1. No category

Dedicated to the
Men & Women of
the Sigma Phi
Epsilon Missouri
Gamma Chapter
and Named in
Memory of Our
Enthusiastic
Brother Wilbur
“Beartracks”
Burton and his
wife Daisy
MAR 2012
Mail Bag
Mail Bag 4-5
Dedication
Weekend
6-7
House
Photos
T
BEARTRACKS
he other day I remarked to someone that I’ve probably learned more
in these last five years at SigEp than in the first five. Yeah, I can hear
some of you agreeing that I didn’t learn much back in ‘56 - ‘61, but I
count my experiences with my SigEp fraternity as upward of 80% of the
value that I recieved from my University years.
In the last five years I’ve worked with some wonderful brothers, many
pictured on this page which is a repeat of the Octobet 2011 masthead. Even
Beartracks and Daisy who have given their name and blessings to this
newsletter. All of these brothers have come to lend their skills to making
our MO Gamma chapter a bit better.
And better it is. The chapter culture is improving, the chapter aches when they
fail to be great, just as do the alumni. Dr. John Parks and now John Belshe
are really refining our performance Scholarship program that has done so much to
inspire key chapter officers. We are having more sit down dinners, guest lecturers and
(in a stroke of genius by our steward and cooks) a cook’s choice menu on sit down dinner evenings. Drew’s first offering was Beef Wellington!!!
In the past three years we have planned and executed the remodeling of the most striking Greek building on campus. Led by Mike Hurst, ‘74 and his building committee,
Larry Hendren, John O’Hara, Randy Ganz & Chet Parry, we now have a
beautiful, functional and unique facility. We have known where we were financially
and will continue to know going forward, thanks to brother Hurst.
We have alumni/special mentors now for several positions. David Steele, ‘10
Resident Scholar, George Krieger ‘64 on Finance, Ray Zesch, ‘XX on
Bro. Dev., Sybil Scheffer on our dining experience, and Shawn Hautly,
‘XX Valpariso U. on Communications. These are excellent starter positions,
with flexible time commitments, for alumni, friends and faculty to join us in the
continuous improvement of the fraternity experience for our undergrads. You
will experience the satisfaction of working with some very good young men.
Pick your area of focus and jump in, we work will with you. We are confident
you will enjoy the experience!
HFF Mike Kearney, ‘61
T
MAIL BAG
hat is me (or I, I guess). I graduated in 1955
and got the Master’s in 1957. But I don’t understand the “Alumni of Influence” designation.
Could you send something on this? I do get the
magazine but must have missed that part. I hope
you were elected as a super-influencer. You
influenced me to contribute to the House fund
which was no mean feat. My only significant
public service has been to serve for 36 years on
the Florida Board of Bar Examiners admitting (or
not admitting) new lawyers. During that time my
particular interest has been in determining acceptable character and
fitness; intellectual acuity should
not be the primary qualification
in my opinion.
P
layed golf today (actually, played at it) despite a
wretched back. Believe it or not, I put it out yesterday
entering our charitable deductions into Turbo-tax.
Best not give so much next year.
What I am really writing about is the weather. What
a fantastic January. This morning started at about 36
degrees. By the time I teed off at 11 AM (good to be
retired, what?) it was in the 60s and by the 2nd hole I
was down to my golf shirt and a “wind-vest.” Hit 80
degrees before we finished (I was well over 80 before
I finished). Blue sky, bright sun, a few clouds just to
frame the scenery.
Have to admit, despite the pain, I
was sorry to see the round end.
On the other hand, despite my
miserable physical condition, I
didn’t lose any money.
If the below zero conditions get
to you, come see us. We have
plenty of extra sunshine. God
Bless America
Dick (& Ann) Miller, ‘63, Savannah GA
Mike: Just got a copy of
Alumni of Influence and a nice
note from Marianne Ward
describing you as “our mutual
friend”. Thanks so much for
attending to this. I can’t imagine
who would be the “Nominator “ of
this honor. They have made my day. I hope the
influence, such as it may be, has been good and
not otherwise. Loved the Christmas card. Hope
2012 is a happy and blessed 2012 for you both and
for MoGamma. God bless.
