Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Alabama

A permanent stage, projector screen, and speakers were installed in the band room. p. 3 T he brothers of Alabama Beta are enjoying their first full year of a brand-new house on University Boulevard. With 31 peo- ple living in the house this year, brothers enjoy the house as a place to relax, hang out with each other, and as a safe study environ- ment. As a substance-free house, Alabama Beta has and plans to use the house for philanthropy, alcohol-free parties, and guest speakers that will benefit the members of the Chapter. Chapter executive elections were pushed forward to early September this year. Former freshman Chief of Staff Matthew Sink '21 was elected president. Joining Matthew on the executive board will be Wells Thomas '20, Aaron Hurd '20, Sam Lumia '21, Tripper Warlick '21, Garett Ostdiek-Wille '21, Michael O'Grady '21, and Spencer Sellers '20. Representing the freshman class on the execu- tive board will be Chief of Staff Brady Wachs '22. This is the second year the executive board has had a freshman Chief of Staff. Alabama Beta hosted SigEp Fall Fest on Halloween to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters. The Chapter worked with Delta Delta Delta and Alpha Omicron Pi to put on the philanthropy event, which included a live band, food trucks, and mini golf course in the backyard. The favorite event at Fall Fest was the dunk tank. Zach Van Fossen '21 sacrificed himself to sit in the dunk tank, letting people attempt to knock him into the freezing water. "Being in the dunk (tank) was a lot of fun," Zach said. "Even though I got I knocked in a few times, it was a good way to cool off from the hot Alabama weather." Students from across campus were in attendance to make Fall Fest a great philanthropic success. The Chapter looks to build off this inau- gural event for next fall. The band room got a huge improvement with a permanent stage and speaker system implemented. It will be used for upcoming events and tailgates. The speakers will be used to reduce the cost of bands, as they can hook up their equipment to our new system. The stage will also help performing acts set their equipment up for events. When the football team is out of town, the new projector and projector screen are set up to host watch parties. Brothers gather in the band room and root for the Crimson Tide. Blackjack Ball will occur in the spring this year at the Tuscaloosa River Market. Brothers and their dates will gather to play blackjack and poker to raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters. Another tradi- tion, which was reinvigorated last year by Joseph Malafronte '18, has been Golden Heart Ball. Through social media, brothers raise money for a charity of their choosing and set a goal of $100 each. Patrick Trevisani '19 received a top donation of $1,500. Once each brother reaches their goal, they are invited to the Golden Heart Ball to celebrate their contributions. "The charity I chose last year was the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and it felt good to raise money for a cause that is important to me and my community back home," Sam Lumia '21 said. With a year-end total of $70,000 for the 2017-18 school year, the Chapter's goal for 2018-19 is to break last year's end total! The future is bright for the brothers of Alabama Beta. The Chapter is striving to be the best Fraternity on campus with grades, philan- thropy, and brotherhood to show what Sigma Phi Epsilon is all about. Fraternally, Griffin McVeigh '21 Alabama Beta Chapter House Provides Comfort for Alabama Beta Brothers Philanthropic Events Benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters Alabama Beta Chapter House

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