Kappa Alumni of Sigma Phi Delta, Inc.

On the weekend of April 8th, 2017, the Brothers of the Sigma Phi Delta Kappa Chapter hosted their Spring EOT Alumni weekend. Saturday was a full and eventful day of celebration, remembrance, and memorial as it recognized the 70th anniversary of the founding of Kappa Chapter as well as the 20th anniversary of the passing of Brother Mason Michael Foor, who passed away while still attending college.

The weather was uncharacteristically cooperative for the time of year, and the events of this beautiful spring day began at noon with a lunch at the Castle (fraternity house). The lunch was generously donated by Brother Joe Fulcher ('10) and was hosted by the Actives. Following the lunch, the Semi-Annual Meeting of Kappa Alumni of Sigma Phi Delta took place led by the President of the Board of Directors, Brother Mike Votaw ('91). The meeting included close to 30 participants with a fairly even distribution of Alumni and Actives. The bulk of the discussions included completed, ongoing, and future house projects and lasted just under an hour and a half.

In the mid-afternoon, after the conclusion of the meeting, a memorial was held for Brother Foor, who passed away on April 17, 1997 from a congenital heart defect. He was an Active Brother at the time who was studying Mechanical Engineering at Tri-State. His picture, which is hanging on a memorial wall inside the house, and a memorial tree (with plaque) in the front yard of the house have been familiar to generations of Sigma Phi Delta men. Unfortunately, storm damage destroyed the tree last year so a new one was planted in its place, and it was re-dedicated along with the original plaque during this ceremony. The memorial ceremony was led by Brother Keith Hileman ('97), who remembers Mason as a free spirit and generous soul. Additionally, it was an honor to have his father, Brother Steve Foor, in attendance, who became an Honorary Brother at the time of the loss.

The events continued into the evening with a Brotherhood dinner at Club Paradise, which included a celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of Kappa Chapter at Tri-State College (now Trine University) on May 25, 1947. The event began with a reflection by Brother Gary Ray ('65), who spoke of the three "Castles" that housed the Kappa Chapter Actives in the past, including the present house built in 1985, located at the corner of College and Thunder.

The highlight of the evening was the opportunity to video chat with Kappa Chapter Charter Member, Brother Don Ellison ('48). Hosted by Brother Bill Warner ('61), the names of the 39 Charter Members were read by Active Brothers, Jonathan “JT” Ives and Richard Spodeck and Alumni Keith Hileman and Gary Ray. The 39 were remembered by Brother Ellison. After the reading, a tribute to those of the World War II era was given and a condensed version of Brother Ellison’s life was heard. This biography included how he grew up working, valuing education, his graduation from Tri-State being delayed by four years due to the war, how he met his beautiful wife, Ann during his military service, their four children, his life long dedication to the military and civil service to our county.

It was a great weekend that will be fondly remembered by all who were involved and a fitting celebration of 70 years of Kappa Chapter. Thank you to all who helped in the planning and execution of the weekend's events including (but not limited to) Alumni Bill Warner and Keith Hileman, Actives Richard Spodeck and Zach Howe, and the event photographer, Bill Eyster (Eyster Photo & Graphics). And thank you to all who were in attendance for the meeting, Brother Foor memorial ceremony, and/or Brotherhood dinner at Club Paradise.