NEWS
Sigma Pi Graduates
Five
[5.4.02 LIVINGSTON] Seven
brothers from Theta Gamma graduated from UWA on Saturday.
Participating in Commencement were Rob Dial (Q),
who received his degree in Computer Information Systems, Jeffrey
Dubuisson (M),
in Psychology, Scott Gray (z,
A), in Environmental Science,
Anthony Mock (z, A),
in Industrial Technology, and Jeff Moody (Z),
in Education. Dubuisson will continue on as an active as he will
complete his M.S.C.E. in Counseling at the UWA School of Graduate
Studies. Theta Gamma bids farewell to the departing four and
also to two brothers who will be transferring. Brother Clint
Toney (L)
will be moving to Huntsville and Brother Geiger (K)
will be moving to Mobile, as he is transferring to the University of
South Alabama. Best of luck guys in your endeavors!
New Executive Council
Installed, Burkett Initiated
[4.12.02 LIVINGSTON] Jason Till
took over the reins of Theta Gamma Friday as he was installed as the
fifth sage in chapter history. Installed alongside Till was new
Second Counselor David Laster, Doug Deaton as Third, Scott Hutton as
Fourth, Kevin Thirsk as First, and Doug Nunley as Herald. Also,
the long awaited initiation of Michael Burkett commenced Friday, as
brothers were on hand to see Theta Gamma's sixty-first initiate cross
over.
Brother Jason Till
Named Mr. UWA, Michael Burkett Receives Pi Kappa Phi Honor
[4.4.02 LIVINGSTON] University
officials met this week to select its annual "Mr. & Miss
University of West Alabama" for the 2001-02 school year.
Brother Jason Till was named as the 2002 Mr. UWA. Also, at the 2002
Greek Banquet Awards Presentation, the Gamma Alpha Chapter of Pi Kappa
Phi Fraternity handed out its annual Lynn Smith Sportsmanship Award to
recognize outstanding sportsmanship among UWA athletes. Sigma Pi
and UWA offensive lineman Michael Burkett was chosen as this year's
recipient for his contributions to Tiger Football and to the
University itself.
Sigma Pi Takes Yet
Another James P. Homer Award, GPA Title, & Intramural Cup
[4.4.02 LIVINGSTON] For the third
consecutive year, Sigma Pi at UWA has been awarded with the James P.
Homer Award, given to the best overall Greek organization. The
award capped off the evening at the 2002 Greek Banquet, where the
Chapter took home three awards. The chapter earned the Highest
GPA Award for the fourth time in six years. Theta Gamma also
captured the Intramural Cup. This marks not only the fifth
straight year in the top two in that category, but the second straight
first-place finish (the chapter also won the cup in '97-'98).
Sweetening the night's awards ceremony was the coveted Homer.
Sigma Pi was recognized as UWA's best Greek organization once
again. The Homer reflects all of the hard work through the
school year of the brothers and serves as a sweet reward to the
chapter's efforts to fulfill its mission of being the premier
fraternity at UWA and of raising up men of character on this campus.
2002-03 Officers
Elected
[3.17.02 LIVINGSTON] Theta Gamma
selected its leaders for the upcoming year. Current Second
Counselor Jason Till (Z,
'03) will become the fifth sage at the installation later this
semester. Congratulations guys!
Sage - Jason
Till
Second Counselor - David Laster
Third Counselor -
Doug Deaton
Fourth Counselor - Scott Hutton
First
Counselor - Kevin Thirsk
Herald - Doug Nunley
Sigma Pi Celebrates
Six Years at UWA at Orchid Ball 2002
[2.23.02 BIRMINGHAM] The Chapter
held it annual Orchid Ball Saturday at the Wynfrey Hotel in
Birmingham. Brothers and Alumni were on hand to celebrate the
sixth anniversary of Sigma Pi at UWA, which began on February 21,
1996. Also included in the night's festivities were the
presentation of the annual chapter awards. Second Counselor
Jason Till was awarded with the Academic Excellence Award,
which recognizes the highest GPA. The Joseph Schell Award,
formally known as the I Believe Award, was awarded to Fourth
Counselor Wes Morrow. Brandon Arrigo received the Pledge of
the Year Award. The 2001-02 Alumnus of the Year Award
went to Past Sage Matthew Ford ('00). On hand to receive
the award on behalf of Past Sage Ford was previous Alumnus of the
Year Award recipient, Past Sage Joseph Schell. The Brother
of the Year Award went to Brother Anthony Mock. Orchid Ball
also served as the Founders' Day Celebration for Sigma Pi,
International, which is celebrating 105 years on February 26.
