BAAA Journal: Spring '24, Vol 8

From our Readers

By Jack Conroy and Ken Ludwig Spotlight

on Jacob Walker

By Jack Conroy

Ten Years of KA With PC ’13

I am excited to share this Spring edition of the BAAA journal. This edition spotlights one of our cornerstone alumni, Jim Sowers, and highlights one of our younger, up and coming alumni, Jacob Walker.

It was a pleasure working with both gentlemen on their pieces. I have known the name Jim Sowers since I was introduced to KA. His name, like several others, has held a lot of weight and importance. And rightly so. However, despite knowing many of his accomplishments within our organization, many of us have not had the pleasure to learn about Jim’s full breadth of endeavors and accomplishments. His article paints a fuller picture of Jim, a truly great and appreciated alumni.

Jacob Walker has been one of my best friends since pledging KA together in Fall of 2014. He is an incredibly thoughtful, caring, and affable man. He also strives for excellence and expertise in all his endeavors. I have always admire him for these qualities and appreciated his friendship. I am sure one day we will be doing a full biography piece on Jacob Walker to cover his accomplishments and impact on BA of KA but for now we will settle for his introduction feature in this Spring 2024 edition.

Fraternally,

Conroy

Contact Us: President

Bill Thomas

wrthomas@cmrestore.com

Newsletter Editor

Jack Conroy jackryanconroy@gmail.com

Website

Jared Hanisch Jared.Hanisch@gmail.com

Social Media

Cole Phinney cjphin31@gmail.com

Homecoming & Reunions

Colten Conroy coltenpconroy@gmail.com

Merchandise

Leo Hager

jswhdc@gmail.com

Recruitment

Bryan Babcock babcock.bryan@gmail.com

Brothers,

BAAAUpdate

With every edition of the Journal I’m more and more surprised with how far BAAA has come. Just six months ago, I was sharing our newest round of plans for homecoming - the BBQ, Scholarship Dinner, and some of our newest updates as an organization.

This time around, we’ve got even more going on - and I wouldn’t have it any other way! If you’re reading this shortly after publishing, odds are you’ve received it directly from our new emailing system (and our stats show over 700 of you will receive it this way!). If you didn’t get this via email - let us know how to contact you by clicking here!

Moving forward, this will be our primary form of communication with alumni - you can expect something around four emails from us per year, likely an additional one if it’s a major anniversary of joining Kappa Alpha. We’ll continue to post in the Facebook Group as well - we love seeing all you share there!

Looking in to the future, expect more coming out of BAAA - if you all haven’t heard, Matt’s Steakhouse has officially closed their doors - we’re actively looking in to new options for our Scholarship Dinner, and would appreciate any help y’all are willing to offer (you can reach out to Bryan Babcock, who’s email is to the left, if you want to help out). We also have a new Merchandise lead, Leo Hager (PC ‘19), who has been doing a great job digging up ideas for you all to share in. Our website team is making more and more improvements - many of which are surfacing as the emails we’re sending to you all, helping to improve connection across our entire alumni base. On top of all that Colten will be working hard to improve our communication process even more, and making Homecoming & Pat’s great at the same time.

Studer, PC ‘16

If you look back to the very first edition of the Journal (find it on the mst-ka.org website!), when we introduced BAAA, this is exactly what we’re all about - making it easier to connect all of our alumni together, and have fun while doing it!

If that’s something you’d be interested in helping out with, don’t hesitate to reach out to any of the folks on the left of this page, they’ll be able to get you involved - even if you just want to check out one of our meetings!

Best, Joe Studer

Joe

The Life and Times of anAlumnus of UMR and KappaAlpha Order

By James Sowers

The Life and Times of anAlumnus of UMR and KappaAlpha Order

By James Robert Sowers

My journey into adulthood began in the small town of Rolla, Missouri, where the echoes of my footsteps in the high school corridors marked the start of a new chapter. At 14, as I navigated the unfamiliarterrainoffreshmanyear,my older brother Steve was embarking on his own adventure at the University of Missouri in Columbia, pledging his loyalty to Kappa Alpha. Two years later, my second brother, Tom, followed suit, leaving our hometown for the same university and fraternity. Their paths seemed to set a precedent, and I felt a natural pull towards their brotherhood.Yet,astimeunfolded,my journeytookadifferentturn.Ichoseto stay closer to home, pursuing a degree in Computer Science with a minor in Math at the University of MissouriRolla.

