Sigma Phi Epsilon - Florida State University

ΣΦΕ The SigEp Seminole FLORIDA EPSILON s FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY s SIGMA PHI EPSILON Summer 2016 INSIDE: Welcome, New Members 2 s Alumnus Signs with Jacksonville Jaguars 2 s SigEp Sets the Standard 3 FLORIDA EPSILON LEADERSHIP PURSUES HOUSING OPTION NEAR CAMPUS I hope your summer is going well. In Tallahassee, we have some exciting news on the future of Florida Epsilon. After hearing alumni feedback at the spring game tailgate and through a study conducted by our fundraising partners, it was clear a strong majority of our alumni favored a housing direction near campus rather than moving forward in Heritage Grove. The Alumni Volunteer Corporation (AVC) is actively pursuing that direction and we have a contract on a property that has potential near campus, our due diligence period is through late October. Our goal is to present a housing plan during the Ole Miss alumni tailgate in Orlando on September 5, if the project passes city zoning and looks financially viable. Land is much tougher to acquire around the FSU campus with the explosive growth around Gaines Street and College Town. While this housing project will be smaller than 123 Copeland, the AVC will work diligently to make the look and feel worthy to hang our red door. We feel fortunate to have a property to pursue that's in the FSU footprint and provides a better location for our current members and alumni to come together for brotherhood. Please turn to page 4 for details on the SigEp alumni tailgate in Orlando for the Ole Miss game. We hope to see you there and provide more exciting details on the future of our great Chapter at Florida State University. Go Noles! Fraternally, Rob Atkisson '93 AVC President (850) 321-0539 Ted Ruta '62 Creates and Leaves a Legacy at Florida Epsilon B eing in a Fraternity opens you up to a side of life and a sense of camaraderie that you didn't know existed. It's the sort of brotherhood that you never forget and look back on with fondness and sense of nostalgia. "Back in the day, Florida Epsilon was comprised of a very small group of men and I was one of only two pledge members in my class," Ted Ruta '62 says. "These men treated everyone in the Fraternity like family and provided me with some of my most cherished friendships. It's hard to conceptualize just how meaningful Florida Epsilon connections are, but the unmatched camaraderie we shared is an experience that I will always treasure." SigEp has made a profound, lifelong impact on Ted, and he has had the honor of passing down the Florida Epsilon legacy to his son, Steve Ruta '84, and grandson, Theodore Ruta '16. Ted says, "It's amazing to be able to share this unique, brotherly bond with various generations of our family. Although our Fraternity experiences may differ, it is my hope that the Chapter's traditions and values will always remain the same." He fondly remembers attending Steve's initiation and had the unique opportunity to initiate Steve himself. "It was a very special moment for me and one that I will never forget," he says. Ted has had the privilege of watching Florida Epsilon grow and adapt to the ever-changing Greek environment. "During my days in SigEp, the Chapter was experiencing a lot of growth and we practically started from scratch. It is (Continued on page 2) f Sigma Phi Epsilon Alumni (Florida State University)-Florida Epsilon i SigEp Florida State Visit Us Online

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