14 minute read
FEATURE PLACEHOLDER
PROFILES OF TRUE GENTLEMEN:
WITH WHOM HONOR IS SACRED AND VIRTUE SAFE
THROUGH FRIENDSHIP, SCHOLARSHIP, LEADERSHIP, AND SERVICE, SIGMA ALPHA EPSILON FINDS MEN WITH IMPECCABLE CHARACTER AND HELPS THEM ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL — TODAY AND TOMORROW. AFTER ALL, MEMBERSHIP IS FOR LIFE. BROTHERS COME FROM EVERY WALK OF LIFE, AND NO ONE INDIVIDUAL REPRESENTS ALL OF SAE.
THESE PROFILES ARE ONLY A TINY SNAPSHOT OF THE IMPACT SAE HAS ON OUR MEMBERS AND HOW TRUE GENTLEMEN CONTINUE TO MAKE OUR GLOBAL COMMUNITY BETTER.
PROFILES OF TRUE GENTLEMEN:
WITH WHOM HONOR IS SACRED AND VIRTUE SAFE
By Austin Shifflett (Harvard ‘20)
JOSEPH PATTERSON (‘21)
SCHOOL: CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY-LOS ANGELES CHAPTER DESIGNATION: CALIFORNIA MU EMINENT DEPUTY ARCHON, HEALTH & SAFETY OFFICER, SERVICE & PHILANTHROPY CHAIRMAN, AND ALUMNI CHAIRMAN OF CALIFORNIA MU
As a young child, Joseph Patterson had no way of knowing that his entire life was about to change. Growing up in foster care, he had moved from house to house, placement to placement, hoping to find somewhere to call “home.” Unbeknownst to him, that sense of belonging had was waiting for him at his latest placement, but it was sitting in a very discreet package: a small, handme-down box full of used Pokémon cards. “It became my world after that,” he remembered fondly. “A world and a journey where I could collect and really make something of my own.”
In the years since that fateful present, Joseph has dramatically expanded his collection, strengthening his belief in its positive impact. His developing passion for collecting and his experiences growing up collided, giving rise to his next great idea. “I was opening a brand-new pack with a friend. I found the chase-card, the card I needed, and was ready to toss the rest,” he explained. “We thought, ‘hey, there’s no reason to waste these… there are people we could donate them to’, and that’s when I realized we had something.”
Not long after, Joseph founded “Pokélanthropy. com,” a certified charity for taking “unwanted” Pokémon cards and other memorabilia before sorting and repurposing them for those who need them most. “Pokémon got me through some pretty dark times, and I knew what it was like,” he said. “I knew what it felt like to not have any toys or not have anything cool.” It was this unique perspective that would allow Joseph to transform his idea into something truly impactful.
“My goal for the charity is for every child to have a feeling of selfworth and to give them a material possession of their own, that they can share, collect, or trade with new friends.” The cards Pokelanthropy acquires are placed into protective sleeves and repackaged in thematic sets, ensuring that every child receives endless possibilities in their gift. No longer just a toy, the cards become an opportunity and an escape.
Reflecting on how he developed such an ambitious project, Joseph says he has his brothers to thank. “They were some of the first people to volunteer. I showed them the paperwork, told them I needed manpower, and we made a whole thing out of it. They helped with the packaging, the shipping, sharing the posts, asking for donations… SAE had a huge influence.”
Thinking back, he also noted how his relation to the brotherhood had pushed him, both directly and indirectly, to accomplish something so great. Serving as philanthropy chair, he had seized the opportunity to serve his community alongside brothers, but they had also empowered his positive work ethic outside of the fraternity. “That’s what I love about SAE… the brothers are there to support and hold each other accountable – to achieve goals unobtainable alone.”
PROFILE - DANIEL GOGGANS DANIEL GOGGANS (‘21)
SCHOOL: FRANKLIN COLLEGE CHAPTER DESIGNATION: INDIANA ALPHA EMINENT ARCHON OF INDIANA ALPHA, PLAYS ON FRANKLIN COLLEGE’S BASKETBALL TEAM
As a senior in college, “more responsibility” is not typically a very enticing offer. This is especially true for students that are already juggling multiple sets of responsibilities, such as Daniel Goggans, an active fraternity member and forward for the Franklin College Grizzlies. Thinking through the various defining moments of his college career, Danny acknowledged that the choice to take on more responsibility taught him a lot. “I can still remember; I had a game that night, and I found out right before having to go out and play.”
