It's a big relief now that this past week is over. Two days of The Pacer/SPJ "Newspaper Design Crash Course" has worn me out, coupled with Tennessee Kappa Family Day festivities. I hope to get photos up on the Web site as soon as I track down the owners of the digital cameras. The training seminar had a very light attendance, but it did at least give me the opportunity to share a few of the things I've picked up along the way in using these applications. I would like to think I could have been a bit more comprehensive, but I don't think I have the patience to trudge through a lengthy syllabus.
In Family Day news, everything appears to have gone off without a hitch. The "house tours" this morning take all of 3 minutes to cover the two bed rooms, living room and kitchen. There's a reason we sarcastically tell everyone "I joined for the house." I'm glad my parents made it down. I guess on occasion it's good for them to see the some of the fruits of my labor, and that monthly dues check I write out. Brothers won various awards for campus leadership, excellence in the various aspects of the Balanced Man, and all around "great guy." One of the awards this year was a free trip to 49th Grand Chapter Conclave in Nashville this summer. The essay had to be on the topic of "We say at the end of every meeting, 'It's Great to be a SigEp'. Why, to you, is it Great to be a SigEp." So, after blowing away the 500 word limit on my first submission, I opted to throw out that copy, and tooled this one ...
There is a lot of pride in our brotherhood. We find pride in our intramural teams, win or lose. We find pride in our academics, often soaring high above the "frat guy" image that we are constantly fighting against. We find pride in the accomplishments of each individual brother, whether that be a scholarship or elected position in a campus organization. Here lately, the entire chapter has taken immeasurable pride in our step show, as it is broadcast at homes and businesses nationwide, just so the viewer can catch a glimpse of "those white boys steppin'."
But pride must remain well founded. We recognize leadership is one of the aspects of the balanced man, and when we fail to have a brother participate in student government elections, we bring it to the forefront of conversation. A good chapter is one that knows what it has to do to achieve greatness. A great one strives for it, and refuses to accept excuses when failure happens. Every brother, no matter the age or challenge, has the right to express his pleasure or displeasure about chapter performance. "I believe I should be generous with the faults of a brother, as I should wish him to be with mine."
Another reason it is "Great to be a SigEp" is for our national ties. These four (or in some cases, five or six) years of college are but a small, seemingly insignificant chapter in our life. Yet, from the time we join we enjoy the mutual benefits and responsibilities of over 250,000 brothers. These brothers are the same we can call on in times of great joy and great sorrow. It does not matter if you are from Tennessee Kappa, Texas Iota, Oklahoma Beta or California Phi, each of us will always have a place to call "home." The Red Door of Sigma Phi Epsilon represents not only the building, but the hearts and minds of the men that dwell within. This year's Conclave is a testament to that, when the entire Nashville Convention Center will become one, grand fraternity house. It will be an event like none other Nashville has ever hosted.
We all know that Sigma Phi Epsilon is not limited to the academic walls, and that it takes a continued service in the spirit of Virtue, Diligence and Brotherly Love to keep our Oath of Obligation. Our alumni recognize that, which leads me to my final point. No matter the year graduated, every alumni of our chapter can come back to the house and feel the history resonating through the walls. Even when this structure has fallen down, the shared stories and experiences will remain. It is great to be a SigEp because I am contributing in these first ten years of our chapter. My name may be only attached to a face on the wall, but the stories that I can bring back years from now will be my true reward for my service.
It is great to be a SigEp.
It was written in a hurry, but I think it captured the sentiments I was looking for. A few hours ago, it was announced that this 500-word essay (count it, it took some effort to hit exactly 500) had earned me a free trip to Conclave, with the hotel and registration costs picked up by the chapter. I'm really honored to be able to go, because it was looking like finances would keep me away this year. I will be the delegate's alternate, so our chapter president and I will be kicking it in Nashvegas. Granted, a "trip" to Nashville is only twenty minutes from my house, but it will be nice to be able to stay at the hotel, closer to the daily events. I suppose I should start getting familiar with the itinerary.
Loads of thought have been given to this organization I can't go 24 hours here lately without doing something with or for. The InDesign workshop fulfilled the requirements for Brother Mentor, so I'll finally be among the ranks of some of the oldest guys in the undergraduate chapter. I try to keep a clear head about it all, balancing my work and academics along the way. The downhill sprint begins this week to wrap up classes before finals, and then it's away for the summer. Where did the year go?
I suppose in realizing that the year is coming to a close, I should really consider doing that whole apartment hunting thing again. Samantha and I keep talking about Beaumont, but the allure of a two-bedroom apartment on campus (utilities, free local phone and Internet) is awfully enticing too. The question is will this conservative liberal arts campus allow two people to "live in sin." But even beyond that, there's one question that burns deep inside both of us, tormenting the search for the place we'll call "home" for at least the next year:
Does it have a dishwasher?