SAE NC Theta Lions Roar Spring 2007 Alumni Newsletter Draft
NC Theta Chapter, Davidson College, Davidson, North Carolina
Lions Roar Alumni Newsletter Spring 2007
CHAPTER WINS 2007 PCC AWARDS
SAE walked away with the three top trophies at Davidson College for the 2007 Patterson Court Awards on Monday, May 7: Best Fraternity (out of 7), Best Fraternity Advisor (Dr. Mary Vasquez), and Best New Member Program. Congratulations goes to Andrew Johnson, Eminent Archon (email [email protected]). PCC Awards are comparable to Greek Life Awards at other campuses. This is the first time that the chapter has won all 3 awards since the program was started in the 1980s, and since winning two of these awards in 2004. Further information is available from Cheyenne McPherson, PCC Advisor, at email [email protected].
Spring 2007
Visit our new web site at www.nctheta.org for more photos and updates on alumni and the chapter. We have added new photo albums, housing, rush recommendation form, and member directory.
PROVINCE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED TO CHAPTER On Saturday, Feb 25, the NC Theta Chapter was awarded the Province Omicron W Charles Witzleben Award for outstanding scholastic achievement for two successive semesters in 2006. The chapter's grade point ratio in fall of 2006 was 3.12, ranking third on campus among fraternities. This improved significantly from an overall 2.94 in spring 2006. The all mens average for fall of 2006 was 3.07, which is used as a way to measure the chapter's academic performance on campus. Named after an outstanding brother and active volunteer in the National Fraternity, Charlie Witzleben is owner and principal of Witzleben & Associates in Chapel Hill, NC. He serves as a consultant for the SAE Foundation fund raising campaigns. Brother Andrew Johnson, Eminent Archon, commented: "A lot of the improvement in grades can be attributed to recruiting outstanding students, and a new scholarship/study program developed by senior Brother Brian Orland for the members." Faculty Advisor and Spanish Professor, Dr. Mary Vasquez, assisted Brian and contributed much of that program concept. Province Omicron Archon Bart Andrus wrote: "Congrats on the awards you and your chapter brothers received for your hard work this past year! Keep building on this momentum, use the concepts you submitted to help with local campus awards programs and certainly look to use it to apply for our National based awards and scholarships." Eight delegates represented the chapter at the Province Omicron Leadership School held at Western Carolina University and hosted by NC Omega Chapter. Visit our web site at www.nctheta.org
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THE LIONS ROAR, NC THETA CHAPTER, DAVIDSON COLLEGE
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Alumni Donations Requested The NC Theta Alumni Association is asking for voluntary dues and contributions toward the alumni fund as part of an effort to continue to upgrade the house’s furniture and electronics. Please make your check out to SAE for $50, and send it to the attention of: Matt Monson, Treasurer 8839 Gruenewald Ln, Charlotte, NC 28210 (email [email protected]) You can now also donate using Pay Pal. All you need to do is set up a free account at www.paypal.com and send contributions to our account at [email protected]. We are asking for donations to help us with the following: •
The chapter is coaching and sponsoring 2 youth soccer teams in the Davidson area and could use some financial assistance in this effort.
•
The house continues to upgrade furniture as it wears out and is currently looking to replace some benches and tables in the dining area.
•
The Academic Success Program needs money in order to begin awarding some small prizes in recognition of academic achievement.
•
The Chapter is in need of a new television for the Chapter Room as the old one is on its last legs.
We will continue to recognize donations of $100 or more by adding your name to the plaque in the house. Chris Parkes Chris Parkes, ‘05, President Email [email protected]
SAE’s at Wachovia Bank Do you know our alumni at Wachovia in Charlotte? We have: John F Patten, ‘87, Assistant Vice President; James R Combs, ‘90, Vice President, Davidson, NC; Buzz Donald, ‘88’ Benjamin Franklin Williams Jr, ‘84, Managing Director, Capital Markets Group; Robert M Wright, ‘66, Senior Vice President; John Chappell Laughlin, ‘85, Managing Director; Walter Sonneborn Price, ‘93, Senior Vice President, Federal Government Relations; John F. Carroll, ‘83; John Shepard Robinson Jr, ‘85, Vice President, Real Estate Capital Markets; David Kemp Hall, ‘91, Director, Investment Banking (Wachovia Capital Markets); Gregory Herbert Jones, ‘90, Vice President; and William Linder Sutton Jr., ‘89, Managing Director, Georgia Charitable Services, Decatur, GA; Horace S Jennings, ‘86, Vice President, Global Services Division, Atlanta, GA; Jason Cockerill, ‘98, Durham, NC; Patrick Joseph Riazzi, ‘86, Winston-Salem, NC; Sonny Kinsey, ‘84, Investment Counselor (Wachovia Investments), Fayetteville, NC; Millis Cannon, ‘72, Financial Advisor (Wachovia Securities), Stokesdale, NC Visit our web site at www.nctheta.org
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THE LIONS ROAR, NC THETA CHAPTER, DAVIDSON COLLEGE
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Chapter & Alumni Miscellaneous •
Change of Address? Fill out the online form.