The roots of our family story were deeplyembeddedinthefabricofRolla. My parents arrived in this town in 1942,takingthehelmoftheRollaNew Era, which later evolved into the Rolla Daily News. My brothers and I were born into the rhythm of printing presses, our childhoods intertwined with the pulse of journalism. By the age of 14, I had already experienced the life of a carrier boy, dabbled in writing sports stories, and earned a spot in the photography department. My camera became my witness to the world, capturing moments from the mundanetotheextraordinary.Oneday, itwasaroutinenewsphoto;thenext,it was the aftermath of a tragic plane crash or the haunting image of a suicide scene. The most surreal

assignmenttookmetoDoolittle,where I photographed a Ku Klux Klan rally, the white robes and burning cross etching a stark memory in my mind. My brother Steve, by then the newspaper editor, conducted interviewswhileIcapturedthechilling spectacle through my lens.

LifeinRollaofferedablendofsmalltown charm and youthful escapades. Our family home, a remnant of the 1940s expanded and remodeled over the years, was nestled in one of Rolla's first new subdivisions. It was a neighborhood brimming with kids my age, a perfect setting for endless adventures. One Halloween, my friends and I witnessed Missouri School of Mines students, in a bold act of rebellion, set an outhouse ablaze in the middle of 11th and State Street. Their antics didn't stop there; a 'panty raid' at the girls' dorm and a collective march into the Ritz Theater without paying were all part of the era's mischief. Amidst the fun, my brothers and I were also exposed to the rural life, thanks to our parents' decision to

buy a farm northwest of Rolla. There, we embraced the simplicity of riding horses, fishing in ponds, and hunting rabbits—acontrasttoourtownlifethat taught us the value of hard work and appreciation for nature.

My high school years at Rolla High were a blend of academic pursuits and extracurricular activities. The resonant sounds of my tuba filled the air as I played in the band, and my involvement in the Key Club allowed me to contribute to community projects. With a graduating class of 220 students, I was proud to finish in the top 10%, my aptitude for math and science guiding me towards a future in engineering. As I stood on the threshold of graduation, the University of Missouri-Rolla beckoned, promising a new chapter in a town that had already given me so much.

My journey with Kappa Alpha (KA) began in the fall of 1964. The mandatory ROTC program for freshmen and sophomores meant juggling148credithourstograduatein fouryears—anaverageof19hoursper semester. This, combined with my pledge duties, class attendance, study time, and photography work for the newspaper, proved to be a challenging balancing act. My grades took a hit in the first semester, falling short of the 2.0 grade point average needed for initiation. However, the active chapter's decision to move me into the fraternity house for the second semester proved beneficial. It provided a supportive environment that helped me raise my grades, leading to my initiation in the fall of 1965.After that milestone,Imovedbackhometofocus on completing my college degree.

Pledging for KA was an experience marked by camaraderie and

challenges. Our pledge class started with 28 members, but only 14 of us were initiated. We underwent various hazing rituals, which were common at the time but are no longer allowed in the fraternity. One memorable challenge involved running to the Missouri Highway Patrol entrance and back, with the last man returning having to do the most push-ups. This was meant to teach us teamwork. Another time, we crawled through a drainage culvert under I-44, a task made more daunting when encountering our pledge brother Ralph Ozorkiewicz, a 275-pound football tackle, in the narrow space.

Hell Week brought its own set of trials, from carrying "happy apples" (onions) in our pockets to biting them occasionally, to the bizarre rule of using the bathroom only with another pledge present. One incident involved apledgeusingthewomen'srestroomto avoid detection, leading to an unpleasant surprise during a cigarsmoking session later that day.

Duringmysophomoreyear,myfocus shifted more towards academics and work at the newspaper. I also helped start a Circle K chapter, serving as its first president. This was a continuation of my involvement in service-oriented organizations from high school. However, I did not pursue any officer positions at KA, as I was living at home and felt I couldn't devote the necessary time.

The friendships forged during my high school and college years have endured for over 50 years. This year, we celebrate our 60th high school graduation anniversary and 60 years since pledging KA.

My adult life has been marked by three major career paths. Upon

graduating from college, I faced a choicebetweenajobofferfromIBMin upstate New York and joining the family newspaper business full-time. My decision to stay with the family business was influenced by my flight instructor,AaronMiles,whowasonthe Selective Service Board. He indicated that taking the IBM job would likely lead to being drafted. The family business was expanding at the time, with my father having started the Fort Gateway Guide in 1962 and acquired the St. James Leader Journal.

Shortly after graduation, I joined the Army Reserve unit based in Rolla. Six months later, I received orders for active duty training at Ft. Leonard Wood, which included eight weeks of basic training and eight weeks of Advanced Individual Training (AIT). It was a valuable experience that further shaped my character and work ethic.

