Chapter Update · November 2026
Parents and Families Weekend
This past weekend, we welcomed our brothers’ families for our Parents and Families Weekend! Thank you to all the Sigma Chi families who came out!
In Hoc Signo Vinces!
Eta Mu Chapter · Est. 1971
Together, We Build
Something Special.
United by friendship and a shared commitment to Eta Mu, we’re preserving our home, strengthening our brotherhood, and building a legacy for generations to come.
28 new connections
The 2103 Legacy Circle
Every Brother Makes
the Connection.
Help us welcome 28 new members—four each month from November 2026 through May 2027.
For $21.03 a month, your membership supports upkeep, repairs and maintenance at 2103—preserving our chapter home for today’s brothers and generations to come.
Members receive a 2103 Legacy Circle chip.
Nov 2026
Dec 2026
Jan 2027
Feb 2027
Mar 2027
Apr 2027
May 2027
Campaign goal: 28 new membersMonthly goal: 4 new members
Continue to Givebutter to join.
From the chapter
Eta Mu is Rising.
Today’s active brothers are leading, serving, competing, and building their own legacy.
Chapter Update · November 4, 2026
Welcome to Our Ten New Brothers!
Join us in welcoming Matt Gerdi, Elliott Hendrian, Hixon Lafond, EJ Dynis, Alex Silva, Evan Ingalsbe, Evan Starr, Gabriel Hobart, Tre Lee, and Brandon Lane to the Eta Mu Chapter of Sigma Chi.
Homecoming 2026 · Eta Mu
Thank You for
Coming Home.
The camaraderie was off the charts.
Brothers,
Thank you to everyone who made this Homecoming weekend so special. To the alumni who returned for the Recognition Patio dedication and awards, our active members who welcomed us and hosted activities at the house, and our future new members who joined us—your presence meant a great deal.
It was a privilege to celebrate our award recipients and share the weekend with three of Eta Mu’s Significant Sigs. The accomplishments we recognized and the friendships we renewed gave us plenty to be proud of.
The camaraderie was off the charts. Whether reconnecting with brothers we have known for decades or meeting those who will carry Eta Mu forward, there was a shared sense of belonging. That is what makes coming home to 2103 so meaningful.
This is the spirit we need to continue building our chapter: alumni staying involved, active members taking pride in their chapter, and future brothers seeing the lifelong friendships Sigma Chi can offer.
Let’s celebrate what we shared this year, carry that energy forward, and make Homecoming 2027 even bigger.
Thank you for being part of it.
In Hoc,
Randy
FEATURED CHAPTER UPDATE
A Successful Fall 2026 Recruitment
What a fall recruitment for Eta Mu! Thirteen potential new members have signed bids to join our brotherhood.
Congratulations to the chapter for all the hard work that made this possible. The future of Eta Mu looks bright!
Service with Purpose
Eta Mu earned recognition for philanthropy while raising nearly $6,000 and volunteering with Special Olympics.
Champions on Campus
The chapter brought home intramural championships in both kickball and softball.
The qualities we seek in every Sigma ChiThe Jordan Standard View the standard ↓
- 01A man of good character
- 02A student of fair ability
- 03With ambitious purposes
- 04A congenial disposition
- 05Possessed of good morals
- 06Having a high sense of honor
- 07A deep sense of personal responsibility
These standards have guided Sigma Chi recruitment since 1855—and continue to guide Eta Mu today.
The ideals that guide our brotherhoodThe Sigma Chi Creed View the creed ↓
I believe in fairness, decency and good manners.
I will endeavor to retain the spirit of youth.
I will try to make my college, the Sigma Chi Fraternity, and my own chapter more honored by all men and women and more beloved and honestly respected by our own brothers.
I say these words in all sincerity; that Sigma Chi has given me favor and distinction; that the bond of our fellowship is reciprocal; that I will endeavor to so build myself and so conduct myself that I will ever be a credit to our Fraternity.