•
Visit the new SAE National web site.
•
Rush recommendations needed, complete the form here.
•
Join the SAE GENTLEMENS CIRCLE
•
Claim your online account with the SAE Forum
Chapter Officers •
Andrew Johnson, EA—[email protected]
•
Andy Wilson, ET—[email protected]
•
Greg Means, EDA—[email protected]
•
Doug McClure, ER—[email protected]
•
Brian Orland, PE—[email protected]
Nicky Guy, Class of 1977 Susan Guy writes: Nicky Guy, Class of 77, had a large group of his Davidson buddies visit on Monday, December 11th
for
lunch
at
our
home
in
Fayetteville. (Nicky had a stroke in 2005 and is unable to work now.) Most of these guys are SAE's from the classes of 1976-78. Davidson folks have been a tremendous source of support for our family since Nicky got sick.
We
do
"brotherhood
a p p r e c ia t e
sisterhood"
of
the the
Davidson family. Pictured to the left: Ernest Barry '77, Thom Young '78, Smith Foushee '76 Middle row: Will Miller
'78,
Chip
Howell
'78,
Joel
Golmont '78, and Nicky Guy '77 and Cliff Hester '78 in the front.
New Pledge Education Program The chapter implemented a new Pledge Education program that set the standard for fraternities at Davidson. The purpose of the program was to focus on building the bonds of brotherhood, building pride in SAE and creating a sense off privilege amongst those pledges that complete the program while also reconciling our pledging activities with current rules and regulations regarding hazing at the College, Fraternity and State levels. Several members of the house worked diligently to create this program but particular thanks should be given to Brian Orland ’07 and Jeb Coleman ’07 who spent hours refining the entire project and who saw it through this year as our pledge educators. Visit our web site at www.nctheta.org
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THE LIONS ROAR, NC THETA CHAPTER, DAVIDSON COLLEGE
S PR I NG 2007
Spring 2007 Pledge Class Mike Beaucaire
Devin Haddad
Reade Jacob
Teddy Zimmerman
Stephen Westerfield
Alex Bust
Robert Benhart
Pete Bruton
Josh Haywood
Brett Holloway
Ryan Cockman
Will McGuire
Josh Tobin
AJ Ferguson
Landon Lill
John Edwards
Alex Greening
Baker Shogry
Mike Suiters
Matt McCusker
125th Anniversary
Watch for this in 2008! Back to 2000
Chapter Executive Committee, Sept 2000. Above, Top Row: Dave Drum, Blair Easton, Andy Coddington, JD McAlister. Bottom Row: Dave Nutt, Will Stewart, Jeff Storms, Taylor Bux, Ben Gates, Schuylar Hoffman, Lee Moore, and Andrew Bowman Visit our web site at www.nctheta.org
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THE LIONS ROAR, NC THETA CHAPTER, DAVIDSON COLLEGE
S PR I NG 2007
Mary Vasquez Scholarship Fund The alumni association has established a chapter education fund with the SAE Foundation. The fund, now named after faculty advisor Dr. Mary S Vasquez, has approximately $6,000 as of May 1, 2007. The interest from the investment, about 6%, is credited toward the tuition for a chapter member to attend the National Leadership School. Alumni wishing to donate to this fund may do so online by credit card here (choose chapter education fund under designate, then NCTH on the drop down box). The chapter makes a $1,000 contribution each semester to this account. Or mail your check made out to the SAE FOUNDATION to the attention of Chris Speelman, SAE Foundation, 35022 Eagle Way, Chicago, IL 60678-1350, indicating this is a donation to the NC Theta CEF. There have been over 35,000 graduates of the Leadership School since it was established in 1935. This past summer was the first time the school was held on a cruise ship instead of Evanston.
Alumni Officers • • •
Chris Parkes, ‘05, President—[email protected] Matt Monson, ’05, Treasurer- [email protected]
Mary Vasquez, Faculty Advisor—[email protected]
Fall 2006 GPA Report SAE requires its chapter members to maintain a minimum 2.5 grade point ratio (on a 4.0 scale). In addition, the chapter's overall GPA needs to equal or exceed the All Mens Average on campus. For the fall of 2006, the chapter improved its overall GPA to 3.12, ranking it third among seven fraternities. It also exceeded the ALL MENS AVERAGE of 3.09.
