bulldog fiji VOLUME VII — NO. 1 MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY FALL, 1976 Building Drive Receives Enthusiastic Support Through the hard work of the Building James Davis, Winston Earnheart; Steve Association, a total of $12,000.00 has been Edwards; Burke Fisher; Bobby Henry; Bill Howard; Lee Hummer; Ray Jordan; Dick Kilby; Jerome KittreU; Chuck Lemay; Pat McClatchy; Jack McWhirter; Greg Mann; Billy Martin; BiU Mattox; Steve Mattox; Robert McClellan; Curtis McNeer; Lee Miller; Thomas Mize; Marshall Mowdy; John Naugher; Ben Penn; Steve Price; Tommy Scroggins; Robert SiedeU; Mike Spraggins; Kyle Steward; Bob Stimpson; John Turner; Mac Wall; Kevin Walters; David Wealey; and Lee Wilson. OTHER PLEDGES— Aubrey Earnheart, Jimmy McCrimon, Drew McDowell; Wilham V. Hare, M. D.; Richard McRee; Porter Robinson; Dr. J. P. Ward; Keith Koenig; and Alton Westbrook. Chapters participating in the "Buy a Brick" campaign are: The University of Alabama, NIT, Syracuse University, Utah State University, the Orlando graduate chapter, and the Washington D.C. chapter. raised in pledges toward construction of our new house on fraternity row. Through individual contributions and projects such as the "Buy a Brick" campaign, the quota set for this year is well within our reach. Instrumental in our fund raising efforts has been the strong support by the Mary McCarty Club. Earlier tbis year, the mother's club presented the Building Association with a check for $900.00. The club's money-making projects included a craft sale on campus, a pendant sale, and an afghan sweater raffle. Through the support of the Mary McCarty Club, our graduates, parents, friends, and actives, the new house may very soon become a reality. A list of the contributers to the Building Association includes: CO-CHAIRMEN—Mr. and Mrs. Francis C. Boyd; Mike Boyd; Tommy Boyd; The Mary McCarty Club; Sigma Mu returned from the bi-annual National Ekklesia in Washington, D. C. this summer boasting the distinction of having received more recognition in cups competition than any chapter in the nation. For the second time in four years, Sigma Mu brought home the Archon's Trophy for excellence in the field of campus leadership. The chapter placed second in the Baker Cup, excelling in community service, and third in the Brightman Trophy for outstanding graduate relations work. Sigma Mu also received the Chapter Reunion Award for having the second largest delegation at the convention. Representing the chapter at this year's Ekklesia were Pat McClatchy, Richard McRee, Steve May, Bader Fike, Tommy Scroggins, Steve Mattox, Greg Mann, Ricky Hartfield, Chester Horton, Bill Mattox, Mike Spraggins, Norman Williamson, Ken Graves, Mike Boyd, Kevin Walters and Billy Martin. Fiji Brotherhood, combined with the exciting sights of Washington, made the 127th Ekklesia an event to remember. Graduate Chapter mniBniiiiij ininim ■HUM liQi^ EW iiii Formed Plans for the Jackson graduate chapter are being finalized and the chapter hopes to receive its charter by January. Headed by Bill Howard and Robert Siedell, the chapter plans to meet every two months at the University Club in Jackson. A date for the first meeting has not at present been set. The interest in this new chapter is but Proposed new Fraternity House for Sigma Mu ( hapter. another example that Fiji is "not for college days alone." \r\nPAGE TWO FALL, 1976 BULLDOG FIJI Letter From The President Without doubt. Fall 1976 has been one of Sigma Mu's most outstanding semesters. The brothers returned from summer break with great enthusiasm just a few days after our chapter won more awards than any '1^1^ other at the 128th Ekklesia. A two day chapter retreat in late August prepared the brothers for a challenging fall semester. Immediately after school began came fall rush and a monumental rushing effort by both undergraduates and many graduates. These efforts were rewarded with the pledging of seventeen outstanding young men—the largest pledge class since Sigma's Mu's founding. Consisting of two sophmores and fifteen freshman, this pledge class holds great promise for the future. With rush out of the way, the brothers tackled another goal—that of raising $2,500.00 for the Sigma Mu Building Association by December. Through a combination of large and small moneyraising projects, this goal was accomphshed. Sigma Mu was busy in other areas as well. The Pledge Education, Social, and Community Service programs were more extensive than they have been in years. The semester was highhghted by a successful combination Homecoming and Parent's Day Brother Stanley Walters takes a break to converse with Santa during the recent Christmas party. on October second. I would Like to extend my personal thanks to the graduate brothers for their continued support of the chapter. Be it rush, social, the building drive, or any other area of chapter activity, graduates are invariably there to give aid and advice. This kind of devotion by graduate brothers has helped Sigma Mu continue its record of outstanding achievement at Mississippi State. An outstanding new cabinet has been Fall Rush Gains Seventeen Fall rush netted the largest pledge class in the Chapter's history as seventeen outstanding men donned the White Star. The class includes; James Allison, freshman, Sarah; Brandon Bell, freshman, Quitman; Steve Blair, freshman, Hattiesburg; Bill elected for 1977, and 1 am confident that Branch, freshman, Kenner, La.; A1 Brock, with your continuing support, the coming year will be a great one for Phi Gamma sophomore, Newton; Ken Caston, freshman. Liberty; Don Cruise, freshman. Liberty: Ed Hippchen, sophomore, Memphis, Tn.; Jerry Horn, freshman, Columbus; David James, freshman, Grenada; Will Lester, freshman, Baird; Richard Mills, freshman, Iran; Phil Posey, freshman, Jackson; Bob Waller, freshman, Jackson; Rod Little, freshman, Jackson; and Hugh Johnson, freshman, Delta. Fraternally, Chris Rebmann Jackson. Homecoming Highlights Under the direction of Pledge Educator Ken Graves and assistant Richard McRee, This year's