Sigma Chi - Montana State University

BOBCAT SIG Spring 2015 the Beta Rho Chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity Montana State University FEATURES: Better Brotherhood 2 • Alumnus Spotlight 3 • Alumni News 4 • Your Gift Helps 4 The Bonds of a sigma Chi Join Your Brothers at Homecoming 2015 I t is our hope that Beta Rho's Alumni Relations Program continues to renew and strengthen your Sigma Chi bonds. Our annual Homecoming weekend provides brothers from all eras with the opportunity to reconnect, reminisce, and show their Bobcat pride! The active chapter and alumni have planned a great Homecoming 2015 weekend, which will begin on Friday, September 25. This year the main event will be a cocktail reception at the chapter house on Friday from 4–7:30 p.m. This will be an informal event, encouraging the interaction of alumni with the active chapter members. Make sure you call or e-mail the brothers you graduated with to let them know you are going to Homecoming this year. All alumni and their families are welcome. We encourage you to register online by going to the website at www.bobcatsigs.org, under news & events/homecoming/register online. You are also welcome to register at the front door when you arrive. Please make hotel reservations early. Most Sigs are staying at the Comfort Inn, Days Inn, or Holiday Inn. Most importantly, to purchase your football tickets, call the athletic department ticket office at (406) 994-2287 before September 15 and ask for tickets in the Sigma Chi Alumni section. You can pick up the tickets at Will Call on the day of the game. Purchasing your tickets online will not place you in the Sigma Chi Alumni section, so call the ticket office today. We look forward to visiting with you at Homecoming this fall. If you have any questions, suggestions, or alumni news, please submit them to Beta Rho Chapter of Sigma Chi, P.O. Box 442100, Lawrence, KS 66044-2100, or e-mail us at sigmachi@bobcatsigs.org. We continue to invite alumni to join the house corporation or volunteer as an advisor to the active chapter. Also, please mark your calendars for the 100th Anniversary of the Beta Rho Chapter. We will celebrate this milestone at Homecoming 2017! Homecoming 2015 Schedule of Events Friday, September 25 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: Golf Outing 2:30-3:30 p.m.: House Building Corporation Meeting and Officer Elections 4:00-7:30 p.m.: Reception and Appetizers at the Chapter House Saturday, September 26 10:30 a.m.-Noon: Parade Noon-1:35 p.m.: Alumni Tailgate (northwest side of Bobcat Stadium) 1:35-5 p.m.: Football Game — Go Cats Go! W alter Smith '85 grew up watching his father maintain supportive, lifelong friendships with his fraternity brothers. Walt knew that he would follow in his father's footsteps and cultivate amazing fraternal bonds of his own. Joining Sigma Chi felt like a natural fit for Walt, based upon the brothers he met during recruitment. Walt is most proud of the close bond that he and his brothers shared while he was an active member. Walt's Beta Rho bond grew even stronger when his son, Zach Smith '13, joined the chapter. "My most meaningful Sigma Chi memory is definitely watching my son go through initiation in 2009 in the same room that I did over 30 years before him," Walt shared. After graduating from Montana State with a degree in communications, Walt pursued a career in commercial real estate in Seattle, Wash. Over the past 30 years, Walt and his two partners have started and successfully operated two property management companies and one multi-family investment company. Walt has worked with the same two partners for the duration of his career and explains that their loyalty to one another has greatly contributed to their accomplishments. "Sigma Chi taught me how important close bonds, friendship, trust, loyalty, and honesty are in life. I couldn't have been successful in business without these lessons learned while at Beta Rho." Walt keeps his Beta Rho bonds strong by spending time with his brothers, who remain his closest friends, through activities like hunting trips, golf trips, and boys' weekends. He also attends Homecoming almost every year so he can catch up with as many brothers and friends as possible and visit the chapter house. Walt shares the importance of maintaining fraternal friendships, "In good times your brothers keep you grounded and in rough times they support you. Nobody knows you and cares about you like your fellow Sigs." Through visiting his son and through serving on the MSU Foundation Board of Directors, Walt has had the opportunity to spend time on campus and at the chapter house. "Hanging out with Zach and his brothers reminds me of how little things have changed," Walt explained. He looks forward to his younger son, Parker (11), learning about the benefits of being part of a supportive and loyal brotherhood when he gets older. In his spare time, Walt spends time farming with his brother, hunting, playing golf, and attending Seahawks and Mariners games with his sons. E-mail: wsmith@icg-inv.com Walt and Zach cheer on the Seahawks at the 2015 Super Bowl.

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