Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Oklahoma

The Epilog page 4 T he benefits of the first floor and basement renovations (completed fall 2015) are showing a return on investment already. Not only are we enjoying better exercise and recreation facilities, but our improved study halls are paying dividends as well. The dining room and kitchen improvements made game days very enjoyable and made sure no member goes hungry. Parents and alumni were impressed by the entry and trophy cases. No doubt, our house improvements are keeping us on top in all aspects of brotherhood development. Academic Achievements Academically, SigEp had a historic performance. We achieved a house GPA of 3.29, ranking SigEp first among all IFC affiliated fraternities, and well above the campus average. The guys really like the multiple study area options in the basement and the state-of-the-art meeting room. Philanthropic Efforts In fall 2015, we had a chapter-wide Red Door Music Festival philanthropic event that included multiple performances by bands in the chapter house parking lot. The event raised $2,000 for Living Water International, an organization that digs wells in Africa. Our spring philanthropic event, Coffeehouse, which we co-hosted with Tri Delt, raised around $12,000. For the fall 2016 semester, we partnered with Mary's Meals USA, a non-profit organization that focuses on providing the means for schools within third- world countries to provide meals at school, enticing children to attend school and receive an education. For $20, Mary's Meals can feed one child for a year. Oklahoma Beta was able to raise the means to sponsor 85 kids for one year. Brotherhood Gains Strength in Numbers Despite the last few months having been an extremely trying time for our chapter as a whole, we welcomed 53 new members into our bond during the fall 2016 semester, and we continue to evolve our new member program as we work with the National Fraternity to implement the Balanced Man Program. During the spring 2016 semester, the chapter was faced with extremely difficult decisions regarding a number of our members and how they were conducting themselves. Members that diligently went through the interview process and were asked back to participate as active members this fall have taken charge of the house now, projecting us into a time of success within a multitude of areas. Even though our chapter faces some Oklahoma Beta Continues to Thrive Undergraduates Focus on Philanthropy and Brotherhood Bonds, Welcome 53 New Members Brothers attend the OU vs. Houston game and talk with Dean Daniel Pullin '98 before the game. Brothers enjoy skiing in Crested Butte, Colo., during spring break. Oklahoma Beta's winning Homecoming float! Oklahoma Beta celebrates Dad's Day this fall. significant change, we are still thriving on campus and leading the way for Greek life at the university. Chapter Awards The executive board attended the 2016 SigEp Carlson Leadership Academy to work with our national supervisors on how we can improve as a chapter. Michael Duke '17 won OU's Big Man on Campus for the 2015-16 academic year, and Ben Gorney '17 recently won an EMSA outstanding student award. We had several other campus involvement awards achieved by our members. Top Chapter in Intramural Sports We placed second in intramurals for the 2015- 16 academic year, and we are in the lead for the 2016-17 academic year by more than 300 points. We placed first and second in the freshman and upper-member football leagues. Alumni and Parents' Support of Chapter Essential Mom's Day in spring 2016 was a huge success, and we loved having our mothers join us for dinner and fun at Pepe Delgado's on Campus Corner in Norman, as well as a breakfast and a variety of activities at the chapter house the following morning. We are always thrilled to have parents and alumni visit us at the chapter house, especially so we can boast our brand new housing facilities. We look forward to Mom's Day this semester. Alumni Always Welcome Overall, we thank you collectively as an alumni network for your participation in helping grow our chapter into the success we are seeing today; we are thriving as a chapter in nearly every area of college life. We are excited about the future of Oklahoma Beta and look forward to seeing SigEp continue to grow. Please feel free to stop by the chapter house whenever you are in the area—our door is always open. Fraternally, Stephen Wood '17 Outgoing Chapter President cadillacwood@gmail.com (405) 249-5845

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