Charlie Edwards, ‘57.
http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=UY4UvnqlYsU
You have been sent this link before but it’s well worth
viewing again. I’ve watched Tyler Anyan, Dave’s
grandson, over 20 times in this magnificent 3200 M
race.
MCK
Friends, several weeks ago, after many doctor exams, a Cat
scan, a biopsy, then a Pet scan, it was determined that I have
tongue cancer. I will have surgery at Barnes on
Monday morning, Feb 13th. they will operate
on my base of my tongue, and remove several
lymph nodes in the left side of my neck. To
say the least, I have one of the best and highly
recommended surgeons here in St. Louis. The
cancer is between a stage 0 to 1. The out look is
very positive, and I may not require post surgery
chemo or radiation treatment, but we will not know
that for a few days.
Regards, George Krieger, ‘63
t on
gy repor
o
l
o
h
t
a
p
ph
ncer
y post ca gue, and the lym folm
f
o
s
t
l
y ton
other
e resu
given th ll the cancer in m as. I do have an
s
a
w
d
n
g are
fice a
ved a
rroundin
ve remo
octors of
u
a
s
D
h
e
e
y
h
h
e
t
t
h
t
o
s as
ents t
d from
good new or chemo treatm d.
t returne
s
s
i
u
j
t
I
e
v
.
a
e
h
ngu
ucte
ion
of my to quire any radiat ll again be cond
y
r
e
g
r
u
s
i
e
the
ts w
not r
.
when tes
nd I will
hen
bly HPV
a
nodes, a ointment in May
b
o
ith me w eral
r
w
p
,
e
r
n
a
o
i
b
t
p
c
o
p
allow, s
other sev
viral infe
low up a
n
w
s
a
a
r
s
d
o
a
n
f
a
w
s
,
r
cance
to talk
tibiotic
e of the
difficult
e and an
s
t
n
u
i
i
a
c
d
c
i
n
d
e
e
fi
h
T
pain m
in and
some pa le. I will be on
t!
h
t
i
w
g
ill be ou
in
hi
r
w
e
w
v
s
a
r
o
a
r
c
g
e
e
i
t
.
r
f
t
s
a
I m still
future. C upon. Had I pu
r 2 week
and tire
r
e
a
h
w
t
e
o
o
n
l
n
s
e
a
e
h
in t
cted
e
drive for
s I will b
ing wine ed and quickly a ome would hav
m
u
s
we talk a ill not be able to
n
o
c
c
notic
e out
ld be
Iw
d I shou ng signals were
s, then th
n
h
a
weeks.
t
n
d
o
e
t
c
m
e
i
warn
ot aff
ther 3
tion.
tative ac
uds are n t that my cancer ” and waited ano
n
b
e
e
v
t
e
s
r
a
p
t
My
ture
t ou
tter
ill get be ck action, and fu
you poin
f
w
i
y
y
l
e
n
h
t
o
i
e
s
Print thi ptoms as “mayb rly detection, qu
ym
t ea
s
off the
rite abou
W
.
t
n
e
r
e
f
been dif
I
“Master Card dinner with
Albert...Priceless”
I just read an article about a lady who makes ice cubes
from left over wine.
What the hell is left over wine?
GK
This is the envelope from
Rev. Thomas R. Halbrook, ‘60
letter to his fraternity brothers
DIZZY’s LETTER
on the occassion of his graduation in
1960 and missing his senior steak fry.
My Br
others
own
re having kn
lo
p
e
d
t
o
n
ll
We sha
r deafness.
blindness o
e shall know
in that day w
r
o
F
all things.
purposes of
n
e
d
id
h
e
h
T
ream
, make our d
I charge you
o
S
men may
e sky so all
th
in
r
e
w
to
A
ht, for
el at its heig
rv
a
m
d
n
a
od
See it
e brotherho
seen, but th
e
b
n
ca
s
m
Few drea
of
T
in rem his would I
ember
h
ing me ave you rem
:
ember
T
bewild hat which
seems
ered i
nu
m
most d
eterm s is the str ost feeble a
o
nd
i
Is it no
n
ngest
and
t our b ed.
and ha
reath
th
r
And is dened the s at has erect
tr
e
it not
a drea ucture of o d
Reme
ur bon
m whi
mber
hav
ch
es?
