Homecoming 2010, Annual Alumni Meeting

The annual meeting of the Iota Alumni Association will take place at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 6, 2010 at the Kappa Sigma House. We encourage all active and alumni brothers to attend.

Here’s the Full Weekend Schedule: [Invitation for Iota Friends & Brothers] [SU Official Schedule]

Saturday, November 6th:

  • 10 a.m.: Coffee & Donuts
  • 11 a.m.: Homecoming Parade
  • 11:30 -1:00: Lunch on the Mall (tix from SU)
  • 3:00 p.m.: Active/Alumni Chapter Meeting
  • 4:00 p.m.: Open House, The Sig House is 50 years old this year!
  • 7:00 p.m.: Dinner at the House
  • 10:00 p.m.: Homecoming Party for Alumni

Sunday, November 7th:

  • 10:00 a.m.: Coffee & Donuts, before you head from home

Also, the actives have published a Fall Newsletter on the status active chapter: [Fall 2010 Iota Chapter Newsletter]

Homecoming and Reunion Weekend Website

The Wake for Bruce

Join friends and fraternity brothers for a final festive good-bye to our dear friend Bruce W. Barrick.

This event will be:

Saturday October 23,2010
4:00 PM – we run out of stories

ARTZ RIB HOUSE
2330 South Lamar
(close to Hwy. 71)
(512) 442-8283

Information: Erik Harpst
(281) 433-3198

Update 10/17:
We are trying to get a head count .  Please email, text, or call ASAP. Forward this to anyone who might be interested. Erik’s cell:281-433-3198

Joe Dowdy Frazer

We received word over the weekend from Brother Roger Davidson about the passing of Brother Frazer.

From Brother Davidson: “He was in school at the same time I was. He was on the football team, a good Kappa Sigma….attended homecoming in 2008.”

Our condolences go out to all of the family and friends of Brother Frazer on behalf of his Iota Brothers.

We’ll update this post with any links we can find on Brother Frazer and his obituary.

Alumni Dues for 2010

Brothers,

In an effort to cut costs for the Alumni Association of Iota, we are sending your invoice for the 2010 Alumni dues electronically. In the past three years since I took over fundraising for the chapter, I have gotten the actual mailing with stamps down to 100 brothers from 500.

If you have not already received an email or other notification, please print the attachment below.

Please open the attached document, print a copy, and put a check in the mail. Or, use the Donate link to the right. Dues are $100 per alumni. As I have said in the past, if everyone pays their fair share, then we don’t need to ask for extra.

That being said, as we’re starting the final push for the 125th anniversary, any extra will go toward that celebration.

If you are a recent grad or still in graduate school and need a payment schedule, please reach out to me via email. Our recurring payment system is down until further notice.

[PDF] IotaChapter_Alumni_Dues_2010

My address:
Alan Haworth
9135 Drumcliffe Ln
Dallas TX 75231

Alan Haworth Named to Elite List of Dallas Area Wealth Managers

Texas Monthly contacted a business services provider for their annual survey of financial advisors, who asked over 100,000 high net worth consumers and financial services professionals to evaluate wealth managers in the Dallas area. The final list was vetted down to a small group.

Alan Haworth was selected in the Investments section of the 2010 Five Star Wealth Managers. The link below provides the re-print of the Texas Monthly article, highlighting the 2010 Five Star Wealth Managers for Dallas, Texas. This is on the newsstands now.

Congratulations Alan!

2010 FIVE STAR Wealth Managers

On the Passing of our Brother Bruce W. Barrick

UPDDTE III, 7/20 – below
UPDATE II, 7/16 – below
UPDATE I, 7/15 – below

The Iota Alumni Association is saddened to report on the death of Bruce Barrick.

Available accounts report that he was found in his home in Austin today and appears to have died of natural causes.

We will keep this post updated as information on services becomes available.

____________

I encourage everyone from our community of friends and brothers to add comments to this post. Share your memories as we all prepare to say a final goodbye to our Brother Bruce.

UPDATE III

Here is the updated information on Bruce Barrick’s funeral:

AUSTIN

Visitation: Wednesday, July 21, 2010 5:00-7:00 pm
Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home
2620 South Congress Ave.
Austin, Texas 78704
512-442-1446

Funeral: Thursday, July 22nd, 2010 10:00 am
University United Methodist Church
2409 Guadalupe Street
Austin, Texas 78705

HOUSTON

Visitation: Friday July 23, 2010 4:00-6:00 pm
George H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Home
1010 Bering Drive
Houston, Texas 77057
713-789-3005

Funeral: Saturday, July 24, 2010 10:00 am
Glenwood Cemetery (Grave site service only)
2525 Washington Blvd.
Houston, Texas 77007
713-864-7886

UPDATE II – via Erik Harpst

Bruce’s service will now be at University Methodist Church, Brother Chuck Merrill’s church. In case you are unaware, Brother Merrill was a longtime pastor at this church and a huge supporter of Iota and all it stands for. Chuck passed away a few years ago, and after his death, Bruce began an SU scholarship fund in Chuck’s name.