Brothers and dates capped off the evening and danced well into the
night. Over eighty people were present for the celebration,
making Orchid Ball 2002 the most successful ever.
Initiate Class Nu Sees
Theta Gamma's 60th Brother
[2.1.02 LIVINGSTON] Theta Gamma
welcomed three new brothers into the chapter on Friday. Martin
Bailey from Demopolis, Thomas Cooley from Vinegar Bend, and Jeff
Dubuisson from Meridian were initiated, making Dubuisson QG's
60th brother. Congratulations to the new brothers!
Spring Pledging
[2.1.02 LIVINGSTON] Last week
three new men entered Sigma Pi's fold. Brian Andrews, Michael
Burkett, and Tommy Busby formally pledged Sigma Pi.
Pledge Brother Michael Burkett with U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R.,
AL, DC)
who recently visited UWA's campus and met with student, faculty, and
community leaders.
Sigma Pi Graduates
Three
[12.15.01 LIVINGSTON] Theta Gamma bid
farewell to three brothers, John McLemore, Kyle Tucker, and Chris
Watkins, who graduated Saturday. McLemore (colony z
class, initiate class G),
who was chairman of numerous committees in QG,
as well as head cheerleader at UWA, received his B.A. in Physical
Education and will be returning to his hometown of Alabaster. Tucker (Z
class), who served as chairman of several committees in QG,
earned his B.B.A. in Business Management and is living in Birmingham.
Watkins (colony z,
A
class), who completed his B.B.A. in Computer Information Systems in
August, now resides in Pelham. Watkins served as Herald, as well as
various committee chairs for QG. The
Chapter also said goodbye to Brother Michael Greene (H),
who is in the process of transferring to an as yet undisclosed
institution, in pursuit of a degree in the communication arts field.
Greene served as Fourth Counselor, as well as SGA Secretary at UWA. He
now resides in Birmingham. Also participating in Fall Commencement was
Past Sage Matthew Ford (a,
A),
who completed his Master's program in History this fall.
Congratulations guys!
Fall Philanthropy
Continues
[11.16.01 LIVINGSTON] Theta Gamma
conducted its annual Thanksgiving food drive this week, collecting a
record amount [chapter record] of canned food for the needy.
Brothers went door to door, collecting canned food items that will be
distributed to needy families for the holidays. The Chapter
works in conjunction with Livingston First Baptist Church and the
Sumter County DHR, who will aid in the distribution of the food.
Brothers also held an emergency fundraiser for two UWA students whose
apartment was destroyed in a fire on Nov. 15. Earlier this
month, Sigma Pi came in 2nd place in the annual "Mountain of
Cans" contest. As in years past, the prize money will be
put toward other philanthropies like Toys for Tots.
Theta Gamma Initiates
Ten
[11.2.01 LIVINGSTON] In one of its
largest initiate classes ever, Theta Gamma added to its numbers with
the initiation of its fall pledge class. The new brothers are
Brandon Arrigo, Josh Beech, Brad Cook, Doug Deaton, Jay Dunne, Wes
Hodge, Scott Hutton, Travis Lee, Doug Nunly, and Clint Toney.
Congratulations guys!
Lani Hatcher selected as
Homecoming Queen, Homecoming 2001 a Success
[10.27.01 LIVINGSTON] Earlier
this week at Serendipity, UWA announced its 2001 Homecoming
Court, revealing that Sigma
Pi Sweetheart Lani Dixon-Hatcher was voted Homecoming
Queen. The chapter
enjoyed a successful Homecoming as alumni from all over were on hand
to join in both the day and night festivities. The week's hard
work paid off on Saturday, as the Sigma Pi float captured first place
in the float competition. The victory was the second first place
finish in Sigma Pi's short history of participation in the
event. In fact, Sigma Pi has placed in the top three every year
since 1998.
This year's float, "Really Big Show,"
featured Theta Gamma's own Doug Nunly as Ed Sullivan. Onlookers
and judges watched the Ed Sullivan Show on the oversized Zenith
television set, which went along with the theme of "Remembering
the 50's." History buffs might recall the last first place
float, "Welcome Back, Kotter," in 1998, featuring the
Sweathogs and Grant Goldenkotter, III. Other medal winners
include the "British Invasion" in 1999 (2nd) and "Spank
the Braves" in 2000 (3rd). Honorable mention goes to
"That 70's Float" in 1997 as well as "Boot the
Blazers" (aka: "The Old Lady in the Shoe") in
1996. Alumni also had their annual meeting over the
weekend. Steps are being made towards becoming a recognized Alumni
Club within the Grand Chapter.
