Jonathan Goodman

Pledge Class: Spring 1995 SU Graduation: 1998 City of residence: San Francisco, CA You can find me on LinkedIn and Facebook

CORRECTION: Alumni Weekend actually April 4 & 5

Post cards mailed this week reminding brothers of the upcoming Alumni Weekend mistakenly reference April 3 & 4 as the dates for the 2008 gathering.

This matter was brought to my attention, most appropriately by my pledge brother Bryan. Appropriate, because as Bryan points out (though this fact has not been verified), the last time that April 3 occurred on a Friday was in 1998 – which also happened to be the year Bryan and I graduated from Southwestern.

Bryan writes, “Either you are nostalgic or you have a time machine (or both…). “

Neither, my dear PB. Just a bit bone headed.

To all, please accept my sincere apologies. I will strive to ensure all future alumni communications are free of such errors.

Sincerely,

Jonathan
Alumni Scribe

Save the date for Alumni Weekend 2008: April 4-6

Attention all alumni:

Mark your calendars now for the annual Alumni Weekend – to take place over the weekend of April 4-6th.

Compared to our other annual gathering during the Southwestern Homecoming Weekend, you’ll recall Alumni Weekend as much less formal affair. Friendly Friday night card playing gives way to a nice Saturday gathering on the lawn with a group lunch for the whole family. Then Active vs. Alumni softball with the Spring Pledge Class (rumored to be numbered in the double digits) officiating with the utmost impartiality and fairness, followed up by an evening of live music and fellowship.

Bring yourself, your family if you like, your softball glove, and a big appetite!

We look forward to seeing you in April!

AEKDB.

Iota Alumni Newsletter: Winter 2008

Upcoming Events

Active & Alumni EC & Leadership Retreat
Dates: January 12-13
Venue: Marshal Crenshaw’s House in Walburg
Start time: Noon, Saturday, January 12
Agenda: Active and alumni business, 2008 planning
Who should attend?

  • Active and alumni officers
  • All active and alumni brothers in good standing are welcome

Lunch provided, so please RSVP to either Marshal or Jonathan

Alumni Weekend 2008
A final announcement will be made after the EC Retreat in January, but tentatively plan for April 4-6 for the annual Spring Semester Alumni Weekend.
Note: the Brown Symposium XXX will take place April 3-4, so it may be a great time to take an extended weekend trip to Georgetown.


News & Notes

Texas man of letters, Nate Blakeslee ’92, acclaimed book being made into a movie
Nate Blakeslee, senior editor at Texas Monthly Magazine, and author of the widely acclaimed book, Tulia: Race, Cocaine, and Corruption in a Small Texas Town, will soon add movie credits to his body of work. “Tulia” is a movie adaptation currently in production and due out in 2008. John Singleton is directing, and Variety reports that Billy Bob Thorton and Halle Berry will star in the film.

Other links by and about Nate:
Google Books -Tulia: Race, Cocaine, and Corruption in a Small Texas Town
“Everyone’s Poop” by Nate Blakeslee, TexasMonthly.com
Southwestern Who’s Who From SU?
Top 10 Books on Investigative Journalism

Association negotiates insurance claim after summer rain water damage
Many of you across the state of Texas experienced the massive rainfall of spring and summer 2007. Central Texas experienced some of the worst flooding and water-related property damage and our House was no exception. The House Corporation/Alumni Association has concluded a claim with our insurance provider HRH Kirklin & Co., LLC for water damage as a result of the heavy summer rains. Damage was done to the wood flooring and sub-flooring, the cosmetic elements of which were fixed during the summer repairs by actives and alumni. Important structural work remains to be done by professionals and this settlement will help toward that end. Financial details of the claim will be reported during our upcoming leadership retreat and via the Treasurer’s report in advance of Alumni Weekend in April. We wish to thank several brothers who offered ideas and suggestions to facilitate this process, including Tanner Garth, Dan Middlebrooks, Joe Abel, Russell Ramsey, and Pat Sparks. Outgoing Treasure Charles Bedard led the effort and all dealings with our insurance provider which led to this favorable outcome.

