Page 4 - The Illinois Sig - Winter 2008-09

ALUMnI pRoFILe

“I’m Honored to be a Sigma Chi”
From Building Relationships with Key Career Decision Makers to Meeting His Wife of 49 Years,
Sam Gore ’58 Thanks our Fraternity for the Best Times of His Life

In a seventh grade classroom, a teacher the four were better than you at something, “Literally every major business decision
asks how her students are doing and they and that’s why it appealed to me. They that was made in my life, there were at
all reply loudly, “good!” One boy raises his were all outstanding guys that made me least one or two Sigma Chis involved in
hand and says surprisingly, “actually I’m want to be better.” some way,” he said.
doing well.” The teacher nearly faints at While completing his undergraduate Sam says the network of Sigma Chi’s
the grammatically correct 13-year-old and work, he studied Comparative Literature was always pulling for him, and played
asks who told him to say that. He replies and with a 3.85 grade point average, a large role in his current success and
proudly, “My Granddad makes me.” earned the Woodrow Wilson Fellowship to nomination for a directorship. “I used
Teaching his grandchildren to speak continue his education in graduate school. my major, and what I learned in college,
proper English is among the many Sam remembers his time fondly with every single day of my life during my
avocations of Sam Gore ’58. As a retired some of his closest brothers. The Greek professional career. Most people don’t!”
member on the Board of Directors for community was an enormous part of
Harcourt Brace College Publishers, Sam campus life at the University then as it is
has traveled to every major university in now; and Sam says the Sigma Chi house
the country; however, his loyalty lies with could sleep over 100 brothers. His most
the University of Illinois. Sam says that prominent memories range from one
being a part of Sigma Chi at the University adventurous night at a water polo match
of Illinois has aided him immeasurably where he was dared (actually, a pitcher of
through life. beer at Bidwell’s was on the line) to jump
from the 35-foot foot balcony into the
“Sigs, by nature, just want to pool wearing a wool overcoat and earmuffs
help each other.” (the outside temp was a mere -3), to
choreographing the Greek homecoming
musical alongside Kappa Kappa Gamma
“Oddly, Sigma Chi was instrumental and his future wife, Ruth.
in literally all of my professional “She was the choreographer for the Ruth and Sam Gore ’58 of Atlanta
advancements,” he said. “It was just Kappas and I was the choreographer (ha!) enjoying the Class of 1958 reunion at
amazing how it was oftentimes unspoken, for the Sigma Chis and naturally, there was Homecoming 2008.
and quite by accident, that I would an immediate dislike with our different
discover that Sigma Chi connection. Sigs, ideas of how the dance should be crafted,” In his 54 years as a Sig, Sam notices
by nature, just want to help each other.” he said. “Then we started working together quite a number of differences when he
Sam began his undergraduate work at and now, 49 years later, it appears that the returns for a visit to the Sigma Chis house.
Wabash College, one of the two remaining relationship has traction.” “Social mannerisms have changed
all-male colleges in the country. He was Sam still gets the opportunity to share through the years,” he said. “My advice
initiated into Sigma Chi at the small liberal memories with his brothers of the past. He would be that the younger brothers take
arts school while maintaining a tennis sometimes travels from his current home the time to listen to a story or two when
scholarship. in Atlanta, GA to meet up with friend Joe an alumnus comes through the house.
“There wasn’t much to do in 1954 Huyler ’61 to travel together to Illinois. You might be amazed at what you learn
other than study maniacally and memorize Joe was a fearless three-meter diver on the and would be able to use in your business
the Norman Shield. Pledging was an UI swim team. career.”
arduous process in more ways than one. We “We just had our 50th reunion and it Along with his words of wisdom, Sam
worked so hard to memorize everything in was great to see Sam Hill ’58, and all the chooses to support the fraternity personally
the pledge manual, that most of us scored a guys I truly care for in a special way,” said as well as financially in the hopes that
perfect 100. Studying all of the fraternity’s Sam. “I’ve been with them through good others will be able to experience the
history made us understand what Sigma and ill and have had the opportunity to synergy of the brightest and most talented
Chi was all about.” support them during the three big D’s: young men together in one great fraternity.
Sam says the root of his decision to divorces, deaths and depression.” “I’m honored to be a Sigma Chi.
become a member of Sigma Chi came from The Sigma Chis stick together now as Through life, my brothers remind me often
their impressive membership. they did in the past and Sam is grateful that my ambitions seem far beyond my
“If you take a group of any four Sigma for the impact they have had on not only talents and light-years beyond my changing
Chis at any one time, at least one was his personal life, but his professional life as character,” he said.
smarter, one was more athletic. Two out of well.

4 www.illinoissigs.org December 2008