Sigma Chi - University of Nebraska

Page 3 B rother Thien Chau '16, from Omaha, has been elected president of the University of Nebraska Student Body. Thien, a political science and environmental studies double major, has been an active participant in student government at the University. He is the first Sigma Chi in Alpha Epsilon's modern history to be so elected. The University of Nebraska is home to over 25,000 undergraduates and over 4,500 graduate students. Thien won by a large margin in a heavy turnout of voters. His multi-faceted platform emphasized his commitment to promote environmental sustainability, sexual assault awareness, and extending awareness of student government to the many special interest clubs on campus. Thien pledged Sigma Chi in 2013 and has held leadership positions within the Fraternity as well, first as a recruitment co-chairman with Walker Patten '15 and, most recently as magister. "I couldn't have done this without the enthusiastic support of my Sigma Chi brothers," Thien said. "They worked closely with my Kappa Kappa Gamma campaign manager, Erin Cooper, to get the vote out and promote my candidacy." Thien credits Sigma Chi with helping his candidacy. "Not only were my undergraduate brothers of great encouragement, but I had strong support from Sig alumni as well. I'm so grateful to both." Thien's election to the highest office in student government is a feather in the cap for Sigma Chi and an indication of how far the Fraternity has come in assuming leadership positions on campus following its full reinstatement last year. The stated mission of the Sigma Chi Fraternity is "to develop values-based leaders committed to the betterment of character, campus, and community"; Thien's election certainly speaks to that objective. Other Sigs involved in positions of leadership in student government at UNL are Calen Griffin '18, from Imperial, Nebraska, who serves as a member of the Committee for Fee Allocations and Jacob Ihnen '18, of Sheldon, Iowa, who serves as a UNL senator representing the College of Arts and Sciences. Installation took place at UNL on April 1. Significantly, by virtue of his election, Thien will serve as a non-voting member of the Board of Regents as well, representing the student body interests to the regents. Congratulations, Thien! You bring us honor and distinction. siG thieN Chau '16 eleCted presideNt Of asuN! DR. MICK DRAGOO '64 ENTERS CHAPTER ETERNAL I t is with great sadness that we report the death of Dr. Mick Dragoo '64. Mick died on March 17, 2015, at his residence in Escondido, California, of an apparent heart attack. He is survived by his dear wife of 46 years, Mary, two sons, Jason and Justin, and several grandchildren. Celebration of life ceremonies were held in Rancho Santa Fe on March 27. Mick was the lead donor in the most recent Alpha Epsilon capital campaign in which he generously gave $250,000, which was instrumental in sparking completion of our $2.6 million target. Undergraduate officers held a private candlelit White Rose Ceremony at 1510 Vine on March 19 to honor Mick for his dedication to Sigma Chi. He leaves behind and will be sorely missed by his brothers from the Sigs of the Sixties. All honor to his name. Alumni Update Chapter Eternal Gerald W. Ferguson '51, age 86, entered Chapter Eternal on Friday, July 25, 2014, with his loving wife, Beverly, close by his side. Jerry was born in Scottsbluff, Neb., on July 19, 1928, and attended Scottsbluff High School where he excelled in multiple sports. He attended the University of Nebraska and joined the United States Air Force in 1951, attending Officers Training School. Prior to his deployment to Okinawa, Japan, he met Beverly and they were married on November 28, 1953. As a coach, teacher, and athletic director, Coach "Ferg", a man of integrity, leaves behind a legacy regarded as one of the most successful and respected high school football coaches in the Santa Clara Valley. Fred E. G. Bruening '52 entered Chapter Eternal on August 27, 2014. Born February 19, 1930, in Hartington, Neb., Gene attended Cedar Catholic High School in Hartington and earned his master's degree in business at the University of Nebraska. Gene reached the rank of 1st lieutenant in the United States Air Force, trained as a fighter pilot and was stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Mont., where he provided protection over the northern U.S. boundaries during the Cold War. He enjoyed a 40-year career with IBM in which he excelled in achieving 40 consecutive 100 Percent Clubs and the prestigious Golden Circle annual attainments. In addition to having pledged Sigma Chi, Fred enjoyed a variety of interests: hunting, fishing, attending Nebraska football games, and traveling with family to name a few. He especially enjoyed international travel with his wife of 60 years, Joan Marie L'Heureux, from Hastings, Neb. Robert C. Dawson '56, age 83, of Lincoln, entered Chapter Eternal on April 26, 2014. Bob was born on May 26, 1930, in Sioux City, Iowa. He grew up in Lincoln and was a graduate of Lincoln High and the University of Nebraska, where he graduated with a bachelor of architecture degree. Bob served in the United States Navy for two years as a member of the SeaBees. He married his wife, Nancy, on June 10, 1956. Soon after, they moved east where Bob began his career in architecture with Sargent, Webster, Crenshaw & Folley, first in Watertown, N.Y., and then San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he worked as project architect. In 1964, he and Nancy returned to Lincoln and Bob joined the firm that became Hemphill, Vierk & Dawson. Until Parkinson's disease rendered him unable, Bob was a lifelong athlete and outdoor enthusiast, running track in high school, playing tennis whenever he could, and (Continued on page 6)

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