Category: Alumni

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.

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

Continue reading →

Notes from Brothers

Brothers –

Keep up the great work! I am trapped in WI’s North Woods right now, so I hope some cash can help in my absence. I can’t wait to see the House when I am back in town.

AEKDB
Matt Barnes

Brothers –

I was looking at my phone today and it appears I called the house about six times around five am Sunday morning. As I recall, I was trying to inquire whether the refrigerator was running. Anyways, here’s my monthly contribution check.

AEKDB
Mo

Brothers –

William Granger Grace made his way into the world on July 9 at 11:42 PM. He’s 7 pounds, 13 ounces, and 20 inches long. His older brother, James, is very happy (and his parents are very tired!)

AEKDB
Jimmy (The Rev. James M.L. Grace)

Brother Matthew Kenneth Jones

Friends and Brothers,

We wanted to share the news of the passing of Brother Matt Jones, who died after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Below is an excerpt from and a link to the obituary from the “The Daily Sentinel” of Nacogdoches.

Matthew Kenneth Jones was born in St. Louis, Missouri on Sept. 21, 1967 and made the journey to his eternal home on June 29, 2007, following an eight-year battle with a Glioblastoma Multiforme 4. Matt passed away in the peace and comfort of his home in Nacogdoches, where he resided for the majority of his life. Matt enjoyed life immensely and maintained his enthusiasm and zest even throughout his lengthy battle…

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to M.D. Anderson, The American Cancer Society, or The Juvenile Diabetes Association, St. Jude’s, MS Association of Seattle.

Extreme Makeover: Sig House Edition

Brothers,

The brothers of Iota are heading to the fraternity house for back-to-back work weekends, July 7th and 14th. Our beloved house needs help.

Among our intended goals are:

1) Floor repair, along with sealing

2) Prime and paint staircase

3) Paint ALL interior walls including all upstairs bedrooms

4) Install laminates on bathroom walls

5) Install new bathroom vanities

6) Build shelves in Zeke’s closet and wherever else needed

7) Replace non-working or broken door locks-interior and exterior

8 ) Replace light fixtures and ceiling fans if necessary

9) Assess exterior doors for possible replacement

10) Trim rear hedges to match front hedge height

11) Trim trees, sod where needed

12) Pressure wash all sidewalks,deck and needed parts of house

13) Discard leftover articles from closets and bedrooms

14) General clean-up of house and yard

To accomplish all the things on this list, it will take man power and
money. As previously mentioned in the first newsletter, available
funds have been designated for specific projects. We need donations
for the work weekends as soon as possible in order to purchase the
needed supplies. Send your donations ASAP to the alumni association,
the address listed below.

We have a new stainless steel commercial stove on the way, thanks to
previous donations. New shower doors, and toilet partitions, are
waiting to be installed. Completed projects include: fixing the
horrendous plumbing problems, installation of new upstairs showers
and toilets, bathroom sheet rocking and texturing, and repairing the
kitchen stove hood vent to meet code.

Anyone coming to these weekends is encouraged to bring paint supplies
(rollers, brushes, pans, etc) or tools that might help with the above
list. Below are the committee heads and their contact email addresses.
Below that, are the committed workers that we have heard from thus
far. Some that could not make either weekend have volunteered to come
later to follow up and finish any needed work. If you plan on
attending one or more dates, respond to this email so we can put you
on the list and get an accurate head count.

As we approach the weekends, an email will be sent out notifying
everyone of the various details. Unless you plan on sleeping in a
construction site, go to the Southwestern Web site for a list of area
hotels. S.U. Alumni get discounts at some hotels. Georgetown hosts
many sports events, so rooms go quickly. The advice is to do it now.

Check your email for committe head information, or contact Iota Scribe to be added to the newsletter list.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

Now get on the phone or computer and contact your worthless pledge
brothers and re-live a little of your own Kappa Sigma History.

