Remembering a SigEp giant, Brother Mack Rankin

It has been a month since many of us gathered for the 2013 Conclave, yet the names of our members who had their last “roll call” during the Necrology are still with us in memory. Since then we have added to their numbers, with the latest SigEp, Brother B.M. “Mack” Rankin Jr., Texas-Austin ’50, passing into perpetuity.

A lifelong Texan, Mack grew up in Gladwater and attended the University of Texas at Austin where he joined our Texas Alpha Chapter in 1947.

After graduating, he served for four years in the U.S. Army as a First Lieutenant and was stationed in Germany during the implementation of the Marshall Plan. When Mack returned home, he began a highly successful career in the oil and precious metal industry.

Mack was a passionate advocate and activist. Indeed, it was his passion for life and cut-to-the-chase attitude that led to his many accomplishments. He wanted to get things done – and done in the right way. Mack invested substantial time in training the next generation of oil industry professionals and gave generously to the institutions he believed in. Among other projects, he sponsored endowments at the University of Texas for the head football coach and a professorship in the business school. He also partly funded the Longhorn Dining Hall, which bears his name, and led a successful fundraising campaign for the expansion of the Darrel K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.

Mack also gave generously to SigEp, serving on the National Board of Directors and as a Life Trustee of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation. In 1981, we honored Mack with the Sigma Phi Epsilon Citation.
Mack was someone who inspired others by his character and his service. Below are some of the words from the friends and brothers who knew him best.

“Mack Rankin was truly one of a kind. Those of us who had the privilege of working with him on local chapter issues, National Board issues and SigEp Foundation issues always knew where he stood and, most importantly, why. We turned to Mack for solid business advice that was so important to SigEp being a successful not-for-profit organization."
Gary Griffith, Texas-Austin ‘70 

“Mack was an inspiration to everyone that served on the National Board with him. He was a straight-talking, no-nonsense businessman who, under a seemingly gruff demeanor, clearly had a love for not only Texas Alpha, but for SigEp. He added a great deal of business sense to the board and insights to the undergrads and alumni alike. He also created some very amusing and memorable moments. He was, indeed, a special guy.”
Norm Nabhan, Purdue ’71 

“His style was direct, but caring; he was patient to a point, then demanded action. Some of his most effective moments expressed this, such as, ‘Brothers, please, I will speak with him. It will be corrected.’ We all knew there would be no negotiation. He was a really big Texan, an immensely proud Texas Alphan and a demanding brother. What a gift to us who knew him.” 
Ken Maddox, Oregon State ‘75

Thank you, Mack, for everything you taught us and did for our Fraternity. “Well done, good and faithful servant.” You will be missed.

Fraternally,

Rev. Ray Ackerman
National Chaplain

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.”

William A. Schreyer/Memorial Service Notice

Schreyer, William A.

Bill Schreyer, OGH

A Memorial Service for William A. Schreyer, the former chairman and CEO of Merrill Lynch who died at 83 on Jan. 22, will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 8, at Princeton University Chapel, Princeton, NJ 08544. Theodore Cardinal McCarrick, Archbishop Emeritus of Washington and Newark, will preside over a celebratory Mass.

The University Chapel is on the main campus, next to the Firestone Library near the corner of Nassau Street and Washington Road. Some on-campus visitor parking is available at Lot 23 via the Faculty Road entrance; other metered parking is available near campus, and commercial parking is available in downtown Princeton.
Attendees are encouraged to allow extra time for parking.

Immediately following the service, a reception hosted by the family will be held at 800 Scudders Mill Road (formerly headquarters for the Merrill Lynch Princeton Corporate Campus), Plainsboro, NJ 08540. All friends, relatives and admirers are welcome – and those planning to attend the service and/or the reception are asked to RSVP to WASBullish@yahoo.com.

SigEp Morns The Passing Of Bro. Bill Schreyer

Received this from HQ today. I never had the honor of meeting Bro Schreyer, but he certainly made an impact on the business world and the SigEp world.

Update: Here is a link to the New York Times paid obituary and to the obit article.

Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity 310 South Boulevard P.O. Box 1901 Richmond, Virginia 23220 Ph: 804 353-1901 http://www.sigep.org/

Brothers and Friends,  Wm. Schreyer, OGH  It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of Brother William A. Schreyer, Pennsylvania State '48, at his home on Saturday, January 22, in Princeton, New Jersey. His family announced the news on Sunday. He had been struggling with health issues in recent years. Please keep his wife Joan, his daughter and son-in-law and his two grandchildren in your prayers. Brother Schreyer had a 45-year career at Merrill Lynch and led the firm from 1985-1993. He became a familiar face on TV commercials after the 1987 stock market crash, telling viewers: "At Merrill Lynch, we're still bullish on America." You can read more about his career here. He also gained recognition for donating millions of dollars to Pennsylvania State. The Schreyer Honors College is named for both Bill and Joan. You can read more about his legacy at Penn State here. SigEp has lost one of its greatest business leaders and one of its most loyal and generous brothers. Bill’s leadership was legendary because he led by example. He received the SigEp Citation in 1979 and the Order of the Golden Heart in 1991, the Fraternity's highest honors. As a proud Penn Eta alumnus, Co-Chairman of Sigma Phi Epsilon’s Campaign for the Heart with his good friend and Brother Curt Carlson in the 1990’s, and as long-time Chairman of the Educational Foundation, Bill exemplified Sigma Phi Epsilon’s lifetime commitment to brotherhood. He did so with his trademark strength of personality, warmth, drive and enthusiasm. Foundation Chairman and President Jay Hurt said, “Beyond Bill’s unparalleled generosity to Sigma Phi Epsilon, he was quite simply a great man and an even better brother. His leadership and generosity will have an impact on our undergraduate brothers for decades to come. “When I last met with Bill in the summer of 2010, his passion for Sigma Phi Epsilon was still clearly evident as we talked about the Fraternity and he offered, yet again, to do anything he could to help provide the resources necessary to support our undergraduate brothers. “Bill was truly bullish on Sigma Phi Epsilon, and spoke proudly of Charley, his SigEp grandson, and how happy he was that he too had joined our Brotherhood.” Sigma Phi Epsilon Grand President Garry Kief served on the Foundation Board of Trustees with Brother Schreyer. Brother Kief said, “My first meeting with Bill was at his office on the top floor of the Merrill Lynch building. In fact, it was the entire top floor. As I shook his hand, I mentioned that his office was pretty intimidating. With a big grin on his face, Bill said, ‘That’s the point. Now let’s talk about your donation to SigEp.'” Garry said, “I will always remember his massive office and his massive smile. Both were dwarfed, however, by the size of his SigEp Heart. He was an amazing guy, and will always hold a place in mine.” Brother Schreyer’s leadership gift to the Foundation for his Penn State chapter is being used and will remake the chapter house and bolster their scholarship funds. His 2007 matching challenge for the Foundation Annual Fund continues to enhance the gift of every brother supporting the SigEp programs that benefit every chapter. Please take a moment to think about Brother Schreyer and his family. Fraternally, Doug Scheibe, Executive Director Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation

"Well done, thou good and faithful servant"

Former HQ Executive Director Bro. Craig Templeton attended the services for Bro. Burl Rainwater and sends this observation:

Earl (left) and Burl

The memorial service Saturday for Burl Rainwater, Tennessee ’58, Order of the Golden Heart, reflected a lifelong commitment to SigEp. Not only was the crowd overwhelmingly made up of SigEp alumni, but the officiating pastor was the brother who recruited Burl—and his twin brother Earl—into the chapter 55 years ago, the Rev. Brother Gordon Goodgame, Tennessee ’55, a close family friend since childhood.

The graveside service just outside of Pigeon Forge in the Smokey Mountains was followed by a big “East Tennessee barbecue” in the open air mountainside church pavilion next to the cemetery. Earl looked over the crowd and said, “Burl would have loved to have been here. He’d never miss something like this.” It was likely the first time so many Tennessee Alpha alumni had gathered without Burl among them.

Burl was the engine behind the powerful Tennessee SigEp alumni machine which on its own awards more scholarships than many small colleges and universities. Burl built up and published the chapter’s alumni newsletter, The Spiel, for more than 30 years making it now among the longest running and best alumni magazines of all fraternities.

Rev. Brother Goodgame talked about the Christ-like love that Burl had “for everyone he ever met,” and related it to the cardinal principle of brotherly love from their days in the chapter. Burl had told family and friends that being a Brother in SigEp, and then receiving the Order of the Golden Heart, were the greatest honors of his life.

Burl was a great mentor and role model for thousands of brothers at UT and beyond. Since the time he was named our first National Alumni Chairman in 1985, I learned you could count on him to complete every task on time if not early, and always beyond any expectations for thoroughness and quality. And in keeping with Brother Goodgame’s observation, I can’t think of a single instance in which he wasn’t looking for the best interests of all involved. If he had a complaint, he was the first to call, and then he would wrap his complaint in suggestions and ideas to resolve whatever it might be—and then extend a genuine offer to help.

