The NewsleTTer for AlumNi ANd frieNds of The BeTA GAmmA ChApTer of siGmA pi AT eAsTerN illiNois uNiversiTy - wiNTer 2013

www.SigmaPiBetaGamma.com Winter ◆ 2013

Corey Duzan ‘98 Receives Distinguished Educator AwardHonored by Eastern Illinois University during Homecoming 2013

Corey Duzan ‘98 received Eastern Illinois University’s Distinguished Educator Award on Saturday, October 19 during Homecoming 2013.

Established in 2004, the Distinguished Educator Award is presented to alumni who have distinguished themselves in the field of K-12 education.

Duzan is a technology and engineering education teacher at Neuqua Valley High School. His accolades include the 2009 Technology Education Association of Illinois (TEAI) New Teacher of the Year Award, the 2011 Illinois Drafting Educators Association Teacher of the Year Award and the 2013 Most Inspirational Teacher Award in Indian Prairie School District 204.

Duzan was instrumental in bringing Project Lead the Way to his district, and his efforts contributed to his school’s receipt of the 2005

Program of the Year Award by the TEAI. The project is part of a national effort to promote science, technology, engineering and math education in classrooms.

According to Duzan, “I feel that any occupation, and the people and facilities that make up that occupation, starts to have a real influence on that person as a professional over time. Teaching is no different. When you are surrounded by great students, colleagues, administrators and community leaders, only positive results are going to be yielded. I feel that the awards and recognitions I have received are the result of more than a single educator in the classroom, but of a group and system working together to provide what is best for the kids.”

Duzan graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 2003 and received his master’s degrees from Concordia University in 2010. He and his wife, Katie, have a 20-month old son, Ben. They reside in Plainfield, Illinois.

☐ New Furniture for the Chapter House (956 6th St.)

☐ Chapter House 2nd Floor renovations (purchase furniture for bedrooms)

☐ New Furniture for the Honors House (E.C. House at 964 6th St.)

☐ Chapter House Dining Room Renovations

☐ New Beds in the Chapter House racks

☐ Exterior house cosmetics such as Painting, Cleaning and Landscaping

☐ Pay down the Mortgage

☐ Recruitment (Rush) materials such as t-shirts, signage, advertisements, brochures and handouts

☐ Scholarship Funds for Active members

☐ Other (please specify)

Beta Gamma ONLINE SurveyVisit www.SigmaPiBetaGamma.com and click on the SURVEY link.

What would you most like to see your 2014 Sigma Pi - Beta Gamma Donation money be spent on?

Alumni feedback is needed immediately! Please log-on today and take the first ever Beta Gamma Alumni Association survey. Your response to questions about your Sigma Pi alumni experience will help the Alumni Association leadership plan for the future.

Make suggestions for upcoming reunionsWant to reconnect with a large group of alumni while playing golf, attending a sporting event or over dinner? Where? When? What to do? How much to spend? Alumni input is necessary to plan a great event. Please send all ideas to Justin Seno ‘06 at jtseno@gmail.com or (224) 406-1416.

Corey Duzan ‘98 received Eastern Illinois University’s Distinguished Educator Award on Saturday, October 19 during Homecoming 2013.

Beta Gamma Paints the Town Blue for Homecoming 2013Alumni travel from across the country to reunite and reminisce

Sigma Pi Dominates Another Tugs CompetitionWins Big Men’s and Little Men’s divisions

Communication support and assistance provided by:

OmegaFi 800.276.6342omegafi.com

Chapter Officers

Congratulations to the following Executive Council members who took office on December 1, 2013. Alumni are encouraged to contact these members and offer

words of advice.

Many thanks to the previous Executive Council members

for their hard work and success over the past year.

Sage (President)Timothy (TJ) Hahn ‘12

tjhahn@eiu.edu(618) 838-5321

Second Counselor (VP)

Christian Kabbes ‘12cakabbes@eiu.edu

(618) 302-0571

Third Counselor (Treasurer)

Ross Kwasneski ‘12rekwasneski@eiu.edu

(630) 330-6085

Fourth Counselor (Secretary)

Louis Samson ‘11ltsamson@eiu.edu

(847) 772-2017

First Counselor (Alumni Liaison)

Zach White ‘13ztwhite2@eiu.edu(773) 272-1156

Herald (Ritual)Jason Adams ‘12jcadams@eiu.edu(630) 802-5263

www.SigmaPiBetaGamma.com Winter ◆ 2013

Art Fox ‘52 watches as the Sigma Pi float passes by during the 2013 Homecoming Parade. Fox traveled to Charleston from his home in Arizona. “I enjoyed reminiscing with Eli Sidwell ‘55 about the early days of Beta Gamma,” reports Fox. “I told stories to the younger guys about what it was like to be one of the first to live in the chapter house at 956 6th Street. It was a great trip.”

