David K. Spyke - Ohio University

It is always a sad day when we lose a brother.

OHIO: Compass | University mourns:

David Spyke

Photo courtesy of: Ohio University Information Technology

Ohio University is mourning the loss of 20-year-old undergraduate student David K. Spyke in a skateboarding accident.

According to a report in the Cincinnati Enquirer, Spyke was skateboarding with friends in Anderson Township, southeast of Cincinnati, when he crashed and struck his head late in the afternoon of Sunday, May 12. He was airlifted to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he died at 2:45 a.m. Monday, May 13.

"We are deeply saddened by such a sudden loss," said Vice President for Student Affairs Ryan Lombardi. "David was an active member of our community and had a great love for Ohio University.  We express our condolences to David's family and his friends."

Spyke, of Anchorage, Alaska, had just completed his sophomore year in Ohio University’s College of Arts and Sciences, majoring in biological sciences. He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.

"David was one of my outstanding advisees," said Steve Reilly, professor of Biological Sciences. "He was a hardworking, organized and motivated student and had a bright future. This was a terrible loss. I know the Biological Sciences faculty and students are unanimous in sending our deepest sympathies to his family and friends."

At Ohio University, Spyke made the dean's list numerous times and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. He was a Gateway Excellence Scholarship recipient whose goal was to become a neurological science researcher.

"David was a great guy who was very open minded," said junior Sigma Phi Epsilon member Matt Lewis. "He was one of my best friends and everyone went to him for advice. He was brilliant."A memorial service was held on Saturday, May 18 at Hillel at Ohio University.

"We hosted a memorial gathering for David on Saturday and I was impressed by the incredible outpouring of love and support from his family and friends," said Rabbi Danielle Leshaw of Hillel at Ohio University. "His parents were appreciative of everyone who showed up and it was an honor for us to host the ceremony."

Students in need of support can call Counseling and Psychological Services anytime at 740-593-1616 to speak with a counselor.

Donations in Spyke's honor can be made to the Brain Injury Association of America, Ohio University Foundation or The Sierra Club.

The family will host a memorial gathering from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, May 20 in Lyndhurst, Ohio, at the home of David's uncle Ben Spyke.


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Greeks writing the next chapter in philanthropy

An interesting choice by the Eastern Washington SigEp chapter. Do you agree with their decision?

Sigma Phi Epsilon President Aaron Steiner said, “This year we actually changed [from donating to our national philanthropy] to the Wounded Warrior project. They help wounded vets get back on their feet with medical expenses or housing or things like that.”

Greeks writing the next chapter in philanthropy « Easterner Online:

Philanthropy in EWU sororities and fraternities has a long history that today’s Eastern students continue.

The first fraternity in the U.S. was created in 1776 and the first sorority in 1851, and while the original intent was to promote sociability among students, that intent soon expanded to include service as more Greek organizations formed across the country, according to AlphaDeltaPi.org and PBK.org, the websites of these first Greek organizations.

Sororities and fraternities at EWU are local chapters of national Greek organizations, each with its own history and special philanthropic cause.

“All fraternities and sororities are values-based organizations, so they all have value placed on engaging in community service and also engaging in philanthropic activities where they support either local or national charities,” said Samantha Armstrong, EWU adviser for leadership education. “Most of the requirements come from their national organization.”

EWU currently has 18 recognized sororities and fraternities with a variety of national causes including heart disease, autism, disability awareness and many more. According to Armstrong, students joining a Greek organization are told that the organization engages in community service.

The expectation is that members will participate and join in as part of each organization’s philanthropy ethic and service hours requirement. Each organization turns in monthly service hours for each member to Armstrong, who helps each group organize service and stay on track.

Reanne Charuhas is the student vice president of Panhellenic Societies and Philanthropy. “We had a ‘Mr. Greek’ pageant. … All the money went to cardiac care for [the organization’s] national philanthropy. Alpha Xi Delta had its annual spaghetti feed, unlimited spaghetti, salad and stuff at the community center, and raised over $2,000 for Autism Speaks,” Charuhas said.

Charuhas reeled off a list of projects done by different chapters for 26 Days of Kindness, such as a blood drive, candygrams, notes and special deliveries to people all over campus, support signs for EWU sports teams and more.

