Sigma Chi - University of Memphis

2 The WISE OLD OWL From his life in commercial real estate to his time as an active brother, Walter has always been a leader. "I would say holding the positions as an undergraduate helps you learn how to work with different groups of people. Everyone has different objectives and it's good to learn how to be a friend and get along with people. You aren't the sole person going through college. There will be people with similar goals and backgrounds to you, but not all of them will, and it's important to accommodate people." Walter's favorite memory from his undergraduate years was the construction of the fraternity house that began in 1972. "I didn't have a house from initiation to my senior year." Sigma Chi's impact on Walter's life has been great. "It was a game-changer. It gave me a chance to not only enhance my college experience but also heighten my leadership abilities. I gained a lot of friends for life." Today, Walter enjoys reading The Wise Old Owl and occasionally attends alumni events. In Hoc, Ean James Lindsey '27 Continued from page 1 WALTER'S ADVICE TO WALTER'S ADVICE TO UNDERGRADUATES UNDERGRADUATES "Your studies are paramount, but there is a blend of social and community things that you should enjoy as an undergraduate because you won't have the opportunity later in life. Don't let the enjoyment get into studies." A s a man in his early 40s, there are things that I appreciate now more than ever. One of those is fellowship and time with people I care about. This is exactly what the annual Sigma Chi canoe trip is all about. As a recruit, pledge, and active I found myself spending time with my brothers at Spring River in Hardy, Arkansas. As a matter of fact, it was the first time I had ever been in a canoe. I probably flipped 20 times the first time I went. What I was not aware of at the moment is that there were alumni from Epsilon Kappa doing the same thing. In the late '90s, Paul Bell '92 started a canoe trip to the very same river with seven of his fellow brothers. Since then, it's grown to a trip that averages almost 40 Sigma Chi alumni every year. Brothers come from all over the country to make this trip. As Paul said, "It's the one time each year where we get to see each other and get to pretend that we are 18 again." Keeping in line with the focus on fellowship, one rule that Paul has had since the beginning is that everyone who attends must eat together. Tom Cassidy '93, who is one of the founding members of this trip, has taken claim as one of the resident chefs. He cooks everything from catfish to steaks. As Tom says, "We sit down, eat, and pick up right where we left off. It's like we saw each other yesterday." The trip is at the same time every year: the third weekend of August. The guys who go are a little older now and they've gone from tent camping in 100-degree heat with an inappropriate number of supplies to renting campers and doing it big. As Kirk Caraway '94 put it, "We're no spring chickens anymore." Despite time going by, one thing seems to stay the same and that is the good times had by all. So brothers, if you're free the third weekend of August, I'd highly recommend you consider spending your time with your fellow alumni in Hardy, Arkansas. In Hoc, Neil Carrigan '07 "It's Like We Saw "It's Like We Saw Each Other Yesterday" Each Other Yesterday" The Sigma Chi Annual Canoe Trip Landon Abernathy | Oakland, Tenn. Tucker Hurdle | Memphis, Tenn. Ashton Matheney | Memphis, Tenn. Van Murdock | Arlington, Tenn. Kevin Nuckolls | Lexington, Tenn. Ethan Shinholt | Memphis, Tenn. Jesse Wickman | Arlington, Tenn. WELCOME, WELCOME, NEW MEMBERS! NEW MEMBERS! "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." –Van Murdock '28 "It was a good experience talking to such a decorated and valuable Sigma Chi alumnus such as Mr. Walter during our interview." –Ashton Matheney '28 "There are no strangers, only friends we haven't met yet." –Landon Abernathy '28 Notes from Our New Members

• Cover