Sigma Phi Epsilon - Washington State University

L ooking back on January 1971, Ken Christianson '74 believes there were two major influences on his joining SigEp. One was the Future Farmers of America, which he joined in high school. Ken's farm upbringing translated to working hard and taking responsibility while young, and he saw parallels between the FFA and fraternities as national organizations. The other came from two Washington Alpha members whom Ken admired from his hometown, Tom Rhone '72 and Craig Dewey '72. "As a young man of 19, it was a big draw to live with older guys you looked up to," he recalled. "Living with a group of men with a common identity, while having a Chapter House to call home, was also a strong motivator." Throughout college, Ken learned from his SigEp brothers and peers as they enjoyed social events and mixers. Some of his favorite memories come from the big dances, their annual prom at a resort on Lake Coeur d'Alene, and the Christmas Senior dinners at the Chapter House. In addition to serving as Chapter president, he remembers manning the lawnmower on Sunday afternoons and taking pride in maintaining their home's landscape. SIGEP AS AN ALUMNUS Ken first connected with the Washington Alpha AVC in 1998, the year before his oldest son entered college, hoping his boys might have the same Greek life opportunities at WSU. He didn't become a member at the time but continued attending meetings when possible for the next few years. Then, when Washington Alpha faced sanctions in 2002, Ken was asked to serve on the Alumni Review Board that attempted to save the Chapter. That effort may have failed, but Ken didn't give up. REGAINING BALANCE By 2003, the Chapter had closed, its house in poor condition, and prior AVC members had resigned. To resolve substantial Chapter debt, some alumni proposed selling the Chapter House and property. "Well, as a rule, most farmers don't favor selling their dirt," Ken said. Ken connected with SigEp National Housing for assistance in restructuring the debt, and he volunteered to form a new AVC. The new board landed some amazing alumni, and after a feasibility study with Pennington & Company, the AVC launched the capital campaign that would finance a Chapter House renovation and grow the scholarship endowment. "The campaign was a lot of work but also a high point for me—it allowed me to meet Washington Alpha brothers from so many different eras whom I otherwise would not have had the opportunity to know," Ken said. When Craig Dewey stepped up as AVC president, Ken was happy to focus more time on fundraising and developing The Washington Alpha newsletter with Pennington's assistance. Over 20 years later, as he prepares to step down, Ken hopes future AVC members and alumni members will spend a little time each year in Pullman to connect with undergraduates in person. "Such time can pay the greatest dividends, and the resulting relationships can truly last a lifetime." With this in mind, Ken encourages more alumni to consider serving at least a term on the AVC. "The baseline of every successful Chapter is engaged alumni. The AVC is not a lifetime commitment, but we are a stronger organization if we can periodically welcome new leaders and perspectives." PLANTING THE SEEDS Ken is blessed with a great family and looks forward to spending more time with his 15 grandchildren. Ken and his wife of nearly 50 years, Suzanne (an Alpha Gamma Delta at WSU), are working to turn their wholesale tree nursery business over to one of their sons and daughter-in-law. They are also moving out of their large family house while building a smaller, single-level home on the corner of their farm. "More travel, hiking, fishing, and hunting will also be in my crosshairs." Like plenty of chapters, Washington Alpha was hit hard with membership declines during the COVID years. Ken hopes that SigEp's young and future members will see the value of living and working together with a common identity, goals, and values, nonetheless. "May they always aspire to the highest standard of our Fraternity, to fill the Chapter House to capacity, and to build lifelong relationships," he said. "At age 73, I still hold in my heart the men I came to know while a SigEp at Washington State University." To connect with Ken and congratulate him on his AVC retirement, you can reach him at kgchristianson@gmail.com. Kenneth Christianson '74 Reflects on His AVC Years Keeping Our Roots Strong Charlie Aryes '28 | Lynden, Wash. Andy Higgins '28 | Los Altos, Calif. Brant Korpi '28 | Tahoma, Wash. Eason Pranino '28 | Richland, Wash. Welcome, New Members

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