News Archive
This section archives all of our old news posts.
Mar
09
ISU Sportsman's Show Founded by SigEp's
March 09, 2010
Iowa State Sportsman's Show Founded by SigEp's
Andrew Reid (Senior)
March 1, 2010
Even through the dog days of winter, when going outside seems like a life or death decision, the outdoorsman in SigEp Kyle Wood (Senior in Animal Ecology) cannot be harnessed. Whether it’s the love of hunting, fishing, or just the cold Iowa air, there is always something to do according to him.
“Sometimes, going out in winter can be even more fun and enjoyable than going out in the summer” said Wood.
And nothing has proved this fact more evident than the recent development of the Iowa State Sportsman’s Show on ISU TV. While out ice fishing one day this past semester, Wood and a few friends, in jest of course, discussed how much fun it would be to host an outdoors type show. With few hunting seasons open and a relatively small number for places to fish in Iowa, the gentlemen were looking for something else to sink their teeth into. Fortunately for Wood, who is also President of the ISU Bass Fishing Club, the resources were available for him to begin the show.
Alongside fellow SigEp Erik Wheater (Senior in Journalism and Mass Communication) who is a member of the executive board for ISU TV, the show began production three weeks ago. As Executive Producer for the show, Wheater believes that this show is tops in the current lineup on the channel.
“None of us could have imagined how successful this show would be. It’s beating out shows that have been on air for over two and a half years.”
The ratings don’t lie. Even discounting actual viewers on the tube, the online recording of the second show has generated over 500 views in 1.5 weeks. The next closest competitor comes in well behind at only 44 views from the same time period.
Although this show has started out as a hobby for both Wood and Wheater, both see the success as a huge resume booster for both of them. While Wheater plans to add this show to his already large portfolio of producing assignments, Wood sees a much different direction. By sending some show footage to potential sponsors, his hopes of obtaining funding and new gear for his club is well within reach.
“Who knows, if success continues, maybe one day I’ll get my own show on cable TV!” joked Wood.
Only time will tell, but things are already looking pretty good for him.
Mar
09
Road to Richmond
March 09, 2010
Road to Richmond
Mark Stratman (Freshman)
March 1, 2010
As we all know, SigEp has two main focuses when developing their members -- sound mind and sound body. Here at Iowa Beta, we have been consistently working hard on maintaining our sound minds, which is evident in our Fall Semester GPA of 3.09; but we have recently been slacking on the sound body portion. With that in mind, we are beginning a new program involving the entire house called the Road to Richmond. The program that’s being put in place is a house wide challenge to see who can log the most miles of exercise in one semester. In this competition one running or one biking mile obviously equate to one mile in the competition, however a half hour of lifting or one intramural event counts as another mile. At the end of the semester each member’s miles get added up and the goal is for the entire house to have a total of 2,345 miles, the total distance from Iowa Beta to Virginia Alpha and back.
This competition will no doubt benefit the chapter and all of its members in the long run. It will help us live up to the SigEp ideals of Sound Mind Sound Body; and it will help us be on top of Greek Land in intramurals as well as GPA.
Feb
24
Capital Campaign Update!
February 24, 2010
We now have over $2 million dollars pledged to the Capital Campaign! We are so close to our goal. Thanks to everyone who made this possible.
Keep up the good work!
Jan
27
Top Marks for Fall GPA
January 27, 2010
For the Fall 2009 semester, Iowa Beta's GPA as a chapter was 3.09. This ranks us third among Iowa State's twenty-eight fraternities and is the highest Fall GPA we have received in recent history. 3.09 is well above the all undergrad average of 2.96 and all men's undergrad average of 2.85 at Iowa State. Every member contributed to this great acheivement which is seen by a new member GPA of 2.94 and an active member GPA of 3.17.
Congratulations, guys!
