By: Fort Wayne News-Sentinel.com

Indiana conservation officers responded Monday to a 911 call placed by LaGrange County Sheriff's Department in regard to six canoers/kayakers who were lost on the Pigeon River near the Steuben County/LaGrange County line, according to a news release from the Indiana DNR Law Enforcement Division.

Conservation officers Jake Carlile and Kyle Buchanan (Fall '09) located the kayakers on foot at approximately 3 a.m. in a heavily wooded area.

The boaters were found without lights and suffering from the early stages of hypothermia as a result of long-term exposure in cold water and falling nighttime temperatures.

One woman suffered from early-stage hypothermia, and the remaining boaters were led to the nearest river access.

While waiting for transportation home, one man suffered a minor seizure but refused transport or medical assistance.

Matt Shoup (Fall '01) and his wife, Brooke, welcomed their second child into the world.  Amelia Ann Shoup was born at Community Hospital South in Indianapolis, IN on Friday, September 5, 2014 at 10:47am. Amelia was 21 1/4 inches in length and weighed in at 8lbs and 8oz.

Congratulations to the Shoup family.

Cole Smith (Spring '07) graduated from the United States Air Force Basic Training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX on August 15, 2014.

Smith received a graduate medal, marksmen medal, top honor graduate (top 10%), and was the only Airman to graduate to receive four medals out of his flight.

Smith was part of the 331st Training Squadron, Flight 478, where he was Flight Leader (Dorm Chief).

Congratulations Cole!

Michael Ernest (Spring '98) and his wife, Maggie, welcomed their second child into the world.  Madeline Elizabeth Ernest was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on Monday, August 11, 2014.  Madeline weighed in at 7lbs and 6oz.

Ernest is a Captain in the US Army, currently serving as a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter pilot and the Commander of all US Army Air Traffic Control Operations in the Middle East.  He is currently based in the Northern Kuwait desert near the Southern Iraq boarder.

Congratulations to Michael and Maggie on the birth of Madeline and we thank him for his dedicated career of service to our country.

Michael Gardner (Spring '06) and his wife, Jessica, welcomed their first child into the world.  Michael David Garnder II was born at Naval Medical Center in San Diego, CA on Thursday, July 31, 2014 at 6:52pm. Michael was 22 inches in length and weighed in at 10lbs and 14oz.

Congratulations to the Gardner family.

Ryan Waldroup (Fall '99) and his wife, Amy, welcomed their second child into the world.  Ryan 'Ry' Douglas Waldroup was born at Luther Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana on Friday, July 25, 2014 at 5:49pm.  Ry was 20 inches in length and weighed in at 7lbs and 9oz.

Congratulations to the Waldroup family!

By Christian J. Miele (HN, Towson '04), President, Sigma Pi Historical Society

For the first time ever, the entire catalog of The Emerald is available digitally to you...for free.

Ever wish you could flip through the pages of the very first issue of The Emerald (circa 1911) without having to pay a special visit to the fraternity's Executive Office?  How about having the ability to peruse the issue covering your chapter's chartering from the comfort of your own home?  Well, for the first time in the history of Sigma Pi, you can!

At their meeting at the 2012 Sigma Pi University, the Historical Society voted unanimously to authorize the creation of a Digital Archive.  The Society, in partnership with the Executive Office, has entered into an agreement with the document digitization leader, Enivation, who scanned in all issues of The Emerald catalog in its entirety.  That's right, all 368 issue to date (including the most recent), spanning 103 years and an estimated 19,000 pages worth of rich Sigma Pi history is easily available.

Based out of Claysburg, Pennsylvania, Enivation has completed similar projects for a number of other national fraternities and sororities, including Phi Kappa Tau, Pi Kappa Alpha, Alpha Delta Pi, Gamma Phi Beta, and Phi Sigma Sigma.  The company is also an affliate of the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC), National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), Fraternity Executives Association (FEA), and the Fraternity Communications Association (FCA).

