It is with a heavy heart that we report on the death of Rob Atkinson, our active brother and student at Southwestern. We are all praying for Rob’s family, and his extended family, as we cope with the loss of someone so special.

As more information becomes available, we will post it on this site.

Copied here is the communication from SU President Jake Schrum to the Southwestern campus community.

Dear Members of the Southwestern Community,

Tragedy struck the campus Thursday night when senior Robert Atkinson was hit and killed by a car as he was crossing University Avenue around 8:20 p.m.

Rob was a leader on campus and was involved with numerous organizations, including the Theatre for Social Justice group and the Student Peace Alliance. His death is a tremendous loss for us, particularly coming at this time of year.

Those who knew Rob and would like to gather together today may do so at 1 p.m. in the ballrooms. We will keep you posted as additional services are scheduled. As always, members of our Counseling Services staff are available in the Robertson Center for those who need help coping with this tragedy.

Please keep Rob’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.

Jake B. Schrum
President

Local news coverage:
KVUE.com news report
KXAN.com story and video

Rob in his own words:

Students Unite for a Department of Peace
by Rob Atkinson

My motivation in doing political and social activism work is rooted in a strong spiritual desire for strengthening community identity and creating a normalization of compassion, which can be significantly furthered through political work. Along with being very involved in the Student Peace Alliance, I practice the Lakota spiritual tradition and am president of a Native American student organization on my campus, I am a musician, painter, and public speaker. I have also studied urban environmental sustainability through a collective I lived at last summer, and am looking forward to a possible internship this next summer working with nonprofit violence-prevention groups in central Texas. For me, it all boils down to political and social activism as a vehicle of spiritual integrity, and the deep joy that emerges when our abstract visions for a good world actualize into realistic and concrete initiatives.
—Rob Atkinson

Rob Atkinson – Teaching Peace Conference – Part 1

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Thanks to all of the Brothers and friends of the Fraternity who have made contributions to Southwestern University in the name of the “Kappa Sigma Iota Endowed Scholarship Fund.”

Active Brother John “Johnny B” Burden was awarded the scholarship for the 2008/09 academic term.

Johnny B is pictured far left, with the group who participated in the SING competition at Homecoming.

For those not familiar with the scholarship, here’s a full copy of the Memorandum of Understanding with the University

KAPPA SIGMA IOTA

ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Memorandum of Understanding

This permanent endowment fund is established by the Iota Alumni Association, and shall be named and known in perpetuity as the Kappa Sigma Iota Endowed Scholarship.

The University agrees to invest the funds donated to this endowment in a prudent manner pursuant to the applicable endowment investment policies promulgated by the Board of Trustees of the University, as may be revised from time to time, and in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. Any policy to the contrary notwithstanding, the University agrees that all annual withdrawals from the Kappa Sigma Iota Endowed Scholarship Fund shall be applied at least annually to support the purposes described herein and shall not be applied to any other account or used or distributed in any manner except as provided below.

This Endowment is permanent, and therefore, only the annual withdrawals are available to support the purposes described herein. Annual withdrawals from the endowment shall be calculated by applying the spending formula determined by the Board of Trustees, as revised from time to time. The University shall endeavor to make the first scholarship distribution from this scholarship fund within the first year from the date this endowment reaches the collective funding level of $25,000.

Subject to the distribution provisions above, the University’s Office of Financial Aid shall award scholarships on an annual or semi-annual basis to students of the University who meet the characteristics set forth below as evaluated by the University annually or semi-annually.

First Preference: University students in good standing who are members of the Iota Chapter of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Among such eligible recipients, preference should be given to such members who demonstrate the highest levels of academic excellence and/or leadership in the University community.

Second Preference: If no University students meet the First Preference guidelines above, the annual withdrawal will be awarded to University students in good standing who are members of any fraternity which is traditionally social in nature (for example, Phi Delta Theta Fraternity or Kappa Alpha Order). Among such eligible recipients, preference should be given to fraternity members who demonstrate the highest levels of academic excellence and/or leadership in the University community.

Third Preference: If no University students meet the First or Second Preference guidelines above, the University may award the annual withdrawal to any University students of its choice.

The Fund shall become active when gifts to the fund attain a level of $25,000 or more.