Among his greatest accomplishments was finding and marrying a magnificent, beautiful woman who shares the same love for the Fraternity and the men of Tennessee Alpha as he did. Our thoughts and prayers pour out for Ilene—and our thanks for sharing so much of her husband and herself over the years. Online condolences may be made at http://hosting-tributes-24616.tributes.com/condolences/leave_memory/89593455

Burl Rainwater, OGH, Brother, Friend

WE 'borrowed' this from the HQ site.

OGH recipient volunteered for over 30 years
October 19, 2010



Burl Rainwater TN AL '58



G. Burl Rainwater, Tennessee ’58, passed away Sunday night, after a 15-year battle with cancer.

Rainwater, 74, served as a volunteer for his chapter, Tennessee Alpha, for over 30 years, and was recognized with the Order of the Golden Heart at the 1989 Conclave in St. Louis, Missouri.

Tennessee’s Chapter Counselor Kelly Williams, Tennessee ’92, said that Rainwater was the board’s president for over 30 years before retiring just a few years ago. “He was intimately involved in every aspect of the Alumni Association,” Williams said.

After graduation, Rainwater spent time serving in the United States Navy. He then lived in Nashville and New York for a brief period, before settling back in Tennessee, and had been volunteering with the chapter ever since. In addition, Burl served SigEp as the National Alumni Chairman and a district governor for Tennessee and Kentucky.

He is survived by his wife Ilene, as well as brothers Carl and J. Earl Rainwater ’58, who is also an alumnus and lifelong volunteer of the SigEp chapter at the University of Tennessee; as well as several nieces and nephews.

“I think he’ll be remembered as the single person who drove the alumni of Tennessee Alpha to support the chapter and scholarship program, and get the new house built,” said former SigEp Educational Foundation President Chuck White, Western Michigan ‘62. “Burl was really the energy.”

Rainwater was instrumental in creating the chapter’s newsletter, the Spiel. He planned first-class alumni gatherings for Founder’s Day and would work the phones incessantly to make sure everyone was attending. He also initiated the chapter’s scholarship fund and housing corporation structure. “One man can make a difference if he really commits to it,” White said.

“I can’t think of a better example of our cardinal principle of diligence than Burl and his work with SigEp over the last 35 years,” said Williams. “He had so much energy, focus and commitment. He will be greatly missed.”

Rainwater will be buried on October 23 at Middle Creek United Methodist Church Cemetery in Pigeon Ford, Tennessee.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Tennessee Alpha Housing Corp of SPE, c/o Kelly WIlliams, 1627 Lindenhall Dr., Alcoa, TN 37701.

I knew Burl from my first days as a SigEp, some 35 years ago. He was always focused on making SigEp, and especially TN Alpha, the best they could possibly be. He was a good friend and a great Brother. Rest well, Burl. You have earned it.

Memorial Day Tribute

This note came today from my TN Alpha brother Wade Hutchens. Trane McCloud was killed in Iraq several years ago. His TN A brothers and other SigEp veterans rallied to support his widow and young children. You can read more about it by selecting the #Trane McCloud tag.

Brothers,

I hope you and your families will have a safe, and enjoyable holiday weekend!!!

Thank you to Shane for sharing this. I think it serves as a great reminder, at this very appropriate time, Ito ask each of you to consider sending some of your tax refund in to the Fallen Brothers Scholarship Fund. Be sure to note that it is for the benefit of the McCloud children.

Thanks once again to those of you who helped launch the fund last year. Please make it an annual commitment to send it what you can afford to donate. If every Brother that was in the chapter with Trane would send in just $100 a year, we could get all three children through college. Unfortunately, many still don’t know about this tragedy, so if you can afford more it will help greatly.

Fraternally,
Wade Hutchens

The Fallen Brothers Scholarship was established at the Foundation to help out the children of SigEp brothers who are killed while serving in the military. Please consider this as a way to show your compassion.

Help for a fallen SigEp hero's family

This letter from Bro. Renato Villacorte reminds us that we can come to the aid of a brother even after they have passed away.

Brothers and Sweethearts,

For those of you that are unaware, SigEpVets is a group of our fraternity brothers that are also veterans and active members of our military.  We formed the network to keep better track of our brothers currently in harm's way and honor those that went before them.  Unfortunately, we had our first fatality in December 2006.

Lt. Col Trane McCloud, USMC/TN Alpha, was serving in Iraq when his helicopter crashed.  He left behind a wife and 3 young children.  Although we never met, this was my brother Marine as well as our brother SigEp and I felt this loss personally.  Since then, I've been on a mission to honor his memory and legacies.