Davidson College Academic Calendar Fall 2007 *July 5-9—SAE National Convention *Aug 9-13—Leadership School *Aug 27—Classes Begin *Oct 13-16—Fall Break *Sept 14-15—Homecoming Weekend *Nov 21-25—Thanksgiving Break *Dec 12—Classes End Visit our web site at www.nctheta.org
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T H E LI O N S RO A R , N C T H E T A C H A P TE R , D A V I D S O N C O L L E G E
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19 Neophytes At Spring Initiation Ceremony
On Saturday, March 24, 2007, nineteen pledges/neophytes were initiated formally into the NC Theta Chapter. The ceremony was conducted by Sean Robinson from Greenville, SC,, a ritual master on the National Committee. The event was held at Phi (Philanthropic) Hall on the campus at 7:00 pm. The previous evening, Friday, March 23, a special "neophyte ceremony" was held at the Hall to recognize the transition from pledge status to neophyte (new member) status. Members initiated included: Stephen Westerfield, Josh Haywood, Josh Tobin, Alex Greening, Devin Haddad, Alex Bust, AJ Ferguson, Baker Shogry, Reade Jacob, Robert Benhart, Ryan Cockman, andon Lill, Mike Suiters, Teddy Zimmerman, Pete Bruton, Will McGuire, John Edwards, Matt McCusker, & Mike Beaucaire.
Class of 2007 Graduates Brian Christopher Albers, Steven Michael Braco, Clark Ellison Candler, Jeffries Brandt Coleman, Evan Lloyd Collins, Christian David Gallon, Graham Charles Jaenicke, Alim Hassanali Jinnah, Brett Michael Jones, Pete Jeffrey Levandoski, Brian Gabe Orland, Eric Louis Peterson, John Brittain Rice, Richard Montague Rowley, Ian Marvin Sheridan Visit our web site at www.nctheta.org
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T H E LI O N S RO A R , N C T H E T A C H A P TE R , D A V I D S O N C O L L E G E
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William Thomas Covington, Jr., Class of 1927 Recipient of the 1997 Davidson Distinguished Alumnus Award When Bill Covington came to Davidson in the fall of 1923, he launched himself early onto a path of leader and life-long learner. He was vice president of his freshman class, president of the sophomore class, a member of ODK, president of the Philanthropic Literary Society, active in student government and his fraternity (SAE) and graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in Philosophy. He left Davidson to get his Master's in Philosophy at Princeton and then his Juris Doctorate with honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He started his career as an atfirm of C. H. Gover, and then firm Covington and Lobdell. It ton Lobdell & Hickman, one of an office in Rock Hill, South
torney as an associate with the shortly thereafter started the later became Kennedy CovingCharlotte's largest firms, with Carolina, as well.
A proud servant of church, community, country and alma mater, Bill's leadership was obvious--from his appointment to the municipal service commission in Charlotte to his tenure in the U.S. Naval Reserve. In the early 1930s, Bill was elected to the Davidson College Alumni Council and for the 60 years following became a valued volunteer for the Alumni Association. He served on his 50th reunion committee in 1977 and chaired the Avant Garde Reunion in 1988. Bill retained his love for learning and his appreciation for Davidson's education. In the mid-1980s, he audited classes, including Professor Mahony's courses in world religions. Bill was active in the Charlotte Regional Campaign for Davidson during which time he created an endowed book fund in memory of his brother Robert, class of 1929. The Davidson College Alumni Association recognized Bill with the Distinguished Alumnus Award on May 27, 1997.
SAE Library Fund—1980—2000—The Activities Calendar According to retired Director of Libraries at Davidson, Leland Park: “Around 1980 the chapter was hunting for a civic project….and settled on an activities calendar. SAE solicited sponsors, which paid for the printing, then sold ads….SAE got the dates of what was happening at the college from the master calendar in the college union...the calendar was printed professionally by Belk Printing Co. in Charlotte then sold on campus, first during orientation weekend, then in the dorms, at ball games etc. My office coordinated the calendar with the chapter….the initial editors, alumni, parents, local businesses, faculty/staff members, were all sponsors. Bulk sales were made to offices (library staff, endowed book fund sponsors, hall counselors, alumni office for events, etc.). It was quite a production. It started out clearing about $3,000 and would get up to $4,000 or $5,000 in a good year. But after a while, several things happened…..with the advent of computer networking on campus, everyone on campus could find out dates easily and quickly…..and after about 20 years or so of this, it was harder and harder to get a brother who would give the time it took to pull this off. Toward the last year, my office assistant and I carried most of the load. So we decided that the project had ‘run its course’ and it was discontinued. The chapter had done well. By the time this decision was made SAE had raised $73,875, which now is one of the Library’s larger book funds (there are 225 or so book funds). This will equate to about a 145 books the fund purchases each year, every year. The market value of the SAE fund as of March 31, 2007, is $178,542. Every year the fund is listed in the College Catalogue. Every book purchased by the fund has a special bookplate in it saying SAE Endowed Book Fund. There is an annual ‘Library Friends List’ which is published which will list the fund and the number of books/resources purchased with a few titles listed. And there is also a book of thanks in the Lilly Conference Room which has copy of the bookplate on display and a bit about the donors of the fund.”
