Sigma Phi Epsilon - Missouri University of Science & Technology

PAGE 2 BEARTRACKS T he Conclave is a time for legislation concerning the affairs of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. Since day one, the undergraduates have had the commanding vote count. Almost 230 chapter delegates have the overwhelming majority over the 30 district governors and 20 national officers. SigEp has worked just fine in this way, and this Conclave, it was decided that all chapter's would implement the Balanced Man Program and remove the pledge/active model. Those chapters still operating with the pledge/active model were given one year to convert to the BMP, which SigEp initiated. While the Order of the Golden Heart is the highest award an individual brother can aspire to, the Buchanan Cup is the highest award for individual chapters. In recent Conclaves, MO Gamma has had strong submissions for this award. Around 40 Buchanan Cups are awarded to nearly 230 chapters. As the credentials for the winning chapters were read aloud during the past two Conclaves, we realized we were not going to win, and that we had some more work to do. This year, we were in euphoria when Chapter President Sebastian Klesing '18 walked across the stage to accept the Buchanan Cup, our first since 1997. SigEp raised the bar again as several of the awardees were selected as the best student organization on their respective campuses. We return with still more work to be done, but boy, do we have a grand Chapter to work with! Sebastian Klesing '18 and Scott Tucci '15 with the Buchanan Cup. LeRoy Thompson '56 and Grand President Phil Cox, Indiana '84, are Golden Heart Award recipients. John Parks '64 and his wife, Mary, at the Opryland Hotel during the Grand Conclave. GRAND CONCLAVE PROVIDES MO GAMMA WITH NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUCCESS M ike Schimidt '75 says that Rolla is not a place that gives most people the normal college experience. He remembers spending 98 percent of his time going to class, doing homework, taking tests, eating, and sleeping. The other two percent he said was spent trying to find female companionship, since the female population was so low on campus. Mike started his college experience in the dorms, but didn't find a connection with anyone there. A friend from high school joined Sigma Phi Epsilon, and Mike joined him at the Chapter House and liked the men and the feeling of brotherhood. "It was nice to have a group of guys that you could relax and commiserate with," Mike says. As an undergraduate, Mike served as treasurer, something that has been valuable in his professional and personal life. He now is treasurer of the alumni board where he works to improve and automate records for the Chapter and alumni board. "I learned so much as treasurer of the Chapter that I was able to apply to my professional and personal life," he says. "I remember the challenges of being treasurer of the house, and I want to make the position easier and more rewarding for all of the Chapter treasurers that I interface with." Serving on the alumni board was a great opportunity for Mike to reconnect with alumni, give back to the Chapter House, and meet older alumni. He says helping out with the alumni board or with the Chapter does not have to be a big commitment. "You can be involved as little or as much as you want," Mike says. "We can put your name on the list. We primarily need help with little tasks that are nice to have, but not critical. We need expertise in a wide range of areas. The guys at the Chapter or Mike Schmidt '75 Finds Life Lessons from Undergraduate Experience Giving Back to Missouri Gamma

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