A Note from the Active G.M.

Dearest Brothers,
Last night as I’m sure most of you are aware our brother Mr. Robert Patrick Atkinson was hit by a car. Rob died without any suffering immediately thereafter. The active brothers are pulling together and have received an immense amount of support from the Southwestern community. What we can all walk away from this tragedy with, is gratitude. Gratitude for being fortunate enough to know Rob intimately he was and is a beacon of hope and peace for all of us. I sincerely apologize for not contacting you all sooner if you have any questions or need support please feel free to contact me. With that my only wish is that you will show the people nearest you how much you love them and that we will see you soon. As Rob would say with Love and Respect.
A.E.K.D.B
G.M. Tanner Garth
Please forward this to your brothers

UPDATE: Memorial Services for Rob Atkinson

A memorial service will be held today on Southwestern University campus at 2 p.m, today, December 6 in the Howry center.

As noted below, a formal service will be held in January at SU.

We will continue to update this post as more information becomes available.** First update below: 12/08/08.

AEKDB.

Friday, December 05, 2008 7:57 PM

 

Dear Members of the Southwestern Community,

Many of you have asked how you can show support for Rob Atkinson’s family. We have spoken with his parents, John and Janice, today, and they have asked that expressions of sympathy be sent to them at johnandjan (at) afdop (dot) org.

The Atkinsons plan to have a memorial service for Rob in San Diego no earlier than Dec. 13-14. As mentioned earlier, we will have a memorial service for him on campus after the holiday break.

Donations in memory of Rob may be sent to the Peace Alliance, P.O. Box 70095, Rochester Hills,MI 48307. Be sure to specify that the donations benefit the Student Peace Alliance.

Jake B. Schrum
President

——————-

Fri 12/5/2008

Dear Members of the Southwestern Community,

I was deeply touched this afternoon as we heard students, faculty members and staff share the impact that Rob Atkinson had on their lives.

This message is to update you on our plans as we continue to help the campus community cope with Rob’s tragic death. Those who were at the gathering this afternoon heard that his fraternity, Kappa Sigma, plans an event to remember Rob at their house at 7:30 tonight. We will hold another campus-wide gathering tomorrow (Saturday) at 2 p.m. in the Howry Center. 

A formal memorial service for Rob will be held after the holiday break, and we will let you know as soon as the date for that service is set. We are still waiting to hear what arrangements Rob’s family is making for a service in his hometown. We do know they plan to come to campus for the memorial service in January. 

The chapel will be open all weekend for those who would like to use it. Please remember that counselors are available during working hours at the Robertson Center, and after hours by calling the SU Police at 512-863-1944. Counselors are happy to come meet with any individual groups on campus who have been touched by Rob’s loss. 

As you may have learned today, Rob’s death is really a double tragedy for our campus because the car that hit him was driven by a fellow Southwestern student. We ask that you keep [this student], his family members, and his Kappa Alpha fraternity brothers in your thoughts and prayers as well.

Jake B. Schrum
President

——————-

 

 

The loss of our brother, Robert Patrick Atkinson

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

Iota Chapter Endowed Scholarship Awarded to Brother John "Johnny B" Burden

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.

SING_Johnny B

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.

Philanthropy a Major Focus for Active Chapter in 2008/09

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.

Brother Jeremiah Jarrell Finishes IRONMAN Florida

Finishing 84 out 236 participants in his age group, in an impressive overall time of 11:01:56, Jeremiah completed his first Ironman triathlon on November 1, 2008 in Panama City Beach Florida.

The 10th annual Ford Ironman Florida saw a total of 2,200 participants, who like Jeremiah, spent the better part of a year, often training 30-40 hours per week to reach their goal of completing this event.

To this writer’s knowledge, Jeremiah may be the first Iota Brother to complete a full length Ironman, comprised of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike course, and a full 26.2 mile marathon.

Please extend your congratulations to Jeremiah! He’ll be at Homecoming, less than a week since his big race.

Great job Miah!

FREE T-shirts for Homecoming

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 7th, I will be selling the shirts for cash, check or credit card.