Visit our web site at www.nctheta.org
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T HE LI ONS R OAR , NC T HE TA CH A PT ER, D AV IDS ON C OLLEG E
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Mark Weir, ‘89- Moving from banking to family business When Mark Weir left a 15-year banking career to work at one of his fatherin-law's companies just over two years ago, he had little experience managing people. He'd done some retail banking but spent most of his bank time working with in capital markets at First Union and later Wachovia Corp. Now Weir, 40, oversees a trucking services company that has 25 employees and works with 300 truck drivers. He's president and CEO of Innovative Driver Services, a private Charlotte company that supplies drivers to companies needing to haul their goods. "Managing people is the hardest thing you'll do -- hands down," Weir said. Among his more pleasant managementrelated surprises: Finding the best trucking dispatchers often are people with no experience but are extremely organized "superstars." Innovative Driver Services, which has offices in Greensboro, Raleigh, Greenville, S.C., Atlanta and Nashville, does less than $20 million a year in sales, Weir said. You could say it's like a temp agency for truck drivers. But Weir would prefer you didn't. "That's a dirty word," said Weir, who over coffee at Starbucks wagged his finger. "We're a driver-leasing business." In the trucking industry, he explained, temping has a negative connotation -like the drivers are not as good as those with permanent gigs. Among Innovative's clients: Diamond Hill Plywood, Dunkin' Donuts, International Paper and Scholastic Books. Weir's father-in-law, Bob Bradford, started Innovative Driver Services in 1996. The company was sort of an offshoot of a manufacturing company that Bradford bought a controlling interest in during the mid-1980s. Clients of that company had been asking to lease its drivers.
If you are not attuned to the market, you will be left behind
MoneyWise talked with Weir, a Charlotte native who lives in Davidson with his wife and three children, about leaving banking for the family business. Questions and answers were edited for brevity and clarity. Q. What lessons from corporate America have you been able to incorporate into the family business? The lessons I learned in my banking years are probably universally true. If you are not attuned to the market, you will be left behind. If you are not attuned to your clients, you leave the door open for your competition Q. What have you learned from the family business that corporate America didn't teach you? There are a million details to running a business that you might never develop an appreciation for with a large employer. Information technology and real estate management are two areas that require significant management time in a small business that you really never have to worry about in a large corporation. Q. What's the best advice you have for someone who leaves a job to work with family? Do the homework necessary to make sure it is a sound business, industry and company that you are joining. The fact that it is a family business may make it appealing, but that in itself does not make it a good opportunity. Also, it is imperative to have the difficult discussions about boundaries and ground rules up front. What will happen if the venture does not go as planned? While you may not work in the same position or company forever, you will always be related to the players. Reprinted from the Charlotte Observer, Sunday, June 10, 2007
Visit our web site at www.nctheta.org
Q. Do you and your father-in-law have a policy about leaving business matters at the office? What works for the two of you in balancing business and family? We are both very careful about not letting business encroach on our family lives. I have wonderful in-laws, and I respect the need to have a boundary between work and family. That said, Bob and I find ourselves talking about the business outside of work, usually out of earshot of other family members. Q. How do you balance work and your own family? Our business is 24-7, and our operations employees often fill loads for customers in the middle of the night. I do not often work in the middle of the night, but I frequently e-mail work to myself at home or to take reading home with me. I have a greater level of flexibility in setting my schedule now versus when I was with the bank, and can take part in more of the meaningful milestones in my family's life. I am an avid hunter, and most of our employees know that it is not unusual to get an e-mail from me from the deer stand. You have to know your own limits when it comes to work hours, as there is always more work to be done. Q. What else do you enjoy in your free time -- hobbies and such? I am a mountain biker and I play competitive soccer, which my kids think is a hoot. I coach a girls soccer team for North Meck Soccer Club and spend most of my free time on the soccer fields. I have three antique cars -- two civilian Jeeps and a Triumph Stag -that I love to drive around Davidson. Q. What business device are you addicted to? I have a love/hate relationship with my BlackBerry. I have been carrying one for six years now, but I also love using the off button. I am also addicted to Sirius Satellite Radio. I could not survive commuting from Davidson to Charlotte or traveling around to our offices without it.
