Kappa Sigma - Louisiana Tech University

3 E P S I L O N G A M M A C H A P T E R W hen Patrick Weldon '87 went through freshman recruitment, Kappa Sigma was the clear choice from day one. "They just seemed like the coolest group of guys, and they clearly had the best parties." As great as those parties were, Patrick also learned much about himself with the help of the Epsilon-Gamma brotherhood. "I was an immature and wildly hyperactive freshman, but I found that I responded much better to my peers and fraternity brothers than to authority," he remembers. "I also had this ridiculous need to be the center of attention." Patrick learned to channel this into positive roles in the Chapter, holding offices such as house director and grand master of ceremonies as well as the highest honor at Louisiana Tech during his senior year: king of Kappa Sig's annual Hawaiian party. He attributes much of his career success and maturation to the upperclassmen at the time who helped him stay busy while working toward shared goals and, more simply, to find focus during the overwhelming freedom of transitioning from high school to college. "They helped me mature pretty rapidly from an aimless, wandering freshman." From Hawaiian Parties to Hawaii When Patrick was accepted to medical school, he admits he panicked and started skydiving professionally in Hawaii instead. (He first discovered the hobby in high school, then formed a team at Kappa Sig; they even made jumps into the stadium for home football games.) He ran a skydiving business for tourists in Hawaii, Vancouver, and St. Marteen in the Caribbean—also designing camera helmets used by skydiving videographers. "It was a lot of fun, but after 10 years, over 6,000 jumps, and a dozen or so skydiving world records, I knew I wanted something a little normal," Patrick said. He circled back to med school and is now Chief of Staff for Merit Hospitals, which runs nine hospitals throughout Mississippi. He also works as the chairman of neurology and director of neuro critical care with both Merit and the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where he teaches as well. The Important Things in Life Patrick also enjoys running, which has had a tremendous impact on his life. He met his wife at a 5K, and they still run to this day, having traveled for marathons worldwide. He began coaching for the Special Olympics about 25 years ago, eventually coaching a Down syndrome basketball team—while his wife was pregnant with a son who had Down syndrome himself. Their son is now 15 and in perfect health. "He's just the best addition to my life," Patrick said. He added that having a special needs child both changes the direction of your life and makes you realize what's most important. This inspires him to volunteer and be more community minded. "It's important to do things for other people when you're blessed and fortunate enough to do so." Patrick struggled to keep up with Kappa Sig brothers in the pre-social media days, but when he recently made it back for Homecoming, he loved seeing everyone once again. Making up for lost time inspired him, in part, to make a generous contribution to the campaign for a new Chapter House. He credits the Fraternity Supporting Kappa Sigma Supporting Kappa Sigma Isn't Brain Surgery! Isn't Brain Surgery! Patrick Weldon '87 with his wife, Stephanie, and son, Nick, after running the Mercedes Marathon in Birmingham. Patrick sponsors this annual marathon, which funds the UAB Down Syndrome Heart Surgery Program. Nick runs the last four miles with him every year. Patrick Weldon '87 and his wife, Stephanie, running the Great Wall of China Marathon in Beijing in 2019. with much of his success and sees the house as the cornerstone of fraternity life. "Without that brotherhood and house, I would have been lost in college, like a squirrel running from nut to nut," he said. "I've been lucky, and I attribute a lot of that to my Kappa Sig days." Patrick lives in Brandon, Mississippi, and can be reached at patrickweldon@hotmail.com. CHAPTER CELESTIAL William S. Baskin '41 – July 18, 2016 Murry M. Crowe '42 – February 11, 2019 Blythe B. Cragon '43 – April 17, 21 Carrell G. Dowies Jr. '48 – July 20, 2021 Kay L. Fletcher '57 – July 22, 2021 Lee A. Pattillo '61 – February 23, 2021 Carl R. Holland II '62 – March 7, 2015 Keith Abney '65 – August 13, 2021 Harry B. Rosenthal Jr. '65 – February 8, 2016 Stephen C. Molony '94 – April 26, 2021 ALUMNI NEWS Hugh A. Bateman Jr. '60 retired for the second time in 2006. He lives in Ferriday, La., on Lake Concordia. He shares that his family is well; he has four grandchildren, and he enjoys hunting and fishing as much as time allows. Hugh is happy that there are many excellent doctors. He celebrated his 81st birthday on November 6, 2021. Email: hbatemanducks@bellsouth.net Arthur Lee Barnette '88 lives in Ruston, La. He participates in an annual golf tournament in memory of some deceased Kappa Sig brothers. Email: lbarnette68@gmail.com Chad Reeder '88 hunts, works, and lives the best life he can in Claiborne Parish. He's a successful business owner. Chad's son, Kip Reeder, went through recruitment at Tech in the fall. Chad lives in Haynesville, La. Email: clreeder@bellsouth.net Why Patrick Weldon '87 Gives What He Can

• Cover