Alpha Chapter
Alpha Chapter (Founded 14 February 1916; Reactivated 2 December 2000) is located at University of Central Missouri (formerly Central Missouri State University) in Warrensburg, Missouri. The Chapter was founded by Eldo L. Hendricks, Claude A. Phillips, and C.H. McClure, and is a member of the Great Plains Region.
Contents
Chapter History
Founding
In addition to Dr. Hendricks, Dr. Phillips and Dr. McClure, ten other student members were part of the founding group. They were Alfred Thayer, J. Archie Leach, Roland Grinstead, Ray Parkins, Wade Fowler, Roy Bigelow, Arthur Kresse, John Doak, Harold Patterson and Harry Hill. These ten students were the first undergraduate Brothers of Phi Sigma Pi, Thayer being the first among them. Dr. Hendricks would go on to be known as Alpha 1.
World War I
As the United States mobilizes for war, many of the men on the Warrensburg campus go off to military training camps throughout the country or to the European front. Many of the Warrensburg men become part of a military emergency medical team known as the Ambulance Boys. This group forms a very close relationship and many of its members belong to Phi Sigma Pi and Sigma Tau Gamma. All campus organizations, including Phi Sigma Pi, would struggle with membership until the war ended in 1920. Phi Sigma Pi would only induct a total of 8 men in 1918 and 1919.
Post World War I
In 1920 Alpha Chapter begins the tradition of inviting eligible candidates to join Phi Sigma Pi.
Reactivation
Alpha Chapter went inactive in 1979, during one of the fraternity's most difficult periods. However, thanks to the relentless efforts of the National Council, National Staff, Alpha Chapter Alumni, and interested brothers from other chapters, the chapter was reactivated on December 2, 2000. Gene Seevers played a large part in the reactivation due to his connections with many university administration officials. Thirty-four brothers signed the new roll book that day, under the direction of National President Joshua Marder, and with an emotional audience of Alpha Alumni, National Officers and Staff, and brothers congregated from all over the country. Also in attendance were original chapter members; Gene Seevers, Jerry Voss, Harold Young, Dr. Charles Keseman and Earl Webb. Gene was awarded with a Distinguished Service Key during the reactivation ceremonies.
The Active Chapter
Brothers
View main article: Active Alpha Brothers
Executive Board
Alpha's Executive Board is composed of thirteen elected members. These members are elected each fall to serve for the following calendar year. There are ten voting members and three nonvoting member, that of Female/Male Brother at Large and Regional Delegate.
2011-2012
- President - Sam Hale
- Vice President - Macae Mudd
- Recording Secretary - Becca Woodson
- Corresponding Secretary - Keri Cerda
- Treasurer - Jessica Bair
- Rush Advisor - Christina Dobson
- Initiate Advisor - Josie Zanti
- Historian - Emily Kruger
- Parliamentarian - Megan Neubrand
- Web Master- Olly Cheng
- Female Brother at Large- Katie Eckelberger
- Male Brother at Large- Eric Bruns
- Regional Delegate- Cody Kimmerle
Past Chapter Presidents
- Charles Roselle (year unknown)
- Tony Gilmore (1937)
- Homer Baldwin (1939-1940)
- Albro F. Stepp (1941)
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- Angela (Franks) Rechtein (2000-2002)
- Jennifer Kamler (2002-2003)
- Jessica (Crump) Medley (2003-2004)
- Nicole (Fender) Bowlin (2004-2005)
- Jessica (Schumacher) Shoemaker (2005-2006)
- Stephanie Glinn (2006-2007)
- Annette Arlint (2007-2008)
- Becky Lakaner (2008) (Stepped Down)
- Kyle Martin (2008-2009)
- Samantha Garton (2009-2010)
- Jacqui Kendrick (2010-2011)
Initiate Classes
View main article: List of Alpha Chapter Initiate Classes
Chapter Events & Activities
Founder's Weekend
Every year, the Alpha Chapter celebrates Founder's Weekend around February 14. As part of our celebration, we decorate the graves of Eldo L. Hendricks, Rolla F. Wood, and C.H. McClure. It is our time to reflect on the brothers who came before us. Some of the activites that we do on Founder's Weekend is a Founders dinner and an activite to get the chapter active.