AEKDB
The Work Weekend Crew

Swing a hammer for Kappa Sigma! Come Alumni and Actives!

A note from Brother Erik Harpst:

How long has it been since you have lifted a paint brush or swung a hammer for Kappa Sigma? Well that’s too long!!

We have planned a face lift of the Iota Chapter’s beloved Sig House to complete the 2007 renovations. On July 7 and July 14, alumni and active members will be working to restore its overall condition. This will take dedicated workers, materials and money. Among the needed work is painting, floor repair, door repair/replacement, door lock replacement, hedge trimming, carpentry repair, landscaping, bathroom construction, pressure washing, general repair and clean up. We are getting committee members that will be in charge of certain projects. They will be gathering workers on certain dates to get their projects completed.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have donated thus far, especially those who have given large donations. These funds have been wisely spent on much needed plumbing and kitchen repairs ($6000). Other funds are earmarked for up coming expenses such as the floor, bathroom stalls, shower doors, etc. We need funding for our upcoming work weekends. If you are unable to make it to Georgetown , show your support by donating to the much needed funds. If you can do both, as many will do, a sincere AEKDB to you.

In the coming days or weeks you will receive information with committee member’s names and contact information. Each committee member will be responsible for organizing their project, including getting the needed supplies to the house for the job and coming up with a head count. Many volunteers will be needed for the painting committee.

Our fraternity house will be 50 years old in 2010. It has served us well and we have many memories, both happy and sad, of our days within those limestone walls. Most of us would not trade those memories for anything in the world. Let’s give our house the respect it deserves and bring it back to it’s former glory.

AEKDB

Erik Harpst, 1970

 

Benjamin Ramirez, Active GM
ramirezb(at)southwestern(dot)edu
512-775-1351
Georgetown

Erik Harpst, Weekend Commander
loeran(at)aol(dot)com
Sugar Land

Danny Middlebrooks
DanMiddlebrooks(at)targaresources(dot)com
Houston

Blake Stanford, Alumni President
blake(at)swhuman(dot)org
Austin

Marshal Crenshaw, Alumni Advisor
marshal_crenshaw(at)hotmail(dot)com
Austin

Jonathan Goodman, Alumni VP & Scribe
jgoodman(at)hrmarketer(dot)com
Fort Worth

Alumni Association Plans for Summer Work Weekend

What better way to spend a Central Texas summertime weekend than by grabbing those dusty coveralls, picking up your PB or local Iota brother in the SUV and heading on over to G-town to spend a weekend with Alums and Actives getting sweaty and knocking out some much needed work on the House?

Committees are forming to address specific projects (painting, yard, kitchen, floors, doors, bathrooms) and the dates are being set now. Follow the link below to tell us when dates you’re free and willing to particpate.

http://www.pollmonkey.com/p.asp?U=9207438310

We hope to see you this summer!

Alumni Association Update

An excerpt from the Fall Alumni Newsletter: 

Alumni dues are akin to SU’s annual giving, or a public radio fundraising campaign, and like every other non-profit, the Iota Alumni Association fundraising goes to support operating costs for our fraternity, of which we all still derive great benefit.

Operating costs pay for the following in priority order:

  1. Loan repayment
  2. House repairs (Next up: stove, vent hood, and plumbing)
  3. Homecoming and Alumni weekends
  4. Scholarship and rush

We spent many years fundraising in a “crisis environment” and we still need to make the shift toward fundraising in a “normal” environment for simple fi scal and operational health.

Membership dues averaged $158 per alumni last year with gifts ranging from the minimum of $60 to $5,000.