Alumni respond to the end of year call for donations, alumni dues
Matthew Browning ’97, Matthew Barnes ’06, Dr. Harvel Loveless ’69, Mike Ooi ’98, and Thomas Hambleton ’76 each responded with a donation/membership dues to the Alumni Association since Homecoming. If you have also donated but have not been recognized here, please send me a note to the alumni Scribe, and thank you for your contribution!

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:
As part of future updates to the Iotachapter.org Web site, we’ll be adding an “Alumni on the Web” section. 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:
Crosscountry Adventures, by Isaac Smith ’02
Unsquare Dance, by Jeff James ’04 (also our IotaChapter.org Web master)
grog blog, a caveman designer blog, by Chet Lofgren ’00
Starr Tincup, by Bret Starr ’95
Team Goodman, by Jonathan Goodman ’98

Photography:
Jeremy Cottrell ’98 on Flickr

Submit 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 by email.

EC Retreat Location & Details

Alumni Advisor, Marshal Crenshaw has graciously offered his house in Walburg as the venue for this weekend’s EC Retreat.

Directions and details will be sent via email.

We’ll begin the day at Noon Central, Saturday, January 12 and go until we get too hungry to continue. Some basic accommodations are available for those who wish to stay the night.

Again, all are welcome. Active and Alumni leadership are expected.

AEKDB

Sign up for alumni news

If you’re not getting emails from the Iota Alumni Association, please use the sign-up form in the right-side column to add your name and email address to our alumni database.

In an effort to save on printing and postage costs, we’re going to conduct as much communication as we can electronically. Not to mention we can save a few trees in the process.

So help us out and add your information. We’re missing 100+ email addresses from brothers of every generation. So if you’re speaking with a bro whose not getting the news, send him here, or sign him up yourself.

Disclaimer: You will receive timely and relevant chapter news. You will also certainly get a fundraising email! Sign up today!

New Grand Treasurer calls for donations

[excerpt from a message from newly elected Alumni GT, Alan Haworth]

Brothers,

I have been elected as the new Treasurer for Kappa Sigma Iota.

I know that this has been a busy year for donations of money and time; and YOU are the ones who gave. I’m asking for a favor as we head into the holiday season. As you speak with old PB’s and alums from your era, please push them to make an end of the year contribution. Please pass this message along to everyone at KE that you can think of. If everyone sent me a check for $15, we can make all of our end of year commitments: paying for the deck loan, house taxes, and fire alarm system.

Please send all donations to::

Alan Haworth
9135 Drumcliffe Ln
Dallas TX 75231

My plan for the future is pretty simple. I have a list of Iota alumni. I am going to call them all and sign them up for a monthly contribution.

End of the year is very busy for me, but January is slow and I will have plenty of time to call. So send me a check, and I won’t have to call you!

AEKDB,
Alan

The Rev James Grace runs for autism, son

[this letter is reprinted with permission by Brother Jimmy Grace – please consider extending your support]

Dear friends and family,

I am running in the RUN FOR AUTISM on January 13, 2008 in conjunction with the Chevron Houston Marathon.   Aside from training over the past few months and the next two months to come, I have decided to turn my sweat and blisters into something really meaningful.  I am contacting you to help me raise money for autism research.  To learn more, please visit my Web page http://www.firstgiving.com/jamesgrace .  My fundraising goal is $3,000.00.

I am dedicating this run to my oldest son, James, who was diagnosed with a form of Autism earlier this year.  I am running in the hopes to raise money for the Organization for Autism Research, a national non-profit organization that funds research and resources for individuals diagnosed with autism and their families.  Your pledge of support will help individuals whose struggles often exist outside the spotlight of society. 

Please consider sponsoring me in the RUN FOR AUTISM.  Every donation really does make a difference.  To find out more about the Organization for Autism Research, please visit their Web site  www.researchautism.org

Please forward this message to friends and family who might be interested in helping.

Thank you in advance for your support!

