Sigma Chi - University of Nebraska

Page 5 Sigs and participants enjoyed Derby Day. Derby Day Roars Back to Campus W hen the Panhellenic Council decided in 2013 that it was going to place tighter fences around sorority participation in fraternity philanthropic activities, it looked like the end of the iconic weeklong Derby Days for Sigma Chi. The Panhellenic body was concerned about student scholastics given time commitments, creating rivalries between sororities and the general thrust of activities that pitted sorority versus sorority. Enter Brother Adam Wiese '16, an architecture major from Crystal Lake, Illinois. Adam is nothing if not dogged, very patient, and he clearly loves Derby Days and what it does for the community. Working tirelessly over a period of a year with the Executive Board of Panhellenic as the Sig chairman for Derby Days, Adam did extensive historical research about Derby Days (the longest running student philanthropy at UNL), created new events (including a dance contest) which addressed the objectives of Panhellenic. All said, the event still delivered on a great fun factor and our philanthropic objectives, successfully returning one of the biggest Greek events to campus. The results of this year's Derby Day were very impressive. During the week leading to the one day March 7 competition, Sigs and UNL sororities gathered and donated 600 pounds of clothing to the People's City Mission. Moreover, the competition yielded a $1,000 contribution to the Huntsman Cancer Institute, our chosen Sigma Chi charity, and $300 to Autism Speaks, a favorite charity of Derby Day winners Alpha Xi Delta. In all, the revered Derby Days at UNL now has new, fresh legs. Enthusiasm is high for next year's event from Panhellenic's executive board, who went out of their way to congratulate Sigma Chi for running a "classy" Derby Day. Adam said, "I'm so excited for the potential of Derby Day. It can be bigger and better next year—and the years to come—because of just how successful this one was. It was also very beneficial to our image on campus. When the national representative of Sigma Chi visited us last week for our Rush 365 Workshop, he had a very positive audit of all the sororities about their impression of Sigma Chi." Among the most positive characteristics for Alpha Epsilon? Derby Day, of course. Derby Day rules again! rush 365 builds Our fraterNity Carter Deras '18 Omaha, Neb. Creighton Preparatory School International Business Adam Gilmore '18 Columbus, Neb. Columbus High School Finance Beau Litz '18 Omaha, Neb. Skutt Catholic High School Civil Engineering Austin Jacob Mickelson '18 Minneapolis, Minn. Apple Valley High School PGA Golf Management Corey Oldenhuis '17 Omaha, Neb. Burke High School Journalism Austin Sabaliauskas '18 Omaha, Neb. Elkhorn High School Supply Chain Management Caleb Schwartzkopf '18 Omaha, Neb. Skutt Catholic High School Economics/Political Science A s Alpha Epsilon entered the spring semester, we had seven pledges, the result of our ongoing Rush 365 program. We are proud of those pledges who successfully navigated through our pledge training program and all seven were initiated on April 4. They come from near and far, but are brought together into our Sigma Chi brotherhood by their love of Sigma Chi, dedication to Alpha Epsilon and one another, and a desire to be a Sigma Chi student-leader who reflects well on our Chapter. Congratulations to our new Sig Brothers! Former Grand Consul Wayne Tucker, Baylor '85, spoke to the province gathering from Nebraska, Drake, Iowa, and Iowa State about the value of an ethical pledge process. Be a part of Mission 365 by sending your referrals to Jake Kawamoto '17 at (402) 689-7039 or jmkawamoto24@hotmail.com, or to Jack Glover '18 at (402) 575-0427 or jackglover402@ gmail.com.

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