“Each sorority establishes its own community service requirements, varying from three hours to 10 hours a quarter,” Charuhas said. “This involvement needs to be outside of our group philanthropy work, getting out into the community.” She talked about how excited the women are to be involved in local elementary schools and shelters doing all kinds of projects.

Sigma Phi Epsilon President Aaron Steiner said, “This year we actually changed [from donating to our national philanthropy] to the Wounded Warrior project. They help wounded vets get back on their feet with medical expenses or housing or things like that.”

Sigma Phi Epsilon has members who have been or are currently in the military, and they consider veterans to be an important cause, according to Steiner.

Steiner also described an annual Haunted House fundraiser event held by his chapter house each fall. Community members, students and faculty donate $5 to come through and see the haunted house. This money is donated to Wounded Warriors.

Doran Williams is Sigma Phi Epsilon’s philanthropy chairperson. “We’re helping build a playground in Spokane and building with Habitat for Humanity,” Williams said. “We raised about $2,000 this last year [at Haunted House] and hope to raise more this coming fall.”

“Right now we don’t have any philanthropies planned,” Steiner said, “but we do want to do something for Youth Aid because that is our national philanthropy. We go through challenge courses, and each challenge requires community service for our members.”

One of Sigma Phi Epsilon’s principles is diligence, so members try to work hard in everything they do, according to Steiner.

Arkansas Alpha Chapter Going to the Dogs

This is a guest post written by Wesley Storrs and edited by Teddy Cunningham, VP Communications at AR Alpha.

On March 29, the  SigEp brothers of the University of Arkansas ,Arkansas Alpha, had the privilege to organize a community service event for our philanthropy team at the Washington County Animal Shelter in Fayetteville, AR. When Wesley Storrs first called the shelter to inquire about their hours, the desk clerk sounded somewhat enthused about what she thought to be only one more volunteer to spend a few hours there, until Wesley informed her that there was going to be a large group coming with me from the Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter from the University of Arkansas campus. At this, she became much more excited, and scrambled to gather all the information the members would need to get everyone signed up and on the itinerary to volunteer.

When we showed up, the look of both shock and relief was on the employee’s faces as they quickly began to pass out their volunteer paperwork and delegate what tasks we were to undertake. In all, there were 15 SigEps that came. We spent the afternoon walking and playing with dogs that had before been either abused or neglected in a large grass field that the shelter provided. When we were directed to their kennel with our leashes, the amount of barking shocked most of us. To these dogs, this would be the most attention they would get for a long time until they were either adopted, or euthanized.

Throughout the day, we took our turns walking and playing with dogs as we spent time with every one of them. As the hours passed, each time we went into the kennel to return and walk another dog, there would be less and less barking, the employees became less stressed as they were able to fulfill other duties that would have otherwise been neglected, and more and more SigEps would show up to the shelter. Not only were we enjoying ourselves, but the employees also enjoyed our good manners and we were having a blast.

As SigEps, we know that by joining Sigep, we would be dedicating ourselves to our virtues of Virtue, Diligence, and Brotherly Love, and that through these principles we will be able to become involved in philanthropy work more wholeheartedly than we would on our own. But little did we know beforehand that through this experience and several other experiences all the members of SigEp have had through philanthropy, the impact that our chapter can have not only on campus but our community as a whole. Under the direction of our Vice President of Philanthropy, Hayden Vernia, and his predecessor and current President, John Fowler, the members of Arkansas Alpha have been able to make aspirations to become philanthropic men a reality. After seeing the impacts we are starting to make  an impact on our community in Fayetteville and makes us proud to claim ourselves as a SigEps and people in the community recognize the great organization we are a part of.

Written by : Wesley Storrs

Edit by: Teddy Cunningham, VP of Communications

Have you met Mom Sandy? | OU SigEp

Have you met Mom Sandy? | OU SigEp:

HAVE YOU MET MOM SANDY?

April 27, 2013

Mom Sandy
May 2006 – Current

Only those who have pulled an all-nighter in the SigEp dining room know just how early Sandra Fisher wakes up every morning to get the house ready for the day. Every weekday for the last seven years she’s made sure the breakfast bar is stocked and ready, milk is in the fridge, the dining room is clean, and the stack of campus newspapers is brought in off of the front porch ready to read with breakfast.