The Sigma Pi float reflected the Homecoming theme “Paint the Town Blue.”

Beta Gamma placed second in the Homecoming float competition and second overall.

Sigma Pi wins Big Men’s and Little Men’s Tugs Competition during Greek Week 2013. Pictured above: Tuggers celebrate in front of the campus pond after winning first place.

(L to R) Former Tugs Champions Kris Caldwell ‘06 and Ervis Chino ‘06 returned to campus to cheer on the tuggers during Greek Week 2013.

(L to R) “Danny Tamayo ‘08 and Chapter Director Hector Tamayo ‘03”

Alumni, actives, friends and family gathered in Charleston, Illinois on Saturday, October 19 for Homecoming 2013.

Beta Gamma placed second in the Homecoming float competition. The float reflected the Homecoming theme “Paint the Town Blue.” Alumni and actives watched the Homecoming parade in front of the house and cheered as the Sigma Pi float passed by.

“We had a great turnout,” says Timothy Hahn ‘12, chapter sage. “Some alumni traveled great distances to attend including Art Fox ‘52, who traveled all the way from Arizona! We truly appreciate the support.”

As we all know, every year fraternities get pulled into the frigid campus pond. As a result of the hard work of the active members of Sigma Pi our Big Men and Little Men have stayed dry back-to-back years. Aside from sweeping the competition the last two years, Big Men are on a Three Peat. Whether you came and cheered on our men last year or it’s been 30+ years we wish to see you at the campus pond in victory lane to cheer our men to victory and then enjoy the festivities afterwards. Greek Week is tentatively scheduled for April 5 - April 12, 2014. The championship tugs will commence on April 12.

Update: 2013 Campaign for Beta Gamma Alumni Officers

Alumni PresidentJason Zientarski ‘04

jasonzientarski@gmail.com

Alumni Vice PresidentJustin Seno ‘06

jtseno@gmail.com

Chapter Director/ Housing Director

Hector Tamayo ‘03htamayojr@gmail.com

Alumni Organization

TreasurerJoseph Kaczmarek ‘98

Joe.kaczmarek@ mcgladrey.com

Maintenance Manager

Denny Stewart ‘66destewart33@gmail.com

www.SigmaPiBetaGamma.com Winter ◆ 2013

Thanks to the 68 generous brothers listed below, Sigma Pi at Eastern Illinois University has raised $11,510. Donations to the campaign go to fund communication items, alumni events and upgrades to the chapter houses.

Alumni who have not yet supported the 2013 Campaign for Beta Gamma are encouraged to do so today. All pledges may be paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or as a one-time gift. In order to make the payment process as easy as possible, you can even set your pledge to be automatically drafted from your checking account or posted to a credit card on a recurring basis. Please make your pledge today by visiting www.SigmaPiBetaGamma.com and clicking “Support this Campaign.”

2013 Campaign for Beta Gamma $11,510 pledged as of December 16, 2013 The Holley Society $1,000 - $5,000Roger Charles Claar ‘65Gavin Gene Grimm ‘01

The Legends of 956 $500 - $999Ryan Robert Spatz ‘00Robert Julian Wood ‘92Jason Zachary Zientarski ‘04

Guardians of the Rock $250 - $499Gary Lee Bachman ‘64 Daniel Lee Carr ‘74 Joseph Timothy Gorman ‘86Wesley Richard Graves ‘97 Willard Lyle Honnold ‘64 Dennis Everett Stewart ‘66Charles William Tencate ‘66

Chi Rho Society $100 - $249Darren Anthony Altadonna ‘87 Ryan Dale Anselment ‘98 Eric Alan Bayles ‘65David Michael Beube ‘64 Michael James Boerman ‘01

