Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Oregon

p. 3 SIGMA PHI EPSILON OregOn Beta Implements Balanced man prOgram Alumni Support Is Necessary for Chapter Success W ith the beginning of fall term 2015, Oregon Beta enters its 90th consecutive year on the University of Oregon campus. We are the only Fraternity on campus that has maintained that distinction. Entering this new year, Oregon Beta will begin its full implementation of the Balanced Man Program. Under the exceptional leadership of past President Casey Davis '16, the actives have done an excellent job of preparing for this new chapter in our Fraternity. Along with Casey, the Chapter had notable help from the National Fraternity. Seth Irby, Louisiana State '11, Logan Fletcher, University of North Dakota '12, Riley Little, Christopher Newport University '13, and Austin Chapman, Lawrence Technological '14 have made a number of visits to the Chapter this year to help the actives develop their implementation plan for the conversion. Each of those visits has involved numerous meetings with the actives and the development of strategies to complete the Sigma, Phi, and Epsilon components of the Balanced Man program. I am truly impressed with the professionalism of these young men and the skills they have shared with the actives. They truly embrace the tenets of our Fraternity and model it beautifully. We are fortunate to have the resources our National Fraternity provides the local chapters in making such fundamental changes. This change will not be easy, but I believe we will be a better organization for having made the move. I also trust our actives will embrace the program and will benefit greatly from the decision. The Balanced Man Program has components involving the help of alumni. As we determine these opportunities, we will reach out for your assistance. With modern technology, this assistance can be provided from afar. It is our hope that as these needs are defined, we can count on our alumni to provide support. Another notable happening this summer was the selection of Ken Maddox, Oregon State '75 as a recipient for membership into the Order of the Golden Heart by the National Fraternity. This is the highest honor an alumni member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity can receive. Ken, an Oregon Alpha alumnus, served on our board for a number of years and continues to provide support and assistance when needed. He has also served as the national director of the Fraternity and is president of the National Housing Board. Ken is very deserving of this award after decades of service to Sigma Phi Epsilon. In July, I had the opportunity to again meet up with 23 of the brothers I lived with at 1000 Alder during the 1969-70 school year. For three days, we caught up on where our lives have taken us for the past 45 years, sung a number of old songs and, again, shared the experience of being a brother of Oregon Beta, Sigma Phi Epsilon. We even had some "pig down" moments. I would like to give special recognition to Roger Gould '69 and Larry Ross '68 for putting together a wonderful weekend. Please make an effort to visit us this fall. We have an outstanding group of young men in the house whom you would be proud to call SigEp brothers. Fraternally, Pat Latimer '68 AVC President (541)688-0231 | latimerpat@comcast.net John Mize '02 Shares His Secret to Success J ohn Mize '02 began his Sigma Phi Epsilon membership as a freshman at George Washington University. The chapter was brand new at the time, but even so, John immediately clicked with SigEp's philosophy of sound mind, sound body, promoting academics and a healthy lifestyle. The next year, John transferred to the University of Oregon and Oregon Beta. He visited the Chapter over the summer, meeting many members, and realized it would be a good fit for him. As a sophomore at Oregon Beta, John served as chapter president, overseeing the operations of the Chapter along with the rest of the executive board. "I felt extremely welcomed by the men of Oregon Beta. The traditions were different than what I was used to at George Washington, but it really was an amazing experience." After graduating, John worked with SigEp National Headquarters in Richmond as a regional director, and later the director of the Balanced Man initiative. He currently works for BioStorage Technologies, a research company managing three areas of business: academic, government, and nonprofit foundations. He has worked in government relations, healthcare policy, new market development, and currently sits on the board of directors for Start A Snowball, an emerging nonprofit devoted to helping children engage in community service. SigEp played a vital role in preparing John for life after college. From George Washington University, he learned entrepreneurial skills from starting a new chapter, and at Oregon Beta, he learned how to manage a business from his year as president. Transitioning to working with the fraternity on a national level gave John the full experience of being a SigEp. "I've run the gamut with SigEp. All of my undergraduate experience and my roles with the National Headquarters combined prepared me for success as a young professional, and I'm very grateful. "To those who are graduating soon, are currently looking for work, or are already early in their careers, make sure to use your resources. There are many Oregon Beta and other SigEp alumni who would be great points of contact in an area you're interested in. Networking is key. Also, take initiative. Don't be afraid to identify different ways of doing things and building champions in your organization while taking on more responsibility for yourself. There is importance in providing more value than you may feel you're worth. We live in a culture of entitlement, but providing consistent hard work is a great way to improve your professional success. But whether it's a job, a relationship, or SigEp, the more you put into it, the more you get out of it." John and his wife, Stephanie, live in Land O'Lakes, Florida. They have three, soon-to-be four, children: Kensington, Maryalice, and Patrick, and one foster child, Jay, who will be adopted later this year. John spends his free time exercising, reading, participating in church and community service activities, and spending time with his family. You can contact John at john.mize84@gmail.com.

• Cover