In the early stages of my career, I focused on expanding the family newspaper business and serving the community. In 1973, I was elected President of the St. Robert Chamber of Commerce, where I played a role in restructuring dues and launching a major clean-up project with the assistance of the U.S. Army at Fort Leonard Wood. My involvement in various organizations, including the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) and Ducks Unlimited, allowed metocontributetomilitarysupportand conservation efforts.

In 1982, the passing of my father marked a turning point in my career. My brother Tom and I, experiencing burnout,decidedtosellthenewspapers. It took five years to finalize the sale, during which time newspaper values were still relatively high. My brother Steve continued as Publisher for

another 25 years, while Tom and I pursued new ventures.

One such venture was selling soft frozen lemonade, a product that found great success in theme parks across the country. Our business, Arctic Lemon, thrived for 25 years, selling millions of dollars worth of the product. However, as the market changed and theme parks became less loyal to their suppliers, we eventually closed our plant in Branson.

My final career shift was into real estate development, which began as a sideline to the newspaper business. My brother and I developed residential and commercial properties, including a multifamily housing project in Rolla. Over the years, we built and sold numerous properties, contributing to thegrowthanddevelopmentofthearea.

As I reflect on my diverse career path, I am grateful for the experiences and lessons learned along the way. Each phase of my life has been marked by challenges, successes, and invaluable relationshipsthathaveshapedwhoIam today.

Saving the Best for Last

Students Educational and Loan Foundation and Beta Alpha Education Foundation

My involvement with the Students Educational and Loan Foundation (SELF) began shortly after my graduation from UMR. I worked alongside George Anderson, Billy Browngard, and Jerry Gilmore, seasoned board members who provided stability and valuable lessons in effective governance. I remained an active member until 1990 when my commitments to Ducks Unlimited, where I had been elected State Chairman, required more of my attention.

I returned to the SELF board around 2000, assisting Jerry Gilmore with his treasurer duties before eventually succeeding him in the role. I continued as treasurer until 2022, during which time we tackled the significant task of renovating our 50-year-old fraternity house. Understanding the need to stay competitive with other fraternities on campus, we established the Beta Alpha Education Foundation to manage taxdeductible donations from alumni. Thanks to the efforts of board member Jim Hennessey and a specialized law firm, we achieved IRS 501(c)(3) status, allowing us to embark on a fundraising campaign that raisedover$1.2million.Iplayedakeyrole in securing a $2.4 million bank loan to finance the remodel, which was completed in time for the fall semester of 2014.

Retirement

At the age of 75, I decided it was time to retire and reflect on a life filled with joy, accomplishments, and cherished memories. My wife Francine and I have been blessed with a wonderful family, including our son Todd, his wife Karen, and our granddaughters Emily and Gracie. We've enjoyed our time at the Lake of the Ozarks and our winter home in Ft. Myers, Florida. My passion for conservation farming has led to the acquisition of more

farmacreage,andI'vecontinuedtoindulge in my love for fishing, hunting, and traveling to destinations such as Europe, China, South Africa, and soon, New Zealand. Though age is catching up with me, I remain grateful for my good health and the rich experiences that life has offered.

Epilogue

In reflecting on my journey, I'd like to offer some advice to recent graduates and those early in their careers: Work hard and savor the rewards that come from dedication and effort. Maintain the friendships you've formed during your school years, as many will last a lifetime. I also encourage you to give back to the community that has supported you. The Beta Alpha Education Foundation and the university are ready to accept donations to continue providing scholarships to deserving students. In 2023, our active chapter received over $60,000 in scholarshipsatHomecoming,andIhopeto see this amount double in the next ten years.As you build your families, advance in your careers, and nurture your relationships, remember the values and bonds that have shaped your journey.

(Pictured Above) Jim enjoys traveling in retirement, visiting Napa Valley with friends and his wife Francine.

Letters fromAlumni: Ken Ludwig

With a Note from the Editor

I had the pleasure of exchanging emails with Ken Ludwig, an alumni who needs no introduction, on behalf of BAAA. After our back and forth, I felt compelledtosharehismessagewithour alumni in this Spring’s edition. I was moved by his words over email, which is hard to do since all emotion is easily lost in translation. Ken wrote the message to the right regarding the current state and future of our chapter.

If there are any alumni out there who align with our mission - to promote alumni involvement and provide leadership - please reach out to Bryan Babcock, Recruitment Director, @ babcock.bryan@gmail.com to find out how to join and positively impact BAof KA. If there are any alumni out there whohaveastoryormessagetheywould like to share with the chapter please reach out to me at jackryanconroy@gmail.com. We can all always use an extra dose of inspiration in our complicated world.

