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 Brothers host a Veterans Day tailgate at Hideaway Park in Ruston, La., to celebrate active military and veterans. Epsilon-Gamma hosting an alumni tailgate in fall 2021 to support alumni relations and brotherhood involvement. At the beginning of the 2021 school year, Kappa Sigma welcomes their largest pledge class in Epsilon-Gamma history at the quad on campus. Every year, Epsilon-Gamma raises money for Domestic Abuse Resistance Team through the Walk-A-Mile fundraising event in Lincoln Parish Park with Alpha Chi Omega. E psilon-Gamma brothers accomplished many feats this year while increasing campus involvement and making strides in philanthropic and fundraising avenues. Our Chapter has excelled in the eyes of Kappa Sigma Nationals in multiple ways, and we are proud of our achievements. Firstly, Epsilon-Gamma has effectively doubled in Chapter size with the 2021 recruitment, and we are happy to have successfully initiated over 40 new brothers. With this, our Chapter secured the largest pledge class on Louisiana Tech's campus and the 16th-largest in the nation for Kappa Sigma for the 2021-22 academic year. Secondly, our brothers helped raise over $70,000 for the Domestic Abuse Resistance Team (D.A.R.T.) through Walk-a-Mile and Radiothon. As a Chapter, our goal for the year was to create more campus involvement with active members through social exchanges and fundraising events. These included the Chase Frazier D.A.R.T. Tournament, the Shamrock Run with Kappa Delta, and Phi Mu's Miracle Man. While participating in these events, our members demonstrated the attributes of a Kappa Sigma gentleman by supporting the less fortunate and being involved with Louisiana Tech's campus. While excelling on campus and in Ruston, Louisiana, our brothers have created an astounding image for themselves from the perspective of Kappa Sigma Nationals. By accomplishing 100% participation in the Stephen Alonzo Jackson weekend of giving campaign, we have shown that we are committed to making the Star and Crescent the pride and joy of every college and university in the land. For the first time in over five years, Epsilon-Gamma is in the upper echelon of the nation in FACE points and is in contention for an award from Kappa Sigma Nationals that is given to the top 20 performing chapters in the nation. We also had the highest number of active members attend the 73rd annual Grand Conclave in Nashville, Tennessee, in the past five years. Not only is Epsilon-Gamma involved with Louisiana Tech's campus and driven to improve the community through fundraising and philanthropy, but we are also growing and excelling in all attributes in what a Kappa Sigma gentleman should be. Fraternally, Travis Able '19 Grand Master Epsilon-Gamma Increases Campus and Community Involvement Committed to Being True Gentlemen quality gathering place and a good place to have social events," he said. For Derald, the Chapter taught him everything he needed for a good professional life after college. During his time as an active member, he earned a Kappa Sigma leadership scholarship and learned valuable skills, like how to stand up and speak, conflict resolution, budgeting, preparing a proposal, and planning to raise money. After graduating, he worked as a university professor and administrator for 46 years and consulted at J. Derald Morgan Consulting Engineer. He had a busy career life, holding two chaired professorships, serving as the head of the electrical and computer engineering department at Missouri Science and Technology, the dean of engineering at New Mexico State University, and vice president and special assistant to the chancellor of the University of Alabama Huntsville and U of A central administration. His part-time consulting gig became his sole employment after he retired from active academic life. "I do forensic engineering and serve as an expert witness in trials that result from my investigation of the failures or injuries," Derald said. "I have done this for 50 years, and I am a very effective investigator and witness. I have never testified in a case where my client lost." Derald has been married to Elizabeth June McKneely for 59 years, and together they have four children, 11 grandchildren, and two great- grandchildren. He enjoys gathering with his family at his lake house on Table Rock Lake in Missouri. "I married a Ruston, Louisiana, lady who was a beauty pageant winner and was in the Miss Louisiana Pageant," Derald said. "Although she did not win, she was the most beautiful woman in the world to me." Derald is enjoying a full life with work, family, and travel—with trips to the College World Series planned in June and to the Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany, in August. You can connect with him at jderaldmorgan@hotmail.com. (Continued from page 1) A Brotherhood for All

• Cover