AEKDB

Sincerely,

Alan Haworth
(214) 750-2006 Direct
DSCN3371

DSCN3352

Iota Alumni News: Fall / Homecoming Edition

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

Homecoming 2008 Schedule of Events

Friday November 7

7:00 PM Poker Game/Tournament 

Saturday November 8

11:30 Homecoming Parade (where are you Homecoming Queens?)

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

NOTE: Watch this page for schedule changes.

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

New Active Leaders Prepare for Fall Semester

This past Saturday, August 30th, the incoming Executive Committee Officers held a leadership retreat at the residence of Alumni Advisor Marshal Crenshaw in Walburg, Texas.

Joining the actives were representatives of the Alumni including Alumni Scribe Jonathan Goodman and Alumni Board member Chris Mathers. Brothers Love and Bulter also contributed to the planning sessions.

A complete update will be coming the Iota Alumni eNewsletter in the coming days. If you’re not already receiving the Alumni eNewsletter, please use the sign-up form to the right join our mailing list.

Our next Iota Alumni Alumni Association membership meeting will take place during the weekend of Homecoming, November 7-8. Save the date and we hope to see you at the House this Fall.

Alumni & Active Retreat Scheduled for August 30

For all active and alumni leadership and any brother who’d like to attend (it’s an open meeting):

Before the start of the Fall Semester, the active and alumni will meet to coordinate fraternal strategies and tactics.

Date: August 30
Time: 11am – whenever
Place: Marshal’s house in Walburg

Agenda items:

  • Fall rush
  • House
  • Homecoming
  • Other new business

Please save the date and plan to attend.

Roy T’s Old Salado Bakery

Thanks goes to Brother David Wilson for pointing us to this article in the Austin American Statesmen.

Writes Wilson, “It’s an article about the Bush wedding, but tells a little about Roy T’s Bakery, owned and operated by our own Roy Knox Tyson [class of 1964]. Neat article and really neat bakery.”

In a feature on the town of Salado, Texas, writer Candace Birkelbach (any relation to you, David?) writes:

My first stop was Roy T’s Old Salado Bakery to get my caffeine fix. This place has a locals-only vibe, but don’t worry about looking clueless when you walk into the shop. Owner Roy “Knox” Tyson quickly pegged me as an “I-35er,” someone who just pulled in from the highway that runs directly in front of the shop, and helped me sort through the menu. If the homemade doughnuts and beignets don’t make you a lifetime patron of this New-Orleans style bakery, the coffee is sure to win you over. What’s with the New Orleans theme? Tyson went to Tulane University and fell in love with the Big Easy.

The Salado College T-shirts adorning the walls are a nod to the first co-ed college in Texas, which burned down in the 1920s. (Ask about getting an honorary degree!)

There are also daily blue plate specials and the family’s own unique recipe for Manhattan-style pizza. And you can wash it down with a classic Dublin Dr Pepper.

You can find the full article here: http://www.statesman.com/life/content/life/stories/travel/06/08/0608smiles.html

Iota Chapter eNewsletter: Spring 2008

Feature stories

Article highlights Rev. Chuck Merrill’s Legacy
According to Trish Merrill, anyone who knew her late husband Chuck knows that he cared most about peace and justice. In the months following the death of Reverend J. Charles “Chuck” Merrill ’59, Trish and long-time friend and fraternity brother Bruce Barrick ’71 conceived of a way both to honor Chuck’s legacy and to further the social justice issues for which he cared deeply. [Read more]

Crandell Addington ’61 of San Antonio featured in local business press
According to the San Antonio Business Journal, “Local entrepreneur and former professional poker player Crandell Addington says the stuffed rattlesnake on his office coffee table helps to keep people honest during business meetings.” [Read the full article here]
More of Brother Addington on the Web:
On Wikipedia
Lecturing at Harvard Law

News & Notes

  • Alumni Treasurer, Brother Alan Haworth visited the 1960’s Kappa Sigma Reunion in Salado and filed this report. [Read the post on Iotachapter.org]
  • Southwestern recently ended the 2007/2008 academic year. With graduation and the end of the academic term, the Alumni Association gained six new members, and the Active Chapter initiated 10 brothers.
  • Kappa Sigma alumnus David Craig Stanford, Class of ’82, and wife Tava Miyata Stanford announced the birth of their twins, Lucille Louise Stanford (LuLu) and Canter Kazunori Stanford (Kaz), born November 11, 2007.  Craig now ranks the third oldest father of newborns in the United States, behind David Letterman (2nd) and the now deceased Tony Randall (1st).