The Digital Archive is hosted by Enivation at enivation.com/SigmaPi.  Issues of The Emerald will be presented in flipbook format, which will allow Sigma Pi to showcase its official publication with real page-turning features, full-text searchable pages, and internal and external hyperlinks.  Future plans for the Digital Archive include the scanning of pledge manuals, Convocation minutes, and Fraternity correspondence of historical value, among other documents.

Founded in 2010, the Sigma Pi Historical Society is dedicated to promoting and preserving the history of the Fraternity, and fostering an appreciation of the same among its members.  Membership in the society is open to intimated members who have attended at least two Convocations, with full membership reserved for those brothers who have attended five or more.

To view the digital archive, just visit enivation.com/SigmaPi

Evan Maher (Spring '09) recently got engaged to Erin Chapman. 

Congratulations!

By: Vincennes Sun Commercial

Courtney Polk and Bobby Osborn (Spring '08) announce their engagement and approaching marriage.

The bride-to-be is the daughter of Shari Buhmeier and Daniel Batcher of Boonville.

The bridegroom is the son of Kenneth and Beverly Osborn of Vincennes.

The couple will marry at 4 p.m. on July 12 at Maria Creek Chapel.  The ceremony will be officiated by Rev. Dave Parman.

A reception will take place following the ceremony at the Knights of Columbus in Vincennes.

Ms. Polk is a 2008 graduate of Boonville High School and is currently a dispatcher with Professional Transportation Inc.

Mr. Osborn is a 2007 graduate of North Knox High School and a 2011 graduate of Vincennes University where he received an associate degree.  He is currently a direct support professional with KCARC.

Robert "B.J." Clark, Jr. 33, of Indianapolis, passed away on Wednesday, May 28, 2014.  He was born April 6, 1981 to Robert, Sr. and Cynthia Clark.

B.J. was a graduate of Mt. Vernon High School and attended Vincennes University, where he pledged the Alpha Chapter of Sigma Pi in the Fall of 1999. He was in management with his family owned business, Clark Appliance, for many years.  B.J. was a born again Christian who was attending Warren Baptist Church.

Visitation will be Sunday, June 1, 2014 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Shirley Brothers Washington Memorial Chapel, 9606 E. Washington Street in Indianapolis with funeral services Monday at 12 noon at Franklin Road Baptist Church, 51 N. Franklin Road in Indianapolis with visitation there from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

B.J. is survived by his parents, Robert, Sr. and Cynthia Clark; wife, Michelle Clark; grandmother, Shirley J. Clark; parents-in-law, Jeff and Angela Legner; several cousins who were like brothers and sisters; and two nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Trinity Mission House, 817 N. 12th St., Lafayette, IN 47904.

Obituary for Robert "B.J." Clark can be found here.

On Saturday, May 10th, the leadership of the Alpha Chapter of Sigma Pi Fraternity, International successfully launched its new website to commemorate its 50th Anniversary of the re installation of Chapter.  Originally founded on February 26, 1897, the Chapter was closed in 1911 due to low enrollment at Vincennes University.  After a 55 year hiatus, the Chapter was reinstalled on February 26, 1965.  Next year marks the 50th Anniversary of the re installation of the chapter.  The Chapter is busy planing next years Founders' Day, which will be held on February 28, 2015 in Vincennes, Indiana.

In keeping with this year’s theme, “A Vision Forward,” the new website will showcase aesthetic, functional and structural enhancements to make communication easier with the chapter and alumni. The goal was to develop a more resourceful tool for all members of the chapter, both undergraduate and alumni, while reinforcing their identity to the public.

The new website is one of many steps Alpha Chapter of Sigma Pi Fraternity, International is taking towards “A Vision Forward.” In celebration of the chapter's 50th anniversary since being reinstalled, the organization welcomes everyone to visit www.sigmapivu.org.

The site also has a mobile platform built in for users to view on their mobile and tablet devises.

Attention Indianapolis area alumni...you are cordially invited to join Indiana Province Archon, Kevin Carey, for an alumni gathering to kick-off the Indianapolis Regional Alumni Club.