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Reporting on first semester activities of the active chapter during the recent Active and Alumni meeting during the Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, Brother Martin Fergus, Philanthropy Chair, detailed the list of non-profit and charitable organizations benefiting from the energies of the Iota Chapter. These include:

• Darfur Awareness Week in conjunction with Student Peace Alliance (also headed by Brother Fergus)
• Voter Registration Drive: resulting in 85 newly registered voters
• Red Cross volunteering in support of Hurricane Ike relief
• The Caring Place of Georgetown, volunteering in support of the local area food bank and donation center
• Lymphoma research, a fundraising effort with all-night volleyball on the lawn

Next semester, the actives have plans to support the Fisher House, a charitable support network providing housing and accommodation for military families. This effort is part of the  Kappa Sigma National Fraternity campaign to raise $100,000 in support of the Fisher House.

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Hello Kappa Sigmas, spouses, friends,

I have printed up COMMEMORATIVE, limited-edition T-shirts for this year’s Homecoming.

To get your FREE Commemorative limited-edition T-shirt, all you have to do is  pay your ALUMNI DUES for 2008 ($60) and you get a FREE T-shirt. Pre-pay your 2009 dues, and get the same deal. If you want more than one, the T’s are $20 each. This is for the charity of Kappa Sigma. All of the proceeds will go to the Kappa Sigma Alumni Fund and to help one active pay his active dues for the semester.

To PRE-ORDER your shirt, please respond by email with your size preference. If you are not coming to Homecoming and want it shipped to you, please specify that in the email. I will include shipping in the cost of the shirt. $20 per shirt. Why not order some for the whole family?

I have Men’s T-shirts and Tank Tops, sizes:  L, XL, and XXL.

I also have tank tops (sleeveless T’s) for WOMEN!!! The sizes are S, M, and L for the ladies. Larger sizes for men.

I will take credit cards or checks for the T-shirts now. At Homecoming, on November 7^th, I will be selling the shirts for cash, check or credit card.

AEKDB

Sincerely,

Alan Haworth
(214) 750-2006 Direct

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Volume 1: Issue 3

Feature stories – Homecoming and Reunion Weekend 2008

Calling all Homecoming Queens!
Brother William McCall ‘88 has issued a challenge. He urges Iota Chapter Alumni and the Active Chapter to participate in the 100th Year of Southwestern Homecoming with a float in the Saturday morning parade down the Academic Mall. All past Queens are likewise invited to make one more showing! [Read more]

Family to Dedicate Plaque in Chapter House Honoring Brother Craig Grayum
Please join us for the Open House, 4 PM on Saturday, where the family of the late Craig Grayum will present a plaque to be on permanent display honoring Craig.

Enjoy Lunch on the Mall and Dinner at the House
For Saturday eating, plan on eating lunch on the Academic Mall, tickets available for purchase as part of Southwestern’s Homecoming registration.

For dinner, the Active Chapter will provide a catered meal for alumni, friends and family. Swing by the House to reserve your spot and purchase tickets when you get into town.

Tickets: Single – $15, Couple – $25, Family – $30

For questions, contact Colin Elliott (Alumni Relations) on (832) 643-3666.

Iota Chapter Homecoming Weekend Schedule

Friday November 7
7:00 PM Poker Game/Tournament

Saturday November 8
11:30 Homecoming Parade
12:00 – 2PM Picnic on the Mall
2:00PM Alumni/Active Meeting – new time 
4:00PM Open House
6:00PM Dinner at the House (RSVP & payment required for catered dinner)
7:00PM Kappa Sigma Reception at the Alumni Hospitality House
8:00PM SING

Sunday November 9
10:00 AM Coffee and Donuts

Resource Links:
Homecoming and Reunion Weekend Website – register now!
SU: “Alumni Connection Groups

Alumni Business

The number of alumni brothers participating in annual “Alumni Dues” continues to grow
Membership dues to the Iota Chapter Alumni Association are a suggested minimum contribution of $60 per year. Many brothers, especially younger alums, have opted for a monthly credit card donation. Contact Alan Haworth, Treasurer, by phone (214) 536-6268 or email to set-up a regular donation.
Of course, you may also send a check, payable to Iota Chapter Alumni Association to the address listed below:
Alan Haworth
9135 Drumcliffe Ln
Dallas, TX 75231

Alumni on the Web

On the Iotachapter.org Web site, check out the “Links” section to Alumni on the Web. Many Iota brothers are active online, personally, professional, academically, and charitably and we’ll take advantage of the Iota Chapter Web site to serve as a hub for this rich collection of online content.

Next Issue of Iota Alumni News:
To submit news, notes, or ideas for Iota Alumni News, please contact Jonathan Goodman at 817.923.1997 or jbgoodman (at) alumni (dot) southwestern [dot] edu

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