House
and fa ing dreamt none of us
, that b
shione
d
u
C
Breath ould we bu all we have ilt our
in it??
t see t
, you w
he tid
And if
ould c
es
w
e
Dream e could hea ase to see a of that
ll e
rt
we wo
uld he he whisper lse,
in
a
B
it is w ut we do n r no other s g of the
ell.
ound.
ot see
, nor d
o we h
The ve
ear an
be lift
i
l
w
h
d
ed
ich clo
uds ou
clay p by the han
re
lu
ds
Finger gging our ea that wove yes shall
it, and
s that
rs sha
t
knead
l
ed it. l be pierced he
And w
b
y the
e shal
l see a
nd we
shall h
ear.
I’ll be more careful the next time that I clean out my attic.
I love the background of Sig Ep songs. You did a fabulous job putting this together.
I forgot to tell you that “Ralph” was suppose to be a reindeer and a gift from Cindy and
she did not exactly appreciate the burial. I don’t believe she ever really forgave me. The
individual next to Bob Thurman is Ted Miller.
Cindy and I had a great time visiting with you, Jo, George and Shaun discussing the good
old days at Rolla. I am amazed how dedicated you are to Sig Ep and Mo Gamma. You
certainly lead by example. Looking back I believe that two-thirds of my college education came from Sig Ep. We look forward to seeing you and Jo in the future.
Thanks for your effort in keeping the Mo Gamma fraternity alive.
Don “Slick” Ostmann, ‘61
All of the background songs, typewritten on 401 E. 7th stationery, were
preserved and provided by “Slick”.
Archives have taken on a different shape in recent years. For instance
there are no scrapbooks since 2000, about the time all of this digital camera
and communictions came into vogue. The composites are still produced but
some years need reframing. ($300 ea) Good and thoughtful alumni gifts
might be targeted for:
Re framing and scanning a composite
$300
Scanning a scrapbook, printing it’s contents
and hanging the prints
w. the composite year
$200
New Ritual gear
$2000
Graphis (SigEp Letters) on North wall
$3000
North view needs good graphics
MO Gamma Chapter received an award in Excellence In Alumni Communications at the recent Carlson leadership academy in Chicago.
Mo Gamma’s 18 man Carlson leadership Academy delagation receiving
the AVC Operational Excellence 2011 Award. Chapter President Brian
Bakula holds the award and is flanked on his left by AVC VP & Treasurer, Michael Hurst and Jeff Banderet. L-R kneeling: is Scott Tucci and
Casey Zimmerman. L-R standing: Branden Goad, Emitt Witt, Tommy
Belshe, Cole Meier, Karl Dachroeden, Malcolm Booth, Tyler Sherman,
Scott Tanner, T. Galbraith, Zach Barrentine, Brandon Baber, Brad Collins and Brad Baber.
Anne & Jim Nolfo ‘61 and
Jo & Mike Kearney ‘61.
MO GAMMA
ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarship Review Held December 3, 2011
The Scholarship
Awards
The scholarship awards are the last
phase of a three step process to help
MO Gamma "be not just an
average chapter but an outstanding
chapter".
Participants
Chapter officers
Other chapter members
Alumni Board members
Other alumni
STEP ONE
Determining where to concentrate
Alumni and chapter consider what areas of chapter operations need improvement and
what successful characteristics are at risk. These are determined by the alumni at get
togethers, by the chapter through a formal meeting which discusses and records their
strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats ( their "S.W.O.T.").
Improvement needed
President
STEP TWO
Turning generalities to specifics
Once the areas of needed concentration are determined, the
process of translation to specific Goals / Tasks for a particular
officer is performed. This usually requires a lot of alumni give
and take in order to reduce these items to just a few goals or
tasks for each officer.