We were able to hook up Maggie McCloud and the children Hayden(9), Grace(7), and Meghan(4) with Snowball Express.  Snowball Express is a charity that organizes a winter vacation for the Survivors of those who have fallen in this current war.  This year, they are bringing out almost 1,200 widows/widowers and their children to Anaheim.  They will take part in multiple celebrations along with visiting Universal Studios and Disneyland.  After their Snowball Express agenda is complete, SigEpVets is treating the McCloud family to a few additional days in the area so they can also visit Legoland.

I am writing to invite any and all of you to join the McCloud family as they visit the theme parks during their visit.  They will be at Universal Studios on December 17^th, Disneyland on 18^th, and Legoland on the 20^th and 21^st.  Additionally, there will be a welcoming parade for all of the families on the 19^th in Anaheim, adjacent to the Convention Center.

This would be a great time to reconnect with old friends along with meeting the McCloud Family.  We can honor Trane’s memory by simply shaking their hands and offering the love and friendship that we share in our brotherhood.

If you are interested in more details, please contact me at Rvillac2@aol. com.  I hope to hear from many of you.

Sincerely,

Renato G. Villacorte

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Please contact Bro. Villacort and lets make this Christmas super special for Trane's widow and children. For more background on Bro McCloud, see these prior posts.

In remembrance...

The "News" section of the HQ web site has reprinted this article remembering Jonathan Cote.

"When we found out that he had been taken, it hit you just like a train," says Sigma Phi Epsilon David Hankins.

November 16, 2006, is a he will never forget. His fraternity brother and close friend Jon Cote was kidnapped in Iraq. Cote had just called a week or two earlier to say he was coming back to the United States in December and wanted to move into the house for the spring semester.

"From the first moment you met him, you felt he was your best friend," says Hankins. "I can honestly say that he was probably one of, if not the most, popular well-liked people in our pledge class."

Tribute to Trane McCloud

Trane McCloud was a TN Alpha graduate who was killed in Iraq. Some of his friends, and he had many, are sponsoring a tribute and fundraiser (Click to see the PDF flyer) to help provide for his children.

Dear Friend-

On December 3, 2006, Lieutenant-Colonel, Trane McCloud (USMC) was killed when his helicopter crashed in Iraq. Trane was a career Marine who left behind a family of three children and a wife.

Since joining the military, Trane has lived in Alexandria, VA. But, his roots run deep in Grosse Pointe, MI. He attended Trombly Elementary, Pierce Middle School and graduated from Grosse Pointe South High in 1985. He lived in Grosse Pointe almost twenty years. He always referred to it as his hometown.

Since Trane’s death, we have been on a mission to show our support for this true American patriot and his family. On October 26, 2007, we are holding a benefit charity auction at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial. Proceeds from this event will be given directly to The McCloud Family Fund—a fund developed to support his children’s future.

Your charitable contribution of auction item(s) will help raise money for this deserving family. Perhaps you have season tickets to a local sporting event and would be willing to give up a game. Perhaps you own a business and would gladly give up some of your product or services. Dinner for two at your restaurant, a guitar lesson, a personal training session, a piece of original art…Whatever you feel capable or comfortable giving, we would like to put it to auction and give the proceeds to Trane’s family.

If you are willing to donate an auction item to the cause, please contact one of the two organizers below before Sep. 1, 2007. A forthcoming email and invitation to the event will follow.

Thank you,

Terry Ayrault		Gerry Finazzo
(313) 610-5439 cell		(586) 909-2915 cell
theayraults@comcast.net		gjf1232@comcast.net

We had earlier posts about Trane here and here. If you can help them out please contact the organizers. I know it says "before Sep. 1" but give them a call anyway. I bet they can work something out.

Rider Sig Eps Plan "Cali" March

Rider University marches for 'Cali'
By: John Dunphy, Managing Editor

Hundreds of Rider University students took the "Cali Pledge" on Monday. Rider students met at the Moore Library to participate in the "Cali March," a walk around the school's 353-acre Route 206 campus.

The fundraising walk, initiated and assembled by the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, was held in honor of Gary DeVercelly, the 18-year-old freshman who died last month after a night of binge drinking at the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity.

The "Cali March," named for Mr. DeVercelly, who was nicknamed "Cali" because he was from California, was originally scheduled to go off last week but was postponed due to the major storm that hit this area. Students participating in the walk were asked to make a donation of any denomination toward a newly established scholarship named after Mr. DeVercelly. The fundraising goal set by organizers was $10,000.

A total of $8,366 had been raised when an anonymous Rider faculty member made a donation just prior to the start of the walk to bring the amount up to $10,000. The new scholarship will be given to incoming freshmen. In addition, all incoming freshmen will be asked to sign the "Cali Pledge," a small card with three pledges to be aware and careful about alcohol consumption.

