Sigma Nu - University of Washington

GAMMA CHI 3 Join Sigma Nu's Recruitment Team LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! T he university welcomed one of its largest freshman classes last year. Despite this, sororities and fraternities encountered a decline in participation. Surprisingly, the number of prospective members touring houses over the summer dropped by an estimated 50% compared to the previous year. This trend stems from several factors, including the availability of on-campus housing options and the emergence of newer, safer, and more appealing private developments. At Sigma Nu, we are actively upgrading our facilities to enhance member experiences; however, a focused recruitment effort is crucial for sustaining and expanding our membership base. Recruitment is an ongoing process, starting with the appointment of our new recruitment chairmen, gaining momentum with the mailing of spring acceptance letters, and peaking during the summer recruitment season. To enhance our strategies, we've engaged a third-party recruitment consultant to assist our members in identifying and welcoming outstanding individuals into our fraternity. Alumni support is invaluable in this endeavor, and there are several ways you can contribute! 1. Refer Incoming Freshmen to Sigma Nu. Your recommendations significantly impact our community's growth. 2. Be an Alumni Ambassador. Consider volunteering to visit local high schools and advocate for Sigma Nu. 3. Sponsor an Event. Your contributions, whether through donations or purchasing event tickets for gatherings like barbecues, boat outings, Topgolf, or local events, greatly aid in fostering connections and support. By collaborating and leveraging the support of our alumni network, our collective aim is to achieve our most successful recruiting year yet. Thank you for your ongoing dedication to Sigma Nu's legacy and the nurturing of future leaders within our fraternity! Putting In the Work A ndrew Johnson '05 is grateful for this Sigma Nu lesson, which he's prioritized throughout his life and career. Andy began his freshman recruitment in the winter, realizing in the first quarter how easily he could get lost on the large campus. He came to know some Gamma Chi brothers through events and intramurals, immediately falling in love with the chapter house and its history. The brotherhood size was perfect for Andy, surrounding him with grounded students to connect with. "They didn't take themselves too seriously while exploring large personal or professional questions," he said. "They went out on campus and into the world with a smile on their faces the entire time." From the chapter house gymnasium to a basketball court that neighbored the sidewalk, there was always something to do in the brothers' free time. Andy fondly remembers games of touch football or foursquare on a whim; sometimes alumni even visited and joined in! Best of all, other students and athletes would come to hang out on the basketball court on a warm Seattle day. "Seemingly every time we played, it turned into an event; that's something I think about all the time," Andy shared. A TRUE TEAM EFFORT Andy joined his longtime employer, Lydig Construction, for the same reasons he chose Sigma Nu: it was large enough to be resourceful, but small and laid back enough that he knew everyone's name and enjoyed their company. That size and camaraderie also allowed for major innovation and professional growth. "Like in Sigma Nu, fresh ideas traveled fast and didn't get lost in the system." Andy began at Lydig as a college intern, worked out of state for several years, then returned to Seattle as the regional president. Since then, he's proud of the company's focus on public works projects like libraries, hospitals, and civic centers. "When we use public community funds, it's important to embrace the community's needs and how we can respond." Recent local projects include revitalizing Seattle schools, mass transit upgrades, and helping CLT plants reach their sustainability goals. WHY IT'S ALL WORTH IT "Joining Sigma Nu was easily one of the most influential decisions of my life," Andy declared. He encourages today's brothers to treat college as a full-time job and use their spare time for exploration. "You should have fun; you should doubt yourself; you should have the time of your life; you should make mistakes and grow from them." About half of Andy's wedding party was from Gamma Chi, and he keeps up with several brothers in group texts. When he's not at work, he serves on several nonprofit education and construction boards; he also enjoys spending time with his two young sons, taking them to museums, and (occasionally) working on his golf game. You can connect with Andy at ajohnson@lydig.com. "You can be successful and have as much fun as you want— if you show up and put in the work." Our latest effort to reach prospective recruits offers an immersive walkthrough of our chapter house. This marketing initiative is vital to stay competitive with the updated options available at UW. Scan the QR code to visit uwsigmanu.com/housetour and check it out! Gamma Chi According to Andrew Johnson '05 SIGMA NU 4

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