This "happy hour" event will serve as the start of the new Indianapolis Regional Alumni Club.  The regional alumni club is for all Sigma Pi brothers, regardless of chapter.  This is your first opportunity to meet Sigma Pi brothers from chapters all across North America, who just happen to live and work in the greater Indianapolis area.

DATE:  Saturday, July 19, 2014
TIME:  3-6pm (EST)
LOCATION:  Hard Rock Cafe, Indianapolis
               
Network with other Sigma Pi brothers in the region.  Catch up with old friends, or make some new ones.  Rekindle the spirit of Sigma Pi Brotherhood as well as reliving "the good ole days" from your undergraduate years.

Please RSVP by July 1st by emailing Kevin Carey, Indiana Province Archon.

For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact Kevin Carey.

During the Vincennes University commencement exercises this past weekend, eight brothers of Alpha Chapter turned their tassels as they became alumni of Vincennes University and went from undergraduate brothers of Sigma Pi to alumni brothers.
Congratulations to the following Alpha brothers on their recent achievement.

• Hans Bernabe '11 - AS, Business Management
• Antonio Hernandez '13 - AS, Personal Training & Wellness
• Thommy Garcia '09 - AAS, Fire Science & Safety Technology
• Chris Lane '12 - AAS, Environmental Science
• Ari Miller '12 - AS, Construction Technology
• Chase Minick '09 - AS, Restaurant Management
• Kyle Nash '09 - BS, Homeland Security
• Jake Simpson '09, - BS, Homeland Security

Pictures from graduation can be seen here.

Since January 2009, the Alpha Alumni Association and a few key Alpha Alumni, have been working tirelessly to raise $10,000 to endow the Ryan M. Donnoe Memorial Scholarship.
What started as a vision from Jason Tinker '97, came to fruition in 2009 when the Alpha Alumni Association officially became a chartered organization.  Since then, a few key alumni, including Tinker, have carried the torch on raising the funds to endow the scholarship.  Those key alumni & friends have been:

Brian Alley '00, Covey Detmer '06, Sandy Donnoe (Ryan's mother), Brad Ferguson '07, Blake Hollins '07, Christian Irvine '99, Jason Tinker '97 and Ryan Waldroup '99.

If you have not yet contributed, please consider a tax-deductible gift today to help a future VU Student.  Several Alpha Alumni have stepped up and joined the 1897 Society by contributing $18.97 a month, for a yearly donation of $227.64...only .62 cents a day!  Join the other Alpha Alumni by supporting this important cause and honor Ryan's memory by making a difference in a student's life by donating today.

"I would like to personally thank all the contributors of the Ryan M. Donnoe Memorial Scholarship. Although the number is not as large as I would like, the people listed above are committed not only to helping Sigma Pi undergrads achieve their academic goals, but in honoring such a great brother as Ryan Donnoe.  Ryan and I were pledge brothers.  Even though we grew up in Vincennes and attended the same school as kids, it wasn't until we rushed Sigma Pi together that a special bond between us was established.  He was very special to so many people.  Ryan's dedication to both his academics and Sigma Pi Fraternity inspired countless brothers to do their best academically and make the most of their college careers.  As long as I'm around, I'll strive to share Ryan's story and assist, in anyway I can, any brother who wishes to excel in their studies and within the Fraternity itself.  This is what Ryan would want all of us to do," said Jason Tinker '97.
With your help, we can easily raise the remaining $1,000 of our $10,000 endowment goal, which would qualify the scholarship to be a self-sustaining endowed scholarship, earning interest to fund the scholarship for years to come.

"If you haven't already, please consider donating to Ryan's scholarship.  We are so close to the endowment goal; it would mean so much to his family and the brothers of Alpha Chapter if his legacy lived on through this scholarship," added Tinker.

To donate to the Ryan M. Donnoe Memorial Scholarship, please visit alumni.vinu.edu/give and select the last bullet point (an existing Scholarship or College Fund).  From here, you can search for 'Donnoe'.
All donations to the Ryan M. Donnoe Memorial Scholarship are tax-deductible to the full extent allowable by law.

You can find more information on the Ryan M. Donnoe Memorial Scholarship here.