Lions Roar Alumni Newsletter Spring 2007
CHAPTER WINS 2007 PCC AWARDS
SAE walked away with the three top trophies at Davidson College for the 2007 Patterson Court Awards on Monday, May 7: Best Fraternity (out of 7), Best Fraternity Advisor (Dr. Mary Vasquez), and Best New Member Program. Congratulations goes to Andrew Johnson, Eminent Archon (email [email protected]). PCC Awards are comparable to Greek Life Awards at other campuses. This is the first time that the chapter has won all 3 awards since the program was started in the 1980s, and since winning two of these awards in 2004. Further information is available from Cheyenne McPherson, PCC Advisor, at email [email protected].
Spring 2007
Visit our new web site at www.nctheta.org for more photos and updates on alumni and the chapter. We have added new photo albums, housing, rush recommendation form, and member directory.
PROVINCE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED TO CHAPTER On Saturday, Feb 25, the NC Theta Chapter was awarded the Province Omicron W Charles Witzleben Award for outstanding scholastic achievement for two successive semesters in 2006. The chapter's grade point ratio in fall of 2006 was 3.12, ranking third on campus among fraternities. This improved significantly from an overall 2.94 in spring 2006. The all mens average for fall of 2006 was 3.07, which is used as a way to measure the chapter's academic performance on campus. Named after an outstanding brother and active volunteer in the National Fraternity, Charlie Witzleben is owner and principal of Witzleben & Associates in Chapel Hill, NC. He serves as a consultant for the SAE Foundation fund raising campaigns. Brother Andrew Johnson, Eminent Archon, commented: "A lot of the improvement in grades can be attributed to recruiting outstanding students, and a new scholarship/study program developed by senior Brother Brian Orland for the members." Faculty Advisor and Spanish Professor, Dr. Mary Vasquez, assisted Brian and contributed much of that program concept. Province Omicron Archon Bart Andrus wrote: "Congrats on the awards you and your chapter brothers received for your hard work this past year! Keep building on this momentum, use the concepts you submitted to help with local campus awards programs and certainly look to use it to apply for our National based awards and scholarships." Eight delegates represented the chapter at the Province Omicron Leadership School held at Western Carolina University and hosted by NC Omega Chapter. Visit our web site at www.nctheta.org
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THE LIONS ROAR, NC THETA CHAPTER, DAVIDSON COLLEGE
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Alumni Donations Requested The NC Theta Alumni Association is asking for voluntary dues and contributions toward the alumni fund as part of an effort to continue to upgrade the house’s furniture and electronics. Please make your check out to SAE for $50, and send it to the attention of: Matt Monson, Treasurer 8839 Gruenewald Ln, Charlotte, NC 28210 (email [email protected]) You can now also donate using Pay Pal. All you need to do is set up a free account at www.paypal.com and send contributions to our account at [email protected]. We are asking for donations to help us with the following: •
The chapter is coaching and sponsoring 2 youth soccer teams in the Davidson area and could use some financial assistance in this effort.
•
The house continues to upgrade furniture as it wears out and is currently looking to replace some benches and tables in the dining area.
•
The Academic Success Program needs money in order to begin awarding some small prizes in recognition of academic achievement.
•
The Chapter is in need of a new television for the Chapter Room as the old one is on its last legs.
We will continue to recognize donations of $100 or more by adding your name to the plaque in the house. Chris Parkes Chris Parkes, ‘05, President Email [email protected]
SAE’s at Wachovia Bank Do you know our alumni at Wachovia in Charlotte? We have: John F Patten, ‘87, Assistant Vice President; James R Combs, ‘90, Vice President, Davidson, NC; Buzz Donald, ‘88’ Benjamin Franklin Williams Jr, ‘84, Managing Director, Capital Markets Group; Robert M Wright, ‘66, Senior Vice President; John Chappell Laughlin, ‘85, Managing Director; Walter Sonneborn Price, ‘93, Senior Vice President, Federal Government Relations; John F. Carroll, ‘83; John Shepard Robinson Jr, ‘85, Vice President, Real Estate Capital Markets; David Kemp Hall, ‘91, Director, Investment Banking (Wachovia Capital Markets); Gregory Herbert Jones, ‘90, Vice President; and William Linder Sutton Jr., ‘89, Managing Director, Georgia Charitable Services, Decatur, GA; Horace S Jennings, ‘86, Vice President, Global Services Division, Atlanta, GA; Jason Cockerill, ‘98, Durham, NC; Patrick Joseph Riazzi, ‘86, Winston-Salem, NC; Sonny Kinsey, ‘84, Investment Counselor (Wachovia Investments), Fayetteville, NC; Millis Cannon, ‘72, Financial Advisor (Wachovia Securities), Stokesdale, NC Visit our web site at www.nctheta.org
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THE LIONS ROAR, NC THETA CHAPTER, DAVIDSON COLLEGE
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Chapter & Alumni Miscellaneous •
Change of Address? Fill out the online form.
