Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Missouri

MissouriAlpha • 2 • TheSigEpTigerHeart T he journey to building a thriving chapter is challenging, but I'm happy to report that MO Alpha is quickly becoming one of the top chapters at Mizzou. We have an extremely strong nucleus of 55 men who comprise our active membership. Our one senior will be missed at the end of the spring, but we are excited to see what the future holds for him. The chapter held its first self-run, in-person formal recruitment this past August, which brought in five new members. Throughout the remainder of the semester, the chapter added over 20 new members. Other firsts for our new chapter included full participation in Homecoming, sorority social events, and intramurals. Nationally, SigEp reached 350,000 lifetime members. The 350,000th member is none other than MO Alpha's own Seth Kaufman '25. The official SigEp Instagram collaborated with brother Kaufman to create a celebratory video: tinyurl.com/SigEpMemberCelebration. In late September, the chapter hosted its annual Balanced Man Scholarship Banquet at the Missouri State Historical Society. Missouri Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe delivered the keynote speech, and Dr. Jeff Zeilenga received SigEp National's prestigious University Partner of the Year award. Vice Provost of Student Affairs Dr. Bill Stackman, Megan DeShon- Runge of the office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, and associate professor Dr. Candace Korasick were among the 100 attendees at the event. Twenty-one undergraduate students were named finalists, with $3,000 awarded to three winners. We encourage you to spread the word to any young men who you think would be deserving of the scholarship to apply at missouri.sigep.org/bms. As you know, Ritual is a vital part of the SigEp experience. Last November, brothers Ed Clausen '84, Adam Baer '85, Mason Laster '84, and Justin Derks '15 guided six brothers through the Brother Mentor Rite of Passage. Now, the chapter has a trained ritual team that continuously progresses members through each Rite of Passage, cumulatively very similar to the ritual that each of you experienced at 405. Additionally, SigEp has a keen focus on personal development through the Balanced Man Program. This valuable process is broken into four levels: chapter and campus basics, developing professional readiness, leadership development, and preparation for life after college. See Adam's request on page one for how you can help us in this critical area! Each December, the Norm Stewart Classic brings top basketball teams around Missouri to Columbia for a 72-hour basketball tournament presented by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association. Brother and past Grand Chapter President Denny Bond Sr. '65 invited the chapter to help, which resulted in 80% of the chapter volunteering at the event, recording over 250 service hours in one weekend. The Norm Stewart Classic helps raise funds for the American Cancer Society and Special Olympics Missouri. Just as we were sending this newsletter to print, we received the familiar news that MO Alpha was the #1 fraternity in grades for last fall, for the fifth consecutive semester. Our 3.53 average GPA put us well ahead of distant #2 Beta Theta Pi (3.44) and the all- campus average (3.23). To help emphasize the importance of academics, the chapter implemented a Fantasy Academic Draft, like a common fantasy football draft. Brothers received points for exam grades, attending professor office hours, studying with other brothers, and more. The chapter's consistent academic prowess and engaging fantasy academic system earned us an Excelsior Award for Excellence in Academics. Grand Chapter President Billy Maddalon, North Carolina State '90 presented the award by video (tinyurl.com/SigEpAward) and the physical cup is displayed on the mantel at 405. Speaking of awards, MO Alpha scored a trifecta at the recent Carlson Leadership Academy in Kansas City: • Outstanding Chapter President – Greg Pierson '23 • Outstanding Vice President of Recruitment – Lukas Parrish '23 • Outstanding Vice President of the SigEp Learning Community – Zach Lovelace '24 A special thanks to Blake Gurney, Washington State '21, our regional director of the past year. He is moving on to serve SigEp in his new role of chapter and volunteer services director. Blake has been key in our recent executive board transition, the development of our Balanced Man Program, and just bringing an atmosphere of excitement through his contagious personality. As always, it's a great day to be a SigEp! Fraternally, Andy Hinkamp '24 Chapter President amhmnb@mail.missouri.edu Mizzou SigEp Success

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