speakers blaring (which could be heard at the Thomas Cooper library), seeing his Sigma Nu brothers on the deck outside of the old fraternity house and knowing it was finally the weekend. From the outside looking in, it can be difficult to describe what fraternity membership truly signifies to its members. But it's really the small moments of camaraderie from pledgeship through graduation that make up a brotherhood. Alan came to the University of South Carolina from a small town on the coast of South Carolina. He really did not know anything about fraternities, but wanted to feel connected to an organization .While going through rush, he found that the Sigma Nu brothers were the most like him, and he immediately felt like the Delta Chapter was home. "My membership made me feel like I had 100 best friends. I always felt like there was a group of people that I could not only have a lot fun with but that were there for support when needed. Delta Chapter gave me a group of best friends with a common goal, which contributed greatly to my college experience." Alan served as commander of the Delta Chapter in 1984-85. That experience made him think about responsibility and behavior, compliance with rules and regulations, and taking things seriously, which he says is the genesis of what he does now as a business lawyer. "Our chapter had various challenges at that time so it was an honor to be elected and I took it seriously. Being commander was my first real lesson in what it takes to run a business." After graduation, Alan earned his law degree at South Carolina and joined the firm he is still with today, Nexsen Pruet. When Alan started with the firm, it had about 25attorneys all of whom were located in one office in Columbia. Today it has grown to more than 200 attorneys and has offices in two states and seven cities. Alan currently serves on the firm's board of directors and, prior to being elected to the board, was the leader of the firm's financial services practice group for 10 years. "My practice specializes in various aspects of finance and real estate. I can look around the state and see public and private projects (including many of the housing dormitories and other facilities located on the Columbia campus of USC) for which I provided legal services in connection with their construction. It is rewarding to think that I have helped in some small way improve the quality of life for those that have benefited from these projects." Alan encourages undergraduates to enjoy every moment of the college experience and what the fraternity and university have to offer. "The truth is you can lose perspective of what is available to you during your college years and you don't realize that those opportunities aren't really available again. Remember that academics are always first." He values the relationships that he made in the fraternity and had no idea when he was pledging that he would remain this close to his brothers so many years later. Ed Menzie '64, ∆649, a senior partner at Nexsen Pruet, was one of Alan's mentors the day he joined the Firm more than 26 years ago, and they are partners and close friends (and Ed is still one of Alan's mentors) to this day. Alan is also still very close with many of his brothers, including Mike Calandra '83, ∆1064, Vince Payne '83, ∆1067, Pete Papajohn '83, ∆1068, Wiley Dickerson '83, ∆1065, and Urbie West '85, ∆1114. Alan lives in Columbia with his wife, Maria, and their two sons, Zac (16) and Josh (13). Commander Baker Mills '11, ∆1740 (919) 412-5428 millsfb@email.sc.edu Lt. Commander J.R. Parks '12, ∆1779 Recruitment Chairmen Wes Butler '11, ∆1746 (336) 978-0960 butlerwe@email.sc.edu DuPre Hungerpiller '12, ∆1776 (843) 861-0064 hungerpd@email.sc.edu Treasurer Collin Watt '11, ∆1742 Marshal Matt Blanton '12, ∆1774 Pledge Trainers Lane Page '11, ∆1734 Nathan Sloop '12, ∆1782 Recorder Sam Saleeby '12, ∆1757 Risk Reduction Officer Parker Jenkins '12, ∆1768 Academic and Scholarship Chairman Bryce Readmond '12, ∆1756 Social Chairmen William Clary '11, ∆1730 Davis Kirby '12, ∆1781 Alumni Relations Chairman Craig Almond '12, ∆1775 LEAD Chairmen Jody Lyles '11, ∆1736 Jackson Boone '12, ∆1788 Chaplin Matt Pearson '12, ∆1778 Philanthropy Chairmen Jay Benton '11, ∆1738 Stuart Clark '12, ∆1764 SN deltA chApter provideS liFelonG FriendShipS Alan M. Lipsitz '83, ∆1063, Values His Membership L CHAPTER OFFICERS

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