Vote Martin Fergus!

4/26/09: Update: Martin did not win the race but we congratulate him on a great campaign. You can read about the results courtesy of the Megaphone Online.

Our active brother Martin Fergus is running for Student Congress President. For those of us who can’t vote, we wish you the best of luck on election day, April 8, 2009!

Martin’s running on a robust platform…

• Martin will enforce transparency in Student Congress activities, policies, and resolutions. There is no reason why information about our initiatives as Student Congress should be difficult or a challenge to find. Student Congress has an obligation to represent its constituents in a clear and professional manner.
• Martin plans to develop more effective and efficient organizational practices for Student Congress. As President, Martin will move our Congress in to the 21st century of student government by using centralized information with electronic and internet tools like Wiggio, Twitter, blogging, and websites in order to create a stronger Congress that responds quickly to problems and allow the voice of the campus to be heard.
• Martin will facilitate public exposure for Southwestern’s Congress. Our student Government is a body that is supposed to work for the students. He will work to make Congress well recognized and promoted on campus so that students are energized about the issues that matter.
• Martin will revitalize partnerships between Student Congress and Student organizations. There are a lot of strong organizations around campus that make up the life and energy of Southwestern and Student Congress should be there to help work alongside these organizations. Martin will promote policies that will help give all student organizations the resources they need to fulfill the initiatives they are striving for.
• Martin will strengthen communications between representatives and the Executive Council.
• Martin will work with the administration of Southwestern University to allow for greater autonomy and freedom among the student body.
• Martin will launch strategies to help alleviate the financial burden on students in this time of economic struggle.

About Martin:
Martin hails from Abilene, Texas, and he graduated from Abilene High School in 2006. Throughout his high school career, Martin was active as an Eagle Scout, a lifeguard, he served as Captain of the AHS swim team, and he worked as a summer camp counselor at Camp Rio Vista in Hunt, Texas.

Martin is a Political Science major with a Sociology minor, and he is active at Southwestern as President of the SU Student Peace Alliance, and he also serves as the National State Organizer for SPA. Martin is a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity, and he currently serves as Philanthropic Chair. Martin has served as Senatorial district 24 democratic Chair. Martin spent his summer working as a campaign field organizer fort he Dwight Fullingim Political Campaign for Congress, and he also has experience in the legal field having worked as a Legal Assistant for a law firm in Abliene.

Martin is a Dean’s List student with a passion for serving the Southwestern community. He strives to listen to all student concerns, has strong relationships with members of the Southwestern administration, and Martin wants to be YOUR Student Congress President for the 2009-2010 school year.

Alumni Weekend Announced for March 27-28

Alumni Weekend for the Spring of 2009 will take place over the final weekend in March, from Friday March 27 through Saturday March 28.

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
  • Softball
  • Your PB’s kids one year older since you saw them last year
  • Dinner at your favorite spot around town
  • Music on the porch courtesy of acoustic guitars and Bruce Barrick
  • 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 March!

Rob’s Memorial Service at Southwestern

From the Facebook group formed in Rob’s honor:

Texas (Southwestern University) Memorial Service for Rob Atkinson

Date/Time: Friday, January 23, 2009 at 4:00 p.m.

Location: Southwestern University Chapel (Lois Perkins Chapel), 1001 East University Ave., Georgetown, Texas, 78626. Phone: 512-863-6511.

Type of Service: The service will be non-denominational. It will include prayers, music, a eulogy, and speakers. It will last about two hours.

Who May Attend: The service is open to everyone who would like to attend. Parents who want to bring their children, and who feel their children could handle the intensity and length of a service like this, are welcome to bring them.

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
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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.

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

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!

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.

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.

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

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.