Steven Klemchalk, the Rider Student Government Association (SGA) president and fundraising chairman of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, asked everyone to read the pledge with him.

"I pledge to 'serve as my fellow students' keeper and seek help for myself or others when needed.' I pledge to 'refrain from abusing alcohol and participating in harmful drinking games.' I pledge to 'insure that neither I nor any of my friends will drive under the influence.'"

Mr. Klemchalk, a senior, said that in addition to the event serving as a fundraiser, something needed to be done for the community following the March 30 tragedy. "We need to raise funds, but we also need to raise awareness," he said.

Sophomore Brian Pawelko, vice president of the SGA, as well as a member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity Mr. DeVercelly had been pledging to join, said the march represented the second phase in the community's recovery from the incident.

"We had time to mourn, now this is the pro-active stage," he said. "We're trying to raise funds, try to get this off the ground. And we're also showing everyone the dangers of alcohol abuse. It's a reminder that alcohol is a dangerous drug."

With a relatively strong Greek community at Rider University, many of those who came out for the walk wore football-style jerseys with their Greek organization's name emblazoned on the front. Others wore blue T-shirts proclaiming this "Greek Week '07."

One student, who asked not to be interviewed, wore a white button-down shirt with an ironed-on image of Gary DeVercelly, his name, and his date of birth and death. Others, such as junior Jamie Papapetros, wore their regular clothes, choosing to attend the walk despite having no connection with Mr. DeVercelly.

"I didn't know him personally," he said. "But, I feel it's good for the community to come together like this. It's not just enough to pay lip service. We need to start making changes. This signifies the start of that process of initiating effective change."

Anthony Campbell, dean of students at Rider, shared Mr. Papapetros' sentiments. "This is about personal and shared responsibility," he said. "You need to make decisions yourself but, also, work with other students to make sure they make the right choices." Mr. Klemchalk said to the audience, "This could happen anywhere. "We need to prevent this in the future," he said. "Our goal is to make Rider a safer institute."

"When you walk, please think of Gary," Mr. Klemchalk added.

HelpTheHokies.com

A Chance for You to Be Part of Helping Those at VA Tech

Brothers-

I'm part of a massive benefit to raise money for the families of those lost in the VA Tech tragedy. If you can make it, I hope to see you there.

If not, please visit helpthehokies.com to send in a donation, or to join the facebook group (a penny donated for every member)The benefit is in Strasburg, VA on 5/2 at 8PM. We're selling tickets at helpthehokies.com and at strasburgtheater.com

The Lineup:
MC: Steve Hofstetter (Collegehumor.com)
Tony Boswell (Meet the Parents)
Ellen Cleghorne (Saturday Night Live)
Tony Deyo (Aspen Comedy Festival)
Denis Donohue (Howard Stern)
Vanessa Hollingshead (Comedy Central Presents)
Jody Kerns (Sarasota Comedy Festival)
Dan Levy (MTV's Your Face or Mine)
Vince Martin (ABC Family)Phil Mazo (Idiots Guide to Jokes)
Rich Ragains (Melbourne Comedy Festival)
Thanks so much, I especially appreciate the help from those who have already donated.

Fraternally,
Steve Hofstetter
New York Phi @ Columbia University '02

(click "Read More" for full press release)

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BENEFIT SHOW FOR FAMILIES OF VA TECH VICTIMS

COMEDIANS, STUDENTS COME TOGETHER TO RAISE MONEY & SUPPORT

Strasburg, VA - April 19, 2007 - The Strasburg Theater will play host to several comedians May 2 as they raise money for the families of the victims of the Virginia Tech shootings. All money raised will be donated directly to the families of the victims, with the theatre, office staff, and performers all volunteering their time.

"We're not paying for travel or office expenses or incidentals," organizer and host Steve Hofstetter said. "This money is being raised for those who suffered a loss. The last thing any of them need to worry about right now is the cost of burying a loved one."

The show has garnered a great deal of support from college students, with a facebook.com group just under 5,000 strong.

Many schools are sending busloads of students, and others have planned road trips to be at the show. Some have been donating instead, and many are volunteering their time and resources for posters, emails, and other such event promotion. Distant schools are also holding fundraising events and donating the money to the same cause.

Organizers planned a show in Strasburg so VA Tech students could come if they wanted to, but it's far enough that the students are also given some breathing room.

"It's too soon to hold a show in Blacksburg," Hofstetter said. "This is a nice alternative."

Hofstetter is also donating out of pocket according to how many students join the group, at a penny per head. The group also encourages members to do something similar.

"We've already raised $500 in donations just from the group," Hofstetter said. "But moreso, we've also been witness to thousands of students trying to reach out to those affected. Millions of people across the country are looking for some outlet for their feelings. We're hoping these donations and this show can help provide that."

