Alpha Mu Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity at Auburn University
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SAE PAGE 3 Going through recruitment can be an overwhelming process. Why did you join Sigma Alpha Epsilon? Bobby: I joined SAE because of the people that were in the chapter. I looked at other fraternities, but SAE was the right fit for me. Chip: It was just easy to connect with those recruiting me and then the chapter as a whole. Did you hold any offices in the chapter as an undergraduate? Bobby: Yes. I served as president (EA) of the chapter in 1995 and held some other offices along the way. Chip: Eminent recorder, eminent deputy archon, eminent archon – two terms. What degree did you earn from Auburn University? Bobby: B.S. in business administration/ management. Chip: Business management. What is your current position and what do you do specifically? How did you get started in that field? Bobby: I am a partner in the Montgomery, Alabama, office of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP. I went to law school at the University of Alabama following my graduation from Auburn. I started practicing law in 1999 and have been with my current firm since 2005. Chip: Practicing cattleman; my father got me going in the field. How, if at all, did being in SAE impact your career path? Bobby: It impacted it tremendously. I joined my law firm because of my fraternity brother, and our outgoing house corporation president, George Parker '94. George and I stayed in touch over the years and when he heard I was looking to change law firms, he took the lead in bringing me over to our current firm. Chip: Pledgeship gave me confidence and greater determination. Looking back on your time in the chapter house, do you have any special memories? Bobby: ere are a ton of good memories. Most of them do not come from the parties, but from spending time at the house on a day-to-day basis. Of course, the parties were good too. Chip: I wish I could go back and listen to my pledge brothers joke to each other. How many years did you serve on the house corporation? What offices did you hold? Bobby: I have served on the house corporation for eight years. During that time, the chapter has had many positive accomplishments. We became the first chapter on Auburn's campus to implement a drug testing policy. We also recently completed a major improvement project to the grounds. Chip: Fieen years; secretary and president. Why did you decide to get involved with the house corporation? Bobby: I wanted to give back to the chapter that was such an important part of my college years. It was an easy decision to agree to serve when I was asked. Chip: I was recruited by an existing house corporation member. What are some goals you have for the future of Alabama Alpha Mu? Bobby: ere is so much scrutiny placed on fraternities these days that it is difficult for chapters to flourish. e national fraternity recently eliminated the pledgeship period because of some poor decisions of chapters at other colleges, which is going to make it difficult for our chapter to make sure only quality guys are becoming brothers. My goal is that the chapter will put extra emphasis on the rush process to try and make sure we keep our standards where they need to be. If that happens, everything else will take care of itself and the chapter will be strong. What advice do you have to offer undergraduate members? Bobby: Make the most out of your experience in the fraternity and in college. Important friendships and connections can be established during your time at Auburn that will benefit you, both personally and professionally, for a lifetime. When you leave Auburn and the chapter, make it a point to follow up with your fraternity brothers. Maintaining the connections will be important to you as the years pass. Chip: Treat school like a job so you can have fun aer the day is done. Bobby and his wife, Katie, live in Montgomery and have been married since 1996. ey met at Auburn, where her brother, Charlie Saunders '94, was his SAE big brother. e couple has two children, John (9) and Claire (7). You can reach Bobby at bpoundstone@babc.com. Chip and his wife, Kayla, live in Prattville, Ala. His stepson Jake Minor '17 is a SAE, and son, Ford, is a sophomore in high school. Chip enjoys riding around his farm and bird hunting. You can contact him at chip@clevelandriddle.com. Former House Corporation Members Share Their Chapter Memories Spotlight on Robert "Bobby" Poundstone '95 and Chip Cleveland '93 WELCOME, FALL NEW MEMBERS SAE Robert H. Adams* Fairhope, Ala. Trent K. Baggerly* Fairhope, Ala. John D. Baxter Fairhope, Ala. Baylor M. Beck Atlanta, Ga. James R. Behrmann Midland, Texas omas C. Buckner Tion, Ga. omas E. Clark Mobile, Ala. Alexander Q. Conlon Ashburn, Va. Wilkins H. Cook* Shorter, Ala. omas B. Crane* Birmingham, Ala. Edmund C. Dyas Mobile, Ala. Zachary E. Dyas Fairhope, Ala. David A. Engerson* Mobile, Ala. Whitney T. Evans IV* Macon, Ga. Dominic A. Ferraro* Cornelius, N.C. Stephen R. Fleming eodore, Ala. Dylan J. Goff Mobile, Ala. Frank S. Goodman Jr. Atlanta, Ga. William C. Harrison Atlanta, Ga. Jonathan E. Hefner Jr.* Macon, Ga. Cole N. Henseler Fairhope, Ala. Wilson Herrick* Montgomery, Ala. Jacob M. Johnson Mobile, Ala. Christopher A. Johnson Fairhope, Ala. Travis M. Kinney Atlanta, Ga. James G. Leonard Hilton Head, S.C. Samuel D. Lupas Jr. Cashiers, N.C. Marshall T. McGarity* Macon, Ga. Harry C. Meadows* Opelika, Ala. Robert D. Meister Fairhope, Ala. omas L. Newberry Atlanta, Ga. Nelson N. Newman Fairhope, Ala. Daniel A. Owen Atlanta, Ga. Heath C. Pitman Fairhope, Ala. Claude A. Puckett III Fairhope, Ala. Avery Roberts Marietta, Ga. William B. Smith Birmingham, Ala. Jeffrey A. Stallings Jr. Montgomery, Ala. Robert G. Strachan* Knoxville, Tenn. Philip V. Street Fairhope, Ala. Patrick M. Tart* Fairhope, Ala. Benjamin S. Timberlake Atlanta, Ga. Jack W. Traon Tallahassee, Fla. Marc S. Vallee Mobile, Ala. Robert W. Vansant Atlanta, Ga. William K. Vahle Orlando, Fla. John T. Williams V* Macon, Ga. *Legacy