Jan
18
SigEps Invade Tempe
January 18, 2010
SigEps Invade Tempe
By: Andrew Reid (Senior)
01/16/10
Aside from the traditional brotherhood events that are typically held within the confines of 228 Gray, a few SigEp members had the unique opportunity to further their friendship (and Cyclone spirit) by following the ISU football team to the Insight Bowl in Tempe, AZ. Seniors Erik Wheater and Steve Erbstein along with Juniors Chris Fabere and T.J. Augustine made the 22 hour trek to the desert in hopes of catching the first Cyclone bowl victory since 2005.
After the drive and checking into their hotel, the group went to the Cyclone’s Pep Rally. This was a once and a lifetime experience for the guys as they were surrounded by nearly 6,000 other cyclones fans that had made the trip. “This was truly one of the best moments a Cyclones fan could enjoy”, said Wheater as the group was able to meet and interact with players and coaches.
After the pre-game activities in Tempe, the guys finally went to the attraction that took them nearly 1600 miles away from their home in central Iowa, the Insight Bowl. The game against Minnesota was filled with sloppy play and turnovers, but the Cyclones were able to pull out an exciting 14-13 win.
Even though the victory for the Cyclones provided a perfect ending for the trip, “the best part of going to Arizona was being able to spend time with my fellow brothers and share the experience with them” according to Wheater. And while we can’t be sure of the next time the Cyclones will return to a bowl game, we can be sure that when they do, there will be Iowa State SigEps there to follow!
Jan
18
My First Semester at Sigma Phi Epsilon
January 18, 2010
My First Semester at Sigma Phi Epsilon
By: Mark Stratman (Freshman)
01/16/10
The first memory I have of the Sigma Phi Epsilon house is one of nervousness and anxiety. I pulled up with my parents a week before classes started to get moved in and help fix up the house during work week. I didn’t know anyone here other than the few guys who recruited me, and still I didn’t really know them that well. I had made the decision to join a fraternity because I didn’t know anyone at Iowa State, and I figured it would be a good way to make friends. But on the drive from Omaha to Ames I began regretting that decision. We parked in front of the house and within 5 minutes about 20 guys had all my stuff brought up to my room and everything was moved in. My parents left and I was now alone at this house with 35 guys who I had never met before.
The first week was difficult we worked, and the active members did their best to get to know me and my fellow new members, but a week is a short time to get to know someone. And as classes begun I still wasn’t sure if I had made the right decision or not. And as the weeks and months of that first semester flew by I slowly grew closer and closer to the guys in the house. And I credit that mostly to living in the house my first semester. Nearly every part of my day was now done with someone else; there was always someone to walk to class, study, eat, or just watch TV with.
I can also credit the house with more than helping me make friends, living in the house helped make my first semester successful academically. I was always hounded by the guys in the house if they saw me or anyone else getting lazy and laying on the couch a lot, they made me push myself and work hard which had a huge positive effect on my study and work habits. Everyone in this house cares about how each member does and wants this house to be number one on campus in every aspect. And seeing how much everyone cares about this house everyday makes me proud to wear the letters ΣΦΕ.
Oct
27
Exec. Elections
October 27, 2009
Congratulations to our new Executive Board!
Jun
16
Top Marks!
June 16, 2009
For the Spring 2009 semester, Iowa Beta's GPA as a chapter was 3.18. This ranks us fourth among Iowa State's twenty-seven fraternities and is the highest mark we have received in recent history. 3.18 is well above the all undergrad average of 2.87 and all fraternity average of 3.02 at Iowa State. Every member contributed to this great acheivement which is seen by a new member GPA of 3.17 and an active member GPA of 3.19. The new member class ranked second among other fraternity new member classes and were one of only three classes to reach a 3.0 or higher!
IFC Grade Report - Spring 2009
Not only do these numbers warrant us pride on campus; a 3.18 will also merit honors for Iowa Beta being recognized on national SigEp level. SigEp chapters reaching 3.15 and above qualify for the Phi Beta Kappa Wheelhouse!
May
18
The Site's Almost Complete!
May 18, 2009
I've been working hard to get a good amount of content on the site to start off. I just have the alumni page to update and we'll be on our way! After that the site will continue to get populated with photos, news articles, and information pertinent to Iowa Beta. It's all coming together so check back soon and often.
