Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Florida

Page 7 Sigma Phi Epsilon A fter transferring from Davidson College following his freshman year, Joe Thigpen '66 was hopeful that he could build friendships at the University of Florida that resembled the SigEp brothers of North Carolina Epsilon. Joe found exactly that at Florida Alpha, as the connections he made with his brothers are still strong today. Along with being immediately welcomed at Florida Alpha, he developed a love for learning that he's carried on in all his endeavors for the past 60 years. "Life is so much about learning, and Florida Alpha gave me an opportunity to engage with kindred spirts and wrestle with growing up and maturing during my college years," Joe said. "I learned about tolerance, flexibility, and the importance of coming through for others. I also learned a lot about the importance of making mistakes and recovering with brothers who hang tough with you." Joe served as Florida Alpha's chapter president and quickly grasped how important it was to have talented people who would pick up in areas in which he was less capable. His experience as chapter president prepared him for prominent leadership roles throughout his career, including serving in the U.S. Army and with the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon. In 1967, Joe knew he was very fortunate to be in Washington, D.C., rather than Vietnam like many of his SigEp brothers and other friends. C. Ellis Vaughn '62 was one of the Florida Alpha brothers stationed in Vietnam that Joe stayed in touch with. Ellis assured Joe that he shouldn't feel any guilt about not being in Vietnam. "I received a telegram from Ellis which said, 'Are you out of your mind? It is crazy over here and you have an important job to do there. Stay!'" Joe said. "That was probably the best advice I ever received. It also allowed me to learn about exceptional leaders confronting what seemed to be an impossible mission." Joe's commitment to service wasn't just limited to his country. Prior to serving in the Army, Joe served in the Peace Corps in Brazil from 1963 to 1965. He still has strong relationships with his Brazilian family, friends, and associates. Joe wishes he had a keen insight into why service has always meant so much to him. "While I realize that character matters, it is through service that I felt meaning in what I did. Of course, to make a difference in the lives of others, I needed to pay attention to my own learning and how I could be better at what I did and how I related to others." Last, but certainly not least, Joe's service has been felt throughout the Sunshine State. He was the executive director of the Alachua County Crisis Center, received the Edwin Shneidman Award for outstanding contributions to the field of suicide and life-threatening behavior, and has honed his SigEp leadership skills throughout his consulting career. Joe formed Thigpen Consulting in 1988 and worked in partnership with several other professionals in the business. "One accomplishment remains number one in my memories and it's the creation of a leadership development program with a home building company," Joe said. "Because the CEO embraced learning and never steered away from an important challenge. We implemented a program that included the three most important variables to me. 1. Learning occurs over time. Our program was a two-year program that included multiple engagements and learning assignments. 2. Learning must also be experiential as well as cognitive. We provided action learning challenges in every program component. 3. Learning must be modeled and rewarded back in the work environment, so we needed to get local division presidents fully committed to reinforce and model what we wanted and expected from the participants. Over the years, I have a sense that many of these individuals are part of my extended family and I'm so very proud of their successes and their growth as individuals and leaders." Joe will always be thankful for all that SigEp has given him, which is why he's still dedicated to Building Balanced Men at Florida Alpha. He has thoroughly enjoyed serving as mentor to VP of the Learning Community and working with Carlos Jimenez '22, Luke Jackson '22, and Andrew Pao '23. "I'm really impressed with how each person was immediately open to the mentoring relationship and eagerly embraced the mindset of a learner as well as a doer," Joe said. "The commitment to make a difference in the role has been exceptional, and I am delighted to be working now with Andrew." You can connect with Joe via email at joe.thigpen@mac.com. A LOVE FOR LEARNING Joe igpen '66 Cherishes His SigEp Experience and Many Service Opportunities Joe Thigpen '66 and his wife, Becky, at a wedding he officiated of one of his good friends and former clients in 2020 in California. BROTHERHOOD BULLETIN CHAPTER ETERNAL George D. West '45 entered Chapter Eternal on October 6, 2020, at the age of 95. He served in the U.S. Army in Europe during WWII; he graduated from UF upon his return, obtaining a bachelor of science degree in education. He continued his military service during the Korean War, assigned to the Corps of Engineers constructing the Distant Early Warning system in Alaska, designed to detect possible incoming enemy aircraft. He had a distinguished career in sales with Prudential Insurance Company, in which he earned many leadership and professional achievement awards including the Hall of Honor and President's Circle awards. He eventually transitioned to agency management to train sales teams. He retired as a Regional Vice President of Sales. George is survived by his wife of 70 years, Helen; his two children; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Dan Meadows '51 entered Chapter Eternal on April 1, 2020. When Dan and his family moved to Delray Beach, Fla., after he finished sixth grade, he met Emma Lou Cook, and they became best friends. Ten years later, they got married. They had five children, three grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter. Dan and Emma Lou moved to Cocoa in 1953, where Dan opened his law practice. They joined the First Baptist Church of Cocoa in 1954, where Dan served as a deacon. He was a member of the Cocoa Kiwanis Club since 1954, Brevard County Bar, Florida Bar, and American Bar. Dan was appointed city attorney for Cocoa Beach and Cocoa. He became the municipal judge for the City of Cocoa, from the mid-1960s through the mid-1970s. He served as trustee on the board of the Florida (Continued on page 8)

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