Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Florida

Page 2 SigEp Gator Heart DESERVING OF ACCOLADES National Awards The Carlson Leadership Academies in Atlanta, Georgia, was a very rewarding experience for the participants and Florida Alpha. Individual brothers and the Chapter received the following awards. TRAGOS QUEST TO GREECE SCHOLAR Recipient Brady Alexander '22 Tragos Quest to Greece Scholars study the influence that Greek philosophy, governance and the arts has in everyday life. The program includes visits to ancient historical sites such as Athens, Delphi, Nauplion, Corinth, Mycenae and Olympia. Brothers explore Greek culture and contemplate the origins of SigEp's values and the Balanced Man ideal. FRANK J. RUCK LEADERSHIP AWARD Recipient Ryan Loveland '20 Awards the individual who shows outstanding campus or community leadership and makes significant positive changes on the campus/ community. VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD Recipient Jeff Opalko '81 Awarded annually to a volunteer in each district who has given outstanding volunteer service that had a significant impact on either the AVC or undergraduate Chapter over the past year, regardless of years of service. CHAPTER HOME OF THE YEAR AWARD Presented to one chapter per region that provides its members with a top- notch living and learning environment through supportive and dynamic academic programming and an exceptional living environment. DONALD C. MCCLEARY EXCELLENCE IN MEMBER DEVELOPMENT AWARD Recognizes chapters that are exercising a commitment to continuous development and provide unique and individualized opportunities focused in the five core areas of development programming: SigEp, Intellectual, Physical Health & Wellness, Leadership and Professional Development. Please join us in congratulating the individual award recipients and the whole Chapter for their outstanding accomplishments. University of Florida Awards At the 72nd annual Greek Awards Banquet, SigEps' efforts over the last year paid off and the Chapter came home with some serious hardware. For our meaningful relationship with Florida Diabetes Camp and fundraising through SigEp Surf Frenzy we were given the Outstanding Philanthropy Award. For maintaining the highest IFC GPA in fall 2018 and spring 2019 we were given two more GPA awards to add to our huge collection. And most importantly, we won a third straight IFC Chapter of the Year. Our efforts to transform the Greek culture, benefit our community, and create positive change in brothers' lives was cited in our recognition. Florida Alpha is dedicated to furthering this standard of excellence. Embracing the Rapids of Life e Leap of Faith at Paid Off for Dave Grigsby '95 E ight years ago, Dave Grigsby '95 and his wife, Jessica, decided to quit their corporate jobs and purchased two kayak shops on Monterey Bay. "We knew we wanted to get back to Santa Cruz and do something active and outdoors that makes people happy," Dave explained. "I was a pretty active whitewater kayaker at the time and had some entrepreneurial experience, so it seemed like a perfect fit." Today, as the owners of Kayak Connection, they are on the water nearly every day and spend plenty of time with family and friends. "With over 50 employees and ever-changing ocean conditions, there's always something interesting going on." In addition to a strong professional background and some luck, Dave credits much of his success to the foundational building blocks he received as a brother of Sigma Phi Epsilon. "The lessons in leadership, character, and integrity have stayed with me throughout my life." Dave was greeted warmly by the SigEp brotherhood when he visited the Florida Alpha house—the first one he tried. "I gamely visited several other houses that week, but I had made up my mind in the first 10 minutes that SigEp was home if they would have me." He made many fond memories with brothers, including SEC championship road trips, the Sugar Bowl, and lots of rowdy home games, but to this day Dave's favorites are simply those of bonding over life's everyday challenges and victories. "Having such a strong community was instrumental in my success, and I've tried to recreate that sense of family and community in my business and volunteer efforts." To this day, Dave keeps in touch with a handful of close brothers. One close friend, Kevin Jakab '95, was Dave's best man in his wedding, and they try to go on at least one surf trip every year. Dave (Continued on page 6)

• Cover