Sincerely,

Jack Conroy

Beta Alpha is a special place, thanks to the dedicated support and long-term mentorship of its life-long members. As a result, (from my perspective), most every individual that comes through that house seems to be nothing short of capable and wellgrounded. We can all be thankful for that! As I age, BAKAbecomes an institution of hope to me. Our society and country need people of character, integrity and strong moral values. And BAKA continues to generate men with such fiber and education.

We have been fortunate as a chapter to have such strong alumni support and leadership; but as some of our alumni get older, we need to ensure the hard work & dedication of the generous alumni, who came before us, is sustained. We have had some very successful alumni, who have been very generous with their financial support and as that generation ages, we need to ensure we have as many others involved as possible to bridge any shortcomings we may eventually encounter. And, if I am wrong and we havesomenewverygenerousalumni,then we cannot go wrong if we still have a strong percentage of our alumni engaged and committed to the foundation in their lives that was established, during their transition to manhood at BetaAlpha. And I know, this is the essence at the core of your BAAAmission.

Godknows,thebrethrenofBetaAlphaand the experiences I had, while living in the Chapter house remain a large part of the inspiration I use to push forward, during difficult times and to remain on the path of right, when the evils of society cause you toleantowardabandonment.Thanksagain and good on you for the work you do on behalf of BetaAlpha.”

The BetaAlpha AlumniAssociation WANTS

AJourney of Growth and Leadership Jacob Walker

Jacob Walker's leadership. graduate from Technology chapter of Kappa inSt.Charles, moves and divorce. However, marked a significant College/Fraternity Jacob's introduction where he met “Danza” Bowen. fraternity house Recruitment innovated the maintain a strong was always His Social dedication Mentorship Jacob's introduced bourbons, godfather, considering his pledge values others leadership

By Jack Conroy

Walker's story is one of transformation and A civil and architectural engineering from the Missouri University of Science and in 2019, Jacob joined the Beta Alpha KappaAlpha Order in 2014. His upbringing Charles,Missouri,wascharacterizedbyfrequent a reserved nature due to his parents' However, his fraternity experience at KA significant turning point in his life.

College/Fraternity Experience

introduction to KAcame during his PRO Day, met brothers Jimmy Kohl and Thomas Bowen. The prospect of a new, clean house was a major draw for him. As Chair in 2014-2015, he and Jack Conroy the Out of House Pledging Program to strong membership, ensuring that the house full and the budget was secure.

His tenure as Historian, Vice President, and Social Committee Chair showcased his dedication to KA. Jacob's leadership was evident in his creation of a pledge class scrapbook, his role as a mentor to new members,andhiseffortstoimprovesocial events. One of his most cherished memories involves his passion for cigars, which became a hallmark of his fraternity experience, from "Book Club Meetings" to celebrating his 50th different cigar.

Mentorship played a significant role in Jacob's fraternity life. Paul Rosemann introduced him to the world of cigars and bourbons, Colten Conroy, his daughter's godfather, taught him the importance of considering all perspectives, and Cody Call, pledge father, imparted the traditions and valuesofKA.Thesementorswereamongmany who helped to shape Jacob's approach to leadership and brotherhood.

Career and Professional Life

After college, Jacob's career began at Whiting-Turner Contracting in Kansas City, where he quickly realized the importance of a positive work environment. After a couple of years at WT, he transitioned to BFA Engineering in Washington, MO, marking a turning point, where he now thrives in a role that combines construction management and design.

Jacob's time in KA has been invaluable in his professional journey, enhancing his leadership skills andteamcollaboration.Hehascontinuedtocontribute to the fraternity by recruiting new members from his alma mater and expanding the construction management aspect of his firm.

Closing Thoughts

Jacob's journey from a reserved high school student to a successful engineer and fraternity leader is a testament to the impact of KA on his life. He credits the fraternity with improving his social communication, providing opportunities for growth, and introducing him to his wife. Jacob advises recent graduates to research their career paths and seek guidance from experienced peers. As he looks to the future, he aims to continue his professional development while balancing his family life. Jacob's story highlights the lifelong benefits of fraternity membership and the importance of continuous growth and leadership.

!!! Fall ‘23

Pledge Class: PC2k20

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Location: Mapleton, IL Title: Manufacturing Eng.

