2006 Convention: Going Back to Hamilton
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Sigma Phi FLAME NUMBER 108 • DECEMBER 2006 2006 Convention: Going Back to Hamilton (and back in time in these Beta photos) PAGE 2 THE FLAME Message From the Chairman: “Sigma Phi Sets the (New?) Standard” by Marshall Solem, F’79 [email protected] t our 2006 Convention at (as most Oliphant speakers are), it Hamilton College in September, I would still be valuable to host such ses- A believe Sigma Phi set a standard sions with experts on or near each of by which all Greek organizations can our campuses. Given that several of measure themselves. our chapters are very close to state In conjunction with the Sigma Phi capitols, it should be relatively easy to Educational Foundation, Convention orchestrate such an interchange organizers at the Beta orchestrated an between professors and/or elected engaging and formal interchange on officials on issues of interest or rele- “Hamilton vs. Jefferson” between three vance nationally or locally. professors from across the country. (I It would be easy to sit back and was struck by how much this discussion demur, suggesting that such an event mirrored the impact of the legendary should be coordinated by the local Marshall Solem, F’79 Oliphant Series sponsored by our Inter-Fraternity Conference (IFC) on Cornell chapter.) I won’t detail the each campus, for which Sigma Phi ensure Sigma Phi continues to lead. event here except to suggest that it is (and all other fraternities) would get It’s my opinion that Sigma Phi’s precisely this type of accessible and credit by virtue of affiliation. Rather, I leadership is a direct function of intellectual event which can help suggest that Sigma Phi should take the Brothers who continue to care. In that restore some respect for the Greek sys- leadership role in creating such cam- context, I offer this closing thought. As tem in the media and public opinion. pus programs. Such leadership will we enter the time of year to give thanks The event, which was open to the provide many benefits: 1) our reputa- for our many blessings and send holi- public, did not take an exorbitant tion will be enhanced, which will help day greetings to friends and family, I amount of effort to coordinate. The our rush efforts; 2) our chapters will encourage you to reach out and con- topic was interesting and the speakers build better relationships with their nect with a long forgotten Sig brother. engaging. The public witnessed Sigma host university/college and communi- Use the ‘brother locator’ feature in the Phi providing a community service ty; 3) organizers - particularly active ‘brothers only’ section of the Sigma consistent with our goal of fostering brother organizers - will make connec- Phi website (www.sigmaphi.org) to find learning, not detracting from it. We tions with individuals who may help a brother you haven’t communicated and other Greek organizations need to them in their future career endeavors; with in several years. Give him a call. do more of this. Even if speakers are and 4) we will all learn something - Reconnect. Reignite the flame that we not flown in from around the country, either from the event itself or from the know is “sacred to friendship.” I can or are not internationally acclaimed process of organizing it. guarantee that that purposeful call will I challenge each of our chapters – add new meaning to your holidays, actives and alumni, alike – to follow and add a spark to your relationship Sigma Phi the lead of our Epsilon and Beta with Sigma Phi. The Sigma Phi Society publishes the brothers and consider developing a You have my warmest wishes for a Sigma Phi Flame twice yearly. Please direct program like this on your campus in happy holiday season, a prosperous all inquiries, suggestions, photos and this coming spring semester, or by next 2007, and a continuing passion for changes of address to Sigma Phi National fall at the latest. Such programs will this Society. Headquarters, Post Office Box 4633, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27515-4633. CO-EDITORS: Kudos & Thanks… MIKE IMIRIE M’69 …to the following Sigs for their articles, information or [email protected] suggestions supporting this issue of the Flame: Jon Bellona, ALVAR SOOSAAR S’96 H’00, Ross Blaufarb, I’80, David Farmer, H’89, Randy Fields, [email protected] H’81, Todd Hargrave, M’06, Dell Hutchinson, I’71, Jake Kramer, C’98, Dan Martineau, H’78, Scott McCrae, V’82, MEMBER,NATIONAL Andy Mansfield, M’06, Joe Rosati, L’83, Tim Welland, M’04, INTERFRATERNITY Matt West, M’06 & David