CONSUL & SIGNFICANT SIG MARK MCDANIEL '77

LIVING OUR VALUES
SIGMA CHI - A GREAT FOUNDATION FOR LIFE.
by Mark McDaniel, ’77
"Men join fraternities. Leaders of men join Sigma Chi.”  John Wayne, 1929, Alpha Upsilon.
While this terminology might not be as inclusive for purposes of today the point is Sigma Chi prepared leaders to lead a full range of all people
This was true for this young guy from a blue-collar upbringing coming from Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1972. My roommate Bob Bryce ‘76 and I decided we couldn’t take living in a dorm, so we sought out opportunities in fraternities. I was familiar with Sigma Chi at Western Michigan because I had high school friends affiliated with it. We rushed and became pledges. That was the moment my life changed and unknowingly my long-term future. When I pledged, I was on academic probation. You had to achieve a certain grade point to go active. I worked hard because I wanted to be a Sig. It worked out.
I had to pay for part of my going to college. When I realized there were paying jobs to hold in the house, I went all in. I held every position in the house except Quaestor (urban planners do not know much about finance). This track got me engaged in leadership positions. I had mentors who helped me see that I had some talent for leading. Bob McMeekin and Reid Perry were my most influential active brothers who gave me valuable guidance to grow as a leader.
Dr. E.B. Hill was my ultimate mentor. I sought him out anytime I could. He gained respect for me which led him to take this unpolished person under his wing. Did he ever teach me. Skills I still use today. I cherished that relationship. When my dad passed, we found a letter Dr. Hill had written to my parents. He told them about the ​respect he had for me and how hard I worked for the house and him. He told them that they had raised a good son and that I would be a leader someday. I had no idea he had written that.
So, all this led me to becoming a Pro Consul and Consul. I served two thirds of the term of Consul when the current Consul transferred to another school. Odd way of getting there but I loved the role. You realize that you are the CEO of a small business very quickly. The chapter had to be run like a business. As CEO you had an executive team, a large, complicated budget, workers, and customers (active brothers and alumni). It prepared me well for what was to come in my future professional career.
When I joined there were 30 or so active members. Wearing your letters was not a popular thing. When I left, we had over 120 members and everyone was proud to wear those letters. My vision is for Gamma Psi is to reclaim Its honor at MSU and once again be proud to wear our letters and be the place where leaders join Sigma Chi. The definition of leadership is the ability to create a vision that others see themselves in and are then willing to commit themselves to achieving it. Let us bring Gamma Psi back to its honorable place at MSU.
In hoc,
Mark McDaniel, ‘77

GAMMA PSI LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNTIES

Creating the leaders of tomorrow.
College is a fantastic time in any young person's life. It's an opportunity to discover passions for knowledge and make long-lasting connections that extend far beyond your tenure at the school. It's also an opportunity to hone important skills that can have a direct impact on your career.

At Gamma Psi of Sigma Chi we offer a number of leadership opportunities to develop your skills and confidence. These traits are essential in today's fiercily competitive workplace.  See below our list of those in-house leadership positions alone.