Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Missouri

MissouriAlpha • 4 • 10 0 Y ears o f Missouri Al p ha Vern Smith '73 and Dave LaRusso '76 Recognized with Prestigious Distinguished Alumnus Award C ertain volunteers stand out for their unselfish commitment to SigEp and our undergraduate brothers. They consistently go above and beyond the call of duty. They create and steer a vision for excellence, and they reinforce the values of our Fraternity, thereby leaving an indelible imprint on SigEp. The Distinguished Alumnus Award was created in 1978 to honor alumni volunteers. Since the award's inception, less than one percent of SigEp alumni have been recognized with this distinction. On the historic occasion of Missouri Alpha's 100th anniversary, we were extremely pleased to welcome two Missouri Alpha brothers to these ranks. While this is an individual award, it is simply impossible to mention one of these brothers without including the other. These two brothers make a great and dynamic team, and Missouri Alpha has benefited from their leadership for the past eight years. As undergraduate members of Missouri Alpha, Vern Smith '73 and Dave LaRusso '76 learned the principles of virtue, diligence, and brotherly love. They forged lifelong friendships and developed social and leadership skills that would set them apart from their peers. With confidence gained from Missouri Alpha, they applied these skills and became successful in the professional world. Only six years after graduating from the University of Missouri, Vern founded Federal Steel. Not to be outdone, Dave is the owner of DVL Enterprises. But neither of them forgot SigEp, their brothers, or our cardinal principles. Despite the infinite demands for their time, they always find time for SigEp. Since graduating, they have generously committed countless hours and more dollars than they'd like to remember to Missouri Alpha, all in an effort to ensure more undergraduate brothers receive the same opportunities they did through SigEp. Vern began diligently giving back to Missouri Alpha when it came time to renovate the chapter house. He played an instrumental role in restoring the house to pristine condition for the undergraduate brothers. In 2009, he was recognized for his work with SigEp's Volunteer of the Year Award. That same year, Vern assumed the role of AVC vice president, which he has held since. Vern continues to donate countless hours to maintaining the house, mentoring the younger members, supporting the recruitment processes by hosting meetings at his office, and facilitating recruitment events. He has also been known to recruit potential members himself when given the opportunity. Dave has served as Missouri Alpha AVC president for the past eight years and, before that, as AVC treasurer. Year after year, Brother LaRusso works with alumni and the executive board to ensure Missouri Alpha is financially sound so that the great tradition of virtue, diligence, and brotherly love continues. In addition to his efforts as AVC president, Dave has spent an enormous amount of time producing the semi-annual Tiger Heart newsletter, connecting members to alumni. It's difficult to imagine Missouri Alpha without the impact of Dave and Vern. What they do every year is life changing to so many of us, and it's often work that goes unrecognized. I have had the great fortune to work with both Brother LaRusso and Brother Smith during my time in the fraternity. Through countless meetings, phone calls, and chapter visits, some of them tense and heated, I have learned so many things—I would not have been nearly as successful during my time on the executive board had it not been for the meetings in Vern's office discussing recruitment or all the phone calls with Dave and Vern giving me advice on how to keep the chapter slightly under control. More than anything, I learned how to serve people and an organization that you love. Fraternally, Mark Flower '14 Chapter President 2012-13 UndergradUates recognized at centennial BanqUet FRED G. FEINFURT SCHOLARSHIP ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Presented to a brother exemplifying academic excellence. Brett Bange '14 RON CARR '71 "TOP GUN" AWARD Presented to an upperclassman who exemplifies the Balanced Man ideal and upholds the cardinal principles of virtue, diligence, and brotherly love. Michael Yenzer '16 BOB BROEG EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM AWARD Presented to an outstanding junior or senior exemplifying Bob Broeg's passion and talent in the study of journalism. Cole Kennedy '14 BEST ATHLETE AWARD Presented to an upperclassman who is the best all-around SigEp athlete. Jordie Oliver '16 OUTSTANDING NEW MEMBER AWARD Presented to a new member who represents the Balanced Man ideal. Max Pauley '17 JOHN W. HARTMAN OUTSTANDING BROTHER AWARD Presented to a brother whose excellence has set a standard worthy of emulation by all. Michael Weber '15 Vern Smith '73 and Dave LaRusso '76 have joined the one percent of SigEp alumni who have been recognized with the Distinguished Alumnus Award.

• Cover