Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Texas

p. 3 SIGMA PHI EPSILON Jim Strickland '79 Gives Back to Texas Alpha as General Manager C oming to the University of Texas as a freshman, Jim Strickland '79 knew nothing about fraternities, but after meeting the enthusiastic Buck Woodson '79, Jim learned about all SigEp had to offer and decided to join. Since graduation, Jim has stayed involved with the chapter in various roles because "my time at SigEp meant a lot to me and I wanted to give back." Jim has served on the alumni volunteer group, the education foundation board, and today is the general manager of the chapter house. His duties include supervising the porter in the cleaning of the house, helping the third-party contracted kitchen staff, working with the house manager, and interacting with the active chapter to help them in any way. Jim is present at the chapter house every day to make sure things are running smoothly, and he has been impressed with today's undergraduates. "These are incredible students and I marvel at the overall chapter GPA." His role as general manager is just another way for Jim to give back to the fraternity that has given so much to him over the years. "SigEp has everything to do with who I am today and provided the opportunity for me to grow as a leader. The experience I gained learning how to get along with people and work to a consensus has been invaluable to me in my sales career and also during my time as president of the Eanes School Board in Westlake. I came from a small town and was introduced to men from a wide variety of experiences socially and culturally. I really took to the principles our fraternity was founded on." If Jim didn't work at the chapter every day, he knows he would still be connected with Texas Alpha through attending functions such as tailgates and Founders' Day. "I wish more alumni would come to Founders' Day each year. The continuity and connectivity would greatly strengthen our chapter." Jim is also a proud Skull & Crossbones member. He feels joining helps maintain the chapter as an alumnus, and is "such a token amount compared to the benefits I have received from SigEp. If we all did our small part it would be incredible what we could accomplish as a sustaining fund." Today Jim lives in Austin and splits his time between Texas Alpha and his marketing and sales promotion firm. Reach out to Jim via e-mail at jimstrickland@austin.rr.com. Texas Alpha Executive Council: Cole Vehslage '16, Nick Lednicky '15, Preston Martin '16, Kyle Mason '16, Taylor Epperson '16, Cameron Johnson '16, JP Bach '15, Austin Kaiser '16, John Fletcher '16, Will Duffy '16, Brooks Beckelman '16, Parker Schramm '16, and Corey Fruithandler '16. T he Texas Alpha Chapter of SigEp flourished in the fall with the initiation of 52 new brothers, and we are excited to move forward with our semester goals and initiatives this spring. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL PROMOTES MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT This past November our chapter held elections for our new 2014-15 executive council. We are proud to have three returning members from last year's executive council: Taylor Epperson '16, Brooks Beckelman '16, and Cole Vehslage '16. Their work and dedication have made a tremendous difference over the past semesters. As an executive board, we plan to work on programs that promote membership development through all four years. We will continue the hard work of the former executive council and secure a Buchanan Outstanding Chapter Award at this summer's Grand Chapter Conclave. All 13 of us will travel to Oklahoma City to the annual Carlson Leadership Academy to learn more about our responsibilities and compare notes with SigEp chapters from across the southwest region. CAMPUS LEADERSHIP CONTINUES Maintaining our tradition of excellence, we had numerous individuals inducted into prestigious campus organizations and some selected to serve in leadership roles. Lee Lueder '16 was elected president of the Texas Interfraternity Council (IFC), which governs all 24 IFC fraternities on campus. Parker Schramm '16 was selected as a member of the Texas Cowboys, while Kevin Toth '16 and Peyton Wilson '16 became members of the Silver Spurs. CHAPTER TO HOLD CHARITY DODGE BALL TOURNAMENT This fall, SigEp took part in the Feed Texas Food Drive hosted by the UT student government. As a chapter we raised almost 300 cans to donate toward the 8,000-pound grand total, all donated to the Capital Area Food Bank. This spring we will host our annual charity dodge ball tournament with over 100 people competing. Our goal is to raise $5,500 to donate to the Lonestar Paralysis Foundation, whose mission is to help cure spinal cord paralysis. TEXAS ALPHA BASKETBALL LEAGUE RETURNS This semester, our basketball league resumed for its second year with an extremely high level of interest from all classes. About 70 active members will take part in this semester's competition. During winter break, a large number of SigEp members took part in the annual ski trip to Breckenridge, Colorado, organized by John Henry Swingler '15. We continued to thrive on campus in every aspect. With our incredibly high membership retention and the new initiation of 52 members, we know Texas Alpha will be well represented for years to come and maintain its position as one of the strongest and most elite fraternities at UT. We thank our extraordinary alumni for their continued support of the chapter, and we know that all of what we do is possible because of your generosity. We hope to see many of you around in the coming semesters and wish all of you a great year. HFF, Kyle Mason '16, President (832) 928-3127 kylemason1@utexas.edu Texas Alpha Continues to Be among Strongest UT Fraternities

• Cover