•
Visit the new SAE National web site.
•
Rush recommendations needed, complete the form here.
•
Join the SAE GENTLEMENS CIRCLE
•
Claim your online account with the SAE Forum
Chapter Officers •
Andrew Johnson, EA—[email protected]
•
Andy Wilson, ET—[email protected]
•
Greg Means, EDA—[email protected]
•
Doug McClure, ER—[email protected]
•
Brian Orland, PE—[email protected]
Nicky Guy, Class of 1977 Susan Guy writes: Nicky Guy, Class of 77, had a large group of his Davidson buddies visit on Monday, December 11th
for
lunch
at
our
home
in
Fayetteville. (Nicky had a stroke in 2005 and is unable to work now.) Most of these guys are SAE's from the classes of 1976-78. Davidson folks have been a tremendous source of support for our family since Nicky got sick.
We
do
"brotherhood
a p p r e c ia t e
sisterhood"
of
the the
Davidson family. Pictured to the left: Ernest Barry '77, Thom Young '78, Smith Foushee '76 Middle row: Will Miller
'78,
Chip
Howell
'78,
Joel
Golmont '78, and Nicky Guy '77 and Cliff Hester '78 in the front.
New Pledge Education Program The chapter implemented a new Pledge Education program that set the standard for fraternities at Davidson. The purpose of the program was to focus on building the bonds of brotherhood, building pride in SAE and creating a sense off privilege amongst those pledges that complete the program while also reconciling our pledging activities with current rules and regulations regarding hazing at the College, Fraternity and State levels. Several members of the house worked diligently to create this program but particular thanks should be given to Brian Orland ’07 and Jeb Coleman ’07 who spent hours refining the entire project and who saw it through this year as our pledge educators. Visit our web site at www.nctheta.org
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THE LIONS ROAR, NC THETA CHAPTER, DAVIDSON COLLEGE
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Spring 2007 Pledge Class Mike Beaucaire
Devin Haddad
Reade Jacob
Teddy Zimmerman
Stephen Westerfield
Alex Bust
Robert Benhart
Pete Bruton
Josh Haywood
Brett Holloway
Ryan Cockman
Will McGuire
Josh Tobin
AJ Ferguson
Landon Lill
John Edwards
Alex Greening
Baker Shogry
Mike Suiters
Matt McCusker
125th Anniversary
Watch for this in 2008! Back to 2000
Chapter Executive Committee, Sept 2000. Above, Top Row: Dave Drum, Blair Easton, Andy Coddington, JD McAlister. Bottom Row: Dave Nutt, Will Stewart, Jeff Storms, Taylor Bux, Ben Gates, Schuylar Hoffman, Lee Moore, and Andrew Bowman Visit our web site at www.nctheta.org
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THE LIONS ROAR, NC THETA CHAPTER, DAVIDSON COLLEGE
S PR I NG 2007
Mary Vasquez Scholarship Fund The alumni association has established a chapter education fund with the SAE Foundation. The fund, now named after faculty advisor Dr. Mary S Vasquez, has approximately $6,000 as of May 1, 2007. The interest from the investment, about 6%, is credited toward the tuition for a chapter member to attend the National Leadership School. Alumni wishing to donate to this fund may do so online by credit card here (choose chapter education fund under designate, then NCTH on the drop down box). The chapter makes a $1,000 contribution each semester to this account. Or mail your check made out to the SAE FOUNDATION to the attention of Chris Speelman, SAE Foundation, 35022 Eagle Way, Chicago, IL 60678-1350, indicating this is a donation to the NC Theta CEF. There have been over 35,000 graduates of the Leadership School since it was established in 1935. This past summer was the first time the school was held on a cruise ship instead of Evanston.
Alumni Officers • • •
Chris Parkes, ‘05, President—[email protected] Matt Monson, ’05, Treasurer- [email protected]
Mary Vasquez, Faculty Advisor—[email protected]
Fall 2006 GPA Report SAE requires its chapter members to maintain a minimum 2.5 grade point ratio (on a 4.0 scale). In addition, the chapter's overall GPA needs to equal or exceed the All Mens Average on campus. For the fall of 2006, the chapter improved its overall GPA to 3.12, ranking it third among seven fraternities. It also exceeded the ALL MENS AVERAGE of 3.09.
