Happy 134th Anniversary, Beta Theta

Our charter hangs in the chapter room in the middle of the bookshelves. It is dated September 18, 1890, 134 years ago. It is signed by the High Council and lists the local founders, Eugene Graves, Jesse Culver, Clifford Foy, Edwin McKay, and Oscar Pruitt. The history books report our founding was in a room above what is now Toomer’s Drug. That building is still owned by the Lipscomb family, and McAdory Lipscomb, Beta Theta 657, operated the drugstore there many years. His brother Lan Lipscomb, Beta Theta 598, operated Lipscomb Drugs just down the hill toward the railroad tracks. Their father, Andrew Dowdell Lipscomb, Sr., was Beta Theta 177, initiated in 1912.

Local Founder Jesse Culver scored the first touchdown in the Auburn vs. Georgia game of 1892, the first college football game in the south, making him the first to score a college touchdown in the south. Years later, Babe McGehee, Beta Theta 474, would score the first touchdown in Auburn Stadium, now known as Jordan-Hare, vs. Florida in 1939. Babe is the father of Clark McGehee, Beta Theta 1467.

Last months' newsletter, https://conta.cc/3ARNMV7 and today’s as well both include many additions to our chapter’s rich History, Traditions, and Heroes. 

Parents' Weekend

The chapter room was packed with attentive and engaged parents on Friday, September 6.

The collegians hosted Parents' Weekend September 6 and 7. Okay, they had some help with the floral arrangements! It was the first time many freshman parents met other parents and their sons’ pledge brothers. For others, it was a happy reunion. 

Lt. Commander Joe Lash stayed up all night cooking Boston Butts and the large crowd ate it all up. The Charles Davis Pavillion was the most popular gathering spot, built with the leadership of Charlie Roach, Matt Rabren, and Jim Moss.

Commander Luke Thompson, Lt. Commander Joe Lash, Treasurer Charlie Hughes, and Pledge Marshal Pruitt Lee addressed the parents, followed by remarks from Advisor Sean Thomas, Housemother Margaret Melzer, and Regent Maury D. Gaston. The Parents’ Club, local alumni engagement, and Mrs. Melzer are key ingredients to the health and well-being of our chapter.

Another Strong Pledge Class

A Sigma Nu bid at Auburn remains a coveted invitation. Fifty-seven young men have such an opportunity this fall and they are shown above with Regent Gaston, Pledge Marshal Pruitt Lee, Commander Thompson, Housemother Melzer, Treasurer Charlie Hughes, and Lt. Commander Lash. Joe Handey and Will McIlvaine are our Rush Chairs. 

A reminder to our alumni – rush is much different from when you came through. Your sons, grandsons, and nephews need to be engaged with the chapter in the fall of their high school senior year and especially so February through April just before their high school graduation. The fall class will be essentially complete by the Fourth of July.

More Leaders Shine for Beta Theta

Last month we wrote about a number of chapter collegiate and alumni leaders including Beau Byrd speaking at commencement, Joe Lash and the IFC Unsung Hero award, Trey Oliver and Jay Bland and the Alumni Association 20 under 40 program, Thomas Harris and Tom Lowder and the state of Alabama Business Hall of Fame, and Forrest Dockery at the Lexington Leadership Institute. You can read about all that at this link, https://conta.cc/3ARNMV7. This month, we feature even more Beta Theta influencers and leaders, and our next issue will feature IFC and SGA leaders.

Mark Russell is Executive Director of the Huntsville Sports Commission. He’s on Pat Dye Field here with the visiting Alabama A&M team from Huntsville.

Regent Maury D. Gaston was recognized September 13 by the Sam Ginn College of Engineering as a Distinguished Auburn Engineer. Maury is a past Chair of the Auburn Alumni Engineering Council, past Chair of the Alabama Iron and Steel Council, and a current Director and past Chair of the state of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame. He retired June 30 following 42 years with American Cast Iron Pipe, having worked and lived in New York, Florida, California, and Texas, before returning to Birmingham in 1997 and getting engaged with our House Corporation.

In receiving this recognition, Maury joins Beta Theta brothers Buzz Miller, Bill Harbert, Dwight Wiggins, Miller Gorrie, and Robert H. Harris as Distinguished Auburn Engineers. 

In the photo above, are left to right, nephew Kevin, niece-in-law Abbie, brother Charles, Maury, wife Nancy, sister-in-law Jan, and brother Joel. Sadly absent were daughter Alison and nephew and niece-in-law Kyle and Lynsey. Kevin, Joel, and Kyle are each chapter alumni.

Sean Thomas has been elected a Director of the Auburn Alumni Association. He’s shown here with past Director and and past Association President and summer commencement speaker Beau Byrd.



Other chapter Brothers who have served the Alumni Association include Presidents Ken Lott, Duncan Liles, Bobby Lowder, Ralph Jordan, Jr., Beau Byrd, and Directors Howard Nelson, Skip Ryan, and Dr. Gaines Thomas.

Gunnar Smith received the Jeff and Linda Stone Leadership award within the College of Engineering. Gunnar will be graduated in May with an Industrial Engineering degree. He interned this summer with Deloitte in Dallas and will begin full-time work with them in June as an Investment Banking Analyst.  

Jackson Windham is a Plainsman this year. Look for him on the big screen and at alumni events and receptions as your host. Jackson served as Rush Chair a year ago, recruiting today’s sophomores.  He’s the younger brother of chapter alumnus Tyler Windham. Jackson is shown here with girlfriend Camille Emblom, mother Susan, and father Paul.

Gary Davis Tailgate September 28

In 10 days, September 28, when Oklahoma makes their first SEC road trip, the annual Gary Davis Tailgate will be held. This began as a few late-1970s / early 1980s alumni and has grown. It’s a great time, and many come long distances including the Gautiers and often Ellis Stich. Come join the fun. Lots of your Brothers want to see you.

Remembering and Honoring Don Harp III

Our chapter was saddened by the passing of Don Harp, Beta Theta 3027, last January at the age of 26 from a rare heart cancer. Many will recognize Don as the son of Allen Harp, Beta Theta 2005. 

Don was a Building Science major and employed by Brasfield and Gorrie. His pledge class is supporting an endowed scholarship, and you are invited to donate in Don’s memory and in Allen’s honor at this link, https://alumniq.auburn.edu/giving/to/HarpMem?appealcode=DONHARPMEMW. 

Please take a few minutes to read Don’s obituary at this link, https://www.mowells.com/obituaries/Donald-Allen-Harp-III?obId=30274259 . It’s a beautiful tribute to an outstanding and wonderful young man and our Brother. 

Remember the words of our Creed, “To keep green the sainted memory of our loved and lost, their faults forgotten, their virtues enshrined in our hearts forever.”

David Beal said of Don, “ We experienced true brotherhood in the months leading up to Don’s passing and afterwards.  Multiple generations of Sigma Nu supported the Harp family.  It was important to Don that we remain united in the years to come, showing his love and devotion to his Brothers. He encouraged us to have annual reunions and stay together, which showed his devotion to the Fraternity.  We hope his endowed scholarship and the tailgate fulfills and honors his wishes.” 

Past Commander Thomas Birchfield said, “The loss of Don hit our pledge class really hard. Don was beloved by everyone who knew him during our time at Auburn, a treasured member of our pledge class and the entire chapter. Don never missed a chance to be with his fraternity brothers and remains a bright light for us all. We have an obligation to carry on his memory and legacy.”

These are many of Don’s pledge brothers. Visit their white tent near the ampitheatre, and support Don’s scholarship at https://alumniq.auburn.edu/giving/to/HarpMem?appealcode=DONHARPMEMW .