“Being a House Director is a calling.  It takes heart, logic, nerves of steel and occasionally ear plugs,” Sandy said as she described her life in the SigEp house.

As 84 fraternity men move in and out of the house throughout the day, Mom Sandy works closely with the food service, keeping the items stocked and menu filled with healthy choices. On game day Saturdays she orders the food, places the tablecloths and decorations, and works with kitchen staff and membership to set up the house for the festivities parents and alumni enjoy. She makes sure the house is presentable, the trash is taken out and most importantly that men who live there are safe.

Being a House Director is a calling. It takes heart, logic, nerves of steel and occasionally ear plugs.

Not unlike most mothers, Mom Sandy’s work often goes unnoticed. But her apartment on the first floor of SigEp is always open if anyone needs a listening ear or some motherly advice.

Prior to joining SigEp in May of 2006, Sandy raised three children of her own and worked as a respiratory therapist for 20 years. Now she is glad to focus her energy on the men who live in house, making their experience as memorable and as safe as possible.

“I like knowing I am providing a home away from home atmosphere for the members,” Said Sandy.

She is as proud of her boys as any of their mom’s at home and it is though to see them move on when they graduate and move away.

“Even though they move on with their lives they always have a special place in my heart.  Being part of Sigma Phi Epsilon has enriched my life more than I could have ever imagined.”

To learn more about Mom Sandy, click here.

To contact, you can email her at momsandy.sigep[at]gmail.com

SigEp Saint Baldricks 2013

Once again, SigEps at Drexel (PA Beta Beta) go bald to raise money for cancer research. They have sponsored this event for the last six years and raise over $100,000 for children's cancer research.

Virginia Tech's Sig Ep Going Massive

Virginia Tech's Sig Ep Going Massive | It Must Be College: "

The new $5 million SigEp House at VA Tech.

Depending upon what college you attend, has a big influence on how you see the Greek lifestyle in college. Most colleges have Greek life, and the fraternity houses can be pictured as scummy, disgusting and full of douche bags.

This is not true for every college though. The men of Sig Ep at Virginia Tech now how to be classy, and there are benefits that come with it.

Virginia Tech's Greek Village - called Oak Lane - is going under a huge expansion project, building new fraternity and sorority houses. The first house that allowed people to move in though, was the Sigma Phi Epsilon house.

What is so special about this, well how about the fact the house has a price tag of $5,000,000!"

Click on this link for more story and more pictures.

SigEp HQ Looking for a Communications Manager

A Communications Manager position is available at SigEp HQ. Interested?

Dear Brothers and Friends, I am excited to announce that SigEp is searching for a new communications manager to join our Headquarters staff. Because of your involvement with SigEp, I’m turning to you for help.  Please forward this along to any great candidates you know, or apply if you are interested. We are looking for somebody hardworking and passionate about SigEp to work full-time in our Richmond, Virginia office.  We are seeking a strong writer, who can create and edit compelling content.  The new communications manager will direct the SigEp voice through various print, online and social media platforms.  This is an essential position, and we are looking for someone to join our team immediately.  Ideal candidates will have a bachelor’s degree and work experience in marketing, journalism, public relations, donor relations, fundraising or a related field.  Visit the job posting on SigEp’s website for more information on the role and directions on how to apply. Thank you for helping us find SigEp’s next great communications manager. Sincerely, Brian C. Warren, Jr.  Executive Director This message is being sent to all volunteers, graduating seniors and past Headquarters staff members.

Students hit a home run for Mission Hill Little League

MA Eta SigEps are helping out with Little Leaguers in Boston.

Students hit a home run for Mission Hill Little League | news @ Northeastern:

Brothers in the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, seen here at 

McLaughlin Playground, serve as coaches and mentors of 

dozens of young ballplayers in the Mission Hill Little League 

program. 

Photo by Brooks Canaday.

They don’t hit, run, or pitch, but a score of Northeastern Uni­ver­sity students play an important role in the Mission Hill Little League program, coaching and mentoring dozens of budding ballplayers.

“ Northeastern students are a major part of our pro­gram,” said league pres­i­dent Adabel Romero, noting that at least one student is assigned to coach each team.

“They work very well with the kids and keep them focused on the game,” added Romero, whose 12-​​year-​​old son, Anthony, plays shortstop.