Recent Financial History:

  • Summer 2003: Iota Alumni Association took out a 15 year note of $150,000 at 5.5% interest per annum from Southwestern University for House improvements including, but not limited to kitchen, deck, floor, windows, fire alarm and security.
  • 2004: More than 110 alumni and friends contributed in $15 to $5,000 contributions.
  • 2005: More than 70 alumni contributed in $25 to $5,000.
  • Fall 2006: Our first scholarship of approximately $1000 is granted for this fall semester for Robert Atkinson, a sophomore active from San Diego. The next scholarship awarded should be for approximately $3000
  • Fall 2006: Several alumni and an alumni pledge class paid dues for three Active brothers who were unable to pay. This enabled the Active Chapter to be 100% prepaid for the entire semester (dues and rent) for the first time in history.
  • Beyond 2007, what’s the picture for long-term financial stability?

Please join the Iota Alumni Association today by sending in a check or contact:

Charles Bedard
24 Greenway Plaza Suite 440
Houston, TX 77046
bedard at ephorgroup dot com
512.797.6786

Scholarship Report: Alumni Association President Blake Stanford

Dear Brothers,

Many of you have supported the Iota Chapter and Southwestern University in many ways over the years. As your Alumni Association President, I am pleased to report the fruits of our effort and the first Southwestern Greek endowed scholarship fund.

Through the effort of Friends and Brothers, the fund was initiated in the spring of 2005 and now totals $59,044. Our first scholarship of approximately $1000 was granted for this fall semester for Robert Atkinson, a sophomore Kappa Sigma active from San Diego, California. The next scholarship awarded should be for approximately $3000.

The Kappa Sigma Iota Endowed Scholarship Fund is a permanent endowment fund established by our Chapter’s Alumni Association for the benefit of Active members of the Fraternity. Iota Chapter University students in good standing and demonstrating the highest levels of academic excellence and leadership in the University are eligible for the annual scholarship awards. This is truly a new and unique way to assist its members with their University education, promote the Active Chapter on campus, and support your Alma Mater.

Many brothers have expressed a desire to give to the Chapter through a tax deductible donation. This is your chance. Please lend your financial support to this endeavor, and take this opportunity to make your donation to this worthy endeavor. If you are already giving gifts to the University, please designate them towards the Fund by noting this designation on your check.

When remitting your check, please make payable to: “Southwestern University – Kappa Sigma Endowed Fund”. Also, please check with your employer for availability of matching funds towards your personal, tax deductible gift. If you have any questions, please contact me personally at home (512-452-5260), work (512-467-7916) or via email, blake at swhuman dot org. Our contact person at Southwestern University, Kent Huntsman, Associate Vice President for Development, can be
reached at 512-863-6511. or by by writing to his attention at P.O. BOX 770, Georgetown, TX 78627-0770.

The Board of Directors of the Iota Alumni Association urges you to show your support for Kappa Sigma now. Remember – “Not for a day, an hour, or a college term only, but for LIFE”.

AEKDB,
Blake Stanford
President, Iota Alumni Association

Homecoming Fall 2006

Over 108 brothers attended this year’s Homecoming and the celebration of our 120th anniversary making it the most well attended Iota gathering since Centennial. Brothers came from as far away as California (Neil Ormond, Tim Stapleton and Thad Davis) to Colorado (Roger Davidson) to D.C. (Tyson Hinds) to Montana (Bob Blair) and from all around Texas (Jesse Blalock from Kingwood, Robert Barton from Kerrville, and Billy Davis from Georgetown).

Festivities included a poker tournament, champagne toast, and awards reception. And a little partying. Over 210 people attended the afternoon reception including Southwestern offi cials such as President Schrum, Iota actives, alumni, family and friends. A solemn and heartfelt moment occurred with a reading of passed brothers and moment of silence. Matt Barnes’ lineage project got off to a great start and will be unveiled at Alum Weekend 2007.

A big thanks to Bruce Barrick and Erik Harpst for planning a phenomenal Homecoming and 120th Anniversary. We look forward to a huge turnout at Alumni Weekend March 30th – April Fool’s Day when the Alumni lay the smack down on the actives in the annual Active/Alumni softball game.

Video of a skit written by Kevin Jones and Beau Henry and performed during the festivities is available here: