Staying in the family

There must be something in the water at the Quinnipiac SigEp house.

The Quinnipiac Chronicle Staying in the family | The Quinnipiac Chronicle:

Sig-Ep member elected SGA president for fifth time in a row

The past five student body presidents, including newly elected Mostafa Elhaggar, have been members of the fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon. However, Student Body President Matt Desilets said there is no direct correlation between the fraternity and Student Government Association.

“It really has nothing to do with Sig-Ep,” Desilets said. “I joined SGA and then I started hanging out with the guys who were in Sig-Ep and they became some of my best friends. It’s not like internally we’re like, ‘we need the SGA president [to be in Sig-Ep.]’”

Former Student Body President Ben Cloutier was both Desilets’ and Vice President of Student Concerns Evangelos Milas’ big in Sigma Phi Epsilon. Milas is Elhaggar’s big. Continuing the family line, Elhaggar is newly elected Student Body Vice President Jonny Atkin’s big. Atkin is Freshman representative Joey Mullaney’s big.

About 68 percent of SGA members are affiliated with a Greek organization on campus, Desilets said. Though 26.16 percent of Quinnipiac students are Greek, Desilets does not think SGA is misrepresenting the undergraduate population.

“I don’t think Greek life has a real role in us representing students,” he said. “I just think it’s kind of more coincidental. It’s our job to be doing our best to represent all students.”

The student body presidents’ involvement in Sigma Phi Epsilon is “coincidental,” Elhaggar said.

“I mean that from the bottom of my heart,” he said. “I was in student government before I was in Sig-Ep and so was every student body president since I have been here.”

Cloutier was Milas’ mentor when he first joined SGA, but Milas said Cloutier never pushed Sigma Phi Epsilon on him.

“Just by hanging out with [Ben], I naturally gravitated to [Sig-Ep] by me looking up to him,” Milas said. “I would ask about it every now and then and he would just brush it off. In no sense was he ever like, ‘Hey listen, I really want you to do Sig-Ep.’”

Desilets said having Cloutier as a big was a reflection of their friendship more than anything.

Happy Founders’ Day, Sigma Phi Epsilon!

Better late than never.
Found this post on an interesting fraternity history web site. The interesting part is that the site author's husband is a SigEp. I'm adding the site to our "Blogs we recommend" list.

Happy Founders’ Day, Sigma Phi Epsilon! | Focus on Fraternity History and More:

Happy Founders’ Day, Sigma Phi Epsilon!
Posted on November 1, 2013 by Fran Becque, Ph.D.

“Mommy, what’s that?” my daughter said as I pinned on my husband’s Sig Ep badge under my Pi Phi arrow while getting ready for an alumnae event. “It’s Daddy’s fraternity pin,” I said. “I didn’t know Daddy was a pirate,” said my daughter, who was three or four at the time, after seeing the skull and crossbones on the badge. This conversation took place more than two decades ago, and a smile comes to my face every time I think about it.

Today, November 1, is Sigma Phi Epsilon’s Founders’ Day. Twelve young men at the University of Richmond, one of whom, Carter Ashton Jenkins, was a Chi Phi member from Rutgers University, founded the fraternity in 1901. Jenkins first sought a charter from his fraternity, but the request was declined because the Baptist school was considered too small.

Jenkins then found 11 Richmond men who were also eager to share a brotherhood built upon “the love of God and the principle of peace through brotherhood.”  They named the organization Sigma Phi unaware that there was already a men’s fraternity by that name. The group added another Greek-letter to the name and became Sigma Phi Epsilon.

One of my favorite Sig Eps (next to my husband, of course) is Theodor Seuss Geisel who is better known as Dr. Seuss. A member of Dartmouth College’s Class of 1925, Geisel was a member of the New Hampshire Alpha Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon. To read more about Geisel, see the post at http://wp.me/p20I1i-bh.

Sig Ep’s red door tradition had it start at my Alma Mater, Syracuse University. To read more see http://wp.me/p20I1i-rk.

Steve Hofstetter's Closing Words at SigEp Conclave 2013

After an hilarious hour and a half show at the SigEp Conclave in Dallas Grapevine TX, comedian Steve Hofstetter shared how proud he is to be a SigEp. This is the last 2 1/2 minutes of the show. #SigEpConclave



You can watch the full show again, or for the first time.
Go to http://stevehofstetter.com/conclave.cfm and answer a few "SigEp" questions (this one is 'just for us') .

This clip is family friendly, but the full show is definitely NSFW!

SigEp Student dies Friday of natural causes

The IL Nu Chapter (Eastern Illinois University) is in our thoughts and prayers today. A fine young man with what looked to be a great future has passed away without any warning or obvious reason. .
Student dies Friday of natural causes
By Samantha McDaniel and Tim Deters/Student Governance Editor and Managing Editor

Nick Allen

Eastern student Nick Allen was found dead Friday in the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity house, 2103 12th St.

Allen, who was a sophomore pre-business management major, was found at the foot of his bed and pronounced dead at 11:53 a.m. Friday, Coles County Coroner Ed Schniers said.

The cause of death has not been determined but was not suspicious, Schniers said.

Schniers said Allen had a history of epilepsy.

While it is unknown whether epilepsy was a contributing factor to Allen’s death, Schniers said it is the most likely cause of death at this time.

A toxicology report has been ordered and will take six to eight weeks to return results.

Allen was vice president of membership development for Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, vice president for public relations of the Interfraternity Council, a student senator and chairman of the University Enhancement Committee, and recently organized the annual Safety Walk to identify and address areas of safety concern on and off campus. Allen also served as Billy the Panther for the 2012-13 season.

Derek Collinsworth, the president of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, was a close friend of Allen and said he had a strong, respectable character.

“He was a very hard-working individual and always put others before himself,” Collinsworth said.

The death of Allen has hit many Sig Eps hard, Collinsworth said, but the outpouring of support from the Greek and Eastern communities as a whole has been reassuring and comforting.

Student Senate Speaker Mitch Gurick said Allen was a strong voice across multiple organizations in the campus community.

My Story - SigEp - Sigma Phi Epsilon - UC San Diego - Cal Rho

A page from the UC San Diego SigEp chapter (Cal Rho) web site.
Members relate in their own words why they joined SigEp and what it means to them now. More stories on the web page.

My Story - SigEp - Sigma Phi Epsilon - UC San Diego - Cal Rho

Upon starting my first quarter at UCSD, it seemed like everybody else on campus walked with such purpose and I was just a lost freshman. So when I found SigEp, I found much more than guidance; I found encouragement. Being a part of this brotherhood has immersed me in an atmosphere much more “stimulating” than the res halls. Because when I overhear my brothers talking about their new internship, or how hard they studied, or how they have to organize their day, or how much ridiculous fun they had over the weekend, it encourages me to live my life with a new perspective. Basically, you won’t find me on the couch anymore. Although I am far from the “Balanced Man”, SigEp is the encouragement I need to become one.

See more stories

A week until Christmas

Looking for good pictures of well decorated houses.

Hearing held for murder suspects, Northwest remembers fallen student with ceremony

This is an update to an earlier story about the death of SigEp Tomarkin Smith.

Hearing held for murder suspects, Northwest remember fallen student with ceremony - Northwest Missourian: Community

Northwest will remember the spirit of a fallen student with a bell ringing ceremony Dec. 14 at 10:30 a.m.

After a late-night altercation, Kevin D. Mooney, 31, and Tony M. Overlin, 23, of Bethany, Mo., were charged with second degree murder and felony assault in the death of Tomarken Smith Sept. 14.

A preliminary hearing for Mooney on Tuesday afternoon was attended by many Sigma Phi Epsilon members and included testimonies from Sgt. Rick Smail, Maryville Public Safety, witness Kenny Forrester, witness Matthew Reynolds and Sig Ep member Colby Branstine, a close friend of Smith. Smail testified that he did not see who started the altercation inside Molly’s between Overlin and Smith, but he did identify the men running from the scene outside to be Overlin and Mooney. Overlin was often referred to as “the man with tattoos” and was said to be the one whom Smith pushed down in the bar and who, according to Forrester and Reynolds, was the first to assault Smith outside. The defendant, Mooney, was identified by all witnesses, and according to Forrester and Reynolds, was the one who hit Smith to the ground.

The hearing was completed and is under advisement. Judge Corey Keith Herron will make the decision on whether the case will move to circuit court. No date was released for when this information will be available.

On the three-month anniversary of Smith’s passing, there will be a bell ringing ceremony. The bell ringing will be followed by the commencement ceremony at 1 p.m. in Bearcat Arena where Smith’s family will be accepting a posthumous degree on Smith’s behalf. This degree recognizes the achievement of students who have died and completed most of their curriculum.

Northwest President John Jasinski said he recognizes the whole community has been greatly impacted by Tomarken’s passing this fall, therefore, it is appropriate to honor his memory with next week’s bell ringing.

“He was deeply engaged in the University culture through his coursework, membership in his fraternity and as a student employee,” Jasinski said.

Sigma Phi Epsilon President Chase Adams said after everything his chapter and Tomarken’s family have been through with this tragedy, this is some of the best news they have received.

“Tomarken was a remarkably dedicated individual, and he really wanted to be the first person in his family to graduate from college,” Adams said. “Although T.O. is gone, his family can forever be proud of his accomplishments and hold in their possession what Tomarken was striving for: a college degree. I can’t wait to see the smile on his mother’s face. I know she is going to be so proud.”

Happy Founder's Day

Brothers and Friends, Happy Founders Day!  111 years ago, twelve determined men turned their dream of a different kind of fraternity into reality on the grounds of Richmond College. Our Founding Fathers were on a mission to bring young men together in a meaningful way, to assemble a brotherhood based on cardinal principles that would guide every aspect of life. You carry on that mission by the way you live, by the way you give back, and by the way you stay connected to enrich our brotherhood.  Without your selfless work and dedication, our Fraternity would not be where it is today. When I joined Sigma Phi Epsilon at Florida Alpha 40 years ago, SigEp was not yet 100,000 men large.  Look at us today.  Consider our growth - it is the most rapid growth in the fraternity world.  It has given us amazingly talented brothers and each of us lifelong friends.  That is something to celebrate today.  Fittingly, as we celebrate our 111th year, we also celebrate the initiation of our 300,000th brother - Kevin McGuire, Illinois ’16. Kevin, who plans to major in business, is a testament to SigEp’s success today.  He is smart, athletic, thoughtful, and ambitious. He is a Balanced Man.  Kevin went to Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park, Illinois, where he was actively involved in Model United Nations as well as in Mu Alpha Theta, a club where upperclassmen tutor underclassmen while participating in philanthropic projects. Kevin was a Prairie State Achievement Examination scholar in mathematics, science and reading, as well as a member of the lacrosse team. Kevin’s initiation represents an important part of SigEp’s history, which we will celebrate at our 53rd Grand Chapter Conclave on July 31-August 4, 2013, in Dallas, Texas.  Our theme for this Conclave is - Flip the switch: SigEp’s future is ON! Thanks to our undergraduate brother Donnie O’Brien, Kent State ’13, who submitted the winning theme from hundreds of entries earlier this year. Join us at Conclave. Make new connections and, possibly, begin lifelong friendships. Honor our best chapters, and recognize our most committed alumni and undergraduate brothers. And help us reach more milestones that will light the way for SigEp’s future, so we can celebrate another 111 years. Happy Founders Day. Fraternally, Bert J. Harris, III Grand President

Alleged Rape at SigEp Cal Poly

More Details Of Alleged Rape Released

King Harris Reporting

news@920kvec.com

 
San Luis Obispo, CA -- According to a police search warrant, the woman claiming to have been raped at the Sigma Phi Epsilon house last month drank twelve shots of Jagermeister before blacking out. She says she arrive at the party sober at 11 o’clock, but she doesn’t remember anything that happened after 1:30. When the woman woke up at about noon she had scratches on her arms and severe pain. She also couldn’t find her undergarments, which police later found in a tree in the fraternity house’s courtyard.

Later in the month, she received calls recorded by police from Joseph Trupiano. During the conversations, Trupiano said she consented and undressed herself. The conversation never specified if the woman passed out before or after the sexual encounter although, Trupiano admitted that she did pass out. He also added they were both drunk. 23-year-old Trupiano turned himself in later in the month.

The district attorney's office has not filed charges against him yet. He is set for an arraignment next Wednesday if criminal charges are filed; Trupiano is currently not in custody.

---

Video from KSBY.com

New Conclave 2011 Promotional Video Released

This makes me "Damn proud to be a SigEp!"

"Drink Beer" has a new rival

When I joined SigEp, in the dark ages when dirt was new, the song "Drink Beer" was an old standard. We would sing it at the drop of a hat, and even when the old alumni guys came around, they knew it too.

In fact it is still one of the favorites whenever SigEps gather and want to announce that a grand time is being had by all.

But today Tom Barton has announced a new contender for a SigEp song.

Ohhhhh man. We've created a monster. Check out this SigEp song created by the WI Theta Juggernaut!!!!! Credit to Brother Michael Huttenhoff! This thing could go national!

Tom Barton

Give it a listen here:



Fantastic? Lame? Want to see it at the the Buc Cup Presentations in Phoenix? Are you jamming a pencil in your ear so you don't have to listen again?

Let us know what you think in the comments.

Opportunity at SigEpBlog - want to talk about it?

One of the most trite and self-serving of blog posts is the "I-have-not-posted-enough-lately-and-I-plan-to-do-better" post. Ok, so I am trite and self serving. Sue me.

A main objective of writing a blog is to convey opinions and elicit comments. That, along with an attempt at broadening the communication channel between chapters was the reason this blog was started in the first place. We have, I think, done a pretty fair job of gathering SigEp news from across the country and presenting it here. And we are always on the lookout for new ways to inform. The recent addition of Ed Jones' excellent entries with information about SigEps who have served in the armed forces is an example.

However, the posts lately have not been the type that get people fired up to contribute to the discussion. That is not the fault of the people who are posting, they do an oustanding job of scouring the web for SigEp related news. Rather it is the type of posts. The posts that inspire discussion are almost always the ones with a point of view and a strong opinion. Not surprisingly those are also the posts that increase readership. So lets see if we can do something about that...

Do you have an opinion? Want to challenge views of the what/why/how of a Greek system in the 21st century and in turn be challenged? Have a different viewpoint on the direction of the Fraternity? Think we are doing great and shold keep a steady course? Would you be willing to commit to posting your ideas on a regular basis (a bit tougher than it sounds, trust me)? I'd like to find one or two (or three) more people who will be willing to share their outlook on the achievements and challenges of SigEp today and tomorrow.

Let me be clear - gray hair is NOT required, fancy titles are NOT required, 'litmus test' opinions are NOT required. What is needed is an informed viewpoint on fraternities and sororities in general and SigEp in particular. We want to get people talking about how to improve, not shouting about who is right or wrong. Oh, and did I mention that this is a volunteer (read: unpaid) gig?

If you would like to be considered, send an email to wordjunky@gmail.com. Let me know who you are, where and when you are from (i.e. chapter and year), and include a short sample of the kind of writing you want to post. You should be willing to post on the order of once a week to once a month. I will select from the applications and show them to the rest of the blog team for input and then let you know what happens next. I look forward to hearing from you all.

...and yes, comments are encouraged on this post too.

WI Theta, SigEp's Juggernaut on the Rise - #whysigep

Congrats to WI Theta. We got this piece of news from the always humble and unassuming Tom Barton:

SigEp Mucky Mucks,

SigEp’s newest juggernaut, WI Theta from University of Wisconsin at Platteville, just today achieved second place in the national Hoop of Steel sweepstakes with 100% participation.  This comes in addition to nearly doubling manpower thus far this fall, elevating grades to a 3.0, being named UWP Greek Organization of the Year, and setting a record for pizza consumption in Barton’s kitchen after gutting a house as a fundraiser.

PUT US ON YOUR RADAR…  READ MY LIPS:  WI Theta…Excelsior 2011 CLA; BUC CUP 2013 Conclave.

Chief Kief, This one’s for you!!!  SigEp can’t smile without WI Theta. We are SigEp music, and we write the songs!!!!!  Music and passion are always the fashion in Platteville, Wisconsin!!!  It’s a miracle…but…looks like we made it!

WI Theta from the University of Wisconsin at Platteville continues to plot its SigEp fraternal jihad en route to our first Excelsior and Buc Cups.  Lock up your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, your children, and small farm animals: WI Theta is in the HOUSE!!!!

Tom Barton
President

BARTON  WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC
WELLS FARGO ADVISORS FINANCIAL NETWORK

SigEp Conclave 2011: Let the countdown begin

HQ sent out this email blast. You may expect it to be the first of many. Hope to see you there.

The 52nd Grand Chapter Conclave is set for August 10-14, 2011, in Phoenix

The next Conclave is exactly one year away, and you can start making plans to be a part of the ultimate SigEp experience. Go to the SigEp Conclave home to get your first glimpse of the amazing location, the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort in Phoenix, Arizona. Invite your friends to SigEp’s biennial gathering of 1,400 undergraduates and alumni for our biggest celebration of brotherhood, where we set our policy and honor our best. Your favorite experiences are back: the Balanced Man Celebration, Brotherhood Luncheon, Alumni Awards Dinner…and even a few surprises along the way.

The upcoming Conclave’s theme is “This Fraternity will be different,” a commitment from our founders and a continual challenge to our brothers. Mark your calendar for the 52nd Grand Chapter Conclave. Discover your version of Different.

Ruck 2010 a Tremendous Success

The 2010 Ruck Leadership Institute was held last week the following excerpt is taken from the HQ website.

Over 120 of SigEp’s most talented undergraduates attended the Ruck Leadership Institute last week at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.  Some of the organization’s most seasoned volunteers made the trip down to facilitate the program, for four days of intense leadership training.

The intent of the program is “teaching the few to impact the many.” These select undergraduates were challenged to learn about effective leadership styles and charged to use what they learn to make an impact on their own campuses.  The curriculum is based on the book, The Leadership Challenge, by Brother Barry Posner, California-Santa Barbara ’70, and Jim Kouzes.  The program included group discussions, guest speakers and panel presentations, and rigorous Sound Body workouts.

Thanks to Bro. Mitch Goldich (Lehigh '09) for the article.

For the SigEp who has everything... Dr. Suess "Chucks"

Now THIS is a fun find - thanks to Scott Byer for letting us know.

Dr. Suess (aka Ted Geisel) was a SigEp at Dartmouth who went on to become an acclaimed author and illustrator of books for children (though adults loved them too).

Now Converse has released a line of their iconic "Chuck Taylor" shoes with designs inspired by the good Doctor himself.

They are just the thing to wear with "the hat" when you go to read to schoolkids on the Doc's birthday, or make a statement at Homecoming with coordinated footwear. My order is on its way.

(...And yes, they have kid sizes too.)

Renaissance Brother and SigEp Vet passes with justice unresolved

An open letter to Friends of Fr. Ron Williams to support a fund raising effort for the burial of our dear friend

This past Tuesday, Ron was found at his home in Flat Rock, Michigan, resting peacefully as he had left this life and was now on his journey to be with those that have passed before us. While some of you that may read this will know Ron, and his story, many of you do not.

As a mentor to many high school students during his time as a school administrator and the head of his church, Ron naturally still had a connection to young alumni leaving the high school ranks. This included the ones that came to Lawrence Tech and joined a fraternity. Initiated as a Renaissance Brother by Michigan Theta in 1991, Father Ron, or "Fron", has acted as a cultural and spiritual mentor to many who have passed through the halls of Sigma Phi Epsilon. His in-depth knowledge and love for culture and of all things Detroit opened the eyes of many an undergraduate to new worlds. He has married numerous SigEps, blessed their homes, baptized their children and has said the funeral mass for them and many parents of SigEps. When asked about what attracted him to SigEp when he joined in 1991, Ron responded,

"The closeness of the brothers and their desires to become better as individuals and as a fraternity. What is so remarkable about the fraternity is that it promotes the idea of the "family" through membership. The family is one of the most imporatnt aspects in a person's life and the fraternity tries to duplicate it. It seems that the organizations in my area and around the coutnry seem to be breaking up and cannot keep an active membership. But that is not the case with this fraternity, because I have seen some wonderful things so far and it keeps on growing. Finally, we need organizations like Sigma Phi Epsilon in today's community. The community needs men, like the one in this fraternity, to contunue to support and strengthen it through active participation. I am very honored to be a member and a part of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity at Lawrence Technological University."

Ron was a Priest in the Roman Catholic Church. His active ministry spanned a period from the late 1970's until the Fall of 2002. Ron also served our country, in various capacities, by way of the United States Air National Guard and the United States Army from 1982 until 2006. In 2002, Ron was "accused" of "conduct unbecoming of a Catholic Priest". Information that was received by the Archdiocese of Detroit and handed over to a Wayne County Prosecutor who, at the time, was mapping a political career that he hoped would take him to a 'higher office' (note: this prosecutor retired from politics shortly after his term expired as Prosecutor.)

After the prosecutorial process was initiated one aspect, among many, that has troubled many for years was the question of how credible an accuser can be when he is deposed while being held in a City Jail cell within the county of a zealot Prosecutor? Is it possible that the Prosecutor used that environment to encourage the result that he was looking for? I should add, a result that he never pursued with criminal charges, rather, it seemed, his efforts seemed motivated more by his need for press clippings. Ron was a victim of political expedience rather than proper “due process.”

That deposition collected evidence that would end Ron's career as a cleric (note: a career that he was passionate about) and, eventually, force him from his duties with the U.S. Armed Forces in 2006.

For many, the credibility of the complainant was clearly in question. The loss of two careers would pain Ron greatly until his dying day. He always, however, held out hope that reason and fairness would prevail and that he could go back to his life of service to others. The process that was cast upon Ron Williams never served proper justice for our friend, from the public airing of unsubstantiated conduct, to the clerical trial that judged Ron and made a decision to remove him from his service as a Priest associated with the Archdiocese of Detroit. It is important to note that he was never laicized from his vows as a Catholic Priest. A distinction that Ron always hoped would allow him to return to his dedication to a life of service.

The toll that this process took on our friend was considerable. His health, in recent years became so poor that he was not able to work. He died with a wealth of faith but a lack of money to make it ‘day to day’.

This note is a call for action for those that knew Ron or those that are compelled by this story and willing to contribute to a fund that has been put in place to provide this ‘man of faith’ with a proper burial.

A Memorial Fund has been established by Friends of Fr. Ron at St. Mary’s of Redford Catholic Church in Ron’s home town of Detroit, MI. $5, $10, $100 or more. Please send what you are able to:

Fr. Ron Williams Memorial Fund
c/o St. Mary’s of Redford Catholic Church
14570 St. Mary's Street
Detroit, MI 48227

Please make checks payable to St. Mary’s of Redford Catholic Church with a note on your check specifying that your donation is for the “Fr. Ron Williams Memorial Fund”.

Should you not be in a position to make a contribution I would ask that you consider others who you think would have the resources, and desire, to contribute and forward this email to their attention.

Your prompt action to this email will be appreciated more than words could fairly express.

The wake taking place Wednesday the 14th from 5-7 pm at Pye's Funeral Home in Detroit on Plymouth off Southfield Fwy.

The funeral will be Thursday the 15th at 11 am at St. Scholastica's in Detroit on Outer Drive off Southfield Fwy.

The burial will be at Holy Sepulchre in Southfield near 10 Mile + Telegraph.

Should you want to talk about this, or have any question regarding this story, you can contact Sam Moschelli at sigepsam@gmail.com or Peter Ulrich at peterulrich@jrmassociates.com

With warm regards and hope that we can raise the funds necessary for our good friend.

Source: The Brothers of Michigan Theta at Lawrence Technological University and an open letter from Ron's good friend Peter Ulrich.

Today Show Link "Pedros" story

From "SigEpVet" and "Pedro" (combat paramedic), Capt. Jeff Lehmkuhl. 

ALCON,

The link below is a pretty good depiction of what it is we do during wartime operations (CSAR).  The newscaster flew with me during the footage so many of the missions shown were executed by my crew.  Many of you ask what I do and a picture is worth a thousand words....

Enjoy!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

v/r,

JEFF S. LEHMKUHL, Capt, USAF
55 RQS DMAFB, HH-60G Pilot/Chief of Training

Bremond Lodge No. 241 Hosts Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity

SigEps from Christopher Newport University and Bremond Lodge No. 241 in Newport News, VA have established a special relationship that has benefitted both the chapter and the lodge.

On Saturday, February 20, Bremond Lodge No. 241, Newport News, Va., hosted a cookout for the brethren of Bremond and the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity at Christopher Newport University. This was a fantastic event, full of fellowship and new friends. Over 25 members of Bremond and over 40 members of “Sig Ep” were in attendance.

Over the past four years, Bremond Lodge has enjoyed a special relationship with Sigma Phi Epsilon, a men’s fraternity at Christopher Newport University. Each year we’ve opened our lodge doors and allowed Sig Ep to use our facilities for their initiation ceremony. This relationship has been beneficial for both organizations. Allowing the use of our building has sparked interest in Freemasonry and has led many Sig Ep brothers to petition our lodge. In fact, since this relationship began in 2006, over 25% of all Master Masons raised in Bremond Lodge have also been members of Sig Ep at CNU. Five of these brethren have gone on to serve as lodge officers.

Thanks to SigEp (and Masonic) brother Patrick Murphrey for writing and passing along this article from The Scottish Rite Journal.

Ohio teen wins National Spelling Bee

Congratulations to Anamika Veeramani, this year's winner of the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

The 14-year-old girl from North Royalton, Ohio, won the 83rd Scripps National Spelling Bee on Friday, acing the medical word “stromuhr” to claim the winner’s trophy and more than $40,000 in cash and prizes.

...and $5000 of that is a scholarship provided by the Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation.

Read more:
The Herald-Sun - Ohio teen wins National Spelling Bee