Sigma Phi Epsilon - Purdue University

Inside: Thank You, Donors t 2 SigEp Honors Michael Ellis '84 t 3 Alumni News t 4 From the heart A PUBLICATION FOR ALUMNI OF INDIANA ALPHA t SIGMA PHI EPSILON t SPRING 2018 WWW.PURDUE-SIGEPS.COM AVC's Spring Goals Focus on Digital Communication A s I reflect on my experiences from this year's Carlson Leadership Academy in Chicago, Illinois, I am reminded of the valuable assets that the national fraternity shares with its chapters in the form of organized leadership training, operational experience, and knowledge-sharing, as well as ongoing supplemental support for undergraduates and alumni volunteers. This is important to mention because as we continue to plan out our return to campus in 2020, it will be critical to build on top of this foundation and utilize these assets to create a culture with programming that exceeds the expectations of today's young men and allows us to help shape what the fraternity experience of tomorrow looks like. In the coming days, weeks, and months you will hear words that may sound foreign to you, like Balanced Man Program or Residential Learning Communities, or ideals that you find difficult to accept, like substance- free facilities, because it does not align with the experience that you had Back row, from left: Vic Mattison, Missouri Alpha '87, Mike Neary, Illinois Epsilon '90, and Tommy Caruso, Illinois Epsilon '90. Front row: Brian Rodell '98, Mitch Salyers '93, Michael Ellis '84, and Mike's sister, Janet Ellis Hunzinger, Purdue '83. T his year at the Carlson Leadership Conference, Indiana Alpha AVC members Brian Rodell '98, Michael Ellis '84, and Mitch Salyers '93 represented the fraternity to learn more about the future of Sigma Phi Epsilon and its programming. We were well received by the national representatives and discussed the relaunch of our chapter that is scheduled for fall 2020. Members of the national recruitment team will be on campus to recruit new members and build the excitement for the leadership opportunities that exist in the fraternity programming. The focus of the weekend was the conversion of the fraternities to the substance-free lifestyle SigEp will enforce in the coming years. The success of this type of lifestyle is well documented and will help station SigEp at the top of the Greek system at Purdue. The highlight of Saturday evening was the recognition of our very own Michael Ellis '84 as he was honored with the Exemplary Service Award and served as the keynote speaker. He spent time recognizing those from the fraternity who had an impact on his life and who supported his efforts to lead the mission of the fraternity. He offered a speech to the undergraduates on the impact of Sigma Phi Epsilon on his life and why he gives back. Mike was surrounded by his dearest friends and his sister during this great event. This was an honor for Mike and, through him, every member could see the importance of this lifetime commitment. As such, we are excited to feature more of his story in this issue's alumni spotlight on page 3. Alumni Attend 2018 Carlson Leadership Conference National Programming to Benefit Indiana Alpha's Return in 2020 (Continued on page 2)

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