For Alumni and Friends of the Colorado Gamma Chapter Colorado State University, Sigma Phi Epsilon Spring 2019 Current News | www.CSUSigEp.org Digital format for the Spear gets the green light This spring, the majority of The AVC understands the need for the print copy to Colorado Gamma alumni coexist with the digital version for the foreseeable future. received an email update In order to determine the number of hard copies required, with regard to The Spear. “Opt Out” information will be included in upcoming issues Given the increasing cost of of The Spear. By opting out of digital communications, your production and the oppor- preference for receiving a physical newsletter will be regis- tunities presented by a tered. Through this process, the willingness of the chapter digital format, the Alumni to move to digital across the board can be solidified. Volunteer Corporation The spring email was received with overwhelming posi- (AVC) recently reached tivity. The results of a one-question survey attached to the a decision to explore the update showed that more than 95% of respondents had no option of migrating The concerns about a digital Spear. This has given the AVC the Spear to a digital plat- confidence necessary to move forward with this process. form. In coming issues, we will be actively engaging alumni in The Spear is a vital an effort to update our email rolls and gather information communication link in for whom we are lacking. Currently, we anticipate the full connecting all of Colorado Gamma. digital roll-out of The Spear to take place over the course of However, printing and mailing a physical newsletter 2-3 years. puts a tremendous financial burden on the chapter, often To ensure you continuing receiving The Spear, your totaling more than $8,000 a year. A move to digital would contact information must be up to date. If you do not already net an immediate cost savings that could be reinvested receive digital communications from Colorado Gamma, elsewhere in the chapter. In addition, a digital model would please update your information at www.csusigep.org/ greatly reduce turnover in our address database. alum-update. SAVE THE DATE! Chapter house signage to be restored As we wait for our recolonized chapter Sigma Phi Epsilon signage back on the house 2019 Founders Day recruitment numbers to reach a sustainable and have the newly recolonized chapter use Celebration at SigEp level for occupancy (35 men), the chap- the house for chapter meetings, Monday night ter house will be rented out. Our current dinners, rituals, study facilities, rush functions, master lease with the Sigma Nu fraternity social functions, and other brotherhood activi- terminates on August 1, 2019. We had a very ties. We are offering rooms for rent in the house strong indication from the Phi Mu soror- to non-members for the 2019-2020 school year ity that they were going to sign a two-year to help offset the negative cashflow on the master lease for the house, but in April they house for the coming year. All existing SigEp backed out. members and new recruits will be required to At that late date, most students — including live in the house beginning the fall of 2020. all of our new SigEp members — had already A very aggressive recruitment effort is Saturday, signed housing leases for the fall of 2019. planned for this summer, continuing into the November 2, 2019 Working with SigEp National Housing with fall and spring of 2020. The goal is to have 121 E. Lake Street regard to our mortgage and financial obliga- enough members to fully occupy the house in Ft. Collins, CO 80524 tions, the decision has been made to put the August of 2020. In conjunction with the CSU vs. UNLV football game More details to come! Outstanding New Volunteer awarded Brother Ryan Garthright, ’10, received the Outstanding New Volunteer Award for District 23. The award is presented annu- ally to a volunteer in each district who has had a significant impact on either the AVC or the undergraduate chapter with which they volunteer. Sigma Phi Epsilon is successful largely because of the tireless work of those volun- teers who donate their time and talents to support the Fraternity experience at local, Chapter President Connor Cloherty regional and national levels. Dan Reagan, ’82 (right), congratulates Many of SigEp’s volunteers are alumni, Ryan Garthright after presentation of the who stay involved to give back. Others are Outstanding New Volunteer Award. members of the University’s faculty and staff as well as parents and community leaders, who give back because they believe in SigEp’s Undergraduate ideals and want to make an impact on the undergraduate experience for college men. chapter plans for Whether you have an afternoon to share each week or once a year, you can support the Fraternity’s mission of Building Balanced Men. the future Have questions? Feel free to email [email protected]. The 2018-2019 school year consisted of many ups and downs for our new chapter. Through the challenges, a dedicated group of remarkable young men has emerged. Grant Ogden: “SigEp is where I belong.” We started the school year with 13 men on the roster and finished with 22. There are currently members in the Sigma, Phi and Grant Ogden, ’22, is a finance major from somewhere I felt I belonged. I’ve found that Epsilon challenges. The Wyoming Alpha chap- Broomfield, Colo. In Spring 2019, he joined place. SigEp is where I belong and the relation- ter has been a tremendous assistance in ritual SigEp, following in the footsteps of his step- ships I have already formed within my first and ROP matters. father, Christian Kaempfer, ’96. semester are irreplaceable. Our first spring formal, “Mountain Weekend,” What brought you to CSU? What are your goals for your time in SigEp? was held April 26-28 in Steamboat Springs, During my time in SigEp, I want to lead. I When choosing a college, I was torn between CO. A great time was had by all who attended, want to be someone that anyone can come Oklahoma and CSU. I had always wanted unfortunately due to academic concerns not all talk to if they need help with something. attend Oklahoma, but a could share in this experience. In response to I want to be someone friend insisted I visit CSU.I that anyone can come this lapse, we have developed and installed a loved the layout of the to if they want a laugh. I new academic plan for our brothers in need of campus and the hometown want to be someone that support. feel. anyone can come talk to We are now looking forward to having a What drew you to SigEp? for advice of any kind. successful fall rush and the reinstatement of I knew I wanted to be in a I want to help develop 121 E. Lake Street will play a major role. The fraternity and after rushing this fraternity in a way chapter is chomping at the bit to use the house NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT multiple other fraterni- that admires our tradi- as its intended purpose: supporting the men of ties, I realized that SigEp tion, yet reforms parts Sigma Phi Epsilon, who will treat it with the care was different. CSU is a to make things such as and respect it deserves. big campus with a lot of recruitment and new students, and I wanted member education more With numbers growing, we aim to launch Grant Ogden (center) with uncles our first philanthropy event next fall, as well as to make my experience Jonathan and Joe in Pamplona, Spain. efficient. I would also smaller and more tightly like to encourage and increasing brotherhood retreats and service knit. Through rushing, I noticed how close all lead brothers in a small group Bible study. outreach. Plans for hosting the Balanced Man of the brothers were and I knew that this is What are your interests outside school Scholarship are underway, and we look forward what I wanted to do. The fact that SigEp is a to finding those who embody the values of smaller fraternity on campus also appealed to and fraternity? I enjoy practically all sports as well as hiking, Virtue, Diligence and Brotherly Love. As such, me at the time because of the countless oppor- we heartily encourage alumni to attend a tunities. Regardless of size, I saw how much skiing, and just exploring. I also really enjoy chapter meeting, stop by and interact with the love each of the brothers had for one another community service but haven’t had as much and I knew I wanted to participate in creating time as I would like to help volunteer. I really current members, and share in the effort to life-long relationships with these people. feel that what you get out of helping others rebuild the legacy of SigEp at Colorado State. who haven’t been as fortunate as you is one We are very excited for the future of this What has been your favorite part of Greek of the best, most humbling feelings. I’m also chapter, and we hope to share that excitement life so far? moderately religious, with much room to with you all. Getting close with so many more people. My grow spiritually, and have been involved in fall semester caused me to seriously consider numerous small bible study groups. transferring to Oklahoma in hopes of finding 2 OBITUARIES With news of their passing, Colorado Gamma mourns the loss of these Colorado Gamma loses one of its brothers: finest champions BROTHER LARRY BIRDSALL On the field and and signed him to a contract for $4,200.