Volume 2, Issue 3

Inside this issue:

SigEp Spotlight—David Silverstrand

1

Augie Nelson Classic 2

SigEp News 2-3

Undergraduate News 4

Undergraduate Spot-light

4

Web Links:

NE-Gamma Alumni Website

National SigEp Web-site

NE-Gamma Under-graduate Website

SigEp Educational Foundation

Reflecting on SigEp Experiences Brother David Silverstrand reflects on his time as an undergradu-ate SigEp and how it relates to his life as a federal law enforce-ment agent in California.

Brothers, In reflecting on how the three cardinal principles of Sigma Phi Epsilon have transcended my undergraduate life into my adult life, I found myself thinking of when these principles actually took a stronghold into my very being. There is no doubt that the cardinal principles have an individ-ual and unique significance to each man that endeavors to makes them part of his life. Equally unique is the point in time that each man truly realizes that the fraternity is more than just a building of brick and mortar. It is truly appropriate that I write this reflection in the wake of the week I dare say many of us came to this realization. That time being of course Brotherhood Development week. Experiencing it for the first time as a new member, and continually reaffirming the experience as an older member, the traditions and rituals of BD week were the first discernable time I knew 100% that this fraternity was greater than all others. It is hard to believe that I have now been out of college for 3 years and living in California for more than 2 years. Sadly time now passes so much faster than it did in college, and my 5 years in college absolutely flew by. My professional life and career choice provide me ample opportunity to practice living out the cardinal principles of our fraternity. Working in federal law enforcement, much of the clientele I deal with on a daily basis are not what you may consider, "wholesome and up-standing citizens." While it may be somewhat gratifying to personally instill a sense of law and order into drug smugglers or a human trafficker, I am continually reminding myself that I must behave with decency as befits the day. Much like we all swore to hold ourselves to the high standards for which the fraternity stands, I also took an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States; a daunting task requiring continued diligence and a strong work ethic. I have Sigma Phi Epsilon to thank on a daily basis for fostering both traits within me . Lastly brotherly love is the most visible of all our prin-ciples, and directly coincides with lessons I picked up living in the house. Its no secret that we might not all get along all the time, but at the end of the day members will respect one another, and if a brother is ever in need it will be a brother there to help him out. Likewise with my fellow agents, while I do not always see eye to eye with everyone I work with, I will not disrespect them and will always be there to back them up whenever they need. I find that living out the cardinal principles in my personal life is slightly more difficult, yet vastly more rewarding. While I am not married, family and friends continue to be among the most important things in my life. I feel that the two principal virtues I want to exhibit for both my family and friends are patience and loyalty. I am a firm believer that we are products of our environment. So in return for all the patience and loyalty that my family and friends have shown me throughout my de-velopment into adulthood, it is those two virtues (that both so readily walk hand-in-hand with dili-gence and brotherly love) that I strive to return. I experienced both patience and loyalty from my friends during all my time in Sigma Phi Epsilon. Sadly, it is difficult to maintain the relationships we all had as undergrads since I don't see everyone nearly as often as I would like. Perhaps it is fitting then, that as an alumnus of the fraternity I return to these virtues of patience and loyalty to help re-mind me that brotherly love must be given in order to be received. Perhaps one of the greatest lessons I took away from SigEp is that no matter what it is you are doing in life, balance is what will leave you standing at the end of the day. I am guided by the principles of SigEp more so now than ever before. I often look upon the cherished memories of the house with a fondness that only a brother could relate. I wish everyone nothing but the highest degree of success in whatever endeavor life has in store for you. If there is ever anything I can do, please, please don't hesitate to contact me. And don't ever forget, old guys always win! HFF. David E. Silverstrand '05 Silverstrandd@gmail.com

Volume 2, Issue 3

Web Links:

NE-Gamma Alumni Website

National SigEp Web-site

NE-Gamma Under-graduate Website

SigEp Educational Foundation

2009 Augie Nelson Classic Date Set Mark your calendars now for this annual SigEp tradition

The 2009 Augie Nelson Classic is scheduled for Saturday, April 18th, 2009 at Meadowlark Hills Golf Course in Kearney, Nebraska. This will mark the eleventh year the Nebraska Gamma Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon has hosted the tournament to raise funds for the Nebraska Kidney Foundation. The tournament is named for Augie Nelson, a devoted alumnus of the chapter, who has received a kidney transplant. The undergraduate chap-ter hopes that alumni will once again take part in this wonderful event and encourages those who have never participated to be a part of this great cause. More information will be available soon.