Williams, W’61. CONFERENCE Issue after issue, we solicit Sig perspectives, and every one that we publish improves the periodical in which it Sigma Phi Home Page: appears! Contact either co-editor Alvar Soosaar, S’96 www.sigmaphi.org ([email protected]), or Mike Imirie, M’69 ([email protected]) with your feedback and/or suggestions. DECEMBER 2006 PAGE 3 Convention ’06: Planner’s Perspective by Randy Fields, H’81 [email protected] ou’d think that running a Sig done…and it gets done! Since then, I’ve spent nine years in national convention would be Weekend highlights included a marketing, PR, and advertising for a Y old hat to me by now! After all, I cocktail party on Thursday evening at retirement community in nearby New was in charge of most of the activities the Oneida Street home of Rand Hartford. (I find there’s really not too for the 1981 and 1991 conventions at Carter, H’74, an open-air barbecue at much difference between the Beta and the Beta. Things were a bit different the Bristol Campus Center on Friday Sunset Wood, despite the age thing then, though, because we still had a evening, and a tea for female guests and keg stands!) Through those years, house to use as a base of operations, and other interested convention-goers my heart has always been with the and most activities took place on the hosted by Hamilton’s Sig Sisters on Beta. Being able to help host the 175th Hamilton campus. Saturday. Convention was the perfect way for me But this was 2006. Over the week- From my perspective, the 175th to celebrate my 25th year as a end of September 15-17, Hamilton's convention was a great success. No Sig…AND my 60th birthday….all on first fraternity, the Sigma Phi Society, major snags or blunders throughout the same weekend! The gents who celebrated the 175th anniversary of its the weekend. Everything got done in were seniors when I was swung turned founding on the Hill in conjunction proper order…even an impromptu out in force, probably the largest single with the Society’s 175th National conclave in the hospitality room (spe- class there. Seeing all of them togeth- Convention. And it was my job to make cial thanks to luminaries Rand Carter, er again brought back lots of memo- it roll. H’74, and Mark Singer, H’78)! I was ries. And I had my “new boys” – today’s Taking the whole kit-and-caboodle pleased to see lots of smiling faces Beta undergrads – on hand to help to an off-campus venue - even one as everywhere, all of them celebrating keep things moving. My Big Brother, beautiful as the newly-restored, historic Sigma Phi. Brendan McCurdy, H’80, was there for Hotel Utica - created a whole list of The event was especially meaning- moral support as were a couple of my new problems. How do we provide all ful for me. I was swung in the spring of Little Brothers from years past. the meals we need to offer without 1981 as an adult. I had let my friend, What more could any Sig ask for? charging a huge fee? How do we trans- Rand Carter, H’74, volunteer my servic- A house, perhaps…. But we all port everyone back and fort to the es in 1981 to run the Beta’s meal plan learned that weekend that the house campus for the Hicks Oratorical, a bar- for a couple of months until the stew- doesn’t make the Sig; it’s the becue and tours of the campus? How ard could hire a full time person. Friendship, Love and Truth they all do we schedule so many meetings in a Instead, I was given a bid, swung with a carry around with them wherever they hotel with limited meeting space? And group of undergraduates, and stayed go. And I’m glad that all came to visit how do you pack 150+ people in a ball- for 16 more years! I even lived in the us in Utica that weekend. It made my room for dinner without having them Sigma Phi Place from 1995-97, after birthday the happiest in years, and site in each others’ laps? The answer? the College forced all the fraternities showcased the Beta’s 175th birthday in We’re Sigs. We just believe it can be out of their houses. all the right ways. photo by Karlton Bontrager, H'97 photo by Karlton Bontrager, At Convention '06, “the jolly Sigs were stirring….” PAGE 4 THE FLAME Convention ’06: First Principles for Sig by Dan Martineau, H’78 [email protected] “In disquisitions of every kind there are certain primary truths, or first principles, upon which all subsequent reasoning must depend.” - Alexander Hamilton, Federalist Paper #31 n a recent fall weekend, a O gathering of Immortals graced the shores of the murky Mohawk River. They stirred and flew on wings of Grace from their far lairs to attend the 175th Anniversary of the establishment of our Sacred Society.