The offer in question was an important one: Danny’s chapter brothers wanted him to be their new chapter president. “Our current president had to step down for personal reasons, so I already knew it was not an ideal situation. They came to tell me that they took a vote, and they thought I should replace him.” Now, for many, such an offer can be very daunting. Danny was also in a unique position as the president from just a year before had received awards and praise for his hard work. His brothers were asking him to fill a role that came with some very large shoes to fill, but he felt a wave of confidence, knowing his brothers had chosen him for a reason. “We’re going to do it and get it done,” he stated proudly.
Then the pandemic struck. Just weeks into office, an already difficult task was further complicated by campuses worldwide sending their students home. Despite that, Goggans retained his new position and developed a resolve to keep his chapter together. “It taught me how to adapt – how to work through inconvenience… I don’t regret it at all.” The Franklin chapter began moving forward once again, developing new events, finding small ways to stay in touch, and above all, celebrating their bonds as brothers. “They’re some of the moments I’m going to miss the most… I gained sixty family members, and I’m still close with other members that have graduated. You hear people say it all the time, but it’s truly about the relationships you make. The pandemic presented its challenges, but it also presented its blessings.”
In the face of adversity, Danny was optimistic he and his brothers could prevail because he knew they would still have one another. As their president, he was happy to see them get closer, and he hopes they do not forget the lessons they’ve learned this past year. “I started out coming to a recruitment event for food. A week later, I was accepting a bid, and the following year I was moving into the house. Becoming a part of SAE was the moment I really started to get involved with the whole campus, and it shifted my entire college experience.” SAE presented Danny with the leadership opportunities and personal growth it affords all its members. “There are very few moments where I say ‘I wish I had done this’… I’m graduating having done more than I ever thought I would do in college. It became a part of my identity.”
ZANE HENNIG (‘18)
SCHOOL: INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY CHAPTER DESIGNATION: INDIANA SIGMA OFFICER OF THE INDIANAPOLIS METROPOLITAN POLICE, SPECIALIZING IN COMMUNITY SERVICE & ENGAGEMENT.
“It was the highlight of my career. To see the kids happy and to see their mom recognize that people truly care about them.” Zane’s first successful donation spurred him to action. He began organizing social media campaigns and fundraisers to create “Project Bike,” an initiative to bring bicycles, helmets, locks, and other related materials to those that need them the most. “We got $8,000 in the first month with donations as far away as Australia!” It is his firm belief that, “that’s what makes policing.”
Zane is also sure to lead by example in his everyday conduct, even if he isn’t delivering a bicycle. “Every time I approach a situation, I take a step back. I think to myself, ‘What has this person gone through?’ I try my best to proceed with a calm, respectful attitude, and most of the time, it’s reciprocated.” Officer Hennig says the key is to make it clear, both to himself and others, that he is more than a uniform when he’s interacting with the community. He has found tremendous success in showing compassion and working with the proper context for each given call.
“If you have a problem, you can approach me,” is Zane Hennig’s message to all those he comes into contact with throughout his day as a member of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. Over time, much has changed in the public perception of policing as an institution. Still, Zane, a young and ambitious officer, is determined to continue making a positive impact, no matter what it takes.
“I work in an area that is known to be violent, but after getting to know the community, I made that zone my home,” he explained. “I was responding to a call once when I realized the kids didn’t have a bicycle. These are families with only one car, or maybe no car, which means the children need a bike. Instead of taking a public bus to get groceries or walking to school - a bicycle becomes a means for a better life. What’s important to them should be important to you.” After taking the time to understand the needs of those in his community, Zane knew he needed to help.
When asked if his memorization of the True Gentleman shapes this daily philosophy of his, he responded, “It’s hard to pick any one thing. It’s all of it together, and as many times as you read it, you still have to stick to it and do it to understand how it can impact your core values.” With a smile on his face, Zane begins every shift satisfied in knowing that his career enables him to better himself and those around him.
J. BATES (‘95)
SCHOOL: WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY CHAPTER DESIGNATION: UTAH SIGMA NEWS DIRECTOR FOR IDAHO NEWS 6 THAT FOCUSES ON SHARING QUALITY, UNBIASED STORIES.
Photo courtesy of Leap Photography
“I can still recite it because it changed my life, not because I had to memorize it,” says J Bates, the news director for Idaho News 6, as he remembers our fraternity creed and what it has meant in his life. As a freshman joining Sigma Alpha Epsilon, J quickly learned that his chapter at Utah Sigma was the makings of something exceptional. “It’s what drew me - they were leaders, and they knew that when they succeeded, they succeeded together.”
