Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Alabama

A s a freshman, Reaves Newsom '92 found that one of the best ways to get involved on campus was to join a fraternity. Not only did the Chapter provide him with life-changing opportunities and introduce him to individuals whom he is proud to call his brothers, but it also made him who he is today. "Being a member of Alabama Beta was the best experience I could've asked for. I made lifelong friendships as a result and we still keep in touch to this day. I instantly had a group of guys that I could relate to, rely on, and be held accountable to," he says. "They have been my biggest supporters through both the good times and the bad times, and I could not be more thankful to have them in my life." Reaves owes many of his memorable undergraduate experiences to Bill Patten '92, Joe Birdnow '92, Bret Waugh '89, Keith Jackson '91, Keith Trawick '90, and Chris Ackerson '90, all of whom encouraged him to become more involved in the Chapter and develop social and leadership skills that he would later utilize to pursue personal and professional interests. This unmatched camaraderie is a unique asset of Alabama Beta, and it is Reaves' hope that undergraduates will continue to be provided the same opportunities he had during his time in the Chapter. "These brothers had more of an impact in my life and in the Chapter than they will ever know, and they continue to impact me today." As an alumnus, Reaves maintains strong connections with Alabama Beta brothers. He enjoys taking advantage of opportunities to attend events for the Chapter, and he encourages alumni to do the same. "Stay in touch with people and take the opportunity to rekindle old friendships with brothers. I gained unforgettable memories, friendships, and life lessons from Alabama Beta, and it is time that we give back to the Chapter that gave us so much." Reaves is the proud owner of a company in Atlanta that specializes in building custom pools, and he is happy to have chosen a career path that he enjoys every day. One of Reaves' fondest childhood memories was fishing and hunting with his father, activities that he still enjoys to this day. When he is not hard at work, Reaves tackles various house projects and watches Alabama football regularly. Reaves and his wife, Carmen, have three sons: Grant, Will, and Russell. His oldest son attends the U of A and is in the Million Dollar Band. "My proudest achievements are my children. Everything else kind of pales in comparison to them," he says. You can contact Reaves at rnewsom4@gmail.com. THE RED DOOR Bonded by Brotherhood Reaves Newsom '92 Thankful for a Lifetime of Friendships and Support "I gained unforgettable memories, friendships, and life lessons from Alabama Beta, and it is time that we give back to the Chapter that gave us so much." SigEp WElcomES mS. mary FErrEri aS NEW HouSE DirEctor A labama Beta is pleased to announce Ms. Mary Ferreri as our new house director. Tyler Brake '17 says the men of SigEp are happy to have Ms. Mary on board. She has helped tremendously with food services, the house cleaning crew, and with Alumni and Parent's Weekends. Mary spends several hours each day at the house supervising activities. Mary is a Mississippi native and graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a B.S. in home economics and a minor in general business. After graduating, she spent time as a department manager at JCPenney and was manager and owner of Accents gift shop in Greenwood, Mississippi. Mary was an interior designer for 15 years with Malouf Furniture in Greenwood and later moved to Gulf Shores, Alabama, to open a store in Foley. She also taught culinary arts, career preparation, and personal finance at Gulf Shores High School for 10 years. Mary has two daughters and six grandchildren. On a personal note, Mary told us, "When the opportunity to be a house director presented itself, it was something that I had not considered. Now I am realizing that all my other career paths have been preparing me for this fun and rewarding lifestyle. The young men at Sigma Phi Epsilon have won my heart, and I hope they will always have a place in their hearts for me." Welcome to Alabama Beta, Ms. Mary. The undergraduate members, parents, and alumni all look forward to getting to know you. Roll Tide! Fraternally, Steve Mace '71 Help Is Needed to Furnish the Alumni Room for Our New Chapter House O ne significant feature of the new house that Alabama Beta will occupy is a room that will be designated as the alumni room. This special room will be the central gathering spot for alumni and their families when they visit the Chapter House for football Saturdays and other on-campus events. The plan is to furnish the room with comfortable sofas and chairs along with complementary tables and accessories. The AVC is in the process of raising funds to purchase furnishings for the room. The estimated cost for furnishings is $8,000 and approximately half of this amount has already been raised through alumni donations and the sale of commemorative bricks from the old Chapter House. If you would like to help with this project, you can either purchase a brick or send a check to AVC Alabama Beta, P.O. Box 362112, Birmingham, AL 35236. Be sure to indicate alumni room on the memo. We want the alumni room to be a special place we can all be proud of. Your donation truly makes a difference!

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