Sig Ep continues its campus leadership

By R.J. Marse ‘08

Sig Ep and campus leadership continue to go hand-in-hand on the campus of Louisiana State University. After a second consecutive landslide Student Government election, the Louisiana Beta chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon again
finds itself a cut above other fraternities as leaders on campus. Brother Patrick Downs ‘06 now serves the University as its student body vice president, along
with seven other brothers who were elected to numerous Student Senate
and college council seats. Brothers Chris Lebeuf ‘06, Kyle McMullen ‘08 and David
Moore ‘08 currently serve their respective colleges in the LSU Student Senate.
Brother Scott Hannaman ‘07 ran unopposed for the position of vice president for the College of Basic Sciences Council. Jimmy Murphy ‘07 serves as treasurer of
that council.

Hannaman also serves on the executive board of Up ‘til Dawn, a charitable organization on campus. Brother Eric Guerin ‘06 serves as president of the Arts and Sciences College Council, as well as is active in STRIPES, a University orientation program increasingly popular with incoming freshmen. Brother
Stephen Orkus ‘07 is also a STRIPES leader. Aside from Student Government,
Sig Ep’s hold a myriad of leadership positions within the Greek community.
Brother Jimmy Murphy ‘07 currently serves as president of the Inter- Fraternity Council and brothers John B. Golson ‘05 and Fred S. Franklin ‘08 both serve as members of the Greek Board of Directors.

Sig Ep’s have even reached out to representing the University via student media. Brother Scott L. Sternberg ‘06 has just begun his second term as editor-in-chief of the University newspaper, The Daily Reveille, and Brother Robert McAlister ‘08 currently hosts his own radio show on the University’s
student-run radio, 91.1-FM, KLSU. Brothers Jay Melder ‘06 and Mat Sanders ‘06 are writers for The Daily Reveille. Brother Burton Kirk ‘06 serves as president of the University Club Lacrosse team. Prior to Downs’ vice presidency, Sigma Phi Epsilon was proud to call the two previous student body
presidents brothers of LA Beta. Brothers Allen Richey ‘03 and John B. Golson ‘05 served consecutively as president from 2003-2005, a remarkable feat considering the copious challengers each of them faced. Now, for the third year in a row, a Sig Ep finds himself as one of the top two students on campus. “It’s a great feeling,” Downs said. “When you can succeed the way we did in March (when the election was held) after all that hard work, it makes you proud to be a member of this fraternity.”

By Rob McAlister ‘08

With the start of the fall 2005 semester at Louisiana State University, Sigma Phi Epsilon is beginning its third semester as a Balanced Man Program Chapter. In 1989, the national level of the Fraternity created a new development program – one that focuses on the individual throughout his years in school. This Balanced Man Program places opportunities
in front of each man to further his personal development, not just for the first six months, but for his entire experience within Sigma Phi Epsilon. The two founding principles
of a balanced man are sound body and sound mind. It is the goal of every Sig Ep to try and model themselves in these two principles. As a Balanced Man Chapter, LA Beta has achieved many noteworthy accomplishments including Order of Omega Outstanding Chapter and has held the top campus GPA.

Not only has Sig Ep held the top GPAspot for three consecutive semesters at LSU, but it has also launched into the top 15 Sig Ep Chapters in the nation, currently ranked eighth in highest GPA (one of only seven public universities). Along with holding regular study hours at the house, a period of quiet time is observed at the house from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
In athletics, LA Beta has been named league champions in basketball as well as volleyball in recent years. An individual standout, Stephen Orkus ’07, was recently named the Greek athlete of the year at the Order of Omega Greek Awards. Weekly volleyball and other pickup games usually take place throughout the week as well.

With this mission in mind, LA Beta has taken on the challenge that becoming a Balanced Man Chapter brings. And one of the integral features that accompanies the program is a Residential Learning Community. The Residential Learning Community is a collaboration among academic professionals,
undergraduates, the University and the chapter. The RLC seeks to add to the fraternal experience with an academic focus beyond the classroom and develop a quality environment for living and learning. One of the guiding principles is the belief that students benefit from the presence of faculty
members who take an active interest in their lives. Our first residential scholar is Jason Matney. Jason attended Ball State University as an undergraduate and as a Sig Ep of the Indiana Gamma Chapter. He is now enrolled at LSU in the medical physics graduate studies program. As our residential scholar, Jason’s responsibilities include assisting the undergraduate officers in the operation of the chapter and advising them on fraternity,
scholastic and personal matters, as well as university policy with regard to hazing, alcohol and general conduct policies. Jason also spends approximately five to ten hours per week on chapter activities. We will continue to welcome the presence of a residential scholar and give thanks to Jason for putting in his time and effort. As the Balanced Man Program continues to grow within Sig Ep on LSU’s campus, LA Beta will continue to strive to make its mark on the University as well as on the national level.


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