Page 4 - Gamma Mu News - Winter 2010-11

Alumni Spotlight, continued from page 1
wasn’t going to make it known, she was going to make it known that Jim and Anne [Waterman]
she thought that was where I needed to be.” celebrated their 24th wedding
At the time, the fraternity had spring rush for high school seniors. anniversary.
Ferguson rushed in 1978 and was part of a four-member pledge class. The Fergusons live in
He moved into the house his freshman year, away and lived there for Memphis, where they located
four years. after Jim graduated from
Joining Sigma Nu, he says, was a great decision, adding that the Tulane University Law School
fraternity has enriched both his professional and personal life. in 1985. They have two sons,
“I learned how to work and live alongside people from different Will, 20, who attends Warren
backgrounds,” Ferguson said recently, recalling his days in the house. Wilson College in Asheville,
“I learned how to negotiate. I learned dispute resolution. I learned how N.C., and Sam, 18, a student at
to set goals and construct actionable plans and execute them. I learned Tulane in New Orleans.
how to lead and motivate others.” Professionally, he is proud
Ferguson stays in touch with several brothers. Each year since of his 20-year career at FedEx, a
1985 he has gotten together with Greg Van Geison GM 1300 and Fortune 100 Company.”When
Bennett Braun GM 1293, along with independent Kevin Wolfe, for I got to FedEx 20 years ago it
a fall football game. was the airline company – the
“When [the tradition] began, it was our high-flying days,” said overnight letter company. In
Ferguson. “Through the years we got married and had kids, and this the 20 years I have been here
year is the first for my wife, Anne, and me to be empty-nesters. we have expanded to FedEx
He said it is important for alumni to support the fraternity so that Ground, Freight, Office, and Dr. Ferguson and wife, Evalyn, pose with the
other young men have the opportunity to form life-long friendships a host of other transportation- moose in the main room.
and to build skills that will serve them throughout life. [The fraternity] related businesses. To watch
is a place for social development, a place to learn team work and the company grow and be successful and to grow along with it has
camaraderie, and a place where you can experience leadership been amazing. I feel very blessed and very fortunate to be a part of the
development.” success,” Ferguson said.
Ferguson, who served as Lt. Commander, Pledge Marshal and When asked what advice he would give brothers just starting out
Rush Chairman, has particularly good memories of the times his father professionally, he said he would say that there is no substitute for hard
was at the fraternity house. “I was very proud of him. Everyone was work – but that it is also important to have a personal life. “A lot of young
glad to see him there,” said Ferguson, adding that he was also proud people who are coming out of school – graduate and undergraduate –
of his father’s role as faculty representative to the Big 10 Conference. have a sense of entitlement. People have to recognize that they have
Family is important to Jim Ferguson. “I would have to say that to pay their dues and demonstrate that they have the work ethic, that
what is most important to me is the life that Anne and I have built they will devote the time and energy to build their reputation,” said
together,” he said, adding that they met at the Sigma Nu house during Ferguson. “At the same time, it is important to maintain many interests.
little sister rush. You want to maintain an appropriate balance between your work life
“We have raised two sons who are now off at college. I am very and personal life.”
proud of them, and the fact that we have enjoyed such a successful
marriage. She keeps me sane, and is my partner in every way.” This June, - This interview was shortened due to space constraints.

Homecoming, continued from page 3
people arrived to pick up their tickets. A block of seventy tickets was The House and the Patio were
purchased, and it was a beautiful day for football. Donuts were a plenty packed and rocking, and it brought
as people got a chance to tour the House and see all the progress that everyone back to a time in our lives
has been taking place. The active chapter did a fine job of presenting which will never be duplicated.
the House and distributing the tickets. Don Chambers GM 1339
After the game, people toured the campus to check out all the summed up a sentiment shared by
old sights and the new, grabbed dinner or took naps. Then at 8pm, an many recapping the weekend.
Eighties Party for the Ages began. Eighties Record Album Covers “To all - I had probably the best
adorned the walls, and the music was reminiscent of a Steve Franke time I have had since my early years
classic party tape. The Actives and Pledges in the House even put at Illinois and Sigma Nu!!! It was a
together a high energy Eighties music lip sync contest, that included blast. First time back for me in 25 years! Holy cow! What a blast! “
songs from Def Leppard, INXS and the Beastie Boys among others. At the end of the evening, the wheels were in motion for when we
They really impressed the alums with their creativity and high octane can do it all again. In consideration of all the out-of-staters, the plan is
renditions. to have an Eighties reunion of this magnitude once every five years, so
But the main reason the reunion was such a success was the the next one will be in 2015. Based on the feedback, it seems a sure
good vibes generated by close friends catching up after many years. thing for most everyone to come back again.

Want to see other great photos of Homecoming? Check out and order photos from this years reunion at:
www.dotphoto.com/go.asp?l=optional-necessity&P=&AID=6259881&CID=2409598&T=1&E=Y&ILD=5558729

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