Scholarship Criteria
*
*
*
Scholarship
Chair
*
*
*
VP Finance
*
*
*
STEP THREE
The scholarship evaluations
At the end of term and at mid term, each officer along with the alumni in attendance go
over their specific Goal / Task list. The alumni then arrive at a percentage of the award
maximum appropriate for their performance in office.
Alumni Board President Mike Kearney announcing awards
RESULTS FOR 2011
Officer
Sample Goal / Tasks
2011 Awards
Scholarship
Proctoring of "GPA at
risk" members
$1,060 of $1,250 max
House Manager
Keep house "as new"',
manage "share the work"
$1,012 of $1,250 max
Recruitment
Quality recruitment,
$1,350 of $2,250 max
develop contacts with high
school counsellors
Finance
Budget, keep to budget,
prepare for the
unexpected, meet needs
$625 of $2,500 max
President
Everything, advance
chapter standing
$500 of $1,250 max
Daniel’s Excellent Trip
In early 2012, MO Gamma member Daniel Fishkind had
the opportunity to visit Israel.
The following is his account of that memorable trip.
Taglit-Birthright Israel Trip: January 3-15, 2012
T
his January I participated in a unique opportunity that took me to Israel for 12 days.
Over this incredible 12 day span I was exposed to many facets of this Holy Land as I participated
in events involving community service, self reflection, and educational exhibits.
As the trip is titled, “Taglit” means “to discover” in Hebrew, and that is exactly what this trip does, you discover
there is so much within a small land and you really connect with the country and yourself. Much like a new member to our fraternity, you are put in a majority group of people that you’ve never met before and embark on a
journey that will make you all closer than you could ever imagine.
One of the unique things about Israel is that every citizen is required to serve in the Israeli Defense Forces
(IDF). My group of 36 Americans was lucky enough to spend 5 days with 8 of these soldiers from all branches of
the IDF. Although we were only together for 5 days, that was plenty of time to create a lasting bond. This reminded
me of the cardinal principle brotherly love; the fact that these soldiers that started out as strangers to us would put
their life on the line for us, and by the end of our time together we would do the same for them.
The day we met our soldiers was one of our most impactful community service days, when we visited the Save A
Child’s Heart humanitarian project. This organization provides life-saving heart surgeries and follow-up care for
children around the world, not just Israeli children. Here we interacted and played with many of the children while
also learning about the organization and how they are trying to spread the word of childhood heart disease.
A strong aspect of the trip is making a connection with yourself, a sound mind, whether it be religiously,
spiritually, or mentally. While on this trip I was given the opportunity to have time to myself and reflect on why I
had interviewed to be a part of the program. Many reflection periods came while on the banks of the Kinneret (Sea
of Galilee), on top of Mount Masada, in the middle of the desert outside a Bedouin encampment, after a Jeep ride
to the top of the Golan Heights (avoiding active mine fields), or even in Ashkelon just miles away from the Gaza
Strip (a city currently under attack). All the different sceneries gave me a different perspective on who I was and
where I was. These times opened my eyes to my surroundings and helped me to realize that I was on so much more
than a programmed trip.
Education overpowers all on this trip, it was a constant learning experience. I learned about:
•
Ancient history in Caesarea, Masada, the Old City of Jerusalem, and many of the other ancient sites and
cities.
•
Modern history such as Herzl and Zionism, David Ben Gurion and Independence Hall, and war atop the
Golan Heights looking over Syria and Jordan from a former Syrian bunker.
•
Tragedy at Yitzhak Rabin’s assassination memorial, Yad Vashem the Holocaust Museum, and at Mt. Herzl
and the national military cemetery.
And of course I learned the social side of the people of Israel, interacting with the community in the all the cities
and haggling over prices on Ben Yehuda street in Jerusalem and Nachalat Benyamin in Tel Aviv.
The enthusiasm of the organizers and all the staff involved made this trip
an experience I will never forget, filled with every feeling and emotion I
could ever imagine. I went into this program to learn about a country I
had heard so much about, and I came back with 43 new friends and a
lifetime of knowledge and memories I will never forget. I came back
to the United States a new person with new perspectives and a new
outlook on who I am. This was a once in a lifetime experience that I
am glad I had the opportunity to go on.