may 2008 newsletter

Volume 1, Issue 4

Inside this issue:

SigEp Spotlight 1

SigEp Educational Foundation

2

Undergraduate Infor-mation

3

Augie Nelson Classic Registration

Web Links:

NE-Gamma Alumni Website

National SigEp Web-site

NE-Gamma Under-graduate Website


3 Cardinal Principles Brother Scott Merchant reflects on his time as an undergraduate at UNK and as a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon

Brothers, First I would like to say that I would like to commend Jay Dostal for his efforts in being an active part of the alumni board, I'm sure we can all agree how great it is to be able to keep in touch and hear about whats new in everyone's life. Kudos to Jay and all of his efforts to help make this possible. I would like to say that since graduation I've lived a life of excitement and interest, unfortu-nately I have not. Although we all have those highlights which make life a little less mundane, I can not regail you with tales of moving to exotic locations, or a unique and lucrative career that would make everyone envious. Since graduation, I have made an attempt at trying to carve out a niche for myself. Unfortunately there are no positions open for professional beer drinker or play-station afficianado. I think we all know that if there were, Jon Jakob would have been president, CEO, and Grand Supreme Master of this career. This begs the question, why am I writing? Or maybe more to the point who cares? Truth of the matter is I have taken a few different and uninteresting career paths, started a family with my beautiful wife, which also consists of my cat "Stewart" and German Shepherd "Hailey". My wife Kara and I reside in Lincoln, NE. We do not have any rugrats at this time. Pretty average. Perhaps many of you reading find yourselves engulfed in the same day after day routine I have, which we now happily refer to as everyday life. In sitting here writing to all of you trying to explain how the three cardinal principals of virtue, diligence and brotherly love still apply, I cant help but think how much different things are and the differences in how these 3 important principles apply now as to a few years ago. Although I like to believe that I have tried to exemplify these principles in the past, I can't help but think that now it is as important as ever to embrace these qualities. As ordinary or mundane as we may be, it is ever more important and not just for the sake of a close knit brotherhood, but now for all aspects of our lives. We must show virtue not only to each other, but also to our families, our spouses/girlfriends, our children and co-workers. We need to strive to be diligent in our faith in God, diligent in trying to excel in our life ambitions, and diligent in our family role. Last but not least brotherly love is something we now must expand to encompass everyone who plays a role in our lives. It is clear to see that we have all exemplify these attributes and cherish them deeply as you are all reading this now and checking the list of names it has been sent to. This simply shows proof that these qualities have carried with you thus far and had a lasting impact. In my mind, if these qualities and my ties with all of you have helped make me the type of person I am today, then fur-ther exemplifying these qualities will only bring about a more rich and fullfilling life than any lucra-tive career or any exotic lifestyle could. I believe these cardinal principles which we vowed to up-hold, have metaphorically speaking "tapped an endless keg of beer" and are likely to set the stage for what is to be years prosperity and fullfillment. I look forward to hearing from everyone in the future and wish nothing but the best for all of you. Hope life is treating you well. Please feel free to email me, [email protected]. H.F.F. Cheers, Scott Merchant (Bob) P.S. Bob Says: " I've always wanted a dog named 'stains', that way if he ran away, I could stand on the front porch yelling 'come stains' without getting in trouble."

Volume 1, Issue 4

Web Links:





Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation Website is Off and Running

Recently, the National Headquarters of Sigma Phi Epsilon has established the Educational Foun-dation website to allow alumni and undergraduate members to network with brothers both in their home chapter and nationally. Nebraska Gamma is off and running and has established its homepage. In the event that the current alumni website goes down due to the webmaster moving or changing internet providers, the Educational Foundation site will still be running and can be moved easily to another brother to maintain it.

The site is very useful in that it contains many of the same features that modern social net-working sites like MySpace and Facebook have. The Educational Foundation site will allow reg-istered users to blog, post pictures, display resumes, and keep up to date with what other alumni are doing. It is important for all alumni and undergraduate members to sign up today, so that communication can continue to thrive.

Initial participation in signing up is very promising. A number of members of the Nebraska Gamma chapter have signed up, but there is a lot of work to be done. A simple search on the site under the link Site Members Only lists over 800 brothers from the UNK/Kearney State Chapter. Please take a look at the list and if you know the email address of that person, invite them to join.

The goal is to get as many brothers involved. Currently we are at about 100 registered alumni/undergraduate members, but we need to get in touch with more. Register today at http://www.sigepfoundation.org/. Once you have done this, an email will be sent to you so that you can join the network of Nebraska Gamma brothers.

Invest in SigEp at UNK

Educational Foundation allows alumni to donate to their specific under-graduate chapters

By joining the other Brothers of the Nebraska Gamma chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon in register-ing on the Educational Foundation website, you can contribute directly to the UNK undergradu-ate chapter. Periodically, the Fraternity needs items that will help them exercise fraternal busi-ness. This might include scholarships, computers, and a number of other items. In order to help them, you can make a difference today. Register on the Educational Foundation website and select the link Support SigEp Now. From there, choose the option Giving to your Chapter and fill in the required information. The goal is to initially have every registered member do-nate $25 to the undergraduate chapter. That donation would currently raise $2,500 for the undergraduate chapter. Please consider making a donation to the chapter today and reaffirm your belief that the Fraternity truly does have an impact on the lives of young men.

Volume 1, Issue 4

Web Links:





2008 Augie Nelson Classic A Huge Success

With a later starting time, the 10th Annual Augie Nelson Classic was a huge success. Pushed back later in April and later in the day (1 pm shotgun start) for weather purposes, brothers enjoyed a day of catching up on old times, beer, golf, and more beer. Brothers from the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and 00s celebrated in SigEp fashion and did it supporting a great cause. Named for Brother Augie Nelson, proceeds from the tournament benefit the National Kidney Foundation. It is not known exactly how much has been donated over the past 10 years, but the figure is well over $100,000. That is a far cry from the beginning days at Prairie Hills golf course in North Kearney. The tournament has expanded every year and is now the ritualistic get-together for all brothers from the past. This year’s tournament marked the first time that each hole on the course started with 2 teams teeing off (144 golfers). At the conclusion of the tournament, alumni and their wives/girlfriends along with the undergraduate brothers met up at Fanatics and had a great social get-together. Pictures of the event are shown below, but more can be viewed online at http://www.sigepfoundation.org/. We hope next year’s turnout will be just as successful.

Volume 1, Issue 4

Web Links:





may 2008 newsletter

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