THE EMERALD OF SIGMA PI | VOLUME CVII, NUMBER 2 | SPRING 2024 A Brotherhood Like No Other Jon Dodd (Rhode Island '84) ALSO IN THIS ISSUE Ways to Protect Mental Health Spotlight - Zach Scheerer (SIUE '07) Spotlight - Adam Dibble (Ferris State '03) Chartering - Iota-Chi at Coastal Carolina ATLANTIC SHARK INSTITUTE News IN THIS ISSUE FEATURES 01 News from Sigma Pi 02 Upcoming Events 03 Fraternal Headlines 12 The Foundations 14 Partners 18 Fraternity Values 20 Communications 22 Chapter Reports 27 Accomplishments 28 Growth 30 Volunteers 32 Adytum on High 04 From the Archives 36 Sigma Pi Pride 37 Photo Finish CONTRIBUTORS EDITOR/CREATIVE DIRECTOR 04 Chris Carter (Middle Tennessee '08) A Brotherhood Like No Other ASSISTANT EDITOR Summer Clarkson BUSINESS MANAGER Jen Wyatt CONTRIBUTORS EII Alex Beaven (Pennington & Co.) Drew Carpenter (Middle Tennessee '18) CEO Jonathan M. Frost (UMSL '99) Russell Kizior (Northern Arizona '17) Jake Reed (Arkansas '19) GS Kent Varney (Kentucky '97) 08 16 Janis Whitlock, Ph.D., M.P.H Six Ways Men Can Protect Stay Relentless - Their Mental Health Zach Scheerer (SIUE '07) ABOUT SIGMA PI ABOUT THE EMERALD UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION Sigma Pi Fraternity was founded at Vincennes VOLUME CVII, NUMBER 2 Spring 2024 To update your contact information, University, Vincennes, Ind. on February 26, 1897. please visit: (ISSN 1074-5289, USPS 011-013) The Executive Office is located in Nashville, sigmapi.org/updateinfo Tenn. Sigma Pi has chartered more than 230 The Emerald has been published since 1911 by: or send an email to: chapters in North America and has initiated over Sigma Pi Fraternity records@sigmapi.org 118,000 members since 1897. 1101 Kermit Dr., Suite 730 Nashville, TN 37217 CONTACT INFORMATION The founding fathers of Sigma Pi Fraternity are: and additional mailing offices. sigmapi.org Rolin Rosco James (1879-1953) William Raper Kennedy (1877-1944) SUBMISSION DEADLINES emerald@sigmapi.org James Thompson Kingsbury (1877-1950) 615.921.2300 Fall June 1 George Martin Patterson (1877-1960) Spring December 1 @sigmapi FRATERNITY NETWORKING GROUP COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION sigmapi.org/linkedin Copyright C 2023 Sigma Pi Fraternity; Sigma Pi, and the crest are trademarks of Sigma Pi, all rights reserved. Spring 2024 sigmapi.org Contents NEWS FROM SIGMA PI FROM THE CEO JONATHAN M. FROST (UMSL '99) SIGMA PI COMPLETES FIRST YEAR OF ENGAGE EVENTS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Engage, the new innovative initiative The involvement of alumni was " from Sigma Pi, recently celebrated particularly noteworthy, with many As we move further away from the the completion of its inaugural year, serving as speakers and facilitators, COVID pandemic, we have noticed marking a significant milestone thus enriching the educational a gap in knowledge of chapter in the Fraternity's commitment to experience and reiterating the value operations, ritual understanding, fostering education, engagement, of lifelong Sigma Pi membership. and traditions. With this Sigma Pi, and connection among its members. Director of Support Services Jake thanks in part to alumni charitable In 2023-24, Engage hosted three donations, launched the Engage Reed (Arkansas '19) and Director events, drawing participation program across North America. of Programs Alexander Pettigrew from 36 chapters across four This program brings student (Indiana of Pennsylvania '15) both provinces, demonstrating the leaders together in an immersive hailed Engage as a transformative in-person training program program's widespread impact. All journey for chapter leaders, that allows them to hear from in, 78 undergraduates attended the emphasizing the program's role professional staff, as well as their programming, with 87 total members in strengthening the Fraternity's peers from throughout their region. attending the alumni events. brotherhood and its commitment Sigma Pi is also making investments Designed as a regional-based to lifelong development. The into enhancing volunteer educational platform, Engage sought Engage initiative not only bridged training opportunities to assist to revolutionize the Fraternity geographical and interpersonal local and regional volunteers experience by providing chapter gaps but also laid a foundation for on providing a value-added leaders with the opportunity future growth and positive impact mentor-mentee relationship. to expand their knowledge, within the Fraternity and beyond. This is crucial to help with cross- develop essential skills, and generational differences that can As Engage moves into its second forge meaningful relationships. impede knowledge sharing. year, the Fraternity looks forward The program's curriculum is to building on the success of its If you wish to support these and comprehensive, covering critical other educational programs please inaugural year, continuing to offer aspects of chapter operations visit sigmapi.org/donate. transformative experiences for its from reporting and recruitment members, and further cementing strategies to risk management. Sigma Pi as a leader in fraternity Feedback from participants education and engagement. This underscored the program's success. initiative stands as a testament to the Attendees praised the opportunity Fraternity's dedication to creating a to network with peers, learn from community that empowers individuals high-level executives, and gain to make a lasting difference in leadership development traits. their chapters and provinces. THE EMERALD 1