Page 1 - The Illinois Sig - Fall 2010

The IllInoIs sIg

Sigma Chi Fraternity | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | Fall 2010
Alumni Relations Office | P.O. Box 80828, Atlanta, Georgia 30366 | www.illinoissigs.org

President’s Report
In This Issue:
by Eric W. Rahn ’75
From the President ........1 he undergraduate chapter is off to a fine start
News and Notes ............2 Tfor the 2010-2011 year. The biggest challenges
facing the chapter are continuity and sustainability.
Chapter News ................3 For the most part, undergrads live in the house
Alumni News ................4 only their sophomore and junior years. That means
Chapter Eternal .............5 primary officers for the fall semester are elected in the
spring of their sophomore year when they have not
Directors and Officers ...6 had a great deal of opportunity to serve in other offices
and gain wisdom and experience. A primary goal of
the Kappa Kappa Corp Board is to provide guidance
to the undergrads to help them achieve success. Board members Eric Rahn ’75 (left), Wayne Vonder Heide ’07
As a board, we are blessed with a dedicated (right), and undergrad Quaestor Kevin Pinkos ’12 (center).
group of alumni serving in various capacities. I
am especially pleased to share that at the Special also expect the pledge class GPA to exceed a 3.0 for
Meeting of Members of Kappa Kappa held Oct. 23 the second straight fall semester. The fall 2009 class
at Homecoming, 16 directors were elected. Of these, achieved a 3.03 GPA – the first time in recent history
seven graduated in 2002 or later. Several of them that a pledge class was at or above a 3.0 GPA.
have served on the board for the past four or five As I write this report, the fall pledge class
years. This dedicated group of younger alums is a consists of 46 promising pledges. This is the result
welcome addition. of several years of increased focus on getting the
For the past two years, we have encouraged the entire undergraduate chapter fully committed to
undergrads to focus heavily on scholarship, rushing, recruiting the best young men on campus. Most of
and their pledge program. In the spring of 2010, the us feel strongly that a successful rush program is the
chapter excelled in scholarship with a 3.16 grade point lifeblood of the fraternity. The chapter has bought
average placing them 12th out of 47 fraternities. They into this philosophy.
have set a goal to break into the top 10 this fall. We see PRESIDENT, on page 6

Class of 1979 and 1980 meet for Fun-Filled Reunion

rothers David Fewkes ’79 and Gary Erb ’79 conceived the idea of a ’79 reunion at Garret
BErb’s ’13 pledge class initiation in February 2010. Subsequent to an organizing lunch at
Maggiano’s in Schaumburg, and a growing barrage of emails, excitement rose and brothers were
found. The date of Sept. 11th was agreed to by all, coinciding with the Kam’s employee reunion,
organized by Brother Mike Kulp ’81. Thanks to the efforts of Brother David Ogdon ’80, the list of
attending brothers included more than 80 percent of the ’79 and ’80 classes. Brothers in attendance
included Harvey Seybold ’77, Mick Roth ’77, Jim Novaria ’78 and Bill Runzel ’78. The event
began with a tour of the new skybox facility at Memorial Stadium Friday afternoon. A special thanks
goes to Jane Hayes Rader for making this happen. Then the gathering continued at a local restaurant.
About 30 brothers and spouses made it Friday night, traveling from Texas, California and Florida.
Consul, Andrew Cochrane ’12, organized a practice, but moving, initiation ritual ceremony the
morning of the reunion with the undergraduates at the Chapter Room of 410 E. John Street. Fourteen
reunion attendees were happy and grateful to attend. This was certainly a highlight of the weekend,
for many had not been back for many years. A special thanks to all in the house for getting up on a
Saturday morning and doing this for us.
We then joined forces with the Kam’s alums for an extended tailgate party just outside the
stadium, wherein many wore game day hats, T-shirts and sweatshirts adorned with the “Sigma Chief”
in the likeness of Brother John Wayne. The fighting Illini were hosting SIU and we were treated to
a great aerial display as the Illini dominated the game. Following the game, the party continued at
Kam’s. Aside from the inhabitants, the establishment has changed little in 35 years, under good care
by many a Sigma Chi.
-Gary Erb ’79 and Gordy Cole ’79