Robert Samuel Broadbear ‘74Matthew Christopher Bryant ‘93 Kyle R. Cimbalo ‘06 Jeffrey John Dick ‘83John Arthur Dively ‘76 William Roy Foe ‘75 Michael D. Green ‘66Thomas Gordon Grubb ‘66 Phillip Allen Hazenfield ‘64 Stephen Ray Hofferkamp ‘69Gerald Wayne Huot ‘62 James Nelson Hutchison ‘63 Joseph Michael Kaczmarek ‘98William Joseph Knapp ‘83 Eric Scot Laughlin ‘89 Charles A. Limp ‘55Richard Vaughn Livengood ‘53 Timothy Jerome Loftus ‘75 Dennis Wayne Lown ‘65 Edward Keith Marlow ‘64Donald Claude McKinney ‘49 H. David Nall ‘80 Rhea Franklin Nall ‘82Gregory Michael Neighbors ‘01 Clark M. Nelson ‘57 Eric J. Nelson ‘02Ken Winn Novander ‘03 David Claude Orr ‘64 William LeVerne Pennybacker ‘49

Richard Raymond Plath ‘61 Robert James Rabin ‘97 Joel Rodarte ‘04Thomas Joseph Rymarz ‘74 Justin Teal Seno ‘06 Peter J. Smith ‘96Hector Armando Tamayo ‘03 Gordon A. Taylor ‘93 Michael R. Vandy ‘97Michael Herman Wampler ‘66 Francis Leo Welch ‘59 John T. Witort ‘07

1949 Society $50 - $99Christopher Thomas Bohdan ‘02 Joe Franklin Goodner ‘61 James L. Jessen ‘84Jerry Leon Lambert ‘59 Jamie Joseph Maisenbacher ‘93 Thomas Harlan Ulmer ‘52John Boyd Waggoner ‘51

Donor $1 - $49Dane Cole Henderson ‘53Mark Alan Martin ‘73Gary L. Zum Mallen ‘66

Visit the Sigma Pi websiteVisit www.SigmaPiBetaGamma.com, the official Beta Gamma alumni website, to:

• Learn more about the chapter• Search for alumni• Update your address, phone number and e-mail

address• Find out about upcoming events

• Post noteworthy accomplishments (a new baby, a recent marriage, a recent promotion, etc.)

• Support the 2013 Campaign for Beta Gamma

Joseph Dively ‘77 was appointed chairman of the Board of Trustees for Eastern Illinois University in 2013. He has served on the board since October 2011.

Dively graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business from Eastern Illinois University and completed a “Finance for Executives” program through the graduate school of business at the University of Chicago.

A Charleston native, Dively has served his alma mater as president of the Alumni Association, chair of the Business School Advisory Board and as a member

of both the EIU Foundation Board and the Panther Club. He has been an active member of the business community, serving as chair of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, president of the Charleston Chamber of Commerce, chair of the Sarah Bush Lincoln Health System and on the board of the U.S. Telecom Association. Dively was presented the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2003.

Dively has been appointed as chairman of the Board, president and chief executive officer of First Mid-Illinois Bancshares Inc., effective December 31, 2013.

Remembering Scott Whisson ‘01

Scott Whisson ‘01 passed away on November 6, 2013, after a brief battle with lymphoma.

Scott Whisson ‘01 passed away on November 6, 2013, after a brief battle with lymphoma. He was 30 years old.

Whisson attended Eastern Illinois University for his freshman year and pledged Sigma Pi. He was well known around the chapter house and had a positive impact on everyone around him.

“There are several stories to share about Scott but the most memorable one for me happened the day of my wedding,” says Joe McNellis ‘02. “Scott told me he wouldn’t be able to attend the wedding because he could hardly stand. I understood and told him to take care of himself.

I knew he wanted to be there. But when I arrived at my reception, I saw Scott. He said he was there to support me, his college roommate and friend. It was a testament to the kind of person he was. He died three weeks later.”

Scott Whisson is survived by his parents, Jim and Teresa, and his sisters, Sarah and Annie. A scholarship fund has been set up in his name at Providence Catholic High School. Donations can be sent to: The Scott Whisson Scholarship Fund, c/o Mr. Edward Barrett, Providence Catholic High School, 1800 West Lincoln Highway, New Lenox, IL 60451.

Roger Claar ‘65

Joseph Dively ‘77

Alumni Spotlight: Joseph Dively ‘77Chairman, Eastern Illinois University Board of Trustees

Alumni Spotlight: Roger Claar ‘65Mayor of Bolingbrook, Illinois and longtime supporter of Beta Gamma

Roger Claar ‘65 has served as mayor of the Village of Bolingbrook, Illinois, for 26 years. In that time, the population has grown from 35,000 to more than 74,000 today, over 10,500 new homes have been built, 24,500 jobs have been created and more than 29 million square feet of industrial, distribution and manufacturing facilities have been constructed.

