Sigma Pi Oregon Colony Forms

SIGMA PI OREGON

www.sigmapioregon.com

Winter 2007Volume 1

Oregon Sigma Pi Colony’s first pledge class. Top row: Andrew Phillips, Sam Kratz, Phil Viets, Matt Reis, Chris Diamond, Kris Housten, Aaron Getty; Middle Row: Nick Wiley, Kevin Bronk, Neils Goos-sens, Brett Nickols, Tony Shallat, Noah Zuniga; Front Row: Michael Navarro, Alex McCarthy, Ryan Skudlarek, Carol Mejia, Nick Parish, Adrian Domnitei, and Dai Xin.

Alex McCarthy and Nick Wiley play games with the children of Shirk’s second grade class.

Sigma Santas

See GENTLEMEN on page 2

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Gentlemen’s Journal

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lying down the chimney of Edgewood Community Elementary School, the Sigma Santas jollily arrived

bringing joy to all second graders. Derek Russell, Alex McCarthy, Nick Wiley, Sam Kratz, Tim Taylor, James Connolly, Niels Goossens and Andrew Phillips partook in Sigma Pi’s first major philanthropic event: Sigma Santa. Because the event was scheduled during winter break, many of the brothers were unable to partake. However, the members who were lucky enough to attend were extremely excited about the opportunity to do something great for the community, and in the process get the Sigma Pi name recognition. Nobody knew how an elementary school would react to seeing a bunch of fraternity men. The group was initially apprehensive after hearing the kids of Mrs. Shirk’s second grade class had just finished with a professional story teller; their fears were calmed when they were greeted with smiles and laughter from the children. The Sigma Santas brought along books, drawing materials, and presents for the kids to enjoy. Breaking the children up into smaller groups, each Sigma Santa read the children a story. The stories were accompanied with singing and dancing, followed by coloring

iels Goossens was jaded with Greek life at The University of Oregon. He didn’t picture himself a

fraternity man, and what interest he did have in Greek life was quelled by the perceived lack of variety amongst fraternities at Oregon. Niels (pictured below) wanted to make a fraternity catered to his interests, interests that he shared with his friends. Stumbling upon a message from Colony Expansion Director Jim DiVita, Niels saw the opportunity to do just that. The spark of interest was there, and the seed was planted; it simply needed cultivating. Speaking with close friends Philip Viets and Samuel Kratz, a former Sigma Pi at Oregon State University, they decided to pursue this avenue and see what it offered. Niels

elicited the attention of his friends from the dorms, which proved to be most beneficial, as the nucleus of what would ultimately become Sigma Pi spawned from Sheldon hall of the Earl complex. It became exceedingly apparent that the potential for something great was limitless. Interest spread like wildfire among the dorms and all over campus, and word quickly got around that Sigma Pi was making its presence known. Courtesy of Jim DiVita, the guys attended

informational meetings which helped pique their interest as well as provide a solid foundation of what Sigma Pi is all about. Sigma

Pi offered the unique opportunity to become a founding father,

which entailed unparalleled control of the fraternity. Liking what they heard from these meetings, the

See HO, HO, HO on page 2

SIGMA PI OREGON Gentlemen’s JournalPage 2

guys became an official interest group on campus. This opportunity inspired them to promptly continue down the path towards colonization. Needing the necessary numbers to move from interest group to colony, the group set to work a recruitment scheme with a goal in mind of colonization before the school year commenced. With the addition of a number of key guys, this goal was reached on June 9th, 2006.

New Gentlemen on Oregon Campus

Sigma Down the Chimney; Ho Ho Hoand drawing. As everyone was busy drawing holiday pictures, the brothers of Sigma Pi were fully engaged in deep conversation with the second graders. Conversations ranged from different theme park rides to what would happen if dinosaurs were around today. After Niels muddled the words to Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, the members of Sigma Pi moved on to handing out presents consisting of pencils, erasers, play-dough and small

chocolates. The smiling Sigma Santa’s reluctantly left the smiling students. Mrs. Shirk sang praises to Sigma Pi in her weekly newsletter sent to parents of the children. The Oregon colony’s first philanthropy was an overwhelming success. It was a great learning experience for the kids and brothers and will become an annual event for years to come.

When the spring term of 2006 ended, Sigma Pi reached 20 members; however, over the summer interests for some declined, as did Sigma Pi’s numbers. Starting the fall with only twelve brothers, through recruitment, word of mouth and a general hopeful buzz, their members have sky rocketed. Currently, Sigma Pi Oregon has 28 brothers as well numerous gentlemen with sincere interest.

Sigma Pi’s first social event; A halloween party co-hosted with Delta Tau Delta.

Sigma Pi to Sun River! he Gentleman of Sigma Pi had an exhilarating Martin Luther King Weekend. Organizing

and putting their resources together, they formed what would be the first of many annual retreats. This

particular retreat found its way into Sun River—a mountain resort community located in the heart of Oregon.Accompanying the...... young group, Alumni from the Northwest Alumni Club helped guide business during the retreat. Oregon

Province Archon Ian Itschner, Nelson Farris

(pictured right), and Colony Advisor Brent Cole gave their time to the young Sigma Pi’s. Friday the brothers had a night of bonding with the Alumnus. Saturday the young gentlemen were lead by the Alumnus in a business

seminar outlining the degrees to charter. In addition to the degrees, the general fraternal operations were discussed and the bylaws were

finalized. Business was not all straight-faced, Nelson taught the young men

The Fireside Song, and Sigma Pi Sweetheart (pictured far left). Saturday night more bonding was in order with the company of the lovely sisters

of Alpha Chi Omega. The retreat concluded on Sunday morning; however, five brothers made their way to ride the sleek, beautiful slopes of Mt. Bachelor. After the long winter break, the retreat helped get the brothers re-fired-up.

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Gentlemen’s Journal birthed by First Counsler Roy Hillman and Petition to Charter Chair Kevin Bronk

I did get several photos but I sure wished that I had had a video camera! Watching the interaction these young men had with the second graders was heart warming.-Mrs. Shirk

COLONY FORMS from page 1

SIGMA SANTA from page 1