Sigma Chi - University of Nebraska

Page 4 Alpha Epsilon Emphasizes Strong Connections S ince returning to campus last fall, the men of Sigma Chi at UNL have made significant strides in spreading and promoting high ideals both within the brotherhood and outside to the UNL community. With more brothers initiated each semester, and the number of actives in the Chapter looking to grow exponentially in the next few years, we have placed heavy emphasis on fostering a tighter brotherhood among the actives and between the generations of pledge classes. Alpha Epsilon Embraces Brotherhood Events Newly elected Brotherhood Chairman Brendan Larsen '19 has taken initiative in organizing Chapter -wide events that allow brothers to engage with those members whom they might not otherwise have an opportunity to interact with in a more regular and meaningful way. In fact, under Brendan's instruction, there has been nearly one event per week this semester. Some of the more popular examples have been $5 movie nights, pick up basketball games, and board game nights. There was also widespread acclaim for Sigma Chi Masters, an opportunity for brothers to don their polos and visors for a day of mini golf. Alpha Epsilon Gets Involved on Campus In addition to working within the Chapter, efforts have been taken to push Sigma Chi to the forefront of the University and city of Lincoln. Involvement Chairman and current UNL student body president, Thien Chau '16, mandated that every brother must be a part of a club or activity that meets at least once a month. Thien also has worked individually with the pledges and younger active members to determine what types of involvement best suits their talents and interests and helped point them toward connecting in that area of interest. The rest of the Chapter has rallied behind this cause by getting more active on campus. Numerous members are running for ASUN senator positions within their respective colleges. More members boast leadership positions within NHRI, Relay for Life, Enactus, several club sports, Big Event, and countless others. Brother Michael Kleine '17 is excited about the recent launch of the International Business Club, which he co - founded. Left and right, Sigs are doing fantastic things on campus and further connecting us in meaningful ways to broaden University life. Sigs Engage in Lincoln You'll read elsewhere in this issue about several of our key Sig philanthropic efforts. A key campus wide initiative is Dance Marathon, a 12- hour event in which participants endure hours of dancing in support of Children's Miracle Network, raising more than $170,000. Numerous Sigs were involved, with a special shout-out to Matt Kramer '17 for raising the most money and being the last Sig standing. Another significant campus cause brothers supported was one for medical assistance for Kristen Kuhn, a UNL sophomore Kappa Alpha Theta who was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma earlier this year. Alpha Epsilon has participated in dress- down Monday dinners for the cost of $1 per brother going toward the campaign. Strong Bonds Among Greek Community The brothers have also intentionally improved relations with other fraternities and sororities in the Greek community. There have been several themed "sober socials" planned and executed by Social Chairman Jake Mickelson '18. There have also been dinner exchanges with both Kappa Delta and Alpha Omicron Pi sororities, in which half of the Sigs were sent to their house and vice versa for formal dinner. Both instances went of without a hitch, with sorority representatives complimenting the good manners and demeanor of our members. Another big hit was an event with Kappa Alpha Theta around Christmas time. The sorority members were escorted to the Sig House for a night of making gingerbread houses, watching Christmas movies, and decorating ornaments. Everyone got to flex their creative muscles, and this opened up relations for future involvement with the wonderful ladies of Theta. Sigma Chi has been an admired fraternity at UNL for decades, and while the active Chapter is always aware of the honor associated with the White Cross, we recognize the benefits of making others on campus aware of the ideals and values we strive to live by. We are determined to show that Sigma Chi is integrally connected with UNL, representing the finest in campus values and leadership. In Hoc, Ben Smith '18 Service Chairman M ost AE alumni over the years have had an older woman living behind the substantial wooden door in the John Wayne room. A housemother it was. But for the current AE undergraduates, it is much different. Isaac Moore, FarmHouse '13 serves as our unique "House Dad." Isaac is a young, ambitious, and resourceful man who knows a great deal about fraternity life and is a superb resource for us at 1510 Vine Street. "The special sort of guy-to-guy connection support from the traditional house mom might not be possible with a housemother. Sometimes guys just get knocked down by this university experience, and to be the one who helps lift them up is something that is truly special." Isaac says. He sees encouragement and support as his main opportunities in the house. As a youngster growing up with three brothers in a farm family from Stromsberg, he quickly grasped the meaning of brotherhood, where he learned the true meaning of family and love of those who surrounded him. As time progressed, Isaac found himself in the center of the high school activities, starting on both offense and defense on his football team, which he described as his favorite activity. Coming from a small school, he was routinely asked to play a variety of roles. Choir, track, basketball, theater, quiz bowl, FCA, and mentoring were just a few activities he was involved with. Our very busy house dad-to-be graduated from high school with a mere 36 other students. His father and other family members were members of FarmHouse, so he knew he wanted to rush. And with a great-uncle and a few cousins as Sigma Chis, he could see the way fraternities helped the transition into manhood. All throughout college, Isaac remained highly involved with his fraternity. "A fraternity is a special place. It links you with other young men with whom you might not necessarily get along or with whom you might have the same interests. It forces you to grow up and to work together, professionally, with other people with different ideas. You know, like the real world." Isaac smiled. He enjoyed terms as Brotherhood From Housemother to House Dad

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