Sigma Tau Gamma Chief Executive Officer, William P. Bernier, Iota ’71, presented a charter on Sunday, February 17th, to collegiate members of the Gamma Phi Provisional Chapter at the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville, IN. The installation ceremony was held on the campus of the University of Southern Indiana for the collegiate men and alumni who helped restart the chapter, officially welcoming them to the Brotherhood of Sigma Tau Gamma.

More than 100 people, which included parents, university officials, members of the USI fraternity and sorority community and other campus leaders, significant others and Gamma Phi alumni and collegiate members attended this event. Notable Sig Tau alumni in attendance included: Lakeland District Director Erik Kahl, Beta Kappa ’10, Gamma Phi alumni advisor, Mike Bevers, Gamma Phi ’85, Vanderburgh County Sherriff, Eric Williams, Gamma Phi ’87, and Director of Expansion Michael Smoll, Delta ’03.

David Stetter, who serves as the Program Advisor for Fraternity and Sorority Life at the University of Southern Indiana gave the keynote address. Other featured speakers included Jacob Western, Gamma Phi ’13, who served as the past provisional chapter president and is the current IFC President, Von Rogers, Gamma Phi ’99, who spoke on behalf of the Gamma Phi Alumni Association, Lucas Miller, Gamma Phi ’14, who is the current provisional chapter president, and Kahl. Bernier wrapped up the speeches with the Installation Address, which highlighted the many accomplishments of Gamma Phi.

In addition to the speeches, the collegiate members presented several awards based on the six principles of the Fraternity to several outstanding brothers and also recognized many of the alumni who have helped them on the path to chartering. In recognition of their chartering, the collegiate members also presented to Bernier a custom designed guest registration book that will be used at the Headquarters in Warrensburg for visitors to sign.

œIt has been exciting to watch the progress that the collegiate members have made over the last few years to re-charter the chapter,” said Smoll. “They have had some ups and downs along the way but they never lost sight on their goal of re-chartering. They have benefited from strong alumni and campus support. Gamma Phi Alumni have distinguished themselves as leaders in the community. I know that these collegiate members will continue this tradition of excellence within the campus and community.

The Gamma Phi Chapter was originally chartered on May 19, 1973 and was active until 1998. The Headquarters staff conducted the initial on-campus recruitment efforts lead by then Expansion Counselors Frank Vanco and Ryan Binkley in the Fall 2010 semester.