Other performers include Denis Donohue, Phil Mazo, and Vince Martin, whose brother went to Virginia Tech and was killed in an accident a few years ago. The show will also feature a few special guests, who will be announced next week.

"What you are doing is great and the families would really appreciate it," said Shaquaya Jones, a student who posted to the group's message board.

Contact:
Chris Edling, Next Round Entertainment
Chris@nextroundinc.com

Rider march today in DeVercelly's memory

Update: A commemorative march scheduled yesterday on the Rider University campus to honor the memory of fallen freshman Gary DeVercelly Jr. was postponed by the stormy weather until next Monday at the same time (5 p.m.) at Moore Library.

LAWRENCE -- A commemorative march will be held today on the Rider University campus to honor the memory of fallen freshman Gary DeVercelly Jr. who passed away last month due to alcohol consumption.

The demonstration, dubbed "The Cali March," in reference to the 19-year-old’s California inspired nickname,is also being carried out to increase awareness about the danger of alcohol abuse.

The Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity is sponsoring the march and donations received will go to the Gary L. DeVercelly Jr. Scholarship.

Registration for the event will begin at 4:30 p.m. with the march beginning in front of Moore Library at 5 p.m.

For more information, contact Steven Klemchalk at klemchalk@rider.edu or at (908) 399-7433.

The Trentonian - Rider march today in DeVercelly’s memory

Campus Tragedy Never Forgotten

Hearts still mending, 20 years after sorority tragedy
By Errol Castens

The first dogwood blooms and greening grass decorated the early spring afternoon two decades ago as about 50 members of the University of Mississippi's Chi Omega sorority chapter made their annual fundraising trek along State Highway 6.

That Thursday was the kind of day you might want to remember forever, if the circumstances had remained idyllic.

"For those of us closely involved, March 26 never loses its significance," said Mary Ann Fruge, who was Tau Chapter adviser when tragedy struck that day in 1987.

For Dr. Thomas J. "Sparky" Reardon, his life was forever marked by the moment. "It was probably one of the toughest things I've ever had to deal with," recalled Reardon, then Ole Miss' associate dean of students.

"It's one of those indelible times in your life. There seems to be a special clarity about it."

As in previous years, the Chi O's had begun their walk-a-thon for the Kidney Foundation of Mississippi at the McDonald's restaurant in Batesville, taking turns walking and riding toward their house on the University of Mississippi campus, 23 miles to the east.

But this time, tragedy lay in wait just a few miles shy of home.

Robert Lee Davis of Senatobia was towing a hay baler eastbound on the highway. His white Ford flatbed truck overtook the walkers and the blue Nissan Maxima that served as their escort. Although he was reportedly within the speed limit and could see several hundred yards ahead, Davis crashed into the Maxima, and both vehicles plowed into the line of walkers ahead.

The injured screamed in pain, the uninjured in horror.

To this day, the memory is so harsh that survivors contacted by the Daily Journal chose not to speak about it.

Retired teacher Ellen Wright was one of the first motorists to arrive after the disaster. She told the Oxford Eagle in a report from that day, "It looked like somebody had taken a handful of toys and threw them up in the air and strewed them everywhere.

"Wright raced with a friend to nearby Williams Antiques to call for help in that pre-cellphone era.

C.L. Keen, who had waved at the women as they passed his house just minutes before, went to help and found himself mostly helpless.

"I couldn't do anything," he recalled days later as he talked with a Commercial Appeal reporter. "I'll tell you what I would have given $100 for a wet towel, just to bathe their faces.

"Two young women died on the scene.

Several survivors were taken to Oxford-Lafayette Medical Center, now Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi, and some reportedly went to a hospital in Jackson.

Those injured worst were taken to Regional Medical Center in Memphis. Before another day came and went, three of them would die.

Today, friends of all these students are starting to buy reading glasses and look for the occasional gray hair, but Margaret Gardner and Robin Simmons of Tupelo, Elizabeth Gage Roberson of Greenwood, Ruth Hess Worsham of Corinth and Mary Pat Langford of Atlanta are forever young.

In Tupelo, Margaret Gardner and Robin Simmons are forever remembered by a home for girls that bears their name, The Gardner-Simmons Home.

Anne Cochet was working at Dr. Glenn Hunt's obstetrics clinic in Oxford less than a block from the hospital when they heard a mass of sirens."He put his instruments down and told me he was going to be gone," she said.

"All the doctors in town were called in.

"Dr. L.G. Hopkins was one of them."We didn't keep count of the injured; they came pouring in," said the now-retired general practitioner. "Every physician who was in town responded, and we just took care of people until they were all taken care of."