In just three months, the James L. Hills Memorial Scholarship has raised over $6,000, which is 60% of the initial endowment goal.  Thank you to everyone who has helped to make this happen!

If you have not yet contributed, please consider a tax-deductible gift today to help a future VU Student.  Several Alpha Alumni have stepped up and joined the 1897 Society by contributing $18.97 a month, for a yearly donation of $227.64...only .62 cents a day!  Join the other Alpha Alumni by supporting this important cause and honor Jim's memory by making a difference in a student's life by donating today.

Give now at alumni.vinu.edu/give (select the 5th scholarship listed).

All donations to the James L. Hills Memorial Scholarship are tax-deductible to the full extent allowable by law.

You can find more information on the James L. Hills Memorial Scholarship here.

Ryan Waldroup (Fall '99) and his wife, Amy, are expecting their second child this July.

Ryan, Amy and their daughter, Lena, reside in Ft. Wayne, Indiana.

Congratulations to the Waldroup family!

Christian Irvine (Fall '99) and his wife, Lettie, welcomed their first child, Luke, into the world in January.

Christian, Lettie, and baby Luke reside in Clarksville, Tennessee where Christian is stationed at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky in the US Army.

Congratulations to the Irvine family!

By: Annie McMindes, Vincennes Sun Commercial

A new scholarship for Vincennes University students in memory of Sigma Pi Honorary Grand Sage Jim L. Hills will open new funds for local college students.

Hills, who died last month, joined the fraternity at the University of Maryland in 1948, launching a 66-year relationship with the organization. Throughout his membership, Hills held numerous national positions, including one that brought him to Vincennes in 1963.

“He has been instrumental with the local chapter, he has spent 60-plus years in the organization, and he’s been a significant influence on the organization as a whole,” said VU alumni association director Jennifer Gilmore. “He came to Vincennes after holding several other national positions, and actually facilitated the move of the headquarters to Vincennes many, many years ago.”

In the 1960s, Hills played a vital role in re-establishing the fraternity’s
 Alpha chapter at Vincennes University after a 55-year hiatus, Gilmore said. He was instrumental in the construction of the current chapter house on Second Street, and helped to raise the funds and building the Sigma Pi Clock Tower on the VU campus in commemoration of the centennial of the Fraternity’s founding nationally and at the university.

The street behind the university is named in Hills’ honor, as well.

Gilmore said Hills’ family is spread throughout the country, but because of the leader’s commitment and passion for the Vincennes community, the scholarship will remain local.

“He helped to start the Alpha chapter back up which was founded here at VU, and started the Alpha alumni chapter, so when the opportunity came to leave, he chose not to, he stayed in Vincennes,” she said. “He was always at the house and he was a leader and a friend to all of the members for generations, so the family decided they wanted to do something in his memory for the students here at Vincennes.”

President of the VU Foundation Bumper Hostetler said the award will allow Hills to continue establishing an influence to the future generations of Sigma Pi brothers.

“This scholarship, in memory and honor of Jim, is a positive reflection upon his dedication to the Sigma Pi fraternity, to the generations of fraternity brothers he influenced and to his commitment to higher education,” Hostetler said. “We are grateful to the members of Sigma Pi Fraternity Alumni Association Alpha Chapter and to Jim’s family for their efforts and support in establishing this scholarship to recognize the many years of service given by one of the most respected Sigma Pi brothers.”

The scholarship is expected to be awarded to a local humanitarian annually. Gilmore said the only requirements for the scholarship dictate the recipient of the Sigma Pi fraternity and a current VU student.

“It can go to a traditional or non-traditional student, someone who is attending classes part-time or full-time, majoring in any field,” she explained. “It’s definitely one of our more open-ended scholarships, which makes awarding it a lot easier.

“Students will just have to fill out our general scholarship application and on that they’ll then let us know they are a member of the Sigma Pi fraternity,” she added. “Then we’ll narrow down the candidates from there.”

Funding for the award is ongoing, she said. Additional information regarding the scholarship, and information on how to support the scholarship, is available by contacting the VU Foundation at 812-888-4510.

You can read more about the James L. Hills Memorial Scholarship here.