Sigma Phi Epsilon History
The Final Chapter: 1974-1993
As with many colleges in the l970's, Culver Stockton was changing. The ringing traditions of the past, while admired and valuable, were giving way to a new environment. Gone was weekly chapel services, female students being locked up at specific hours, hair being grown to trendy lengths (a most ironic statement given the appearance of many of the contemporary Sig Eps) and a decline in the interest in fraternity life in general. It should be noted that only the men of Lambda Chi Alpha were able to make the adjustments and remain the premier fraternity, with the longest history, on the Culver campus and those traits continue even today.
 Yet, the Men of Sigma Phi Epsilon not only persevered, but prospered in many ways. Take the case of Frank Canada '76, who ended up being a Sig Ep, but could have been one during his Junior High School days in Canton. He was a constant visitor, having been raised just a block from 801 White Street. Now living in Central Illinois, he makes regular contact with Mark Borsch '78 as his career with ConAgra Foods escalates. Relating to many of his longtime friends in the house, namely Robbie White 77, Rick Borisenko 77, Steve Cramer '77 and a name you will probably recognize, that of former Culver Football Coach Vince Okruch '77. Vince has since coached at Northwestern University and the University of Colorado. Not bad for a kid from Bishop O'Hara High School near Buffalo, New York and Missouri Epsilon.
 Culver's ability to produce planners and thinkers cannot be minimized. Such is the case of Mark Adams '77. Now the President and CEO of Mississippi Belle Distributing in Quincy, he still speaks of his years as a Sig Ep at Culver. "I have continued to be lifelong friends with many of the guys -- Jim Lipka '78, Mike Bruner '76 and Retired Palmyra Superintendent of Schools, Jim Lowe '78. We were all tremendously close and remain so today."
Dennis Fanger '80 and Dr. Mike Musick '82, who reflected on the joy of hearing their names being called at the end of rush week and having their first Sig Ep shirt to call their own. Fanger, currently a St. Louis City Building Inspector and Music, the Associate Principal at Clayton High School in St. Louis.
The names of Charlie Nager '84, Phil Watson '84, Bill Zelle '82, Steve Bendel '81, Greg Pointer '84 and Joe Gebbhart '83 are on the tip of Rob Califf's '82 tongue. Teaching in his hometown of Hamilton, Illinois, he and his fellow Sig Eps remain in contact and find that being in mid-career, raising children and looking towards the future is now their full-time job.
Just as we were all taught by the likes of Joe Hootman, Mary McReynolds and Dave Predmore, change is the one constant that business must learn to adjust. Unfortunately, both the Men of Sigma Phi Epsilon and the alumni of the house failed to see the downturn approaching and as 1990 approached, one major assist was needed. It came in the form of both dollars and labor, as provided and orchestrated from Bob Cook '59, Bill Dewey '60, Rich Rusnack '59 and Joel Campe '60 stepped in. A major renovation of 801 White, from the installation of a new boiler, to new windows, a new roof and lots of furniture, proved to be only a stopgap.
 Kevin Dingman '86, now a successful professional photographer and Adjunct Professor at the University of Missouri, summed it up pretty simply. "We were grateful and appreciative for the major boost given by our fellow brothers of some 25 year prior; reinforcing out own brotherhood in so many ways." Michael Wilson '85 shared with us a memory that is common to thousands of Culver Stockton alumni and certainly not unique to just Sig Ep brothers. "I loved having the mixers with the sororities. In fact, following a mixer with the Chi Omegas, I fell in love with a girl that is now my wife of over 15 years and we are raising two wonderful children."
Even so, the leadership of the last few years, while small in numbers, was not insignificant in the life of Culver Stockton College. Rob Porter '89, Patrick Bell '90 and Eric Zanger '90 perhaps summed it up the best, even with an ironic twinge. At Porters wedding, fellow brothers Zanger, Kevin Scheufele '93 and Tom Thompson '94 were present, as was the aforementioned Pat Bell and longtime friends Jeff Kroencke '91, and Jim Archambeau '92. But, as Porter points out, "these are the best friends I have ever had and hearing them sing the Sigma Phi Epsilon Sweetheart Song at my wedding is perhaps one of the greatest memories I could ever imagine." Porter is now a Probation and Parole Officer in St. Charles, Missouri, while Bell is the St. Louis Area Manager of SBC (Ameritech), specializing in DSL and broadband internet products.
There is a wonderful theme that has followed from l949 to l993. Character, loyalty and friendship. To borrow Marv Levy's famous line, "it just didn't get any better than this."
Eric Zanger perhaps reflects the gratitude and professionalism that close friends and fraternity brothers can impact. Now a High School Teacher and Coach at Springfield (Illinois) Sacred Heart Griffin High School, he continues to honor Culver and currently has sent four of his former softball players to his alma mater. Just like Bill Herington and others, the reinvestment in Culver has never ceased to pay off.
Our final stop is the precursor to the finale, which came in March 1993, when the chapter was folded. Lack of attention, lack of dollars and lack of members was its demise. There is debate as to ultimately who was at fault, but the successes of the previous 47 years would point to the total membership itself. Another life lesson learned.
To illustrate, consider the plight of Ed Fitzpatrick '97. His entire statement is speaks volumes. "About two weeks after I pledged the Sig Ep House, they closed it down and I never went active. It was my biggest regret." In any research, there are always words that inspire you and haunt you; the latter is in play with Mr. Fitzpatrick's most poignant statement.
• Read noteable quotes.
Click on the following links to read Sigma Phi Epsilon's history.
|
Update this page