Sigma Chi - University of Memphis

2 The WISE OLD OWL Fourteen brothers received the Sigma Chi Military Recognition Pin for their honorable and courageous service to our country. EPSILON KAPPA CELEBRATES 60TH ANNIVERSARY By J.T. Mullen and Brett Collins '04 T he Epsilon Kappa Chapter of Sigma Chi celebrated 60 years on the University of Memphis campus, honored former Grand Praetor Tom McAdams, Vanderbilt '57, recognized alumni brothers for their service to the fraternity and to our country, and kicked off its capital campaign all in one night at the 60th anniversary Sweetheart Ball. Since Epsilon Kappa's founding on June 5, 1954, the Chapter has initiated 1,035 brothers into our fraternity. More than 160 brothers, representing all six decades of the Chapter's existence, attended the celebration. Richard Hester, 59th grand consul, served as the keynote speaker. Chapter Consul Jacob Pierce '11 provided an update on the Chapter's accomplishments. A huge part of their success can be attributed to the Chapter House that was funded and built from the support of generous alumni. Over the last decade, Epsilon Kappa has thrived through membership growth and development, campus impact, and community service. They have received: • Nine Peterson Significant Chapter Awards—Sigma Chi's top honor • Six Legions of Honor awards for top scholarship • Three U of M Chapter of the Year awards • 10 top finishes for semester grades • They have also raised more than $125,000 for Memphis Area Special Olympics and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The evening's guest of honor was Tom McAdams, who served as the grand praetor of the West Tennessee Province of Sigma Chi from 2000 to 2013. Under his leadership, the chapters in West Tennessee received five Most Improved Chapter awards, 28 Peterson Significant Chapter Awards, two Daniel William Cooper Awards for top scholarship programs, and three International Sweethearts and one runner-up. Brother McAdams led the rechartering of Vanderbilt and Cumberland (expected installation fall 2014) and the chartering of UT-Martin. In his honor, Epsilon Kappa created the Thomas H. McAdams Servant Leadership Award, which will be given annually to the undergraduate brother who displays outstanding servant leadership to Sigma Chi or the University of Memphis campus. This event was also about celebrating individual brothers who bring honor to Sigma Chi. There were nine brothers in attendance who received their Semi-Century Sig Award, which recognizes active membership for more than 50 years, including John Bannister '55 member of the first EK pledge class. In addition, we were able to bestow the Sigma Chi Military Recognition Pin to 14 brothers who honorably served our country after a moving tribute by Scott Miller '90 to Captain Brent Morel '95, who was killed in action in Iraq in 2004. Eleven brothers were given Grand Consul Citations for their service to the undergraduate chapter and Memphis Sigma Chi House Corporation. Keeping tradition, the brothers in attendance sang "The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi" to the 13 past Chapter Sweethearts in attendance. "This event was one of the proudest days in our Chapter's history," Jacob Pierce said. "It was a culmination of 60 years of accomplishments for Sigma Chi at the University of Memphis. We have shown 60 years of growth and success. Now we are going to build on that. Brothers are joining arms to grow and strengthen this tradition." Brothers from the 1980s, along with members from every decade, returned for the celebration.

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