Sigma Chi - University of Memphis

Memphis Sigma Chi Housing Group, Inc. 4988 Newhaven Rd. Memphis, TN 38117 Address Service Requested The WISE OLD OWL WELCOME TO SIGMA CHI 27 New Members Enter the Brotherhood Steven Bethany Michael Buchholz Hank Davis Justin Donahue Blake Dorsey Hunter Filsinger Grayson Gibson Braden Grove Matthew Jewell Garrett Knott Andrew Knox Luke Latimer Jackson Laurie Jack Lee Tristan Lowery Diego Martinez Myson Moore Benjamin Pyron Garrett Sapp Michael Sarabia Carson Sinclair Zachary Street Alex Strickland Jonathon Thompson Noah Valle Austin Williams Austin Wood G ary M. Grear '69, Significant Sig '05, had a relatively logical reason for pledging Epsilon Kappa—most of his college-age friends and fellow Messick High School alumni had pledged EK or planned to along with him. As is the case with most of us, what likely seemed like an easy decision at the time led to a lifetime of great memories, successes, and long-lasting relationships. In Gary's case, he has said the best day of his life (after marrying his wife, JoAnn) was being initiated into Sigma Chi. Gary has led an impressive career in the world of commerce, having spent the past 50 years actively involved in the business community and conducting transactions on three continents. His professional roles have spanned from that of a senior executive with First Tennessee's investment banking division to that of a small business owner. Notwithstanding the long professional shadow he casts, Gary credits much of his success in business to the time he spent as an active member of Epsilon Kappa, with some of his favorite memories being the time he spent as President and Treasurer of the Chapter. He credits much of the early "out of the classroom" business education to Olin Atkins '57, charter member Jerry Buckaloo '55, Bert Madison '71, and other alumni who were involved with the Chapter during his time as an active. In his own words, Gary does not believe there is any better place for a college student to receive real-world experience with professional-level interactions than in a fraternity—namely, Sigma Chi! While Gary always tried to be an active alumnus, he redoubled his efforts in 2002 when Chris Boysen '90 and other alumni reached out after the second Chapter House to stand at 3582 Mynders was destroyed in a fire. Chris and Gordon Brigman '70 pulled together many alumni, and Mike Richmond '68 was gracious enough to host a meeting that many would look back on as the kickoff of the original capital campaign for the current Chapter House. Gary fondly recalls the time spent working with fellow members of the House Corporation in the 2002- 04 period to rebuild the house, including Chris, Gordon, Mike, Bunky Wingfield '68, and several others. For Gary, it was a special treat to work with Wayne Brown '71 on the House Corporation as he brought years of experience in the commercial construction arena, and former Consul Brett Collins '04 led the way for the rapid but high-quality growth the Chapter experienced following completion of the Chapter House. Following the monumental success of team managing the capital campaign and construction efforts, Gary was prompted by several prominent Sigma Chis at headquarters to run for Grand Pro Consul of Sigma Chi International in 2005, which coincided with Amy Jackson, the 2005 Sweetheart, being one of three finalists for Sigma Chi's International Sweetheart. Gary traveled to Grand Chapter in Cincinnati, along with Amy and a large contingent of Memphis actives. He reflects fondly on his memories from this trip, because although he lost the race for Grand Pro Consul, Amy most deservedly won the title of International Sweetheart. While the Chapter House stands as a tangible testament to what a determined group of men can accomplish, some of Gary's favorite alumni memories are of the opportunities he had to mentor actives and younger alumni. Indeed, Gary's advice to alumni is to stay involved with the active Chapter, whether it be acting as a mentor to its members or supporting it financially—or ideally, both. In Gary's words, Greeks, including Sigma Chi, are facing their most significant challenges since the Civil War in the form of negative news media. Consequentially, it's more important than ever for Epsilon Kappa to continue to be a beacon for the Greek world and a beacon for the University of Memphis. In Hoc, Chuck Pierce '06 Treasurer, Memphis Sigma Chi House Group, Inc., 2005 Significant Sig Gary Grear '69 on Advice to Actives

• Cover