In 2008, Claar was honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Eastern Illinois University.

He is a proud member of Sigma Pi and generously donates to the chapter each year.

A former educator, Claar earned his bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University in 1967 and his master’s degree in 1968, both in business education. He earned his doctorate from Kansas State University. Roger and his wife, Patricia, have been married for 33 years and have one daughter, Lindsey.

www.SigmaPiBetaGamma.com Winter ◆ 2013

WE NEED YOU - to send material for the next edition of the Beta Gamma Gab and the Website News Page!

Please send your photos, articles and information on upcoming or passed alumni gatherings to us and we will add it to the next Gab.

Did you visit the chapter house, or attend a wedding or get together with other Beta Gamma Alumni recently? Take a photo or write a quick summary and send it in.

If our survey feedback is favorable, and we continue to receive your photos and articles, we may start to produce a second yearly edition of the Gab.

Send all feedback, suggestions, and content submissions to Alumni Association President, Jason Zientarski ‘04 at: JasonZientarski@gmail.com

Chapter House Renovations funded by 2013 Alumni Donations

New couches adorn the formal room giving it a more sophisticated look. The hardwood floors were also sanded and restained.

Dylan Zientarski watching the parade while guarding the rock!

Beta Gamma’s Distinguished Educator, Corey Duzan, was honored in the parade, along with other Outstanding and Distinguished Eastern Illinois Alumni.

Corey Duzan’s family watching as he passes by the Chapter House in the parade.

Beta Gamma Alumni Association Vice President Justin Seno ‘06 driving the EIU Board of Trustees Vice Chair Kris Goetz in the homecoming parade.

Corey Duzan’s son, Ben and his father, Stan Duzan ‘70.

The living room was upgraded with new couches, new end tables and a 55” flat screen television.

The floors were replaced in the foyer entry way.

Homecoming 2013 at a Glance

www.SigmaPiBetaGamma.com Winter ◆ 2013

PRESORTEDFIRST CLASS MAILUS POSTAGE PAID

GREENVILLE SCPERMIT # 1234

Name ______________________________

Initiation Year_____________________________

Address ____________________________

___________________________________

City/State/Zip ________________________

Phone _____________________________

Email ______________________________

Help us keep our alumni records up-to-date!

Edit your member profile online at www.SigmaPiBetaGamma.com or clip this form, place it in a stamped envelope and send to: Sigma Pi Fraternity Eastern Illinois University #1094 PO Box 2187 Columbus, GA 31902

www.SigmaPiBetaGamma.com Winter ◆ 2013

Sigma Pi FraternityEastern Illinois University #1094PO Box 2187Columbus, GA 31902-2187

Address Service Requested

Alumni Call to ActionTime for the Old Guys to Step Up –Submitted by: Denny Stewart ‘66, Fellow Old Guy

1. Mentor the Sage - If you are a past sage, you know how difficult the job can be. A sage doesn’t want you to do his job, he just wants some encouragement from time or time or to know that he is on the right track. How long can a phone call every couple of weeks take?

2. Assist the Third Counselor - Many third counselors do not have experience creating or balancing a budget. Why not help a future businessman create an Excel spreadsheet?

3. Help the Rush Chair - With economy woes and declining enrollment at EIU, getting good men to rush is a challenge these days. If you had a great rush program, why not share your ideas? The house needs manpower to thrive.

4. Give the Social Chair Ideas - Do you remember an awesome function that was a huge success with the ladies? Don’t keep it a memory, tell the social chair how you pulled it off!

5. Organize Greek Games & Homecoming Events - This is where Beta Gamma really shines. Get in touch with your pledge brothers and start planning NOW to attend events next spring and fall.

6. Visit the Website - Go to www.SigmaPiBetaGamma.com and click on ‘Brother Search.’ Is your information correct and

up-to-date? Look for brothers from your era. Do you have names, addresses and email information that you can submit? Your alumni officers want to make sure that everybody gets The Gab. The more guys who get involved, the more guys who are available to help the chapter.

7. Call Ten Guys - Call ten brothers and re-establish contact. While you are talking about old times, encourage them to make contact with the chapter and help out too.

Jerry Gilbert ‘64 and his fraternity “Little Brother” Denny Stewart ‘66 reunite in Arizona over drinks with their wives.

Between cell phones, emails, text, Twitter, Facebook, Skype, etc., it is easy for alumni to stay informed, stay involved and step up to help the chapter. Listed below are seven ways to help Beta Gamma Chapter. It doesn’t take much time and it’s easy!