The majority of vol­un­teers are brothers in the Sigma Phi Epsilon fra­ter­nity, which formed a part­ner­ship with the little league program eight years ago.

Nick Bar­tolone, the fraternity’s outgoing pres­i­dent, is one of three Northeastern students who coach the Cubs, which won last year’s league championship.

He noted a stark trans­for­ma­tion in the behavior of the little lea­guers between the begin­ning and end of last season. “At the start of the year, some of the players showed up late and didn’t always play nice,” he explained. But as the season wore on, he said, “they came together as a team and learned how to work cohesively.”

Brett Kelly, another fra­ter­nity member who coaches the Cubs, agreed with Bartolone’s assess­ment of the young ballplayers, saying, “Their faces light up once they get a hit or get an out.”

Working as a summer camp councilor taught Kelly a thing or two about men­toring his little lea­guers. “You get to know a lot about each player’s life,” he explained, “and you approach each one with a dif­ferent style in order to help him improve both on and off the field.”

Most games are played at Killilea Field on Mission Hill’s McLaughlin Playground  Northeastern’s Office of City and Com­mu­nity Affairs donated $20,000 to the neigh­bor­hood last year to install a drainage system in the field, which was put in place shortly before Opening Day on April 20.

“It’s working great,” Romero said. “It rained the night before Opening Day, and there were no pud­dles next to home plate. Before the drainage system was installed, we had to pump the water out by hand and reschedule a lot of games.”


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KU SigEp 90th Anniversary Weekend Recap

Congratulations to KU SigEps on their 90th anniversary:


KU SigEp 90th Anniversary Weekend Recap from Justin Bond on Vimeo.

This Week in SigEp Patriot History, 29 April – 05 May

Brothers,

02 MAY 1918

On this date, NY Beta Brother (then) First Lieutenant James “Jimmy” Armand Meissner, U.S. Army Air Service won his first aerial engagement while flying a French-made Nieuport 28 about three miles above Foret De La Rappe, France. Jimmy would go on to become an American Ace during WWI and attain the rank of Major.

For his service on this date, Brother Meissner was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in accordance with General Order 121, W.D., 1918,

“The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to James A. Meissner, First Lieutenant (Air Service), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action in the Toul Sector on 02 MAY 1918. First Lieutenant Meissner attacked three enemy planes at an altitude of 4,800 meters over the Foret De La Rappe, France. After a short fight he brought down one of the machines in flames. During the combat the entering wedge and the covering of the upper wings of his plane were torn away and after the battle he was subjected to heavy fire from antiaircraft batteries, but by skillful operation and cool judgment he succeeded in making a landing within the American lines.”

04 MAY 1925

Born in Ontario, Canada, World War I Veteran and Renaissance Brother Captain James Naismith, U.S. Army National Guard (Kansas) became a naturalized U.S. citizen on this date.

01 MAY 1942

MT Alpha Brother John Woodrow Bonner entered the U.S. Army on this date and served during World War II.

01 MAY 1956

On this date, World War II Veteran and VA Zeta Brother General Robert Jefferson Wood, U.S. Army became commanding general of Fort Bliss and commandant of the Antiaircraft Artillery and Guided Missile School. Brother Wood was presented with the SigEp Citation in 1967.

02 MAY 1998

FL Theta Brother Christopher Sacra began his patriotic service in the U.S. Navy on this date.

01 MAY 1999

On this date, TN Theta Brother Kenneth Michael Ballard began his patriotic service in the U.S. Army. He would serve until 30 MAY 2004 when, while serving as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, he was killed in Najaf, Iraq.

Greeks writing the next chapter in philanthropy « Easterner Online

From Eastern Washington University, an article about how Greeks are sponsoring philanthropic activities.

Greeks writing the next chapter in philanthropy « Easterner Online:

Sigma Phi Epsilon President Aaron Steiner said, “This year we actually changed [from donating to our national philanthropy] to the Wounded Warrior project. They help wounded vets get back on their feet with medical expenses or housing or things like that.”

Sigma Phi Epsilon has members who have been or are currently in the military, and they consider veterans to be an important cause, according to Steiner.

Steiner also described an annual Haunted House fundraiser event held by his chapter house each fall. Community members, students and faculty donate $5 to come through and see the haunted house. This money is donated to Wounded Warriors.

