Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Florida

Page 5 Sigma Phi Epsilon Welcoming Our New Chapter and Volunteer Services Specialist, Alex Stepanek, University of Northern Iowa '16 A lex Stepanek, University of Northern Iowa '16 went to college without any intention of joining a fraternity. But he applied for a Balanced Man scholarship, and through that process met a lot of great people. "I realized that these are a bunch of guys who are high performers, the kind of people I wanted to surround myself with, and so I decided to jump in and join the Chapter," he said. While at the University of Northern Iowa, Alex served as vice president of programming and as Chapter president. The summer after his first term as Chapter president, he attended the Ruck Leadership Institute. "It really shifted my perspective on things, and made me question my overall goals. My regional director, Matt Huggins, Washington '14, who was one of my mentors, encouraged me to think about joining the chapter services team," he recalled. After graduating with a bachelor's of arts in management in May 2016, he joined SigEp as a regional director, responsible for overseeing eight chapters, facilitating workshops, and completing organization assessments. Starting this summer, he'll be stepping into the role of Chapter and Volunteer Services Specialist at Florida Alpha. He will be living in Gainesville, and splitting his time between UF and Florida International University in Miami. His favorite part about working with the undergraduate men is their hunger. "When I was an undergraduate, I had aspirations and ambitions and it was the regional director who helped me achieve them, and so I love being able to give that support and encouragement to others. That's been the most rewarding part of the job so far, and the part I am most eager to develop with the brothers at the University of Florida," he shared. Alex has been working with Zac Gillman, Austin Peay State University '15, who has served as the Chapter and Volunteer Services Specialist over the last year. "Zac has done a great job with SigEp at the University of Florida; he's got them going in a direction that I would love to see all the rest of the chapters moving in. I want to pick up where he left off and push the Chapter to be even better, to make Florida Alpha recognized on campus as an example of a Fraternity that's done differently and correctly. Ultimately, I think we will know we are being recognized as such by the kind of men we attract," he said. The Chapter and the AVC owe Zac Gillman a huge debt of gratitude. He came to the Chapter at a critical time and has played a significant role in keeping the Chapter on a steady course. Zac will be headed back to SigEp headquarters in Richmond, Virginia, to be the Director of Recruitment. He will be spearheading new recruitment efforts and the Balanced Man Scholarship for the entire country. Thank you, Zac, for a job very well done! FLORIDA ALPHA SEES SUCCESS AT SIGEP CARLSON LEADERSHIP ACADEMY O n February 3-5, SigEp's annual Carlson Leadership Academy was held in Atlanta, Georgia, for our Southeast Conference. Nationwide, the Academy provides interactive officer training to over 2,600 undergraduates and volunteers annually. The Academy ensures each officer will have the skills to manage and lead his part of the chapter. It also helps executive boards work together toward goals consistent with a unified vision for the Chapter. Approximately 600 brothers were in Atlanta for the Academy. This event also provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the brothers and Chapters that excel in a variety of areas and strengthen the name of our Fraternity. Our Florida Alpha brothers (both undergraduates and alumni) walked away with seven awards, many of which were rather significant. It was truly a stellar showing considering we've only been back on campus for a short period of time. Our guys were recognized with the following. Undergraduates Excelsior Cup for Chapter Leadership: Sigma Epsilon Colony at the University of Florida The Frank J. Ruck Leadership Award: Patrick Goodrich '18 Tragos Quest to Greece Scholar: Patrick Goodrich '18 Alumni/Volunteers Distinguished Alumnus: Bryson Ridgway '05 AVC Operational Excellence: Sigma Epsilon Colony at the University of Florida University Partner of the Year: Jack Causseaux Volunteer of the Year: Steve Shewbrooks '66 (Left) Chapter officers and alumni celebrate their achievements at the Carlson Leadership Academy in February. Carlson attendees included: Bryson Ridgway '05, Matt Ausman '01, Bob Durham, Steve Shewbrooks '66, Aaron Blau '19, Kenny Carnes '19, Ryan Decker '19, Patrick Goodrich '18, Jack Hughes '20, Jon Katz '19, Ryan Moran '19, Andrew Tran '19, Steven Summers '20, AJ Douglas '20, and Connor Hetterich '20.

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