Brothers,

I wanted to give you all an update on the Foundations activities. We collected close to $8,000 in our initial efforts. With the funds that we received, we covered the costs of the initial mailing and were able to award five $500 scholarships at the recent banquet. The recipients had the funds credited to their University Accounts to be used for expenses such a books, lab fees, and other University Expenses. I believe nearly all (or all) of them were attending school on "Full" Academic Scholarships. These scholarships do not cover extra costs so this will be very helpful for them. The recipients were very suprised and very appreciative. I personally awarded the scholarships and was proud to be associated with these young brothers. They all had "A" averages for the quarter AND overall GPAs greater than 3.5%. these guys are truly a credit to our Fraternity.

Many of the Foundation Board Members had the opportunity to meet and discuss the direction of our Foundation. In originally setting up the Foundation we had several goals. The Undergraduates never requested anything from us. We took the initiative to set up the Foundation in order to: encourage fellowship among our Alumni by initiating contact and providing a forum for interaction, to establish an entity that can organize and fund Alumni functions (such as Homecoming tailgating, receptions, etc.), to offer guidance and moral support to the Undergraduate Chapter, to assist the House Corporation, and to provide a vehicle for Alumni to offer their financial support to these goals.

I think that we probably made a well intentioned error in launching this group. Our first contact was to announce the establishment of the Foundation AND to ask for money. Many of you had not been contacted for years and the first attempt at contacting you was a request for money. I got feedback from many of you that resented this and for that I apologize. Keep in mind that this was OUR request and not the Undergraduate Chapter's request. 

We have reevaluated our direction and while we still want to accomplish all of our objectives, our primary focus is to get you involved and back in contact with your brothers. I am asking that you help us in getting in touch with your brothers and asking them to register on the site www.etaphialum.com. Please forward this email to all of the brothers on your email list. Currently about 250 of our initiates have registered; we would like for that number to be 500 by Homecoming of 2008.

We have targeted Homecoming 2008 as a big event for us to get the Foundation moving forward and we are asking you to commit to attend well in advance. If you would each contact a few of your best friends months in advance and make the commitment to attend now, the momentum will really build. It has been years since I have seen many of my chaptermates. I treasure many of these relationships yet have been out of touch for years. If not this year, then when? Troy has experienced tremendous growth and it is really something to see. You will be really proud of Troy.

Homecoming has been set for November 8th. I would recommend that you stay at the Hampton Inn. It is a nice new facility and is the closest location to campus (it is at the Corner of 231 and George Wallace in the old Walmart location). It might be a good idea to make reservations now. The Foundation will be hosting a reception for Brothers and their Wives/Dates at the Emporium on Friday night and tailgating on Saturday before the game. We plan to go the Chapter House after the game for the Band party. If possible, we would also like to have some ritualistic function that weekend.

If possible, we would like to have an RSVP function on our website. If you know you are attending, shoot me an email and let me know. I will keep up with a list and will try to get it updated on the site. It will also help in making food preparations. Anyone interested in supporting the Foundation financially (in ANY amount) can write a check to Troy University with Sigma Chi listed in the memo section. It can be sent to Cornerstone Lending Group c/o Tom DeBrosse 2050 Proctor Rd. Ste. C. Sarasota, FL 34231. If you need to contact me, I can be reached at (941) 928-2817 or tomdebrosse@aol.com.

UPDATE: A block of 25 rooms has been reserved at the Holiday Inn. They are under Sigma Chi Reunion, Buddy Starling, and need to be confirmed by August 1, 2008. The number at the Holiday Inn is 334-566-1150.

In Hoc,


Tom DeBrosse