Doran Williams is Sigma Phi Epsilon’s philanthropy chairperson. “We’re helping build a playground in Spokane and building with Habitat for Humanity,” Williams said. “We raised about $2,000 this last year [at Haunted House] and hope to raise more this coming fall.”

“Right now we don’t have any philanthropies planned,” Steiner said, “but we do want to do something for Youth Aid because that is our national philanthropy. We go through challenge courses, and each challenge requires community service for our members.”

One of Sigma Phi Epsilon’s principles is diligence, so members try to work hard in everything they do, according to Steiner.

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This Week in SigEp Patriot History, 22 – 28 April

“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” ~ Steve Jobs

Brothers,

24 APR 1942

World War II Veteran and WI Alpha Brother Everett Roudebush entered the U.S. Army on this date after finishing a concert tour with Salvatore Baccaloni, noted Metropolitan Opera Company star. Everett would go on to achieve the rank of Corporal before being discharged.

27 APR 1964

World War I Veteran, Judge (5th Judicial Circuit) and U.S. Congressman (Virginia) VA Eta Brother Private Joel West Flood, U.S. Army died on this date in Richmond, VA. During WWI, Brother Flood served in Company A, 350th Engineers, 80th Division before being discharged in 1919.

Joel was born in 1894 near Appomattox, Virginia, became a SigEp at University of Virginia, and later attended Oxford University. After studying law he was admitted to the bar in 1917 and commenced practice in Appomattox.

The same year he completed his military duty, Joel was elected Virginia State Commonwealth Attorney of Appomattox County. He served until 08 NOV 1932 when he was elected to the Seventy-Second Congress to fill a vacancy. Brother Flood then resumed the practice of law, and after serving as a delegate to the 1936 Democratic National Convention was appointed assistant United States attorney for the western district of Virginia in 1939.

In JAN 1940, Joel was elected as a judge of the fifth judicial circuit of Virginia, and he served in this capacity until his death.

Respect can be paid to Brother Flood at the Flood Mausoleum, Appomattox Courthouse Square, Appomattox, VA.

29 APR 2005

U.S. Army World War II Veteran and NY Alpha Brother R. Charles Backus died on this date in Mexico, New York at the age of 84. During WWII he was a cryptographer in the Signal Corps.

He was an owner of the Oswego County Weeklies for over 50 years. He was a nationally known Holstein Auctioneer with R. Austin Backus Inc. He served many years as a delegate of the National Holstein Convention. He was a member of the Holstein Association of New York State and on the national level. He was a member of the Oswego Country Club and The Elms Golf Course.

Respect can be paid to Brother Backus at Mexico Village Cemetery in Mexico, NY.

27 APR 2006

A hero died on this date at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas as a result of wounds received during combat operations in Habbaniyah, Iraq. Operation IRAQI FREEDOM Veteran and MI Beta Brother Sergeant Matthew Alan Webber, U.S. Army National Guard (Michigan) was 23 years old.

Matt attended Western Michigan University, joined the Army National Guard in 1999, and was called to active duty in June 2005. Brother Webber was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment (Mechanized), Michigan Army National Guard on 21 NOV 2005 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his Humvee.

Respect can be paid to Brother Webber at Pine Plains Cemetery, Big Rapids, Michigan.

Distance Mentoring at IL Epsilon SEC

The SigEp Technology Task Force has been developing the concept of bringing mentors to chapters even if they are far from the chapter or member they work with. 

In this example Mike Ellis is using a Google+ Hangout to meet with 4 others who are interested in helping an SEC achieve chartered status. You will notice two significant points that primarily support Mentoring and the learning and review that can result. 

1. All 5 participants are able to see each other.

2. The meeting was streamed live over YouTube and saved for later playback. (like now)

Take a look. We welcome comments or questions.

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Here's what's happening as an example of Distance Mentoring at the SigEp chapter trying to regain its charter (Northern Illinois University, Illinois Epsilon)

http://youtu.be/yOTBez1NcyU

You too could be part of a group helping undergraduates at a chapter somewhere in the country.

Eliminate the distance, make the time commitment manageable, make a real difference.  All that we need is one hour a week, one hour a month.

c: SigEp IL E Mentors

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