J and his brothers would all go on to live their lives and be successful in their respective careers, but he still believes it was their time together that pushed them the most. “The TG, it made you better – the expectation should be that we are at this higher level of achievement.”
Years later, J still pushes himself and those around him as he leads the station. In the age of information we live in, his work is anything but simple, and the importance of quality newscasting has skyrocketed. “Everybody has a story, and I love that. All of us are different, but we all live here together and are a part of it,” he stated, acknowledging the ways that news can impact communities. “Our goal is not to scare people. It’s to inform them and keep them safe.”
When asked how his station differs from others in their approach, his response was twofold. First, he was sure to explain the more logistical side. “We make it clear why our stories are important and how we sourced them so that people understand.” J also made it clear that truth was of the utmost priority, explaining how news sources aren’t always able to get all the facts at once. Therefore, it’s essential to be as transparent as possible and contextualize the facts you do provide. “Everyone has biases,” he said, “but you still have to know that and be fair.” In his eyes, their station serves as a lighthouse for the communities they serve – they provide light, acting as a guide while still allowing people to make their own choices.
His second goal for the station is to live by a simple yet impactful mantra: “Do Good.” He credits the saying to others at the station and its original source, Charles E. Scripps, who believed “we do well by doing good.” For J, personifying this phrase is much like embodying the True Gentleman, in that you have to consciously think and repeat it in your everyday life to get an accurate understanding of it. “We focus on the story, on the people, not the numbers,” he said, explaining their strategy for “doing good.” At its heart, the station seeks to best help its community by speaking their language – by understanding what it takes to reach them, even if it means going above and beyond the typical call of duty.
INRETURN STRATEGIES
JIM ATWATER (‘92) SCHOOL: FURMAN UNIVERSITY CHAPTER DESIGNATION: SOUTH CAROLINA PHI SCOTT BROUILLETTE (‘90) SCHOOL: UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA CHAPTER DESIGNATION: ARIZONA ALPHA
For Jim Atwater and Scott Brouillette, SAE is an institution that helped shape both their college careers. Still, it was not until years after graduation that they would connect and begin their business. Their story started when Jim was a freshman at Furman joining SAE. He had been recruited to play tennis and could not have been happier with the way life was going. Unfortunately, his happiness faded in the face of a foreign language requirement. This seemingly standard rite of passage is something most students experience in college, even if they do so begrudgingly, but for Jim, it was life-altering.
“I had never failed at anything in my life. I was thinking to myself, ‘I can’t get past this barrier, and nobody knows how to have this conversation.” Jim, an outstanding student, had lived with a severe-hearing impairment until he fully lost his hearing later in life. Unfortunately, learning a foreign language poses unique challenges for someone that utilizes lip-reading for their everyday conversations. After realizing he would be unable to get the requirement waived, he knew he would have to find somewhere else to complete his degree.
Jim then faced a new barrier as he began applying for Medical School, scoring in the top percentiles of all his pre-qualifications. The medical school admission committee informed him the school would not accommodate his deafness, making him ineligible. From these experiences, Jim began formulating a concept for what would later become InReturn Strategies, a business leader in developing economic models that ensure companies can approach those with disabilities and other marginalized or under-represented groups with dignity and as contributing members of their companies’ success.
As co-founders of InReturn Strategies, both Jim and Scott feel their partnership and combined experience uniquely positions the company. Their initial meeting was little more than happenstance, but they quickly struck up a conversation and bonded over their shared fraternity. Both had a desire to make a significant impact on underserved communities and could recognize the problems they were facing. In talking, they realized their solution would have to speak the corporate world’s language: money.
The real problem is that companies simply do not understand how to economically and culturally integrate the underserved. Companies give millions to charities all the time,” Scott explained, “but they could better spend that money investing in new markets and proven talent. Instead of giving it away, they could apply their existing products, services, programs, and talent needs to engage meaningfully with someone that has a disability or belongs to a marginalized group and ensure companies can approach underserved populations material to revenue.”
With their unique business-to-social model, InReturn Strategies provides businesses the means to make both a cultural and economic shift towards investing in an untapped $13 trillion market. This reduces barriers and enables them to actively engage with all of the world’s population, ensuring a level of equal opportunity, mutual profitability, and community with the underserved. ◆