Austin: Thursday July 22nd 10:00 am University Methodist Church on Guadalupe
Houston: Saturday July 24th 10:00 am George H. Lewis and Sons Funeral Home
The only possible change with the Houston date would be a time change from 10:00
to 9:00 am.We should have final updates by Monday.

I will be sending important info and updates to the official Iota web site at iotachapter.org . Check it out, there are great photos of Bruce and posts from brothers. Feel free to leave your own thoughts or memories of Bruce.

AEKDB
Erik Harpst

UPDATE I

Brothers and friends,

There are two Barrick services TENTATIVELY planned. Bruce will attend both of them.

Austin: Thursday, July 22, 2010. 10:00 am, University Christian Church, at UT (see UPDATED II above)

Houston: Saturday, July 24, 2010. 10:00 am, George H. Lewis & Sons funeral home

Bruce requested a wake. Bruce’s 60th birthday bash was at a beer hall in Austin. Maybe a similar bash would be appropriate. When it gets cooler. Like September. Seriously.

We are looking for pictures of Bruce for photo boards to be displayed at the funerals. If you have some, please email them to this address ASAP.

Bruce deserves to honored in the same way that he insisted his deceased brothers were honored. He will get that, and more.

When details are confirmed it will be passed on.

AEKDB
Erik Harpst

Bruce Barrick SU Homecoming 2006

Bruce introduces the late Rev. Chuck Merrill

Bruce and Norwood

Bernard Schleien, Living More for Less

Thankfully Bernard had many more interesting things to say than I had prepared Olla verdequestions to ask… I’ll get better as we go I promise!

A few follow-up questions I missed: 1) Why isn’t Peru Bernard’s favorite soccer team? 2) What kind of art does he like to collect? 3) Just how did he break his arm anyway?

For answers to these questions, you’ll have to ask Bernard himself.

Please enjoy our second Iota Alumni Profile.

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Bernard Schleien (Pledge – Spring 94)

After graduating with a major in history, he founded Latin America For Less in 2001 and has ever since devoted his professional life to building memories of Peru and Latin America for all. He has learned that there is much more to life than the ever so constant work day, and is one of seven founding members of Peru Futbol – a Peruvian NGO that aims to bring thousands of Peruvian children out of poverty, while instilling values through the teachings of soccer. Bernard has a love for Peru (especially Cuzco), like so many, and finds it extremely gratifying at the end of each day that he is able to sell something that he truly believes in. He has lived in Cuzco for 6 months, and goes there at least 4 times a year. Other interesting factoids about Bernard: Seinfeld fanatic, Cienciano del Cuzco soccer club team rooter, independent rock music, biking, creative writing, cooking and eating out, micro-brewed beer (beer builds better brothers).

Raheem M. Sarcar, Emerging IT Leader

This evening, I had the pleasure of interviewing my long time friend and pledge brother Raheem Sarcar via Skype.

Inspired by the initiative and social media entrepreneurship of Raheem, this post kicks off what I hope will become an enduring and valued series of “Professional Profiles” of Iota Chapter alumni.Raheem Sarcar_IT Leaders Today

In this recording, you’ll get the story of Raheem’s name change straight from the source. It’s a really cool story – something this PB was really glad to learn. You’ll also learn about Raheem’s work in IT and his new social media project, IT Leaders Today (http://itleaderstoday.com/).

This audio recording a.k.a. “podcast” runs about 16 minutes. It’s basically unedited. Today’s storms in North Texas caused a lost connection you’ll notice about five minutes into the interview. Enjoy and please post your comments, feedback, and ideas for future alumni profiles.

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Raheem Sarcar (pledge class – Spring 95) is a systems administrator at a non-profit in New York City. In his spare time, he runs a website about leadership and management in information technology called IT Leaders Today (http://itleaderstoday.com). His interests include technology, entrepreneurship and travel. He can be reached at raheemm1@yahoo.com.

Notes from Alumni Weekend

Softball Score:
Actives – 14, Alumni – 16

Alumni Advisor-elect:
Timothy Stapleton

Graduating Seniors:
Enjoyed an ice-water bath
Awarded “A History of Kappa Sigma” (The Pharr History)

New Capital Challenge for House Repairs:
$1,000 match challenge from Brother Dan Middlebrooks – contact Alan Haworth to lend your support.

