Sigma Chi - University of Memphis

3 siGMA CHi Ryan Estes '17 on the first place football Homecoming parade float. Memphis Sigma Chi Housing Group Inc. President Don Wilson '68 Vice President Kirk Caraway '94 Treasurer Chuck Pierce '06 Secretary Sam Coates '12 Members Bunky Wingfield '68 Mike Richmond '68 Kurt Voldeng '89 Michael Wiegert '89 Mike Keenan '89 Stephen Evers '95 Gray Bowles '06 Sigma Chi Launches Old Masters Program W e are looking for alumni to participate in a new program called the Old Masters Program. The purpose of Old Masters is to introduce the undergraduates to alumni who can provide advice, avenues for resume building, internships, and jobs. In this tough economy it can help jump-start the career of one of our own while also creating bonds between brothers of different ages. We welcome alumni to come to Chapter meetings or to set up meetings with undergraduates individually. Please contact Consul Jacob Pierce '14 at jpierce5@memphis. edu or (901) 494-8137 if you are interested in participating. Kirk Caraway '94: A Sigma Chi Through and Through B rother Kirk Caraway '94 says he "got lucky" when it came down to becoming a Sigma Chi. He was rushed early by three Sigma Chi brothers from his high school and pledged in the fall of 1989. Kirk was very involved in the Chapter as an undergraduate. Through his years in the Chapter he held numerous positions, such as Rush Chairman, Annotator, and Consul. He is also a very active alumnus. For a number of years he has held a position on the Sigma Chi Housing Group, Inc. Board and is now serving as the Vice President. Kirk has many special and great memories from his time in the Chapter, with his first Derby Days event at the New Daisy while he was pledging as his favorite. Kirk was still 17 at the time and said, "It was great to see all of the guys come together to have a lot of fun, yet still support a worthy cause like Special Olympics." Another one of his favorite memories was serving as Consul his senior year. He enjoyed having the responsibility of being the face of the Chapter. After graduation, Kirk attended the University of Memphis Law School where he graduated with honors in 1997. He is now a partner at Allen, Summers, Simpson, Lillie & Gresham PLLC and represents large and small employers, governmental entities, non-profit foundations, staffing companies, trucking companies, and individuals in cases involving employment issues, personal injuries, workers' compensation, and complex civil litigation. Kirk was selected by the Memphis Business Journal as a member of the "Top 40 Under 40" in 2009, and in 2011 was the recipient of the University of Memphis College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Alumni Award. He currently serves as the President of the Memphis Bar Association, which has over 2,000 attorneys and judges as members. Sigma Chi helped Kirk find his way into law thanks to two older brothers in the Chapter who were in law school and helped him get acclimated. A number of other brothers were practicing law in Memphis by the time he graduated. Kirk says, "It just helps to know people." During Kirk's time in the Chapter, he said that Dr. Ted Mealor, Gamma Theta '62, the Chapter Advisor, had a great influence on the Chapter and his college experience. "Dr. Mealor was never condescending and was always willing to help." As the Vice President for the Sigma Chi Housing Group, Kirk always makes time to visit the house. He says, "The current undergraduate Chapter has done an excellent job. Their advisors and the alumni have given them the tools to succeed and they have used that to their advantage. Our fraternity is the best on campus." Kirk stresses that all alumni should make sure that the Housing Corporation has their contact information so they can be on the e-mail list and receive the newsletter. He also wants alumni to attend events held at the house to see for themselves how Sigma Chi has prospered at the U of M. Kirk and his wife, Anne, and have two boys that he assures are future Sigs. Kirk still plays in baseball and basketball leagues in his free time, and he serves as a coach for his boys' sports teams. Overall, Kirk Caraway has made Sigma Chi a lifelong commitment and is a Sigma Chi through and through. In Hoc. "The current undergraduate Chapter has done an excellent job. Their advisors and the alumni have given them the tools to succeed and they have used that to their advantage. Our fraternity is the best on campus."

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