Sigma Phi Epsilon - Missouri University of Science & Technology

mo gamma INSIDE THIS ISSUE Set Me Free Presidents Report Sharing Your Time with Others SPRING 2024 SET ME FREE "I heard you are going to Rolla for engineering," the friend said. "Isn't that one of the hardest schools in Missouri, and maybe even the country?" "I wanna be an engineer, and I can handle anything," the boy proudly replied. More famous last words may never have been spoken! MSM, aka UMR, and now Missouri S&T, is no doubt one of the most rigorous and challenging scholastic experiences in the country. For all of us who made it through, we are proud to be alumni. But it wasn't without dedicated hours of late-night studies, long lab hours, and falling asleep at your desk. It was always evident at breakfast which students had "pulled an all-nighter" cramming for a test that day or writing a lab report. Although the lack of sleep somewhat offset the intelligence gained, many of us felt compelled to stay awake all night to improve our test scores. But those who study hard, play hard for the downtime is more fun when you feel you deserve it. And the Ozarks of southern Missouri offered a chance to explore the outdoors. With some of the most scenic rivers (Huzzah, Jacks Fork, Current) within miles of Rolla, it was inevitable that fun-seekers from SigEp migrated to these rivers to let off some steam. Float trips started back in the 1960s when canoes ruled the waterways. I can only imagine what families floating by thought when they saw 90 bare-chested and fearless fraternity brothers loading their coolers into silver canoes on a rocky riverbank, preparing to take on the adventure of the day. The tradition that started 60 years ago continues today at SigEp. The event happens the first week of the fall semester—a great way to reconnect after summer and begin new friendships with incoming members. Rafts became widely used for floating back in the '90s, and last year the Chapter needed 10 rafts to accommodate their large group. Gone are the days of capsizing a canoe, wrapping it around a fallen tree and experiencing the temperature shock of cold water from nearby springs. While that made for some good stories, today's events still create lasting memories among brothers. (Our cover photo features last year's outing, as Ryan Ewald '26 displays an overwhelming release of stress.) (Continued on page 2) Brothers load their supplies in preparation for the spring 1969 float trip. Clockwise from far left: John Huff '71, Dave Baxter '76, Butch Barger '72, Fred Schweizer '72, [uncertain], Bob Meiners '71, [uncertain], Lauren Sperry '71, Steve Dieker '74, Tom Vosburgh '70, and Brian Topping '72.

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