homecoming was one of the biggest events of the fall semester. Beginning with a reception for graduates and parents at eleven o'clock, the day's the pledges excelled in every facet of the pledge program. The community service project entailed a clean up of a local cemetary. For their house project the pledges renovated the basement area of the house, creating needed additional space. A hght bulb sale served as the money-making activities also included project. Semester's Activities B.C.A., Building Association and Mary McCarty Club meetings. A fund-raising banquet at the Two links were added to the Golden Chain this semester as David Walker from local Presbyterian Church climaxed the morning's activities. Later in the day, graduates and undergraduates saw the Bulldogs whip Cal Poly 35-0. Baird, and David Morgan, from Mendenhall were initiated into the fraternity. The dance that followed that evening was the largest social event of the semester. The dance, held at the StarkviUe Gun Club Lodge, featured "Sweathheart". Approximately fifteen graduate brothers were present for the reception, game, and dance making Homecoming '76 a big day for Sigma Mu Chapter. Fiji's Active In Community Service This semester, the Phi Gamms have enthusiastically participated in numerous community service projects. Under the direction of John Speed, the Fiji's participated in the annual clothing drive and built a clothing box to be placed in a local shopping center. Later this year, Sigma Mu participated in a joint endeavor with Delta Gamma Sorority involving a Thanksgiving party for underpriviledged children. Perhaps the most significant project of the semester was the successful kidney drive held this November. This project entailed the securing of potential donors for the kidney foundation. Sponsored solely by Phi Gamma Delta, this project hopefully will become an annual event. Without doubt, community service holds a high position on the list of chapter priorities. THE BULLDOG FIJI Editor Contributors John Ball Chris Rebmann John Wallace \r\nFALL, 1976 PAGE THREE BULLDOG FIJI New Officers Elected The 1977 cabinet was chosen during recent officer elections and will assume office in January. Carter Naugher, the President elect, is a junior, agriculture major, from Pontotoc. Carter formerly served as Chapter Historian. Other officers include; Richard McRee, sophomore, business major, from Grenada, Treasurer; Duke Loden, junior, poUtical science major, from Pontotoc, Recording Secretary: John Speed, sophomore, landscape architecture major, from Jackson, Corresponding Secretary; and David Walker, junior, agriculture major, from UL Baird, Historian. Chapter Fund-Raising Approaches Goal The chapter has sponsored various money-making projects this semester as our contribution to the building fund. "Toward a goal of $2,500.00 by December" became the chapter's motto and through united support, we reached the goal. A concerted effort by pledges and actives gained approximately $850.00 through a Ught bulb sale. The first-aid project netted approximately $300.00, and a raffle of a free tuition earned over $600.00 for the building fund. r Brother Lee Miller spikes past a Sig Ep defender in the volleyball play offs. FIJI SPORTS /v.. " L' , The Phi Gamms at MSU have just closed out one of the most successful seasons in 1 volleyball. The Fiji A and B teams finished the season with identical 5-2 records to % ♦ ^ Il *i make the play-offs. The A team fought hard in the play-offs before losing a heart-breaker to Sig Ep. We are proud of the fine showing this year; next year promises to be even better. In other events this semester, Ricky Hartfield placed second in horseshoe competition, and John Ball was runner up on campus in one-on-one basketball. Basketball season is around the corner, and we will field a very spirited team. Enthusiasm is also high for softbaU and tennis held later in the semester. Pig Dinner This year's Norris Pig Dinner is set for April 2, 1977, in the Etonian Room of the Holiday Inn in Starkville. Guest speaker for the occasion will be former Archon President Dr. Tommy Williams. Graduate brothers and other Fiji's are urged to attend this Brothers David Walker and Phil Posey pose for a snapshot during a recent community service pro ject with the DG's. year's Dinner; further information concerning the event wiU be available early this spring. \r\nPAGE FOUR Fall, 1976 BULLDOG FIJI Graduate News Sidney Prosser and Jennifer Sims were recently married in Bay St. Louis. Mike Spraggins is presently associated with Maria Marketing Division in Washington, D. C. Phil Abernathy has joined brothers Franklin Myers, Tom Kirkland and Jerome Kittrell at Ole Miss Law School. Former Field Secretary, Charlie Grahm (British Columbia '68) is now top fund-raiser for the Democratic National Committee. Norman Williamson recently moved to the Pentagon as a computer specialist with the Defense Intelligence Agency. Kyle Steward recently accepted the position of editor of the Aberdeen Examiner. Bryan Graham married Jannet Hummer on October 30, at Prairie Point, Mississippi: The couple will reside in Meridian. Former President J. R. McCrimmon and his Fiji sweetheart wife EUen have moved from Starkville to Aberdeen. Jimmy is a petroleum engineer associated with Conoco Corporation. PHI GAMMA DELTA DRAWER FN MISSISSIPPI STATE, MISS. 39762 In Memoriam We regret to inform you that Ron Campbell, Em '72, was fatally injured in a motorcycle accident in June. Six brothers attended the funeral in Thomasville, Georgia. Ron was known for his community activity and was involved in numerous J.C. projects. Ron will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Bill Mattox and Robert Siedell were recently appointed Section Chiefs for the fraternity. Their primary duty will be to advise the chapters in their area. Burke and Rita Fisher recently announced the birth of their first child. Gayden Elyse Fisher was born on December nineteenth. The Board of Chapter advisors meeting at Homecoming was one of the highlights of the day.