GOLD Program Surpasses the 1,000 Donor Mark! The Foundation unveiled the GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decades) Program in 2002, to educate young alumni about the important funding needs of the Fraternity. This spring Tim Huffmyer, Sigma Nu’s Grand Treasurer, became the 1000th GOLD donor. Through the GOLD Program, young alumni have the opportunity to interact with the Sigma Nu Foundation on a more personal level. Traditionally, charitable organizations reserve face-to-face visits for major donors. However, the Sigma Nu Educational Foundation has a totally different perspective. After three years of working on the GOLD team, Erik Tomalis, now the Director of Development for Major Gifts, shares, "Just getting out there and meeting alumni is an important investment in the future of Sigma Nu."

Tim Huffmyer’s swearing in as Grand Treasurer

Huffmyer made his first one-time gift to the Foundation in 2003; however, after a recent visit from Tomalis, he decided it was time to step-up his giving in order to ensure that other Sigma Nus could have the experience he had in the Fraternity. His recent gift is a five-year pledge.

"I learned a tremendous amount during my undergraduate years in the Fraternity. Now, as Grand Treasurer, I am part of directing some of the programs Sigma Nu offers our undergraduate members. With the additional knowledge and involvement in the organization, I see how important it is to provide resources for others to have the same positive experience I had," says Huffmyer.

He’s been involved in Sigma Nu since the start of his college career. Joining as a freshman, he lived in the house and was active at many levels in his 100-man chapter. He served as Treasurer his senior year, a position that put him in charge of the chapter’s $300,000 budget. It was an experience he says is still paying off in his career today.

He credits Sigma Nu with opening the door to his professional success. After college he was recruited for a job in public accounting, which he says had many parallels to fraternity recruitment. "I felt like I had an advantage over everyone else because I’d been through a similar experience in Sigma Nu. It was no different from rushing. I was hired as part of a class of fifteen, and we grew together in the firm, very much like a pledge class," he explains. Huffmyer now works as a corporate controller for a publicly held company.

"Sigma Nu has really affected who I am today, both personally and professionally. Living by the creed-love, truth and honor-is really important to me and my profession," he says. "I’m a huge fan of Sigma Nu. I got involved not just for social reasons but for the opportunity to develop myself as a leader. I feel like I learned as much in college through the Fraternity as I did in the classroom."

He says that’s the reason he’s now giving back of his time and his resources. He sees it as an honor to be able to serve Sigma Nu as Grand Treasurer. Although there have been few men in their early 30s who have served on the High Council, Huffmyer says, "I was ready to give back to the Fraternity at this level. It’s the right position for me and my background, and I continue to further develop myself through that experience. It’s a tremendous opportunity."

Huffmyer says the GOLD Program provides a wonderful way for alumni to make a long-term commitment to the organization. He hopes his gift will enable the Foundation to deliver more funding for Fraternity programs that will benefit our undergraduate members. "I think we offer the best programs for our collegiate members. If they take advantage of them, the sky is the limit," he shares. "The benefits of being a Sigma Nu last for a lifetime. Even though I’m giving back today, Sigma Nu is still giving to me in ways I cannot repay. It’s my privilege to support an organization that has given so much to me."

Due to the incredible success of the GOLD Program, the Sigma Nu Educational Foundation continues to multiply its efforts to garner young alumni support. The Foundation recently hired its fourth development officer to support this endeavor. For more information about the GOLD Program, please contact Brad Hastings, Executive Vice President, at brad.hastings@sigmanu.org.