Alpha Artery A pUBLICATIon FoR ALUMnI oF oKLAhoMA ALphA t SIGMA phI epSILon SpRInG 2012 Change Abounds on OSU Campus More Housing Options Bring Competition to Fraternity s students become ever-more reliant on the most popular links. The top result: a luxury on privacy and amenities. Admittedly less social Atechnology and the next best thing, it’s easy apartment complex boasting indoor recreation than living in the dorms, off-campus housing to see who’s keeping up with their pace and who facilities, a pool, individual bathrooms and wire - also allows for less-stringent rules, unlike one is being left in the dust. Within the past four less Internet. Couple this with the number of would find living in a dorm. years, Stillwater has seen an upswing in luxury new fraternity and sorority houses being built on student housing, both on campus and off. These campus (FarmHouse broke ground on their new Regardless of their reasons, students are seeking new buildings are a far cry from the bare-bones house last semester, which will be the third more comfortable and desirable locations to brick walls and metal bunk beds many of us largest fraternity house in the country and the live. As I see the changes made around campus were accustomed to. largest at OSU), it’s easy to see that competition and Stillwater, I have found myself stepping for the student dollar is on the rise. back to evaluate how Oklahoma Alpha will meet Before the Internet, cell phones, hundreds of these changes head on. In the meantime, our cable channels, and video games, students Within the last 10-15 years, the campus climate undergraduates maintain their tradition of excel - would spend very little time in their rooms, as has changed in regard to freshman housing. lence on campus regardless of where they live, there wasn’t much to do. Socializing took place Before, it was mandatory for freshmen to live on ensuring the student population knows the men outside of the dorm. Times have changed. campus, but now more students are looking at of SigEp are of true merit. Socializing can take place anywhere, and stu - their off-campus options, and they recognize the dents want to be comfortable doing so. benefits of both. Students now weigh their pri - Fraternally, vacy against the ease of getting to campus. For Brent Suchy ’97 If you were to do a Google search of “Stillwater those who don’t mind driving, they view apart - Alumni Communication student housing,” the first three results reveal ments as a more enticing option, simply based [email protected] Alumni-Undergraduate Connection Save the Date Key to Chapter’s Success Mark your calendar t times, some of the most important between undergraduates and alumni. Simply for the 6th Annual Aaspects of our organization are overshad - by reflecting upon the motto signified by the owed by the flashy first-place trophies of our Greek letters of our fraternity, we are aided in T-Bone MacDonald campus successes. Having the opportunity to remembering the purpose of our organization learn, coordinate, and interact under mentors and the true value of what we do and why we Golf Classic like Gary Bridwell ’74 , Shane Crawford do it. ’99 , Joe Rolston IV ’86 , and Brent Foster ’97 is irreplaceable, unquantifiable, and We have a long way to go to unite more than June 9, 2012 invaluable. The experience, knowledge, net - 1,000 alumni. However, where there is diffi - 1 p.m. shotgun start working, guidance, and friendship gained culty, there is opportunity. from interactions with these few alumni are Lakeside Golf Course much more important and meaningful than We have an opportunity to add more the short-lived gratification of winning the strength to an already strong chapter. Our 5201 N. Washington Homecoming first-place trophy. strength comes from the leadership, hard Stillwater, OK 74075 work, selflessness, support, and commit - Herein lies the true value of my fraternity ment of brothers like Gary Bridwell, Shane Fee is $100 (includes golf, cart experience. Ultimately, the longevity and sus - Crawford, Joe Rolston IV, Brent Foster and free range balls) tainability of Oklahoma Alpha’s success are ’97 , Brent Suchy ’97, Randy Barton ’79 , not dependent upon the number of trophies Karig Culver ’80 , Si Fentress ’72 , Jim Register at www.sigepgolf.com we have on the shelf. Our success is depend - McKellar ’67 , Jim Blazer ’67 , Scott Smith or call Lance Miller ’95 ent on the strength of our fellowships, men - ’86 , Matt Atkins ’09, Brandon Boone ’09 , at (918) 812-4579. torships, and brotherhood established (Continued on page 4) Inside: New Study Space t 2 Another First-Place Trophy t 2 Alumnus Spotlight t 3 Loyal Alumni t 3 Alpha Artery Undergraduates Another First-Place Trophy Dedicate Time, Adorns the