Page 4 - The Illinois Sig - Fall 2007

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Goals and Aspirations Discussed - Including Winning Peterson Awards, Rush,
Scholarships, Leadership Training, Chapter Finances and More
High Attendance at Board OfDirectors Meeting - Over 50 Undergraduates Attended

By Eric W. Rahn 75

On September 8, 2007, the Kappa Kappa Chapter Award. It wasn't all that long ago time was had by all. At the meeting, we
Corporation of Sigma Chi had a special that the chapter was routinely a recipient of announced that our next Kappa Kappa
meeting of members to elect the new this award. At the September s- meeting, Corporation annual meeting would be held
Board of Directors. While the meeting the undergrads indicated one of their next year at Homecoming on October 11,
itself was not unusual, what was unusual is goals was to "win Peterson Awards ... lots 2008. Mark your calendars now.
the location of this meeting - 410 E. John of them." This is a truly admirable goal, The final challenge facing us is to
Street, our beloved Chapter House, for the I and one the undergrads think is quite plan for the future. To this end, the Board
first time 'in a very long time; In addition attainable. Another one of their goals recently created the Kappa Kappa of
to' a number of the existing and newly was to develop an alumni chapter in the Sigma Chi Foundation. This is a charitable
elected boardmembers, the meeting was Champaign area-another admirable goal. foundation created to help raise funds for
att~~ded by the undergraduate Executive How do we assist the undergrads the future of our chapter - for scholarship
Committee as well as other undergraduate in achieving their goals? I think the and leadership, and for our physical plant. It
brothers - over 50 undergrads all told! best way to help is to inspire them and is getting harder and harder to be admitted
mentor them. Being involved on a far to the University of Illinois, and the costs
"How do we assist the more frequent basis is the first step. We are increasing rapidly. The state funding for
undergrads in achieving their had a Board meeting on June 9, 2007 Illinois is now less that 20% compared to
in downtown Chicago on a Saturday well over 50% just 20 years ago. This means
goals? I think the best way to morning. Ten undergrads, including the higher tuition and fees for the undergrads.
help is to inspire them and newly elected Consul and the past two A meaningful scholarship and leadership
mentor them." Consuls, attended this meeting to cover a awards program will help Sigma Chi recruit
number of subject-matters involving-the the best students and help develop them
At this meeting, the Directors elected undergrads. They gave up the better part into leaders. A facility plan will pro actively
the new officers of the Kappa Kappa of a lovely summer Saturday to spend help uS to maintain our nearly 100 year old
Corporation. Jack Davis '67 decided time with the Board. The subjects covered chapter house. More information about our
not to continue on as President, and I included the history and legacy at Kappa fund raising plans will be available in the
was elected to succeed him. While this Kappa Chapter, short and long-term coming months.
is an incredible honor, it is also a great goals of the undergrads, rush, scholarship,
challenge. It wasn't all that long ago that leadership training, chapter finances and "To this end, the Board
the communications between the alumni house physical plant. To say the undergrads recently created the Kappa
and the undergrads was infrequent and the were engaged would be an understatement.
alumni involvement was limited. Jack took All these subjects were again covered at the Kappa of Sigma Chi Foundation.
over as President and in the pastfew years above mentioned September 8th meeting. Thisis a charitable foundation
h~$ personally recruited a number of alums I am pleased to report the undergrads are created to help raise funds for
- including several young alums - to get focused and have their sights set on the the future of our chapter - for
involved. Under his guidance, the Board Peterson Significant Chapter Award. scholarship and leadership, and
has engaged the undergraduate chapter and The second challenge facing us is to
the result is great improvement in many improve the communications with our for our physical plant."
areas. I would personally like to thank alumni and provide more opportunities
Jack for his incredible energy and strong for alumni to be involved and get back Over the 126 year history of Kappa
commitment to Kappa Kappa Chapter. He on campus. For the first time in many Kappa, we have been incredibly blessed with
will remain involved as Vice President and years, we sent out a mailing inviting our outstanding success at the undergraduate
I know his presence will continue to be a alums to join us at the Chapter House chapter level and with strong involvement
positive influence. for Homecoming. The undergrads hosted from extremely talented and dedicated
So what are the challenges facing us? a very nice post game "cookout" and we alums. My hope is to honor those past
The first and foremost challenge is to had a brief program to update those in accomplishments by striving to achieve
continue to nurture and challenge the attendance about the Kappa Kappa Corp. current success through active alumni
undergraduate chapter to succeed. It has plans and activities and to hear from the involvement and the inspired efforts of
been quite a while since the undergraduate undergrads about their current school a talented undergraduate chapter. I am
chapter received the Peterson Significant year plans and achievements. A delightful confident we are all up to the challenge!

4 www.illinoissigs.org November 2007