Sigma Nu - Louisiana Tech University

3 C U L T I VAT I N G A L E G A C Y Remembering My Brother, Mike Hoogland HZ407 ■ WHERE WE'RE GOING (and How You Can Help!) Our new chapter house at 809 W. Mississippi is beautiful and an undeniable long-term asset for Eta Zeta. But due to supply chain issues and inflated material costs brought by COVID-19, it cost approximately $3.6 million to build—which is much higher than our original $3 million estimate. Since the pandemic, interest rates have risen to levels not seen in years. Even so, thanks to your generosity, the House Corporation has fulfilled its debt-service obligations with our lender, Louisiana National Bank. e current construction loan balance is approximately $1.9 million, and our interest rate is prime plus .5%. We need to pay down the principal—ideally to an amount under $1 million—and enter long-term financing at a fixed rate that can be serviced from membership rental revenue. ■ HERE'S THE ASK: Would you join us in our efforts to pay down the principal? Many of the brothers who donated sacrificially to complete the house are willing to give again, but they can't do it alone. Your investment in Eta Zeta could not come at a better time. Alumni interest is high, the undergraduate chapter is poised to grow, and its officers are committed to the Love, Truth, and Honor ideals that built Eta Zeta into the place we knew and loved. e Louisiana Tech Foundation allows us to give tax-deductible contributions for the benefit of the Sigma Nu House Project. We do not know whether this tax-deductible route will remain open forever, and we want to seize the opportunity while it lasts. If you're willing to answer the call, please reach out and we'll provide the information necessary for you to give through the Louisiana Tech Foundation. ank you for your consideration, and "Remember that Love, Truth, and Honor never go out of style." Sigma Nu at Louisiana Tech is head and shoulders above any other fraternity on campus. Please visit if you haven't already. You'll be proud! Love, Honor, Truth Jason Smith HZ642 Alumni Chapter Commander (318) 218-4985 | jsmith@bonvenubank.com e State of the Chapter G rowing up with Mike Hoogland HZ407 as my older brother was an adventure every day. We were less than four years apart, so life was a constant competition. Whether it was sports, school, or even card games or Atari, we were always trying to outdo each other. I'll admit, I had the edge in grades—studying was my thing, and he preferred to wing it. But despite the rivalry, we were best friends. Mike chose Sigma Nu because, despite his "wild and fun-loving" persona, he knew the men of Sigma Nu were what he needed. Our dad was a Pike, and many friends were Pikes or Kappa Sigs, but Mike followed his heart, seeking the true brotherhood Sigma Nu offered. Some of my favorite memories of Mike at Tech are the times we hosted Sigma Nu events at our house in Ruston. From Bid Night to the annual crawfish boil, our home was the hub. It was a lot of work—Mike and I would prepare the yard, clean up aerward, and manage the pre-party with our parents. We had belly flop contests, a slip-and-slide, and dunk contests. Every year was a huge success. Mike had a huge heart, and his generosity was evident in everything he did. He oen gave his landscape design expertise to schools and organizations, volunteered in leadership roles, and hosted events at his home. He was a legendary party host. Aer the tornado destroyed the Sigma Nu house, Mike donated his services, creating a new landscape and installing a green. Mike led by example, showing that you could work hard and play hard. His actions, not words, inspired those around him. His work ethic was unmatched, and his influence on younger brothers was profound. In the family business, Mike's talent for envisioning possibilities was also unmatched. He could see potential in properties others overlooked, turning them into something extraordinary. He also had the rare ability to connect with people and make their dreams into reality. Mike valued Sigma Nu more deeply than most realize. He oen said he might not have made it through college without the fraternity, and the bonds he formed with men like Ricky Rogers HZ386 shaped who he became. e fraternity's values resonated with him, and he gave back whenever he could. Above all, Mike cared about his family. He worked hard to please others, oen spreading himself thin because he couldn't say no. But his family always came first. If I could say something to Mike now, I'd tell him they are all doing well. His wife is handling everything as best as she can, and his sons are running their businesses like pros. His daughter just got married and seems to have it all figured out. I check in on them oen, and I miss him deeply. I'd tell him that his grandchildren, Marshall and Camille, are as cute as can be. I'd finish by saying that I hope I have a few more years le down here to make new memories, and when the time comes, I'll see him again soon. Mike's legacy is one I carry with me. His passion for landscaping, storytelling, and generosity le a lasting impression. He had a way of making people feel better about themselves and was truly a top-notch guy. Fraternally, David Hoogland HZ508 (318) 680-2365 | dhoogland@cf-ins.com CONGRATULATIONS to Our Newest Alumnus! Jacob Norsworthy HZ1426 plans to stay at Tech for his MBA. jacobnors03@gmail.com (Continued from page 1)

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