Cochet phoned her husband, who pastors College Hill Presbyterian Church, and met him at the hospital.

"We saw people experiencing great anguish," the Rev. Alan Cochet said. "It was also a time when we saw people asking very hard questions what, why, how that come in the midst of tragedies like this."

I was personally blessed by the tender pastoral care that I saw from other pastors and the campus ministry people, loving and listening and praying and comforting seeing Christ in the midst of the crisis."

Back at the Ole Miss campus, officials including then-Chancellor Gerald Turner started phoning the families of victims, both dead and alive.

As if things weren't frantic enough, the campus' phone lines went out."

Down in the Delta, someone had (accidentally) cut major telephone cables," recalled Dr. Judy Trott, then-dean of students. "We couldn't give any information out (to the media) until we had notified the families, and it took them five or six or seven hours to get the phone lines fixed."

Roughly a third of the Chi-O's had been on the walk. The others gathered at their sorority house, shocked and grieving.

"Total hysteria spread when we found out there were over two fatalities," said DeDe Dunlap, then a Chi Omega from Ridgely, Tenn. "I didn't know how to feel at first."Trott maintained her presence at the Chi O house.

"The girls didn't know what to do, either," she admitted. "I did what I could to keep them calm, reassure them that everything was being done that could be done."

As word spread of the tragedy, expressions of sympathy and support began appearing both locally and from across the nation.

Keen, who lived near the wreck site, erected five white wooden crosses at the scene, giving people a place to focus their grief.

A permanent stone marker stands there today, started by a $200 donation and a challenge from a local businessman.

"Flowers kept coming in and coming in," Trott said. The Chi Omega house filled with them. "Finally I had to call the florists and ask them to stop bringing them."

Reardon, who also provided an adult presence at the sorority house, was one who spent much of the night arranging a memorial service first planned for Fulton Chapel, then moved to the Tad Smith Coliseum to accommodate an estimated 4,000 people who would attend.

By the time the memorial began at noon Friday, "There was a program, there was an organ, there was a program printed," he recalled.

"Gerald Turner was really wise to bring us together at that point. "The chancellor, who was also a professor of psychology, warned students that adrenaline had sustained them thus far, and that when the shock subsided they must not let down their support for those most affected.

"We must provide a loving, supporting community for those who have been touched by this tragedy," he said. Paraphrasing William Faulkner's Nobel Prize acceptance speech, he added, "You can, you will and you must endure, and then you must prevail."

Prevailing would take a while. With funerals for four of the five victims being held on Saturday and Sunday, it was a somber weekend on campus.

Then-ASB President Nancy Horton apologized for the quiet atmosphere to the more than 500 visitors who had come for the usually raucous Spring Visit Weekend. A few fraternities and sororities previously had scheduled dances but found them subdued. The annual Greek Games were canceled."What was so profound and surprising was the ripple effect of how it affected students who did not know the girls at all," said Susan Eftink, then a counselor in the Department of Student Development and now a professor of social work.

By Sunday after the wreck, a crisis counseling team arrived from the National Organization for Victims Assistance, a group that had been born in the aftermath of a mass shooting at a California McDonald's.

"Within those first few days, there were so many students who needed help," Eftink remembered. "Then we found we needed to work with the EMTs and people at the hospital, then people in the community who knew no one involved: It brought up past losses that they'd had. We tried to provide services for the whole community.

"The clergy continued their work as well. In 1987, the Rev. Duncan Gray III, now bishop of the Mississippi Diocese, was rector at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Oxford.

"People deal with traumas in different ways," he recalled last week. "I listened to a lot of stories of friendships." One complication, Gray said, was guilt and confusion heaped on survivors.

"A lot of them were dealing with things that had been said right after the accident that this was God's will and that it was a sign for people to get their lives together pretty quickly," he said.

It took a summer break before Ole Miss was its normal energetic self again.

"The whole campus, for the rest of the semester, didn't feel right," Eftink assessed.

Dr. Jean Jones, then director of student development at Ole Miss, told the Daily Mississippian a few days after the tragedy, "We are all victims in some way of this horrible event, but we are getting things in place so that we can go on with our lives."

S. Ted Antholis, 67, leading advocate for disabled

S. Ted Antholis, a fighter for disabled rights, died Sun. Feb. 25, in New York City. He was 67. The cause was complications from decades of having multiple sclerosis, his brother, Ernest Antholis, said.

Antholis lived at W. 26th St. and Sixth Ave. in Chelsea for the last four years, having previously lived in Glendale, Queens. Disabled since his 20s, in more recent years he had used a wheelchair.

