GROUP SPONSORS FOUR UNDERGRADS' TRIPS TO CONCLAVE

Kevin Kwoka, San Diego State '11

This year, the 52nd Grand Chapter Conclave is at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort in Phoenix, Ariz. from August 10-14. Don’t miss your chance to attend by applying for the four NUTS! McAuliffe Society scholarships.

Every two years, SigEps gather from around the country to make new friendships, strengthen their bonds of brotherhood and set a vision for the future of our Fraternity at the Grand Chapter Conclave. At Conclave, undergraduates and volunteers have the opportunity to attend leadership workshops and network with nearly 1,400 brothers. Representatives of each chapter attend legislative sessions and vote on national bylaws, while other attendees have more time to relax by the pool, play golf or run in the 5K.

With economic struggles, and ever-rising college tuition, some undergraduates have a hard time funding their trip. To ease the financial burden, the NUTS! McAuliffe Society, a group of over 100 SigEp volunteers, is offering four scholarships to cover registration costs. NUTS! Society member Paul Litcher, Indiana Tech ’88, believes the scholarships are important because Conclave is, “The first true exposure to SigEp as a lifetime commitment.”

Litcher is the leader and 6th Brigadier General of the society, comprised of SigEp volunteers on the local, regional, and national level, including current and past district governors, Board of Governor members, Headquarters staff members, and Order of the Golden Heart recipients. The society was founded in a hot tub at the 1997 Conclave. Its name derives from the response U.S. Brigadier General Anthony C. McAuliffe, West Virginia ’17, gave to a surrender ultimatum during World War II, when he wrote “To the German Commander: NUTS! The American Commander.” Members of the society must be current SigEp volunteers and Educational Foundation donors.

The scholarships are designated for undergraduates with at least one year remaining in college. Candidates must show persistence, have made an impact on their chapter, and exhibit a lifelong dedication to SigEp. Litcher believes that embracing SigEp as a lifetime commitment is key because those who do, “will have a much richer SigEp experience than the few short, intense undergraduate years can ever provide.”

Kevin Hokanson, San Diego State ’13, said that he applied for the scholarship because, “Conclave will give me the potential to attain and further develop SigEp’s values, so I can reiterate them and help lead to the success of my family, friends, and most of all, my chapter.” As an aspiring chapter leader, Hokanson fully understands the knowledge and growth that can be attained from attending the largest Leadership Continuum program SigEp offers.

The NUTS! McAuliffe Society has a fundraising goal of $100,000 so they can eventually offer four full-ride Conclave scholarships, including travel. The application for the four registration scholarships is due by May 1. Other sponsorship ideas are listed on the Conclave website.

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