Sigma Chi - University of Memphis

The WISE OLD OWL Epsilon Kappa ChaptEr of sigma Chi fratErnity at thE UnivErsity of mEmphis Spring 2025 FEATURES: Annual Canoe Trip - 2 • Building on Our Achievements - 3 • Chapter Goals - 4 Alumni award recipients gather at Homecoming 2024. From left: Brett Collins '04 (Seven Lights Award, 2019), Kirk Caraway '94 (Seven Lights Award and Significant Sig Award, 2024), Kurt Voldeng '89 (Seven Lights Award, 2023), Zac McRae '00 (Seven Lights Award, 2023), Trevor Beahm '08 (Seven Lights Award, 2021), and Jamie Russell '02 (Seven Lights Award, 2020). O n October 25, 2024, the Alumni Association and Housing Corporation hosted a Homecoming social at the fraternity house. At that event, several of our alumni were recognized for awards that had been received over the last couple of years. The Seven Lights Award is presented to alumni who have demonstrated significant service to Sigma Chi. To be eligible for this award, a recipient must have 10 or more years of experience as an active fraternity alumnus. No more than 28 Seven Lights Awards are given annually. Epsilon Kappa alumni have consistently shown that they go above and beyond to serve Sigma Chi. The recipients of this award who were recognized at the Homecoming social were: • Brett Collins '04 – 2019 Recipient • Jamie Russell '02 – 2020 Recipient • Trevor Beahm '08 – 2021 Recipient • Zac McRae '00 and Kurt Voldeng '89 – 2023 Recipients • Kirk Caraway '94 – 2024 Recipient Epsilon Kappa Excellence RECOGNIZING SEVEN LIGHTS AND SIGNIFICANT SIG HONOREES Additionally, Sigma Chi bestows upon alumni the Significant Sig Award, which recognizes those members whose exemplar achievements in their fields of endeavor have brought great honor and prestige to the name of Sigma Chi. Sigma Chi has recognized fewer than 2,500 brothers since the award's introduction at the 1935 Grand Chapter, which is less than one percentage (1%) of the membership. Alumni in any profession, occupation, or philanthropic endeavor who meet the highest-level of achievement are eligible for consideration. At the Homecoming social, Kirk Caraway '94 was recognized as a recipient of the 2024 Significant Sig Award. He plans to attend the Sigma Chi Grand Chapter this summer in Aurora, Colorado, to receive this award. On behalf of Epsilon Kappa and all Sigma Chis, we extend our thanks to these brothers who have provided service and distinction to our fraternity. In Hoc, Memphis Sigma Chi Housing Group Inc. "As a life-loyal Sigma Chi, the prestigious honor of winning the Seven Lights Award is something I'll forever cherish and be proud of receiving. I loved my time as an undergraduate, but I've found that my alumni years have been the most rewarding. Being recognized for my efforts to support the fraternity has deepened my commitment even further." –Zac McRae '00 W alter Allen '73 is a former magister, recruitment chairman, pro consul, and consul. He has also helped with the Mud Island and Peabody development. Before most of his greatest accomplishments, however, he was there on Bid Day asking himself the same question as us all: where do I belong? We had the chance to ask Brother Walter, "What made Sigma Chi the right fraternity for a man like yourself? He responded, "After going through formal recruitment and visiting all the chapters at the University of Memphis, I felt like the fellows of Sigma Chi were most compatible with me. I also liked what the pledge program was about. The guys had similar high school backgrounds and sports interests. The Chapter leadership impressed me." We wanted to get to know him more, so we asked about his family. "My wife is Susan; we have a blended family with our sons and grandsons." In his free time, "I'm a person who continues to run and go cycling. I like to fly fish when I can, and I enjoy photography." Now, on to his career. "I started with a company that was a property management firm and got an opportunity to run a division in that company. I formed my own company in 1986 through 2020 called Integra Realty Resources where I got to serve in several leadership positions. I still work part time today even though I retired in 2020," Walter shared. "Starting in 1983, I built the company to be the largest real estate appraisal in the MidSouth. I helped with the Mud Island and Peabody development. I worked with the largest real estate workers in the market and worked with prominent attorney firms." Continued on page 2 ALWAYS ALWAYS A LEADER A LEADER MEET WALTER ALLEN '73

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