Peace,

Jimmy

The Rev. James M.L. Grace
Episcopal Church of the Epiphany
9600 South Gessner
Houston, Texas 77071

Homecoming 2007 recap

If you missed this past Homecoming weekend, I’ll bet you $20 one of your fraternity brothers was either asking about you or offering an update on your behalf. We enjoyed a truly beautiful fall weekend in Georgetown. For my part, it was great to see everyone who came out to enjoy SU’s annual gathering. To the University’s credit, they work very hard on making Homecoming a great event every year. To all of the University staff and volunteers (all of you in gold name badges), thank you for hosting an excellent series of weekend events. One highlight for the second year running was the Alumni Hospitality House, hosted at the San Gabriel House and sponsored by outgoing SU Alumni Association president Joe Seeber. Thanks Joe! Come by the Sigma next year for one on us!

-Jonathan

Stuff worth knowing about

During the 4 PM Open House presentation, our emcee and Brother Bruce Barrick announced the launch of an endowed scholarship in the name of the late Rev. Chuck Merrill. Chuck spoke at Homecoming 2006 to everyone’s delight, just months before he passed; Katy, Chuck’s daughter, came to speak on the family’s behalf this year. It was a touching and emotion filled few moments as Katy spoke of her dad. University president Jake B. Schrum was on hand to accept the first donation to the scholarship fund. He also spoke about Brother Merrill and his legacy, noting men of Chuck’s courage and devotion to social justice seem to be in short supply these days. Supporting the spirit of social justice as lived by Chuck will be a primary focus of the scholarship.

Iota Chapter Alumni Association Blake Stanford announced several awards for alumni service for several brothers who donated time, financial support, labor, and leadership toward House renovations this year. Awards were given to Tanner Garth, Dan Middlebrooks, Erik Harpst, and in absentia Pat Sparks, Joe Abel, and William McCall (note to these gentlemen, I have your awards!). Many brothers did amazing work over the summer months, and Blake made special mention of their efforts. “You know who you are!”

Charles Bedard completed his term as Alumni Treasurer having served with distinction since 2001. The alumni present at the morning membership meeting unanimously elected Alan Haworth as the new Alumni Treasurer effective immediately.

Active president Ben Rodriguez spoke the afternoon gathering on the lawn as well, thanking the alumni for all the hard work and effort which they put in the House. Ben also introduced the four fall pledges and his leadership team.

The Iota Endowed Scholarship Fund now has over $80,000 committed and is on track to hit the goal of reaching $200,000 in the next two years. Brothers or friends of the chapter making annual contributions to Southwestern are able to designate their gift in whole or part to the Iota scholarship. It’s a tax-deductible means to reward the chapters academic excellence. Rob Atkins received the first scholarship in the 2006/2007 academic year.

We hope to post pictures from the weekend soon.

Please add your own comments and reflections on the weekend.

Kappa Sigma Jam Session

A note from Bruce Barrick:

Brothers,

Saturday post the 4:00 PM open house program, join the Kappa Sigma jammers on the East side porch. We’ll bring in food and music. Bring guitars and harmonicas and voices and other kinds of music making apparatuses.

Peace,
Bruce

Saturday’s Homecoming Schedule, Nov. 3

The University hosts the Saturday Homecoming Picnic from Noon – 2PM.

Come by the House in the morning for the Alumni/Active meeting (currently scheduled for 10AM)

Join us back at the House for the official program and Open House at 4PM.

Saturday evening, enjoy live music and good fraternal fun.

Note: we encourage everyone coming to register online and to buy your Homecoming Picnic tickets via the Homecoming Web site: http://www.southwestern.edu/homecoming/index.html

Homecoming and Reunion Weekend Nov 2-4, 2007

SU Homecoming is right around the corner.

You can register online and find all the resources you need (accommodation, schedules) via the SU Homecoming home page: http://www.southwestern.edu/homecoming/

Of note… 

Alumni Hospitality House: Friday, Noon to midnight and Saturday, 10am to 1am, San Gabriel House, 1008 E. University Ave.

Friday, November 2:
7pm   Kappa Sigma Fraternity Alumni Reception at the Hospitality House

Saturday, November 3:
4pm Open House at “The House”

Details on the formal program at Kappa Sigma House to follow…

We hope to see you all at Homecoming this year! 

The Spirit of Iota Chapter

New pictures have been added to the Work Weekend Gallery.