Halls of Funds to new Oklahoma Alpha Three Brothers Among the Study Space Top Ten Freshman of Oklahoma State n an effort to show their dedication to First-place homecoming Sweep academic excellence, the undergraduates I The undergraduate men, paired with the women voted to forgo a date party this semester to of Chi Omega, swept the events of Homecoming fund and renovate an old storage room into 2011 by taking first place in all but one category. a new, fully functional study and meeting Led by directors Cory Riddle ’12 , Matt place, as well as an executive board office. Simunek ’12 , Jason hladik ’12 , and Ty Ketchum ’13 , the SigEp/ChiO pairing took home Despite the small budget, a multitude of first-place trophies in sweepstakes, house decora - changes and improvements were made to tion, sign decoration, harvest carnival, engineer - the room: ing, spirit, and philanthropy. Pairing with the women of Gamma Phi Beta for Homecoming • New industrial carpet 2012, we look forward to defending our title next • Solid rubber base around bottom of every semester. The last time Gamma Phi and SigEp wall in study room and office paired together was four years ago—and we also • New paint took home the first-place trophy. • Clock above the door • Seals around doors to reduce noise SigEp brothers with their first-place trophies after Three Sigeps named • New door kickplates halftime of the Homecoming football game. Top 10 Freshmen at oSU • Reframed office window Our chapter boasts three out of the top 10 fresh - highest Fall GpA in Chapter history • Two large dry-erase whiteboards men at Oklahoma State. Brothers eric Gilbert The undergraduates posted a brilliant 3.28 chap - • Formica countertop for study/work space ’14 , Logan Scott, ’14 , and Max Wiebrecht ’14 ter GPA, which is the highest fall semester grade • 16 permanent study/meeting room chairs were selected for this extraordinary honor by point average in Oklahoma Alpha history. The • High-quality, industrial-capacity OSU Mortar Board. This is undoubtedly an out - commendable GPA was good enough to place wireless printer standing accomplishment for these men. second among all fraternities on campus, falling • New L-desk and desk chair for only 1.001 behind first place. Both the chapter’s executive office member and pledge class GPAs placed second • Decorative posters (paid for by in their respective categories, making this the Wes haddox ’11 ) 10th consecutive semester that Oklahoma Alpha • LCD screen for group presentations has placed top three academically. • Two signs which read: The Ray Murphy Study Lounge Sixteen brothers made the trip to Dallas for SigEp’s annual Carlson Leadership Academy. We hope you get a chance to stop by and After another successful year of recruitment, check it out for yourself! SigEp ranks second on campus with more than 130 undergraduate brothers. The undergraduates will travel to Denver next semester for what has become one of the most popular annual events among the Greek community, SigEp’s Goldenheart Formal. I would like to sincerely thank you, our alumni. We are indebted to your hard work and faithful - ness to the chapter. Fraternally, Bryce T. Crawford ’13 President What was once a storage closet now Our sign won first place with the [email protected] serves as a meeting and study room help of the ladies of Chi Omega. (405) 823-5022 for the undergraduates. 2 oKLAhoMA ALphA Alpha Artery Brotherhood Keeps Clint Ward ’83 Tied to Oklahoma Alpha lint Ward ’8 3 arrived at OSU “a raw, green country boy from Clint also cherishes the time he got to spend as pledge trainer to his late, CChelsea, Oklahoma.” He knew nothing about Greek life or the dif - younger brother, Lincoln ’87 . ference between fraternities and sororities. His first two weeks of school were spent living in the dorms. Dan The brotherhood established during his undergraduate Blizzard ’80 and Mark erickson ’81 recommended Clint to days is something Clint strives to maintain. For about SigEp and they invited him to have dinner. “They made it seven years, he and several of his SigEp brothers go to easy for me. If I didn’t like it, they would help move me Vegas following Valentine’s Day. He and another group of out.” Needless to say, Clint, and five other men from the brothers also get together at Lake Texoma once a year. His small town of Chelsea, found their place on the OSU campus nephew, Colton ’14 , reignited Clint’s enthusiasm for in the SigEp house. Oklahoma Alpha when he pledged SigEp last year. Clint and Colton organized the first annual tailgate for the last “Being a part of SigEp made me well rounded,” said Clint. home game of the year and hope to continue the tradition Prior to college, he admits he had very little experience with this year.