Employer: Caterpillar

Chapter Involvement Philanthropy

Campus Involvement Trap and Skeet Team

Pledge Class: PC2k19

Major: Engineering Mgmt

Location: Temecula, CA Title: Project Engineer

Employer: Architectural Glass & Aluminum

Chapter Involvement -

Campus Involvement -

Pledge Class: PC2k19

Major: Chemical Engineering

Location: Washington, MO Title: Project Engineer

Employer: 21 Design Group

Chapter Involvement President, Treasurer (VI)

Campus Involvement Omega Chi Epsilon

Pledge Class: PC2k18

Major: Civil Engineering

Location: Macon, MO Title: Construction Inspector

Employer: MoDOT

Chapter Involvement -

Campus Involvement -

Fall ‘23 New Grads

Pledge Class: PC2k19 Major: Mechanical Engineering

Location: Robinson, IL Title: Area Project Engineer

Employer: Marathon Chapter Involvement Vice President (II), Parliamentarian (VIII), Steward

Campus Involvement Tau Beta Pi

Pledge Class: PC2k19 Major: Metallurgical Engineering

Location: Florence, SC Title: Roll Mill Process Engineer

Employer: Nucor Chapter Involvement -

Campus Involvement -

Pledge Class: PC2k19 Major: Mechanical Engineering

Location: St Louis, MO Title: Mechanical Task Engineer

Employer: McClure Engineering

Chapter Involvement Vice President (II), Corresponding Secretary (IV), Assistant Rush Chairman, Merchandise Committee, Social Committee, Prudential Committee

Campus Involvement GASA

Pledge Class: PC2k19 Major: Computer Science

Location: Kansas City, MO Title: Software Engineer

Employer: H&R Block

Chapter Involvement -

Campus Involvement -

Pledge Class: PC2k18 Major: Mechanical Engineering

Location: Macon, MO Title: Project Engineer

Employer: Schenck Process (Coperion)

Chapter Involvement IM Chair, House Committees

Campus Involvement Club Volleyball player, STUCO Rp, Esports CSGO Club Team Captain, PHLAI Lab Machine Learning Research Team

Pledge Class: PC2k17

Major: Computer Science

Location: Tulsa, OK Title: Grad Student

Employer: Grad School - University of Tulsa

Chapter Involvement -

Campus Involvement St. Pats Board

Pledge Class: PC2k19

Major: Aerospace Engineering

Location: Greenville, TX Title: Structural Engineer

Employer: L3Harris

Chapter Involvement -

Campus Involvement M-SAT Design Team

BAAAPats Grillout

Colten Conroy (PC2k13) and Jonathan Kuchem (PC2k14) pictured here grilling for the actives and alumni! Colten and Jonathan are both membersofBAAAandcookedover100hotdogs,burgers,andbrats!! That’s a lot of meat.

PC’13 10 Year Reunion

Corey Stefanic (PC2k13) organized his pledge classes 10 year reunion at St. Pats. The weekend was spent at the house mingling with actives & other alumni and included a St. James winery visit pictured above (taken by JacobWalker PC2k14)

The following pledge brothers were able to attend the event:

Jimmy Kohl

Alex Chernoff

Nick Jacquin

Engagements

Jack Conroy & Jamey Jackson

Tyler Hollis & Rylee Diekmann

Brody Johnson &Tori Kohl

Alex Duchild Brad Bales

Tyler Zaring

Evan Zeitzmann

John Gerlica Colten Conroy

Noah Brown &Angelia Cameron

New Parents

Kyle&LaurenCagerecentlywelcomedMeredithLynnthispastyear!

Giving over $20,000 in indivual, non-endowed scholarships each year!

BAEF Donate toB A

Recent tax law changes and increased amounts for standard deductions have made it more difficult for some to itemize charitable contributions. If you are retired and have IRA, please consider using a Qualified Charitable Distribution from your IRAto donate to the BAEF.

You can donate in the following ways:

• Send a check to BAEF, P.O. Box 1884, Rolla, MO 65402-1884

• Visit our website, www.baedu.org and donate through PayPal.

We recently had our website professionally made. Check it out! On our website you can also choose to make your donation re-occur annually.

501(c)(3) charitable organization

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BAAA Contacts

Bill Thomas (wrthomas@cmrestore.com)

Jared Hanisch (Jared.Hanisch@gmail.com)

Jack Conroy (jackryanconroy@gmail.com)

Bryan Babcock (babcock.bryan@gmail.com)

Colten Conroy (coltenpconroy@gmail.com)

Leo Hager (leo.r.hager@gmail.com)

betaalphaalumni1903@gmail.com

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Chris Altamirano (ceak3z@umsystem.edu)

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