The Rock - Sigma Nu Foundation

Fortunately, a very unique opportunity presented itself. At the beginning of the campaign, the House Corporation received commitments for $500,000 in gifts subject to the Epsilon Mu alumni contributing $50,000 to this effort by the August 31st deadline. Another requirement placed on the $50,000 minimum was that it must be actual gifts received, not pledges.

Brother Bill Dugan, Campaign Chairman, said, "We've all been warmed by fires we did not build and drank from wells we did not dig. I see this campaign as our opportunity to continue the tradition of those who came before us. Now is our time to support Sigma Nu!"

So, the House Corporation hired the Sigma Nu Educational Foundation to conduct this campaign. A special memorial fund effort was headed by Brothers Darrell Pike, Bill Crispen and Mark Bohnert to name a Senior Suite in memory of Brother David M. Lautner who entered the Chapter Eternal in 2004.

After four months of personal visits with alumni and numerous appeal letters, e-mails and telephone calls, the Foundation surpassed the $50,000 mark in late August. To date $65,860 has been received and an additional $13,200 in commitments has been made by the alumni. Also, the David M. Lautner Senior Suite will be a reality once the addition is complete. In all, 76 alumni, parents and students have contributed to this campaign.

Since its rechartering in 2002, the Epsilon Mu Chapter has set the standard for the Greek system at Butler University. The brothers have maintained a cumulative G.P.A. between 3.21 and 3.33 each semester and have earned the Regent's Award for Academic Excellence in 2003, 2004 and 2005. Not only is scholarship a focus, the chapter has also won 16 athletic tournaments and championships. The brothers provide leadership to the campus and are actively involved in over 100 other campus organizations. The chapter has received several awards from the University including the 2004-2005 Lamp of Wisdom Award for service to their community.

To say that the chapter is doing well would be an understatement. They received the Pursuit of Excellence Award in 2004 and 2005 from the General Fraternity. This award, which was created in 2004, is presented to those chapters that excel in all areas of chapter operation. Regent Don Densborn (Indiana) selected the Epsilon Mu chapter as the Host Chapter for the upcoming 62nd Grand Chapter because he has been so impressed with their accomplishments.

It's important to note that while the chapter has accomplished much over the last few years, they have not done so alone. They have received tremendous support from the House Corporation and many alumni volunteers, men like Brothers Fred Gronau, Dick Thompson, Tom Lofton, Bill Dugan, John Newton, Don Batrich and so many others.

In 2001, the chapter benefited from a $1 million gift to the Sigma Nu Educational Foundation that established the Epsilon Mu Chapter Educational Fund. The House Corporation used a portion of this Fund to remodel and update the chapter home. This included fire safety features, high-speed Internet, and new furnishings. The House Corporation wanted to offer the students more than just a place to live. What they created was a home where academic excellence, campus involvement, and brotherhood would be nurtured.

At the same time, the House Corporation used this Fund to establish the most comprehensive scholarship program of any Sigma Nu chapter. This scholarship program encourages and rewards high academic performance. Brothers making a 3.0 or higher who live in the chapter home receive a scholarship every semester. In the last four years 44 collegiate members have received over $120,000 in scholarships from this Fund.