Sigma Nu - Purdue University

3 e Serpent Soaring to SucceSS One of Carl's pledge brothers, Ken Clark (BZ 1236), decided to follow in his airline family's footsteps and joined the Air National Guard, where he got pilot training and great experience. He encouraged Carl to do the same, and Ken's father, also in the Guard, helped him get an interview. Carl's flight experience in the Air Force Reserve would jumpstart a lengthy pilot career. When asked about career highlights, Carl noted he chose an unusual career in that regard. "In my work, the goal is to avoid highlights; in 35 years, I haven't been seen on CNN yet!" In those years he has served several well-known people and sports teams, all while traveling the nation and the world with an outstanding group of coworkers. He has also mentored many junior colleagues and takes pride in their success. reconnecting with BrotherS Carl had little contact with fellow alumni for several years, until about 10 years ago, when he met with Dave Sykora (BZ 1208) for dinner during a layover in Boston. Since then, he has reconnected with many more; Bert Kibbler (BZ 1244) lives nearby, and they regularly get together to ride bikes or try a microbrew. Last year amid the pandemic, Carl and Bert were also fortunate to have a visit from Pat Hetfield (BZ 1231), and they were thrilled to catch up while enjoying a fire and a couple beers. The two also saw Jack Negley (BZ 1185) and Tim Todd (BZ 1234) for a few days of water skiing in Tennessee last August. "I have found that it only takes about 10 minutes with a brother you haven't seen for decades before it seems like just yesterday," Carl says. "If anything, my Beta Zeta brothers mean even more to me now than they did in school. All that and more inspired Carl to lend his support to the campaign. "I know and respect many of the alumni who are working toward the recolonization and the capital project. Their active involvement, along with the emphasis on scholarship, will support a strong brotherhood for years to come." To Carl, academics are only part of the college experience and he hopes today's and tomorrow's active brothers can create their own unique bonds. Carl and his wife, Margaret, live in the Village of Lakewood, Illinois, and have several nieces and nephews who enjoy visiting. After retiring in a few months, Carl looks forward to flying small airplanes more often; he also enjoys skiing (both water and snow) and biking. Margaret shares his love of flying and they hope to visit a few brothers that way. Until then, Carl can be reached at jcdavis767@gmail.com. Finding Bonds in Brotherhood (Continued from page 1) Carl Davis (BZ 1235) with Bert Kibbler (BZ 1244) and Tim Todd (BZ 1234) in Tennessee in August 2020. D avid Miers (BZ 1058) came to Sigma Nu as a double legacy thanks to his father, Morgan Miers (BZ 562), and grandfather, Roy Miers, Illinois. "I seemed destined to be a Sigma Nu," David said. "I didn't tell the guys that I was a legacy during rush, but they still made me feel so welcomed and comfortable. After that, I knew Beta Zeta Chapter was the right fit for me." As an active member of Beta Zeta Chapter, David enjoyed the closeness and fellowship he and his brothers shared. While he has many great memories, one immediately comes to mind: "One Saturday morning, I was walking through the Purdue Union heading back to the house when I was abducted by the pledges who were staging a walkout," David said. "They were going to the Bowling Green Ohio Chapter but needed an active to go with them. Well, that turned out to be me. At the time, I wasn't too happy, though, as I had a date that evening." So much for the date! Regardless, this was one of those bonding experiences that David wouldn't trade for anything. After graduating from Purdue University with a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics, David went into active service with the United States Army from 1970 to 1972, earning the rank of first lieutenant. During his stint in the Army, David was an executive officer of a Nike Hercules missile site in Okinawa. "I was the guy with his finger on the button," David said. Upon ending his active service, David returned to his family farm as a sixth-generation farmer. Today, he serves as president of Miers Farm Corporation, MielanD Corporation, and DLM Trucking Corporation. "I manage and oversee over 2,200 acres of agricultural farming operations with an emphasis on seed production for Pioneer Hybrids and popcorn," David said. His career in agriculture has led him to serve on various boards, associations, non-profits, and clubs. He has been president of the Purdue Agricultural Alumni Association, president of the Indiana Farm Management Association, member of the Purdue Alumni Board of Directors, deputy commissioner of agriculture for the State of Indiana, and chairman of the Indiana State Fair Commission, among many other roles. David says that for many years after his military service, he remained close with several of his brothers. However, as time went by, they drifted apart. In the last few years, they have begun to reunite, and he says the Honoring Our Legacy, Securing Our Future capital campaign has helped spark some of those reconnections. David is grateful to Al Wurster (BZ 1334) for getting him involved in the campaign. "His passion to revive the house and bring it back to the level it was at my time motivated me," David said. "His passion was undeniable. After he got me involved, I became much more aware of the condition the house was in. In its current condition, it is hard to attract the quality of students we want to recolonize the chapter." For David, the house was extremely important to him for three years of his life. "Think about the friendships we developed and the support we were given through our ups and downs," David said. "We would not have found that elsewhere in our college life." David looks forward to seeing his brothers in person again once the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is over. "While we don't see each other very often, when we do it feels like we can pick up as though we had seen each other just yesterday," David said. "The bond between brothers is lifelong and everlasting." David lives in Greensburg, Indiana, and can be reached at david@miersfarm.com. Sustaining the Brotherhood David Miers (BZ 1058) on His Support of Beta Zeta's Capital Campaign

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