Sigma Chi - University of Mississippi

T his spring, Dr. Ralph B. Vance '68 paid a visit to the Eta chapter house. "Housemother Mary Pettey showed me what it's like to be a Sigma Chi in 2019, and I liked what I saw," he said. "I'd happily join again today." Impressed as he was with the active chapter, Ralph could also see the physical wear on the building aer decades of service. When he learned about the Building a Tradition of Excellence campaign, he knew the chapter deserved an updated home to continue Eta's legacy of success. "We thought we were the No. 1 chapter in our day; I think they are too." When Ralph came to Ole Miss, he knew little about Sigma Chi. "I met the men there during recruitment and found them to be kind, honest guys. I joined several weeks later, and the rest is history." Ralph was active in many student offices, both in the fraternity and on campus, including Pro Consul, rush chairman, president of the Interfraternity Council, president of the student senate, and student body vice president. "My brothers persuaded me to run for offices and were always supportive. Many of those friendships continue today." In 1968, Ralph and two Sigma Chi brothers made the Ole Miss Hall of Fame; only eight students from the class of '68 received this honor. Forty Years of Success Ralph enjoyed a 40-year career at Ole Miss as professor of medicine and chief of staff of the University Medical Center, retiring as professor emeritus in 2016. "Aer graduating from medical school, I agreed to stay a year and teach, then walked out 40 years later—I'm not good with numbers!" In 2000, Ralph visited China to teach the doctors a surgical procedure he developed to treat lung cancer. Additional professional positions and accolades include president of the faculty senate and national president of the American Cancer Society (he is the only president from Mississippi). He attributes much of his career success to Sigma Chi for teaching him the value of diversity. "I learned that diversity was a positive because you don't want everyone to be just like you, as friends, as brothers, or in life. Eta surrounded me with people who had a common bond and similarities, but plenty of differences." Ralph sees that same strength in the active chapter today. "ey remain a leader in academic endeavors, campus leadership, diversity, and respect for individual perspectives. ey stand out among the students at Ole Miss." Continuing the Brotherhood Ralph's donation was in part inspired by, and made in honor of, his son, Ralph "Brooks" Vance Jr. '06. "Having Brooks join was the icing on the cake of my Sigma Chi experience. Even today he feels the chapter was a great basis from which he drew lifelong friends. In school he was well rounded, well liked by others, active in sports, and never made a B in his entire educational career. Brooks now lives in Jackson, Mississippi, with his family and works as a gastroenterologist. I am so proud that he is my son." To his Eta brothers, Ralph encourages visiting the house to see the present-day face of Sigma Chi. "It's a good one, so that convinced me to join the campaign. Sigma Chi was a deeply personal experience for me, and the opportunity to contribute fiscally made me feel like I could make a difference. Whether the contribution is big or small, I encourage anybody comfortable with writing a check to do so." Lifelong Values In Ralph's short four years in the house, they did much to help people, and Ralph considers that to be the best time of his life. at's why, still residing in Oxford, he remains on several medical boards, both on state and national levels. "Eta taught me long ago that it wasn't about me; it was about working together to help others. I've spent my life giving, and I've received much more than I've ever given." Connect with Ralph at rbvance1848@yahoo.com. Continuing Values-Based Leadership Why Ralph Vance '68 Supports the Capital Campaign Comeback out of the over 260 Sigma Chi chapters nationwide. Moses Kirby '22 and Jamison Russ '22 will lead this year's event and hope to build upon last year's success. New Member Class Set to Continue Eta's Reputation e new member class can be succinctly described as impressive: GPA above a 3.5 and an average ACT above 27 (20 scoring above a 30). Our recruitment chairmen, Charlie Chambers '21, John McIntyre '21, Kolton Grimsley '21, Miles Roy '21, Beau Ryals '21, and Zach Kalin '21, did outstanding, recruiting the most impressive group of 80 young men to continue Eta's great reputation. I wish I could mention every brother's effort in making our chapter stronger but there are countless contributions. It's inspiring to see so many members taking responsibility to make Eta the best chapter on campus and in the nation. We would not be in the position we are today without the support of our alumni. ank you to those who have already given to the campaign to renovate the chapter. We are proud to build upon our chapter's storied legacy. In Hoc, Robert Pickering '20 Consul (601) 498-0153 rgpicker@go.olemiss.edu Members of the Sigma Chi House Band play at the Lyric for the Derby Days dance competition. From left, Mosie Kirby '22, William Cotton '22, Parker Cole '21, and Stephen Elgin '19.

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