Sigma Phi Epsilon - Oregon State University

2 OREGON ALPH A A Lifelong Balance Mike Fritz '88 Shares the Importance of Career, Education, and Brotherhood F or Mike Fritz '88, balance has proven to be of lifelong utility. The Oregon Alpha Chapter helped him realize the importance of balancing educational, work, and recreational pursuits. Mike first became interested in Sigma Phi Epsilon after attending some of the chapter's recruitment events, and quickly realized that he had no interest in exploring other houses. The opportunity to get a fresh start and to meet individuals other than those he attended secondary school with was too great to pass up. Mike found Oregon Alpha's diverse membership most appealing; brothers came from all over the country, and though their leadership roles, volunteer involvements, and social activities varied greatly, the fraternity brought them together as a collective. As an undergraduate, Mike held positions as Oregon Alpha's social chairman and treasurer. The chapter's emphasis on academic excellence was invaluable during this period, as he balanced leadership in the fraternity with studying for a bachelor's degree in business with a marketing focus. "College needs discipline and the house brought that," Mike stated. He recalls that brothers who opted not to live in the house, as well as members of other fraternities, often struggled to maintain grades. The discipline and the confidence that he garnered as part of the executive team were essential to preparing for a career. Developing strategies for the chapter house is, in many ways, similar to the duties of heading a company. The planning Mike does today—coordinating international golf trips, for instance—mirrors the planning he did as social chairman. The relationships he nurtured also carried on into his work, as a couple Oregon Alpha brothers are employed by his company. He and three brothers meet for lunch monthly and each takes a turn inviting a mystery guest. Usually, the guest is another brother whom they haven't seen in a while. Presently, Mike owns a part of DWFritz Automation and functions as its chief executive officer. The 105,000-square-foot facility in Wilsonville, Oregon, staffs nearly 200 employees, compared to 17 employees when he joined the company. "I've been here 17 years," Mike stated. "My dad started the business 43 years ago and I've been running it for the last 10." The company designs and builds high precision automation equipment for advanced manufacturing. The products the custom engineered equipment help produce are so small or precise that, typically, they cannot be made by humans. Outside of work, Mike enjoys golfing, traveling, and keeping up with Oregon State football games. He is married to his wife of 26 years, Kristin, an Alpha Chi Omega alumna. His greatest achievement in life is the three boys he's raised into solid citizens. "All three are passionate about different things and are very disciplined," he revealed. Mike resides in Portland, Oregon. You can connect with him at mfritz@dwfritz.com. Journeying with a Brother The Life and Travels of Marvin Pangborn '77 T he decision to join Sigma Phi Epsilon is a proud milestone for Marvin Pangborn '77. Many of his Oregon Alpha Chapter brothers were exceptionally talented and motivated, and Marvin was impressed, especially with Dick Lund '74, Ken Maddox '75, Jay Conroy '74, and John Gartland '74. Marvin's studies at Oregon State were interrupted for a year while he lived in New Zealand as an exchange student. "Living in a different country makes it difficult to attend functions," he said. "You tend to lose touch with what is going on at home." Still, Marvin says he did manage to attend and enjoy the Fireman's Ball. The best part of being a SigEp, though, was being around a phenomenal group of young men; each of whom was committed to upholding the chapter's "uncompromising dedication to self- improvement." As an alumnus, Marvin remains in contact with several of his brothers. In 2013, he joined Tim Thompson '77 in Idaho while working on a research project, and he had dinner with Tom Boubel '77 in New Zealand last summer. Marvin jokes that the dinner was "even better because Tom paid the bill." Today, Marvin teaches farm management at Lincoln University in New Zealand and is a dairy farmer with 1, 200 cows and approximately 1,400 acres of land. He is proud of having built the farming business from the ground up, as well as having successful careers in banking and academia. After earning a bachelor's of science and a master's of science from Oregon State, he went on to complete a doctoral degree. Marvin is married to his New Zealand-born wife, Jane, who is an avid golfer. He is father to Anthony and Lauren; father-in-law to Jacki and Liam; and grandfather to the "smartest 8-month-old child in the world." Marvin encourages his SigEp brothers to connect with him should they visit New Zealand. You may e-mail him at alderbrook@xtra.co.nz.

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