Sigma Chi - Montana State University

BOBCAT SIG Fall 2015 the Beta Rho Chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity Montana State University FEATURES: Onward and Upward 2 • Chapter Officers 3 • Alumni News 3 • Your Gift Helps 4 WHERE WE ARE Over the last eight years, a basic financial infrastructure has been in place that includes: a lease agreement between the House Building Corporation (HBC) and the chapter; live-in agreements, which are required for all Brothers living in the chapter house; a financial fact sheet posted each semester clearly explaining chapter house bill charges and when they are due; and detailed house bills, sent via e-mail at the beginning of each semester to every Brother. As a result, both the chapter and HBC have consistently operated in the black. During this period of time, to keep the house in a livable condition, the HBC hired a handyman and funded several repair and improvement projects, which averaged $20,000 per year. Some of the more notable improvement projects have been: new closet drapes, new drapes on the south side of the house, new carpet in the living room and hallways, remodel of the girls bathroom, a security system with cameras, addition of water heaters so the boiler can be turned-off during the summer months, new toilets, and a new fence, patio, basketball court, and sod on the north side of the house. The active chapter achieved remarkable success over the last eight years, winning the Peterson Significant Chapter award twice in the last four years, the fraternity campus involvement award in 2013 and 2014, most improved GPA for 2012-13, and intramural champions 2011- 12. In addition, individual members have been crowned Homecoming King, ASMSU Senators, and Interfraternity Council President throughout the past three years. We currently have 75 undergraduate actives at MSU including the 20 members who just went through this fall. Our top priority is to focus on quality, keeping the chapter house full, and membership below 85. We believe that being a Bell Chapter is one of the reasons of the significant improvement in the quality and leadership of the chapter. We certainly want to continue this national program in the future. An alumnus established the chapter as a Bell Chapter in 2007, and a small fundraising effort during our 90th anniversary helped continue this tradition to date. WHERE WE ARE GOING The 100-year anniversary of Beta Rho at Montana State University will arrive in 2017. While we will touch on details on the anniversary activities in future newsletters, you won't want to miss Homecoming in 2017. This centennial event is not only a time for celebration, but time to plan how we can provide for the next century for our chapter. Over the next two years, we will continue to work on providing for the next generation of our fraternity. We invite you back, not only to Homecoming in 2017, but to stop by the house whenever you are back in Bozeman. Volunteer support is always needed, and if you want to get involved with the chapter or House Building Corporation, please let us know. In Hoc, Paul Boylan '63, President / pb8348@gmail.com Rick Dissly '66, Treasurer / rdissly@comcast.net House Building Corporation Assesses the Future of Beta Rho Volunteer Support Needed to Ensure Sigma Chi's Legacy at Montana State University L arry Larsen '82 didn't have any brothers of his own, so when his dad's close friend talked him into going through recruitment, he was easily convinced. During recruitment, Larry met some great friends that made the transition smoother. "Once I understood these men would be friends for life, I was in," Larry said. Larry recalls that there were a couple of little sisters who may have influenced his decision to join Sigma Chi. From the time Larry pledged to when he became an active member of Beta Rho, he had gained Brothers for life. The relationships formed with Brothers helped him find the man in himself and helped him learn to be a Brother. "I learned to respect others' opinions and build character," Larry shared. The time spent living in the Beta Rho chapter house was Larry's first taste of true diversity and gave him the confidence to take impossible situations and turn them into reality. That confidence instilled in Larry through Beta Rho Brotherhood greatly assisted his transition into the real world. Larry received his B.S. in business in 1982 and has since crossed paths with many Sigma Chis in his professional endeavors. "I always had close Brothers as support," he boasts. Larry encourages recent graduates to make time to stay connected with those Brothers and to make them a part of your life. "Enjoy that brotherhood while in school and develop those long-lasting friendships." Larry's professional path after graduating has led him to his current position as owner and president of Larry Larsen Real Estate Investment Group, LLC. While Larry has always been involved in real estate, his career started in Seattle, Washington, with Campbell Soup Restaurant Division, before he returned to Montana and purchased IGA Grocery in Ennis. Larry concentrates on real estate Larry Larsen '82 Gained Confidence, Built Character through Beta Rho Brotherhood (Continued on page 2)

• Cover