C HA PT E R SP OT L IG H T
ALPHA-NU CHAPTER AT WAKE FOREST CELEBRATES 75TH ANNIVERSARY by GS E. Andrew Morris (Murray State ’70), contributing writer
On April 25, 2015, Alpha-Nu Chapter at Wake Forest University celebrated it’s diamond anniversary and 75 years of continuous operation in Sigma Pi Fraternity, International. Originally founded in 1928 as Delta Sigma Chi, a local fraternity, it became a chapter on May 12, 1940. Sigma Pi is one of only two fraternities that has never been dormant on the WFU campus. The celebratory events began at the Barn on the Wake Forest University campus and lasted well into the night at the Chapter house. The next day, alumni traveled to the Childress Vineyards in Lexington, North Carolina, for a tour and sampling of the grapes. That evening a banquet was held at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem with 250 alumni, undergraduates and guests. PGS Gary B. Tash (Virginia ’68) welcomed alumni representing every decade since chartering to the celebration. The two oldest alumni in attendance were Bobby Land (’50) and Pat Mast (’53). A Proclamation was made by the Honorable Allen Joines (Mayor of Winston-Salem), declaring April 25, 2015 as Sigma Pi Day. Introductions were made
by Mike Champlin (’75), President of the Winston-Salem Alumni Club, which contributed to that evening’s events. Former Executive Director Mike Ayalon (Buffalo ’97) and GS E. Andrew Morris (Murray State ’70) represented the Grand Chapter. GS Morris announced that one the columns at the Executive Office with the four founders names had been sponsored by three anonymous alumni who donated $10,000 in PGS Tash’s honor. The plaque reads: JAMES THOMPSON KINGSBURY Sponsored by PGS Gary B. Tash (Virgina ’68) Recognition was given by PGS Tash to all the members that have made Alpha-Nu one of our leading chapters in Sigma Pi over the years. Commemorative paddles were presented to several outstanding alumni who had significant contributions during the various decades.
The two oldest Alpha-Nu Brothers in attendance were Bobby Land (’50) and Pat Mast (’53)
To conclude the event, Sage Johan Oakes (’16), introduced a video that covered the history of Alpha-Nu Chapter, followed by the Sigma Pi Creed and the Fireside Song to wrap up the evening. It was a great gathering of brothers.
ALPHA-NU AWARDS INCLUDE: Founders Award 1984 Edgar Estes Folk (’48) Grand Sage Award 1996, 1998, 2002, 2008, 2010 Triad Award 1994, 1996, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2006 Grand Chapter Award 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010
22 + FA LL 2015
Mayor Joines makes the announcement to those in attendance, declaring April 25, 2015 as Sigma Pi Day