Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Florida

Page 4 SigEp Meet Patrick Gallagher and Austin Chapman Resident Colony Leaders Coming to UF in 2016 O ne of the requirements and valuable services provided by the SigEp National Headquarters is the positioning of two experienced "colonizer" leaders to be in residence as the new Balanced Man Program colony is established. The two young men assigned to lead Florida Alpha's efforts to recolonize are highly qualified and motivated to undertake this important task. Both visited Gainesville April 9-11 for meetings with our alumni leadership, university staff, and to attend the annual Alumni and Volunteer Corporation meeting. Both are currently regional directors serving SigEp chapters, one in the mid-west and the other in the far west. Before coming to Florida they will lead the efforts to recolonize the SigEp chapter at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. Patrick Gallagher is a 2014 graduate from San Diego State University with a degree in kinesiology, pre-physical therapy. As an undergraduate he served as executive president of the Mortar Board Senior Honor Society, served as vice president of recruitment and service for the Rotaract Club, and worked as a head lifeguard at the university pool. Patrick is currently the regional director (we used to call them "field lizard") serving SigEp chapters in Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Austin Chapman is a 2014 graduate of Lawrence Technological University, Southfield Michigan, with a degree in architecture. While at LTU he served as IFC vice president, president of Order of Omega, a First Year Mentor team leader, a student ambassador, and an orientation and registration leader. Austin is currently the regional director serving chapters in 10 states in the northwest. Gallagher and Chapman Offer Their Impressions of UF and Our Recolonization Plans "One of the biggest keys to success is support from the university. I work with many Big 10 universities with large Greek communities and I am blown away by the support and investment the University of Florida faculty and administration have shown us so far. This is the result of the legacy and impact the alumni from Florida Alpha have had and the great relationships they've built. I cannot be more excited to be a part of that legacy and build something we all will be proud of." -Patrick Gallagher, San Diego State University '14 "The insight and advice we received from the University of Florida's administrative staff was invaluable. While we've barely scratched the surface, we have already identified multiple pipelines for talented young men. I am beyond impressed by the immense amount of support Florida Alpha has from its alumni and I consider it a great privilege to be a part of such a historic recolonization." -Austin Chapman, Lawrence Technological University '14 Question: What does "recolonization" actually mean, as opposed to just getting our charter reinstated? Does it mean a period of "probation?" How long before full membership? Answer: It is not a matter of "probation," but rather a period of learning, growing, and maturing as an organization to the point of being sustainable. Keep in mind that the new colony will be made up of all new undergraduates. If any of the previous undergraduate brothers are still around, and have an interest, they would be carefully screened and approved by SigEp National Headquarters and the Florida Alpha Alumni and Volunteer Corporation. The new undergraduates will be initiated and immediately become full members as they are accepted as members of the colony. That is how it will work in the "new" Sigma Phi Epsilon Balanced Man Program. Once established, the new colony, Sigma Epsilon Chapter, will not be recognized as the Florida Alpha Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon until it has met chartering criteria and had a petition approved by the Fraternity's National Board of Directors. This process typically takes 12 to 24 months and not more than 36 months. This ensures the Chapter's operations are sustainable and representative of a Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon. RECOLONIZATION Several Questions Asked by Alumni at a Florida Alpha Town Hall Meeting

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