Softball_2010
photo courtesy Heather Hanson

Alumni Weekend 2010 Schedule

UPDATE: 4/9 5:34pm Central See link below for directions to softball field.

When you arrive at the house, please register at the registration table where we will take your name, contact information, and $10 weekend contribution.

Friday April 9th

– Registration table opens on front porch @ 8:00 pm

– Friday evening there will be a casual gathering at the house.  Come on by!

Saturday April 10th

– Registration table opens on front porch @ 9:00 am

– Active/Alumni chapter meeting @ 11:00 am

– Lunch @ noon

– Softball from 3:00-6:00 pm * (field: Leader-Cedar Park Youth League Park)

– Return to the house for Saturday evening fun

* Maps will be provided on Saturday to the field.

See who’s coming from Facebook.

Starting a family, AA Crenshaw looks to pass the torch

In an email to Iota alumni this week, Brother Marshal Crenshaw announced the very happy and welcome news that he and his wonderful wife Molly are expecting their first child later this year. After six years of service in the capacity of Alumni Advisor for Iota Chapter, Marshal also announced his intention to step down once a suitable replacement can be found.

On behalf of the Iota Alumni Association and six years of recent Iota actives, we’d like to express our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Marshal.

Beginning now and through Alumni Weekend (April 9-11), we will be taking nominations and actively seeking out candidates for consideration.

If you’re interested in this role, please join us next weekend or contact any alumni/active brother or leader who submit your name as a nominee. Marshal will play an important role in selecting and training his replacement.

Alumni Weekend 2010 Set for April 9th & 10th

Alumni Weekend for the Spring of 2010 will take place over the second weekend in April, from Friday April 9 through Saturday April 10.

Program details will follow, but you can probably count on the following:

  • Friday Night Poker Tournament
  • Coffee & Doughnuts
  • A General Active & Alumni Meeting
  • Lunch on the Lawn
  • Babies, Toddlers, and Kids
  • Softball (field TBD)
  • Your PB’s kids one year older since you saw them last year
  • Dinner at your favorite spot around town
  • Instrumental music and singing on the porch
  • Lots of fun and fellowship
  • A live band that you can dance to
  • A surprise visit from someone you’ve not seen in years

You can count on a lot more too…

Mark your calendars. Make the case to your wife now. It may help to ask her to come. The kids too.

See you in April!

Feb. 6th is Iota Career Day, Area Alumni Invited to Attend

Post by J. Scott Hanson, Ph.D.

Brothers,

During the 2009 Alumni Weekend, the Alumni Association formed a committee tasked with assisting actives in preparing for life after college.  In support of this effort, the Iota Chapter AA will be holding a Career Day event on February 6th.  Several alumni have collaborated to plan this day of presentations and discussions addressing professional topics (see attached agenda) for the benefit of the undergraduate chapter and recent graduates.

We encourage brothers who can spare the time to join us for any or all parts of the day.  Alumni attendees can assist by participating in discussions and sharing their own experiences throughout the day. We specifically encourage alumni in the Austin area to make time for the evening networking event at Fish City in Georgetown, which will be a great chance for these guys to practice networking strategies discussed during the day.

This is the first event of this kind for the chapter and for Southwestern.  In fact, the Career Services Center will participate in the event and has graciously provided the venue and the food and beverages for the day.  If this proves successful, the CSC is considering a similar event on a larger scale for the entire university in the fall.

When we typically gather with the active chapter, we spend much of our time talking about our life in college.  This is an opportunity for us to speak to them about our lives after college and, hopefully, to help them get off to a great start. 

Please mark your calendar and RSVP to Scott Hanson (j_scott_hanson@yahoo.com) by Wednesday February 3rd.  We look forward to seeing you there.

AEKDB,

Scott

Actives Support Peace Conference, Continue Rob Atkinson’s Legacy

Guest post by Brother Martin Fergus:

Dear Kappa Sigma Friends & Brothers,

I am proud to announce that the 2010 National Student Peace Alliance Conference will be held at Southwestern University on February 26-28. This conference will focus on evidence-based programs that are effectively reducing and preventing violence both at an international and domestic level. The conference will bring together 500 pro-active, pro-peace and solution-oriented young people from across the country to unite around a common, and practical, goal — peace.

