Sigma Chi - University of Memphis

The wise old owl Epsilon Kappa ChaptEr of sigma Chi fratErnity at thE UnivErsity of mEmphis spring 2014 FeATURes: Welcome, New Initiates 2 • Alumnus Spotlight 3 • Save the Date 4 I know most of you are ready to put the winter behind us and spring into spring! Though the Memphis winter has been very unpredictable, the Epsilon Kappa Chapter has been steady as a rock. It just seems to be routine to win the Peterson Significant Chapter Award and the Legion of Honor Award at the national level and just about every University of Memphis award or accolade available to a fraternity. Though they seem to make it look easy, it is really quite an accomplishment. The undergraduates' charitable efforts have raised thousands of dollars for local programs such as Special Olympics. The Chapter always sends multiple brothers to Balfour Leadership Training Workshop, Horizons, and Cornerstone. You can find information about these programs and a whole lot more at www.sigmachi.org. I encourage you to reconnect with Sigma Chi at this informative website, but especially at the local Chapter level. Whether active or alumnus, we should all be extremely proud of these fine young men. Your Housing Group won yet another Outstanding House Corporation award as well. In addition to having fiduciary responsibility for the Sigma Chi Chapter House, we work hard at keeping everything up to date and functional for the Chapter, especially the brothers who live in the house. As I mentioned in a previous newsletter, the house was built in 2004. The actives have taken great care of it, but like all things (including us!), it ages each year. We still carry a mortgage, as well. We've been able to keep things up to date in all areas with rents, creative financing, and great programs like the Scobey Society brick campaign. We've had several requests to continue the Scobey Society brick campaign. The first phase was very successful and the front walk looks great. You may continue to contribute to the Scobey Society, there are several options, and your dollars will go toward a personal brick when we open the second phase. It's a painless and convenient way to donate, makes your name (or an honoree's) a permanent part of the landscape, and is a great way to help the Chapter and House Corporation with ongoing expenses. Meanwhile, we have some very exciting plans for the summer and fall and know you'll want to join. Check out page 4 and stay tuned for further announcements. Over the last few years, the active Chapter has become the premier Greek organization at the University of Memphis. In fact, they are among the premier chapters in all of Sigma Chi. The Chapter has certainly earned our support. With a continuing effort from all of us, no matter how large or small, we can continue to help Epsilon Kappa climb to even greater heights. It's not just about financial support, although that's very important to maintain the highest level house and atmosphere. It's also about participation. We're planning a great event in late summer to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Epsilon Kappa. We also have other social opportunities for alumni to interact with actives. Check out the event information on the back page and plan to attend. Enjoy the newsletter. Let us hear from you, and please keep your address, telephone, and e-mail current with us and/or Sigma Chi Headquarters. The Epsilon Kappa actives, Memphis Alumni Chapter, and your Housing Group want to be a part of your life—I sincerely hope you'll consider being a part of ours. You won't be disappointed. In Hoc, Don Wilson '68 President, Memphis Sigma Chi Housing Group Inc. dwilson987@comcast.net sigma Chi: The Premier Greek organization at the University of Memphis Chapter Deserves Support for Continued Success T his past year has been a great one for our Chapter. We were able to recruit 30 new pledges who joined us last semester. Once recruitment was over, we started to work hard on Derby Days, where we raised over $12,000 for the Memphis Area Special Olympics and finished second overall with the ladies of Alpha Gamma Delta and the gentlemen of Kappa Alpha Order. We ended the semester with a 3.22 Chapter G.P.A., and the new initiates ended the semester with a 3.34 G.P.A. We are proud to announce that both of these scores were the highest on campus for actives and new members. Our fall semester academic success continued a string of thriving semesters which we hope to continue this spring. So far in 2014, we have had a successful basketball Homecoming with the ladies of Alpha Delta Pi, where we placed third overall. We look forward to a great GreekSing with these ladies as well. Spring recruitment has been going very well and we hope to initiate three new members soon. Our goals this semester are to work hard to continue on with our high G.P.A.s and to make our alumni proud with our progress as a successful Chapter. Alumni are always welcome to stop by the Chapter House and visit with us. We hope to see you soon! In Hoc, Jacob Pierce '14 Consul (901) 494-8137 jpierce5@memphis.edu Epsilon Kappa Stays on Top of Academic Rankings Jacob Pierce '14, Matt Coker '13, Stuart Dedmon '16, Luke Hooper '14, Mike Shaul '14, and Matthew Schwartz '14 with International Sweetheart Nominee for 2012-13 Micky Pietkiewicz.

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