Davidson College Academic Calendar Fall 2007 *July 5-9—SAE National Convention *Aug 9-13—Leadership School *Aug 27—Classes Begin *Oct 13-16—Fall Break *Sept 14-15—Homecoming Weekend *Nov 21-25—Thanksgiving Break *Dec 12—Classes End Visit our web site at www.nctheta.org
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T H E LI O N S RO A R , N C T H E T A C H A P TE R , D A V I D S O N C O L L E G E
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19 Neophytes At Spring Initiation Ceremony
On Saturday, March 24, 2007, nineteen pledges/neophytes were initiated formally into the NC Theta Chapter. The ceremony was conducted by Sean Robinson from Greenville, SC,, a ritual master on the National Committee. The event was held at Phi (Philanthropic) Hall on the campus at 7:00 pm. The previous evening, Friday, March 23, a special "neophyte ceremony" was held at the Hall to recognize the transition from pledge status to neophyte (new member) status. Members initiated included: Stephen Westerfield, Josh Haywood, Josh Tobin, Alex Greening, Devin Haddad, Alex Bust, AJ Ferguson, Baker Shogry, Reade Jacob, Robert Benhart, Ryan Cockman, andon Lill, Mike Suiters, Teddy Zimmerman, Pete Bruton, Will McGuire, John Edwards, Matt McCusker, & Mike Beaucaire.
Class of 2007 Graduates Brian Christopher Albers, Steven Michael Braco, Clark Ellison Candler, Jeffries Brandt Coleman, Evan Lloyd Collins, Christian David Gallon, Graham Charles Jaenicke, Alim Hassanali Jinnah, Brett Michael Jones, Pete Jeffrey Levandoski, Brian Gabe Orland, Eric Louis Peterson, John Brittain Rice, Richard Montague Rowley, Ian Marvin Sheridan Visit our web site at www.nctheta.org
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T H E LI O N S RO A R , N C T H E T A C H A P TE R , D A V I D S O N C O L L E G E
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William Thomas Covington, Jr., Class of 1927 Recipient of the 1997 Davidson Distinguished Alumnus Award When Bill Covington came to Davidson in the fall of 1923, he launched himself early onto a path of leader and life-long learner. He was vice president of his freshman class, president of the sophomore class, a member of ODK, president of the Philanthropic Literary Society, active in student government and his fraternity (SAE) and graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in Philosophy. He left Davidson to get his Master's in Philosophy at Princeton and then his Juris Doctorate with honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He started his career as an atfirm of C. H. Gover, and then firm Covington and Lobdell. It ton Lobdell & Hickman, one of an office in Rock Hill, South
torney as an associate with the shortly thereafter started the later became Kennedy CovingCharlotte's largest firms, with Carolina, as well.
A proud servant of church, community, country and alma mater, Bill's leadership was obvious--from his appointment to the municipal service commission in Charlotte to his tenure in the U.S. Naval Reserve. In the early 1930s, Bill was elected to the Davidson College Alumni Council and for the 60 years following became a valued volunteer for the Alumni Association. He served on his 50th reunion committee in 1977 and chaired the Avant Garde Reunion in 1988. Bill retained his love for learning and his appreciation for Davidson's education. In the mid-1980s, he audited classes, including Professor Mahony's courses in world religions. Bill was active in the Charlotte Regional Campaign for Davidson during which time he created an endowed book fund in memory of his brother Robert, class of 1929. The Davidson College Alumni Association recognized Bill with the Distinguished Alumnus Award on May 27, 1997.
SAE Library Fund—1980—2000—The Activities Calendar According to retired Director of Libraries at Davidson, Leland Park: “Around 1980 the chapter was hunting for a civic project….and settled on an activities calendar. SAE solicited sponsors, which paid for the printing, then sold ads….SAE got the dates of what was happening at the college from the master calendar in the college union...the calendar was printed professionally by Belk Printing Co. in Charlotte then sold on campus, first during orientation weekend, then in the dorms, at ball games etc. My office coordinated the calendar with the chapter….the initial editors, alumni, parents, local businesses, faculty/staff members, were all sponsors. Bulk sales were made to offices (library staff, endowed book fund sponsors, hall counselors, alumni office for events, etc.). It was quite a production. It started out clearing about $3,000 and would get up to $4,000 or $5,000 in a good year. But after a while, several things happened…..with the advent of computer networking on campus, everyone on campus could find out dates easily and quickly…..and after about 20 years or so of this, it was harder and harder to get a brother who would give the time it took to pull this off. Toward the last year, my office assistant and I carried most of the load. So we decided that the project had ‘run its course’ and it was discontinued. The chapter had done well. By the time this decision was made SAE had raised $73,875, which now is one of the Library’s larger book funds (there are 225 or so book funds). This will equate to about a 145 books the fund purchases each year, every year. The market value of the SAE fund as of March 31, 2007, is $178,542. Every year the fund is listed in the College Catalogue. Every book purchased by the fund has a special bookplate in it saying SAE Endowed Book Fund. There is an annual ‘Library Friends List’ which is published which will list the fund and the number of books/resources purchased with a few titles listed. And there is also a book of thanks in the Lilly Conference Room which has copy of the bookplate on display and a bit about the donors of the fund.”
