Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Alabama

THE RED DOOR p. 2 T he undergraduate brothers of Alabama Beta continually set the standard for not only fraternities at the University of Alabama, but for SigEp chapters across the nation. In our fourth full year in the new house, this graduating class of seniors is the first to spend their entire college careers at 304 University Boulevard. When asked about his time in the Chapter, senior Clay Castleberry '22 stated, "It is a surreal feeling to have seen how far the Chapter has come and truly solidified itself on University Boulevard." LEADING THE WAY As far as Chapter leadership goes, November elections swiftly came and went, and a new era began shortly after the transition from the Callahan administration. In a five-man race for Chapter president and former VP of Recruitment David Cranz '23 emerged victorious. Joining David on the executive board are Daniel Tolan '23, Sam Pulley '23, Alex Hall '23, Dom Williams '23, Peter Maier '24, Matt Brown '24, and Austin Taschler '24. Our freshman chief of staff is Alex Figueroa '25. Alex is our fourth Alabama Beta chief of staff. With this executive board, we welcome three returning members of last year's executive council and a healthy mix of new ideas. We are all looking forward to what their leadership will provide to our Chapter, as we know they will lead with integrity and innovation. Outside of the Chapter, brothers of Alabama Beta are on a remarkable upward trend of success, with Emmett Wilson '23 being elected to the Culverhouse College of Business Senate, and former VP of Communications Jack Strubel '23 being elected to the IFC Executive Board as director of community outreach. A CHANGE OF SCENERY The Chapter House received vast improvements this year. Just in time for the fall semester, we finalized the heavily anticipated backyard pavement project. After complaints of a muddy backyard and the lack of a basketball court, the undergraduate brothers of Alabama Beta undertook a backyard renovation, including a painted half-court basketball court and an in-ground basketball hoop. Inside the Chapter House, three new TVs were installed and mounted in the living room on the second floor. Brothers had an absolute blast watching four games of March Madness at once! Other changes of scenery include the band room; Mason Haller '24, Aidan Witherow '24, and Ethan Murphy '25 have become the named "A/V guys" in the Chapter, as they installed remote control lights and surround-sound speakers in the band room to amplify our social gatherings in that space. Wherever you go inside the Chapter, you can see a house that is constantly evolving, as we actively seek to improve it every day. WE RISE BY LIFTING OTHERS For our philanthropy this semester, we partnered with Pi Beta Phi to host the inaugural Wing Fling at the Chapter House, benefiting Read > Lead > Achieve® and Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Alabama. Through wing eating contests and waterslides, a total of $8,000 was raised! When asked about his performance in the wing eating contest, freshman Chris Hellen '25 shared, "I definitely feel as if that was not my best performance out there today, but it was for a good cause and that is what truly matters." As COVID-19 is hopefully on the downturn, the undergraduates of Alabama Beta would be honored to invite everyone to stop by and visit the Chapter House the next time you visit Tuscaloosa. Fraternally, Alex Hall '23 VP of Communications while also being an operating partner of a private equity group in Tuscaloosa. Social networking was just starting to grow while Scott attended college. The advent of Facebook meant Scott and his Fraternity brothers could develop a new social media connection that was unlike previous Chapter members. Nowadays, Scott reunites with alumni brothers at music festivals and football games, and he has spent time engaging with pledge brothers to connect with Alabama Beta Chapter again. "It's hard, especially as universities become more geographically diverse," he mentioned. "The undergraduates are a lot more Texas, more Chicago, more Georgia. Keeping up through social media is a big thing for finding ways to get reengaged in alumni events." Scott enjoys spending time with his wife, Dr. Laura Knighton, and their two sons, Charlie and Jackson. Dr. Laura Knighton is an elementary school principal who received her Ph.D. at the University of Alabama and is an Alabama DZ. The family spends time together through outdoor activities such as boating, golfing, and fishing. You can connect with Scott and talk more about alumni engagement at scott@blastcrete.com. (Continued from page 1) ONWARD AND UPWARD Newfound Opportunities Allow Brothers to Excel on and off Campus Bettering Himself Through Brotherhood "I don't think I would have had the opportunity to get involved with a lot of stuff that I did had I not been in a fraternity or part of SigEp." FOLLOW US ONLINE! alabama.sigep.org Sigma Phi Epsilon Alabama Beta Sigma Phi Epsilon Alabama Beta Alumni (UA SPE Chapter) f f @SigEpAlBeta l

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