Tennessee SigEps provide housing for university intern

Posted in News on July 3, 2014 by AARON JAY LEDESMA, MARQUETTE ‘14

(http://www.sigep.org/blog/tennessee-sigeps-provide-housing-for-university-intern.html)

Tennessee Alpha SigEps are giving back to their university in a unique way. The chapter is currently housing Alex Rossmann, a female graduate intern for the university, who is working this summer on creating an anti-hazing campaign for the University of Tennessee.

The idea of housing a university intern came from the chapter faculty advisor and UT staff member Keith Becklin, Western Michigan ‘06. He told the undergraduates that the university was looking to hire an intern, but it could not provide summer housing due to its budget. 

That’s when the men of the Tennessee Alpha chapter stepped up in a big way. The chapter generously offered to provide the university with complimentary accommodations for Rossmann in their resident scholar’s suite. 

At first, Lindi Smedberg, Director of Sorority and Fraternity Life, was hesitant because the intern is a woman. However, based on Lindi's experience with the chapter, she said she felt comfortable, and Alex gladly accepted SigEp's generous offer. 

"Tennessee would not have been able to hire Alex this summer if it had not been for the help of the SigEp chapter,” says Smedberg. “The men of Sigma Phi Epsilon have gone above and beyond by cleaning, painting and furnishing the suite for Alex, including the addition of new rugs, drapes, and art work."  

The SigEps realize the importance of this unique partnership and the opportunities it can bring to their chapter and university.

“Alex is a huge asset to the campus and it is great that SigEp is able to host her,” says chapter president Robert Billings, Tennessee ‘15. “In order to make SigEp the best experience that we can, we have to be a valued partner with our universities.”

Rossmann is wrapping up her eight-week internship and has only good things to say about her summer with SigEp.


“Living with SigEp has enhanced my experience and added a new richness to my understanding of Greek life,” says Rossmann, who does not have a Greek affiliation. “Having positive relationships with the university allows Greeks to have a bigger impact on campus. I am so happy to be a part of a wonderful partnership with UT and SigEp!​"

Wyoming Sig Eps Win Awesome Internships

University of Wyoming Students Selected for Prestigious National Internships

University of Wyoming juniors Matthew Fournier, a zoology/psychology and biology student from Cheyenne, and Christopher MacLellan, mathematics and computer science, Gilbert, Ariz., are conducting research work this summer at two prestigious institutions.

The two UW honor students, both members of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, landed competitive national internships.

Fournier is working at the Department of Brain and Cognitive Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Amgen Scholars Program. MacLellan was accepted into the NASA Space Grant Program and is assigned to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif.

Fournier will focus on two key aspects of visual cognition -- learning and recognition. The research influences the clinical and computational understanding of visual recognition and could one day result in computers that read and understand in a human fashion, he says.

MacLellan will develop software for the "Pluto" rover, which will regulate the movement of the motors onboard the exploration robot. The technology will be used in the development of all future planetary rover software and will be applicable even to robots already in space.

They say UW has given them a competitive edge by providing individual research experiences outside the classroom.

MacLellan has prior experience in the Wyoming Cryptography Cohort, a National Science Foundation-funded research program led by Siguna Mueller, UW Department of Mathematics assistant professor.

"In this program, I gained experience in working in a highly technical group setting, translating group ideas into working computer programs," he says.

For the past year, Fournier has worked in the UW neuroscience program directed by Professor Francis Flynn. He investigated the neural and hormonal mechanisms involved in the regulation of fluid balance.

"I have gained experience with immunohistochemical technique and microscope imaging and how the results can be applied to the overall goals of the laboratory," Fournier says.

White House Internships

Internships

No kidding. This release is on the www.whitehouse.gov site.

In addition to typical office duties, interns will supplement their learning experience by attending a weekly lecture series hosted by senior White House staff, assist at White House social events, and volunteer in community service projects.

"This program will mentor and cultivate young leaders of today and tomorrow and I'm proud that they will have this opportunity to serve," said President Obama. "I look forward to working with those that are selected to participate and I want to commend all who apply for their desire to help through public service to forge a brighter future for our country."

You won't get paid, and you'll have to find a place to live, but that is a small price to be able to fetch coffee and make copies in The West Wing.