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T HE LI ONS R OAR , NC T HE TA CH A PT ER, D AV IDS ON C OLLEG E
S PR I NG 2007
Mark Weir, ‘89- Moving from banking to family business When Mark Weir left a 15-year banking career to work at one of his fatherin-law's companies just over two years ago, he had little experience managing people. He'd done some retail banking but spent most of his bank time working with in capital markets at First Union and later Wachovia Corp. Now Weir, 40, oversees a trucking services company that has 25 employees and works with 300 truck drivers. He's president and CEO of Innovative Driver Services, a private Charlotte company that supplies drivers to companies needing to haul their goods. "Managing people is the hardest thing you'll do -- hands down," Weir said. Among his more pleasant managementrelated surprises: Finding the best trucking dispatchers often are people with no experience but are extremely organized "superstars." Innovative Driver Services, which has offices in Greensboro, Raleigh, Greenville, S.C., Atlanta and Nashville, does less than $20 million a year in sales, Weir said. You could say it's like a temp agency for truck drivers. But Weir would prefer you didn't. "That's a dirty word," said Weir, who over coffee at Starbucks wagged his finger. "We're a driver-leasing business." In the trucking industry, he explained, temping has a negative connotation -like the drivers are not as good as those with permanent gigs. Among Innovative's clients: Diamond Hill Plywood, Dunkin' Donuts, International Paper and Scholastic Books. Weir's father-in-law, Bob Bradford, started Innovative Driver Services in 1996. The company was sort of an offshoot of a manufacturing company that Bradford bought a controlling interest in during the mid-1980s. Clients of that company had been asking to lease its drivers.
If you are not attuned to the market, you will be left behind
MoneyWise talked with Weir, a Charlotte native who lives in Davidson with his wife and three children, about leaving banking for the family business. Questions and answers were edited for brevity and clarity. Q. What lessons from corporate America have you been able to incorporate into the family business? The lessons I learned in my banking years are probably universally true. If you are not attuned to the market, you will be left behind. If you are not attuned to your clients, you leave the door open for your competition Q. What have you learned from the family business that corporate America didn't teach you? There are a million details to running a business that you might never develop an appreciation for with a large employer. Information technology and real estate management are two areas that require significant management time in a small business that you really never have to worry about in a large corporation. Q. What's the best advice you have for someone who leaves a job to work with family? Do the homework necessary to make sure it is a sound business, industry and company that you are joining. The fact that it is a family business may make it appealing, but that in itself does not make it a good opportunity. Also, it is imperative to have the difficult discussions about boundaries and ground rules up front. What will happen if the venture does not go as planned? While you may not work in the same position or company forever, you will always be related to the players. Reprinted from the Charlotte Observer, Sunday, June 10, 2007
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Q. Do you and your father-in-law have a policy about leaving business matters at the office? What works for the two of you in balancing business and family? We are both very careful about not letting business encroach on our family lives. I have wonderful in-laws, and I respect the need to have a boundary between work and family. That said, Bob and I find ourselves talking about the business outside of work, usually out of earshot of other family members. Q. How do you balance work and your own family? Our business is 24-7, and our operations employees often fill loads for customers in the middle of the night. I do not often work in the middle of the night, but I frequently e-mail work to myself at home or to take reading home with me. I have a greater level of flexibility in setting my schedule now versus when I was with the bank, and can take part in more of the meaningful milestones in my family's life. I am an avid hunter, and most of our employees know that it is not unusual to get an e-mail from me from the deer stand. You have to know your own limits when it comes to work hours, as there is always more work to be done. Q. What else do you enjoy in your free time -- hobbies and such? I am a mountain biker and I play competitive soccer, which my kids think is a hoot. I coach a girls soccer team for North Meck Soccer Club and spend most of my free time on the soccer fields. I have three antique cars -- two civilian Jeeps and a Triumph Stag -that I love to drive around Davidson. Q. What business device are you addicted to? I have a love/hate relationship with my BlackBerry. I have been carrying one for six years now, but I also love using the off button. I am also addicted to Sirius Satellite Radio. I could not survive commuting from Davidson to Charlotte or traveling around to our offices without it.