The pictures do little to capture the progress nor the Kappa Sigma spirit displayed by brothers who have transformed the House yet again with skill, love and care. Many emails have been exchanged commenting on what’s been accomplished this summer. Here’s an excerpt from Brother Erik Harpst’s communication:

I come away with a huge sense of satisfaction, both from the communication but also from the fact that through all this, we have achieved an even stronger brotherhood. To see the alumni (some as old as 60), working side by side by new initiates, was priceless and unforgettable. Many of the younger guys worked very hard.  It is never too late to make new friends. That is one thing that has always impressed me about Iota is that  the old and young are so compatible.

This past weekend we had many that contributed both time and money. Thanks to J.L. for once again feeding the flock. The gumbo was great! Special thanks go to William McCall’s beautiful wife Elyn, who not only kept us from getting heat stroke with her water supply, but dazzled us with her painting skills. William’s bathroom counter top is nothing but Spectacular!  Among the many that came  was Matt Seger, from Skidmore.

This effort over the summer has been unbelievable. We expected to go in and do a little painting and repair and call it a day. We easily could have. With the help of brothers like Joe Abel, things are being done right. And, to do things right is costing  money. Most people working have also put up a lot of their own money. The work on our house is still not done (getting close). If you cannot come to Georgetown, please help by sending money. We really need help. With the KA and Pike house run by the school and the Phi House condemned by the fire marshal so that no one can reside there (parties only), we are the only independent fraternity house on campus. It will take funds and a strong brotherhood to assure our longevity. 

Again, thanks to all that have sacrificed their weekends and week days for the betterment of Iota. Hopefully, as role models, you have planted the seeds of a strong brotherhood that will take us past our 125th in 2010, and into the future.

Semper
Erik Harpst

For those who wish to send donations, send to:

Iota Chapter Alumni Association
10400 West Office, Suite 114
Houston, Texas 77042

Last Push Before the Semester Starts

Ths weekend, August 17-19, Brothers will gather again at the House to continue working on a number of projects.

Here’s a sampling of what we’ll tackle:

  1. Carpeting
  2. Insulation
  3. Bathroom walls, fixture, sinks, plumbing and finishing
  4. Bathroom toilet partitions
  5. Shower doors
  6. Parquet floor repair and conditioning
  7. Outdoor painting
  8. Sandblasting
  9. Door repair (main doors)
  10. Old log removal
  11. Landscaping maintenance, lawn mowing
  12. Kitchen painting

Come join the effort! All help is wanted, needed, and appreciated. Food and brotherhood will be provided free of charge.

We’ve a number of brothers to recognize for making monumental efforts in time, energy, expertise, financial support, and coordination during the past several months to make important progress on getting the House into shape. We’ll be sure to give credit and recognition on this site and during Homecoming this year. Thanks to everyone for your efforts – you know you are!

Note: after Saturday’s work, the Active and EC leadership will adjourn for a retreat at Marshal’s to plan for the upcoming semester and year. All are welcome to attend this meeting as well.

Work Weekend #3 at the House

This weekend, July 28-29:

Leading the charge will be Joe Abel and Alan Haworth

On the to do list:
– Clearing out remaining old junk (the World Book Encyclopedia from 1982, etc)
– Painting, downstairs, kitchen, etc
– Doing sheetrock repairs
– Fixing busted doors

Tons going on at the House – join in. All hands are welcome and needed!!

House Improvements

Brothers,

We have made significant House upgrades this summer including new bathrooms, installing a new stove, repainting the entire inside, and making numerous other improvements. We would like to thank our recent contributors and especially thank our Jackson’s Men donors (click here for a full list) who have each donated more than $1,000 and without whom none of the House improvements would have been possible!

Upcoming projects that require donations to be completed include:

  1. Fix parquet floor – water warped parquet spots need to be replaced (Amount currently being scoped)
  2. Install curtains (Looking for an individual or class to make $1,200 donation)
  3. Replace upstairs carpet (Looking for an individual or class to make a $2,000 contribution)
  4. General repairs guided by the Erik, Tanner, and Danny House Revitalization project

Send donations to:
Iota Chapter Alumni Association
10400 Westoffice, Suite 114
Houston, Texas 77042

AEKDB,
Jonathan

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