Such a prestigious honor for our University could not have occurred without the hard work of the recently deceased Rob Atkinson, the national legislative director for SPA, and the hard work of many other active Iota members involved in Student Peace Alliance at SU. This Conference will most certainly make an impact in Texas as well as on Kappa Sigma nationally.

As we want to make this conference as effective and impactful as possible, Kappa Sigma actives are launching a fundraising campaign to support the conference with the goal of raising $1000 by the date of the conference. We are one month away.

Please consider making a contribution to help provide the proper resources and financial support students need to make this conference exceed the University’s expectations and make a difference in Student’s lives.

You can donate at: http://www.studentpeacealliance.org/give/give or mail a check payable to “Student Peace Alliance” at The Peace Alliance, PO Box 27601, Washington, District of Columbia 20038. If you are interested in sponsoring the conference or would like more information please call 325-518-5889.

Sincerely,

Martin Fergus A.E.K.D.B.

President Student Peace Alliance Southwestern Chapter

325-518-5889

fergusd@southwestern.edu

http://www.studentpeacealliance.org/conference

 

A new collection of short stories by Alan Haworth

Returning with his second book, Iota alumnus and Alumni Association Executive Committee member Alan Haworth recently published “Hitchhiking in Boston and Other Stories.” 

The book is available for purchase at www.stankygroovepress.com.

From the author’s site:

Alan Haworth returns with a collection of fiction short stories – most of them set in Boston. "Hitchhiking in Boston" visits a man who has outlived his apartment on Comm Ave. and his time on this mortal coil. With the tax collector breathing down his throat, the reader follows him through a typical day hitching rides around Boston.

"Carjacked"  and "Disappearing Ink" read like old episodes of "The Twilight Zone," as if Haworth has channeled Rod Serling to come back from the grave and entertain us once again. "The Mortician," dark comedy at its best, is based on the fact that home burial is still legal in Massachusetts. A hapless, young mortuary student attempts to start his own business, and the results are hilarious.

Praise for Haworth’s memoir of driving an

18-wheeler, "The Peterbilt Journals" :

“This set of memoirs really hums like the sound of a big truck. I can’t wait to see what Haworth can do with fiction as his imagination and descriptions are excellent."

Punk Planet

“Raw. Shows the under belly of the trucking world.” Tatnuck Booksellers

“The author manages to keep the reader entertained throughout the book and provides a diverse collage of life amongst drivers, dispatchers, roadhouses, dock workers and "lot lizards". “ Anonymous Amazon comment

Have news to share with Iota Alumni. Please email jbgoodman(at)alumni(dot)southwestern(dot)org.

Homecoming Schedule of Events

Southwestern’s Homecoming & Reunion Weekend will take place over the weekend of November 6-8. As we do each year, the Iota Chapter will host several events for returning alumni and guests. Here’s a run down of the weekend’s schedule:

Saturday Nov. 7:

  • Active/Alumni meeting 3pm
  • Open house at Sigma 4pm
  • Kappa Sigma Reception at the  Alumni Hospitality House 6pm

Notable reunion events:

  • 60th reunion for Roger Davidson’s class
  • 40th reunion for Harry Crenshaw’s class

If you’ve got a reunion year celebration or other group event to announce, post a comment to this post.

Iota Shines at Biennial Grand Conclave

Brothers,

I am happy to report to you that your delegates at the 67th Grand Conclave had a great experience. I am so proud of our active brothers Lance Turri and John Burden for their enthusiastic participation in this important event. As our delegates they represented our order with honor and that distinct style that is all Iota.  John met with Michael Wilson and the new Worthy Grand Treasurer and has their assurance that Iota is in good standing. They also expressed their respect for our chapter and it’s long and important history. I left the conference with a better understanding of our national operations and a greater love for our amazing chapter.

It is with great excitement that I would like to invite all alumni officers, and any others that are interested, to our annual E.C. retreat at my home in Walburg on August 29th at 10:00 a.m.

We will be helping our young brothers with officer transitions and setting goals for the up coming year.

Thank You,

AEKDB…

Marshal Crenshaw
Alumni Advisor

John Hashop Appears on Jeopardy!

Fulfilling a long time ambition, John Hashop made it as a contestant on Jeopardy!, airing this week.

You can see him online via the Jeopardy! weekly show guide.

Today’s episode already played in Dallas/Fort Worth; it is a riveting barn burner of a contest. Check your local listings and set your DVR or TiVo if there’s still time. You don’t want to miss this one.

I remember John playing VHS recordings of Jeopardy into our dorm room as a first-year. His mom recorded them for him during the summer and school year so he would not miss out. John also led our Kappa Sigma team to a College Bowl victory in 1998.

Congratulations John! You make us all proud!