Events: Past & Future

Alumni Weekend 2008
In pictures
By the numbers

Homecoming 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. [Read more]

Alumni Business

The percentage now participating in “Alumni Dues” annual giving 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 in the range of $10-20 dollars. 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.
Here are a few examples of blogs I’ve been reading:

Send me your own content or those of your brothers to share.

 

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

Dispatch from the ’60’s Kappa Sigma Reunion in Salado

Brother Alan Haworth (Alumni Treasurer) traveled to the Stagecoach Inn at Salado, TX, for an evening over the weekend of May 16-18 as a inter-generational emissary to the Iota Brothers from the decade of the 1960s. Here are a few thoughts from Alan:

30-40 guys from the 1960s gathered at Salado’s Stagecoach Inn for the weekend. I attended the dinner/happy hour on Friday only

Brother John Roark was great at introducing me around the happy hour. The conversations were constructive and I learned a lot. They encouraged more people our age to come to their weekends in May/June. They have been doing them in Sulpher Springs for four years. They also mentioned that they would like to know the dates of Homecoming and Alum Weekend earlier.

After dinner, John Roark introduced me again and I gave an update on the house, scholastics, new initiates [numbering] 10, and everything that went on last summer with renovations. They all seemed very excited to hear the good news and wanted to come around more. I also talked up the 125th anniversary that is coming soon [in 2011].

I think I met every person and got good feedback from David Wilson, Jack Irons, John Roark, Hank Smith, and others.

Overall, I felt like they WANTED to know more people our age. I felt like they were impressed that so many guys from the 90s are lawyers/doctors and successful professionals. I think they were even SURPRISED.

AEKDB,

Alan

Thanks Alan, for your report and for representing those from 90s so well.

So, everyone, mark your calendars now for either the last weekend in March or the first weekend in April 2009 for Alumni Weekend (dates to be confirmed, watch this space).

Homecoming 2008 will take place November 7-9, 2008.

To the Brothers of the 1960s, we’d love an invitation to visit your reunion weekend next year. We promise not to crash the party. In the spirit of fraternity and brotherhood, we’d love to get to know you all.

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.

In particular, William seeks out past Iota “Homecoming Queens” to dust off their tiaras and make it back for this centennial event. While this particular Iota tradition may be a bit opaque and unfamiliar to those deprived of the parade tradition, I’m told all of you queens know who you are and that you’re wanted back for another hurrah.

In any case, even if you swore off women’s clothes the day you stepped off campus after graduation, we’d love to have you identify yourself for posterity and make it back for Homecoming 2008, November 7-9. Drop a comment on this blog post or sent a note to William.

For those who were courtiers and not queens, we can use your help too (remind us who the queens were) and of course we want to see you back on campus this Fall just as much!

Alumni weekend 2008: Schedule Update

Friday, April 4:
Open House, come on over this evening if you’re in town.

Saturday, April 5:
11:00 AM – Active Chapter/Alumni Association joint meeting
Noon – lunch, grilled fajitas, donations accepted
2:00 PM – Softball, directions to field to be provided
5:00 PM/Sunset – Dinner options include Booties with Erik and gang, Walburg with Alan and crew, or your choice of local fare. (**Alert Erik or Alan if you plan to join either group by phone, email, or by comment to this post.)
Evening – hanging out at the House
10:30 + Live music, featuring “The Bus Stop Stallions.”

Walburg Restaurant, destination for visiting alumni

Alan Haworth, Dallas alumnus and alumni association treasurer, has reserved space at the Walburg Restaurant for a post Softball Game dinner. Everyone is welcome to join the group. Contact Alan this week or on Saturday at the House.

Plans call to sit inside for the German buffet and perhaps to visit the biergarten outside upon the conclusion of the meal. All of this revelry will leave plenty of time to return to Georgetown and freshen-up before the evening’s festivities.