His influence on legislation was groundbreaking, and the introduction of designated seating for the elderly and handicapped on Metropolitan Transportation Authority subways is attributable to his efforts. He also spearheaded the effort to implement sidewalk curb cuts and to make theaters and restaurants handicapped accessible.

Under former Mayor Ed Koch, from 1978 to 1989, Antholis served as a commissioner and vice chairperson on the New York City Commission on Human Rights. In September 1988, he was recognized for exceptional contributions to revisions in the New York City Human Rights Law protecting the disabled and other disadvantaged communities. He served five years as C.H.R. legislative chairperson and four years as vice chairperson. Previously, Antholis served in the late ’70s as executive director of PRIDE, a physical rehabilitation group. He was a member of Mensa, the high-I.Q. society, since 1950. His letters to the editor were frequently published in The New York Times, expressing clarity of thought on discrimination issues and calls for action.

Antholis graduated from New York University in 1963. At N.Y.U., he was inducted into the New York Gamma chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, where he became chapter president. At the fraternity, he made lifelong friends, whom he often met in Manhattan. Previously, in 1960, he graduated from the New York Institute of Technology with an electronics technology degree.

Antholis was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1968. Given a 10-year prognosis because of his illness, Antholis embarked on a yearlong journey around the world. Barely able to walk years later, he was pleased to be accepted into the Circumnavigators Club in 1983.

Antholis is predeceased by his parents, Ernest and Helen Samos Antholis, of Glendale, Queens. He is survived by his brother, Ernest; sister-in-law, Helen Z. Antholis, of Middletown. N.J.; niece and goddaughter, Diana Antholis, of New York City; nephew, Steven Antholis, and his devoted longtime friend, Ms. Dale Johnstone.

A connoisseur of food and wines, he attributed this trait to his father having owned the well-known restaurant Ernie’s in Ridgewood, Queens. During his teens, Antholis worked at the restaurant, known for its fine German cuisine.

Donations in Antholis’s name may be made for M.S. research to the Mount Sinai Development Office, Box 1049, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, N.Y., 10029-6574.

Antholis graduated from New York University in 1963. At N.Y.U., he was inducted into the New York Gamma chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, where he became chapter president. At the fraternity, he made lifelong friends, whom he often met in Manhattan. Previously, in 1960, he graduated from the New York Institute of Technology with an electronics technology degree.

S. Ted Antholis, 67, leading advocate for disabled: "Sigma Phi Epsilon"

USM student honored

USM student honored

Family and friends of a Southern Miss student killed in a traffic accident last August gathered to remember him in a special way today. This afternoon, a magnolia tree was planted on the front lawn of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity house on the USM campus. The tree and a bench in front of it were dedicated in honor of fraternity member T.J. Thomas, who was killed when his car was hit by an alleged drunk driver in Hattiesburg on August 26, 2006. Friends of the D'Iberville senior say this ceremony shows he will always be remembered. The dedication followed a fundraising event at the fraternity which raised more than $14,000 for a national youth AIDS program.

WDAM.com Laurel-Hattiesburg, MS The Pinebelt's Choice For News, Sports and Weather | USM student honored

We Are Marshall

A story about the family of Stuart Cottrell, a Marshall fooball player and Sig Ep who was killed in the 1970 plane crash that wiped out the entire team.

Stuart Cottrell, a 1969 graduate of Eustis High School, was an all-state quarterback for the Panthers. He probably had never heard of Marshall University until he was offered a scholarship to play football at the southern West Virginia school. After playing quarterback for the Thundering Herd freshman team, Stuart began playing defensive back during his sophomore year. Kevin said to the best of his recollection, Stuart had an interception in a losing effort in his last game.

The crash of a chartered Southern Airways DC-9 jet returning from a game at Eastern Carolina University in Greenville took the lives of most of the Marshall University football team and coaching staff, as well as other university officials and boosters.

Kevin Cottrell, his brother and sisters were invited to the premiere of the movie “We Are … Marshall,” which chronicles the successful effort to rebuild the Thundering Herd football team after the plane crash. The movie, starring Matthew McConaughey and Matthew Fox, opens today in theaters nationwide.
[...]
While they were there, Kevin said, he and his siblings “tracked down some of Stuart’s fraternity brothers” from Sigma Phi Epsilon who pledged at the same time as Stuart. They also met Scott Howard, the brother of Tom Howard, who was not only a fraternity brother of Stuart’s, but also a teammate who died with Stuart in November 1970.

I have not seen the movie yet, but if the trailers are any indication it will be very inspirational and there probably will be crying and cheering in the theaters.

Eustis siblings travel to W.Va. to honor brother who died in 1970 plane crash

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