Sigma Phi Epsilon - Missouri University of Science & Technology

pAGe 2 BeArTrACks Onward and Upward Spotlight on Dr. John Parks '64 Q: Why did you decide to join Sigma Phi Epsilon? A: My close friend from high school, John Minton '64, and I attended a few different fraternity functions during the summer and SigEp seemed like the best fit. At SigEp there was frequent talk about the brotherhood, how you helped each other and how these friendships would last a lifetime. We liked what we saw at 500 West 8th. The members seemed more mature, were people we would like to be friends with, so we conferred with each other and leapt in. Joining the best fraternity—one with admirable goals built upon a moral basis—as we did when we joined SigEp was very lucky. Q: What did your undergraduate experience at MO Gamma mean to you? A: During my undergraduate years at MO Gamma real friendships were developed. Later when my father passed away, having lost scholastic focus, you could find me bowling at the local lanes, participating in the Missouri School of Mines bowling team for the NCAA tournament held at Nebraska, or taking part in other diversions such as hanging out in the music room. I left school for a period; however, because of the strong SigEp MO Gamma ties I knew there was a home with supporting friends to go back to. As a result, I did go back, earning my BSEE from MS&T in 1964, a masters from St. Louis University and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri at Columbia. Q: What are some of your favorite memories? A: Hanging out on the porch steps in the front of the house and in the kitchen late at night talking about important matters such as, 'Is our solar system just an atom in another world?' I remember walking to the physics and chemistry buildings for major exams with Bob Putz '64, Paul Raidt '64, John Gladysiewicz '64, and Ed Kozeny '63 and studying the book on the way. The intramural sporting events were always a highlight, with participation and support for our teams against the "Jock house" (Sigma Nu at that time). Q: What offices did you hold in the chapter as an undergraduate? A: As an undergraduate, I was pledge master during the second semester of my freshman year and was nominated for vice president during the first semester of my sophomore year, but lost by one vote. As an alumnus, I've served as vice president and scholarship chairman. Q: What advice would you give to undergraduates or younger alumni who are early in their careers? A: Set priorities and keep them in mind as you make choices along the way. Stay in touch with your family and friends back home to help keep you focused. Guard your integrity, for its easy to let it go but very difficult to ever get it back. John is now retired from a career in engineering at McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing). He also taught undergraduate engineering classes and graduate courses. John spends his time with his wife, Mary, son, John, and daughter-in-law, Michelle, and enjoys supporting his grandchildren at their sporting and school events. He is also trying to complete a technical paper for professional journal submittal and is a multi-engine rated pilot. He can be contacted at jp2jp2@sbcglobal.net. "A" First New Goal Set for SigEp Members W e don't want to let this date pass nor the time unrecorded. On Wednesday, April 9, 2014, at 3:30 in the afternoon in the SigEp fraternity house, Lafe Windmiller '16 assembled a Sigma Accelerator Program task force consisting of five members and five alumni. All were present and engaged. The immediate topic was the blueprint for the Chapter's planning to have every single one of our fall 2014 Sigma class get an "A" on their first exams in both math and chemistry. This is viewed as a crucial first step toward having brothers repeat this success on each of their exams in math and chemistry during their first semester at MS&T. This planning is going on four months before the new Sigma class member is even selected. When you read this, the new Sigma members will all have names, they will have been told of our ambitious objective for all of them to achieve an "A" on their math and chemistry exams in the fall of 2014, and will all be aware of our planning, expectations, and work on their behalf. In a later Beartracks, we will be reporting data on the Sigma class results on their first exams. We expect the results to set new standards for this Sigma class, for our SigEp chapter, and for the Greek community at MS&T. Conner McCurley '16, a sophomore from Yukon, Oklahoma, will be charged with continuing Lafe Windmiller's plans for our Sigma class this fall. Alumni and scholarship committee members Brett Hagler '15, Zack Barrentine '15, Josh McBride '15, and Scott Tucci '15 discuss the new Accelerator Program. President Scott Tucci '15 VP of Programming Tommy Belshe '16 VP of Finance Sam Manson '15 VP of Recruitment Matt Achelpohl '18 VP of Member Development Scott Tanner '14 VP of Communications Alex Miles '14 VP of Risk Management Brett Payne '15 Chaplain Josh McBride '15 Scholarship Lafe Windmiller '16 House Manager Jake Kistler '16 Steward Zach Boswell '16 spring executive Officers

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