Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Colorado

Sigma Phi EPSilon AVC CelebrAtes site WAll DeDiCAtion At HomeComing D uring Homecoming 2013, SigEp brothers, families and friends gathered to hear from Alumni Volunteer Corporation President Gert Van Moorsel '82 about the success of the Bonds of Brotherhood: The Campaign for Colorado Alpha. Below are excerpts from Gert's report. "As many of you know our Chapter was chartered in 1904, just three years after the national fraternity was founded. We were one of the first 25 chapters in existence, and the first SigEp chapter west of the Mississippi. In 1923 our brothers erected the Grande Olde Chapter House, which the Colorado Alpha Chapter has continually owned and occupied ever since. There have been numerous improvements and changes made like moving the dining hall to the basement; making a housemother's suite, which will now be used for a future resident scholar; and in the '90s the framing was reinforced and the Chapter room expanded. Over the last six years, the AVC has overseen more than $400,000 in capital improvements. Many necessary improvements to the Chapter House were made with those dollars, including replacement windows, repairing of cast stone cornices, and remodeling of bathrooms. But, in my mind, this $190,000 site wall stands out as being special. It is special because it could not have been built without the time, talents, and treasures of so many alumni. It was really the Bonds of Brotherhood: The Campaign for Colorado Alpha that gave this AVC the confidence to move forward with the planning and execution of this project. I want to wholeheartedly thank each and every brother who donated to the campaign. I also want to acknowledge the AVC housing committee. Formed in 2007, the committee provided leadership and made the decisions required to move this project forward. We are also grateful to our neighbors, the Chi Omegas, for negotiating an easement that now allows our fence to keep its traditional place, and to the Colorado Alpha volunteers who did the planning and design of the fence. All of us believe in the core values of our fraternity: the balanced man, sound mind and sound body. We were given the opportunity to experience lifelong bonds of brotherhood, and I am excited to pass that on to future generations of Colorado Alphas." S igEp provided Don Morris, Iowa Beta '78, with opportunities to develop and practice leadership skills while he was an undergraduate. Years later, after a successful 32-year career at IBM, Don has chosen to give back to SigEp and is now the counselor for Colorado Alpha Chapter. Don was invited to Iowa Beta during Greek Week at Iowa State University and met a group of guys he felt very comfortable with, including a few brothers from the east coast where he grew up. "Living in the Chapter House was the best four years of my life. The opportunity to be exposed to the national Fraternity also laid a strong foundation to stay engaged throughout my life," Don shared. He credits his networking in the Fraternity as momentous help to his career. "My contact with SigEp or people associated with the Fraternity opened most of the doors in my life. For example, I credit a conversation with Wally Doud, Wisconsin Beta '48, a former IBM executive and SigEp grand president, with creating an opportunity that got me to IBM." Don advises undergraduates that the most important part of job searching is networking and to use your time in the Fraternity to your advantage. "The idea of following your heart and passion has merit, but I think it needs to be tempered with an understanding of what skills are in demand in a rapidly changing market. So know the market and skills required and shape your education and experiences to match that demand. Also, the personal touch, knowing someone who knows you, is essential to stand out from the pack." While at IBM, Don spent half of his time in HR positions and the balance in the technology consulting side of the business, focused on building and managing consulting practices from a people and operational standpoint. Now that he is retired, he is devoting his time to the undergraduates at the chapter near him. "Coming from a different chapter and undergraduate experience, I've been trying to absorb the Colorado Alpha culture and understand the Greek system at CU. A lot has changed over the years in terms of the extent of programming in SigEp and even the leadership structure," Don shared. "I've really enjoyed working with the executive board and getting to meet many of the other undergraduate brothers. We've had our challenges, but so far our successes are plenty." He encourages other alumni to get involved and volunteer. "Whether forming a one-on-one mentoring relationship or taking a leadership role on the AVC, we very much need alumni support and involvement. I appreciate what those who are involved are doing and, in many cases, have done for many years, but there is definitely a need for more help," Don said. "I've found the undergraduates are an appreciative group, so the satisfaction of helping someone, making a difference in his life, is there and rewarding." Don and his wife, Alicia, live in Louisville, Colorado. E-mail: morris208@comcast.net SIGEP CONNECTIONS PROVIDED CAREER SUCCESS FOR ALUMNUS Colorado Alpha brothers and Don at the Carlson Leadership Academy in Newport Beach, Calif., held March 1.

• Cover