Invest in SigEp at UNK Educational Foundation allows alumni to donate to their specific undergraduate chapters

By joining the other Brothers of the Nebraska Gamma chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon in reg-istering on the Educational Foundation website, you can contribute directly to the UNK undergraduate chapter. Periodically, the Fraternity needs items that will help them exer-cise fraternal business. 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 Edu-cational 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 ini-tially have every registered member donate $25 to the undergraduate chapter. That do-nation would currently raise $2,500 for the undergraduate chapter. Please consider mak-ing a donation to the chapter today and reaffirm your belief that the Fraternity truly does have an impact on the lives of young men.

Also, a new feature has just been added to the Educational Foundation website which allows on-line chatting. This is a great tool to connect with brothers from the past.

Volume 2, Issue 3

Web Links:

NE-Gamma Alumni Website

National SigEp Web-site

NE-Gamma Under-graduate Website

SigEp Educational Foundation

Nebraska Gamma Undergraduate Chapter Invests in a New Website New website on GIN network allows the fraternity to conduct business online for undergrads and alumni to view.

The new undergraduate website is up and running and is awesome!!! Both undergraduate and alumni have access to chapter meeting minutes that give all the details of what is going on in the fraternity. The chapter is currently using the GIN network on a trial basis and they are doing a cost/benefit analysis to see whether or not it is worth keeping. At present time, the fee to maintain the site is $40/month. In order to avoid raising dues, the undergraduates are looking for alumni assistance to help out. If you are interested in helping to finance the new website or to get an account, please contact Casey Glatter to get set up with an account. He will need your first name, last name, and an email address to get you started. You can email him at glattercj@unk.edu.

The new system allows both undergraduate and alumni to take part in the fraternal ex-perience like never before. Already, the chapter posts its weekly minutes and finance re-ports to the site, as well as meeting attendance reports. Other functions of the website are a working database of all current and former members of Nebraska Gamma, a calen-dar of upcoming Fraternity events, a Q&A feature that allows members (both active and alumni) to ask questions of the executive board, a discussion board for all to engage in conversations from long distance, financial “dues” reports for the Fraternity, and a host of other options. This new webservice will allow the undergraduates to bridge the gap in communication with alumni.

Volume 2, Issue 3

Web Links:

NE-Gamma Alumni Website

National SigEp Web-site

NE-Gamma Under-graduate Website

SigEp Educational Foundation

Undergraduate News • The house has recruited 31 new members for the 2008-2009 school year who just

went through Brotherhood Development Week. A good time was had by all.

• New members recently attended EDGE in Winter Park, Colorado.

• Members who are in good standing will go through the Phi Ritual at the end of No-vember.

• Fall elections are coming up soon and a final vote will be held to determine whether or not to keep the new website. The feedback from guys in the house has been very good and they are looking for a little alumni support to continue with this valuable tool.

Undergraduate Spotlight A new feature that highlights undergraduate and their career pursuits.

Collin Grimes, Vice President of Scholarship

Sophomore, Grand Island, NE

Political Science major

I plan to finish my undergraduate degree, begin graduate school and complete a PhD in political science. My specific interest emphasizes political behavior. My dissertational work will most likely address the degree to which social behavior influences the political proc-ess. In terms of a career, I’d like to continue conducting research as a political scientist. After completing my PhD, I aspire to either A) secure a professorship with a research-based institute or B) secure employment with a federal research agency. My ultimate goal is contribute new perspectives to my field and publish my work via articles and books.