Spring Rush Week 11
The Spring Rush Week of 2011 was a blast. We had a great turn out of brothers and perspectives at all of the events we were able to have. Warrensburg experienced a snow blizzard that closed the campus down for three days during rush week. The theme of rush was "Hatching a New Breed of Brothers". The Dynamic Duo of Sam's (Hale and Garton)did a great job with rush. On Tuesday, during a regular meeting we voted on the perspectives. On April 17th, at the end of their 8 weeks, we voted in 14 new initiates. Congratulations to the initiates of the Chi class of 2011.
Senior Send-Off
This past semester, Spring 2011 we had 16 graduating seniors. Throughout their time at Alpha Chapter, they have been very active and have helped out with the many Chapter events. In honor of their efforts within in the Chapter, we hold an annual Senior Send-Off. Each semester, we develop a Senior Send-Off video, read Senior wills, and give them each a small token of appreciation from the Chapter. This has been a great year and we wish all of the Seniors the best of luck!
Notable Alumni
- Phi Sigma Pi Founder
- Phi Sigma Pi Founder
- National Counselor (1930-1931, 1935-1937)
- National Vice President (1931-1935)
- Phi Sigma Pi Founder
- National President (1922-1925)
- National Vice President (1922-1925)
- National President (1925-1928)
- National President (1928-1929)
- National Counselor (1929-1930)
- National Vice President (1930-1931)
- National Historian (1931-1935)
- National President (1937-1939)
- National Vice President (1939-1946)
- National Secretary (1922-1925)
- National Secretary (1927-1930)
- National Counselor (1931-1935)
- National Treasurer (1937-1939)
- National Secretary (1930-1936)
- National Treasurer (1922-1925)
- National Counselor (1925-1928)
- National Historian (1948-1953, 1957-1959)
- National Historian (1966-1968)
- Dr. Sheldon Emmor Davis, Honorary
- a faculty member at Warrensburg, was invited to deliver the Founder's Day address at Alpha Chapter in 1919 and became one of its first honorary members. He left Warrensburg later in 1919 and became president of the State Normal College in Dillon, Montana. This is now known as the University of Montana - Western. He continued to serve Phi Sigma Pi as the Regional Director of the Western District. Dr. Davis served as president until 1946. Davis Hall is named after him.
- founded Gamma Chapter
- Dr. Robert Patton, Honorary
- Dr. Patton was instrumental in reactivating Alpha Chapter. He was inducted on April 28, 2005
- 2007 Todd Tripod Scholarship recipient
Campus Buildings
Seven buildings on campus are named after Brothers. For more information see Buildings Dedicated to Brothers.
Chapter Honors and Awards
National Awards
- 2002 Clarence O. Williams Most Improved New Chapter Award
- 2006 Jeffrey L. Johnson National Chapter Fellowship Award
- 2012 Most Spirited Chapter Award
- 2012 Top in Region Award
University Awards
- None to date
Other Awards
- None to date
Further Resources
- Alpha Nugget 1930
- Alpha Nugget 1931
- Alpha Argus 1934
- Alpha Argus 1935
- Campus buildings named after Alpha Chapter Brothers
- Reactivating Alpha Chapter(1999)
Websites
In the News
Alpha Chapter | |
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Founded February 14, 1916 • University of Central Missouri | |
Presidents | Charles Roselle • Tony Gilmore • Homer Baldwin • Albro F. Stepp • 1940-1950 unknown • Keith Stumpff • 1952-2000 unknown • Angela (Franks) Rechtein • Jennifer Kamler • Jessica (Crump) Medley • Nicole (Fender) Bowlin • Jessica (Schumacher) Shoemaker • Stephanie Glinn • Annette Arlint • Becky Lakaner • Kyle Martin • Samantha Garton • Jacqui Kendrick • Sam Hale • Christina Dobson • Luke Schreiber |
History | List_of_Alpha_Chapter_Initiate_Classes • |
Torchia Awards | 2021 |
National Council Members | Eldo L. Hendricks • C.H. McClure • Joseph Glen Bryan • J.A. Leach • Rolla F. Wood • James M. McCallister • Lawrence N. Pease • Clarence O. Williams • B.B. Cramer • R.C. Bedell • Perry G. McCandless • R. Clark Morton |
Chapter Service Keys | |
Internal Chapter Awards |