Eastern Illinois UniversityEta Mu OfficersView roster & email officers ↓Fall 2026
| Office | Brother | |
|---|---|---|
| Consul | Marcus Mitchell | marcuswmitchell2006@gmail.com |
| Pro Consul | Gavin Blisset | gavinb5592@gmail.com |
| Annotator | Alex Guzman | alexguz9868@gmail.com |
| Quaestor | Joshua Simnick | josh3806@gmail.com |
| Magister | Andrew Wicke | andrewwicke32@gmail.com |
| Recruitment | Corbin Smith | corbinxss@gmail.com |
| Kustos | Cameron Lawson | cameronlawson2004@gmail.com |
| Social Chair | Adam Watson | ajaywatson217@gmail.com |
| Risk Mgr | Kevin Sosamon | sosamonkevin@gmail.com |
| House Mgr | Dylan Curry | d23curdy@outlook.com |
| Philanthropy | Robert McDaniel | rdean2005@gmail.com |
| Scholarship | Hayden Sennett | sennetth05@gmail.com |
Homecoming Photos · Browse by Year →
Together at 2103
Patio Dedication Ceremony
· 2103 Chapter House
Watch highlights from the Recognition Patio dedication, including ceremony remarks, alumni awards, the scholarship presentation and our group photo.
12 photos · 1 minuteDownload slideshow ↓
Investing in our brothers
Scholarships
Eta Mu · Established 2026
Annual Alumni Scholarship Award
$2,000 Scholarship
Every undergraduate and graduate Sigma Chi is eligible.
Apply through the Sigma Chi portal from March until June 1.
Visit the Sigma Chi Scholarship PortalCreated by Tom Holden ’81
“I created this as a tribute, on my 50th year Sigma Chi anniversary, to a number of life long friends that I have as a result of being a Sig at EIU. I always intended to include something like this in my will. My thought was, why wait? Contribute now, watch and participate in the impact while you’re alive.”
— Tom Holden ’81
How did the Eta Mu Alumni Scholarship happen
Award Winners by Year
Hayden Sennett ’29
2026 Recipient
Annual Alumni Scholarship Award
$2,000 Scholarship
White Cross 250
We Built the Foundation.
Now Let’s Finish the House.
From Project Lockwood to White Cross 250
The House. Our Legacy. Their Future.
Project Lockwood secured our home at 2103. Alumni generosity, strengthened by the successful Recognition Patio project, made that milestone possible. All but one of the alumni who advanced purchase funds have been repaid.
White Cross 250 will fund the next phase: necessary repairs, efficiency upgrades, and renovations that reduce operating costs, make living at 2103 more appealing, and increase occupancy to strengthen financial stability. Alumni support is needed now to move this work forward.
Priority projects include fire alarm updates, a new boiler, coordinated HVAC replacement and energy-efficient window installation, and other needed repairs. These improvements will extend the life of 2103 and protect the Eta Mu experience for future generations.
Through a new recognition project, growth of The 2103 Legacy Circle, and alumni gatherings and brotherhood activities, we can fund these improvements and establish steady support—preserving our home for future brothers while minimizing the need for additional large fundraising campaigns.
White Cross 250
Raised to date
As of
$2,1500.86% of $250,000 goal
Repairs & maintenance for 2103
White Cross 250 · Donation Guide
There are two nonprofits that donations can be made to: ETA Mu House Corporation, 501(c)(7), and the Sigma Chi Foundation, 501(c)(3). See below for details.
Support our chapter home
ETA Mu House Corporation Donations
Donations to the House Corporation go directly to house upgrades, safety improvements, and general maintenance.
All donations made to ETA Mu House Corporation are NOT tax-deductible. ETA Mu House Corporation is a 501(c)(7) nonprofit.
The Brotherhood Pavilion
Support the pavilion through the White Cross 250 fundraising effort. The bulk of the proceeds from this campaign will fund house projects and improvements. Pavilion construction will not begin until the campaign’s $150,000 goal is achieved.
Donate to the Pavilion
General White Cross 250
Help fund needed repairs, upgrades, and improvements at 2103.
Donate to White Cross
The 2103 Legacy Circle
Provide steady support for house upkeep and maintenance with a recurring gift of $21.03 per month.
Join the Legacy CircleDonate by Check
Make checks payable to ETA Mu House Corporation.
Mail to:
ETA Mu House Corporationc/o Doug Wade
615 Glenwood Lane
Lombard, IL 60148
Donations by check are also not tax-deductible.
Support educational spaces at 2103
Sigma Chi Foundation Donations
How Your Gift Supports ETA Mu
The House Corporation earns annual interest on chapter-designated funds held by the Foundation. It can request reimbursements from the ETA Mu Education Fund for upgrades made to designated educational spaces within the chapter house.
Donations to the Sigma Chi Foundation are tax-deductible. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Donate by Check
Make checks payable to Sigma Chi Foundation.
Mail to:
Sigma Chi FoundationAttn: Donor Support / Gift Processing
1714 Hinman Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201
Required memo designation: Include the following in the memo section of your check:
For deposit in ETA Mu Education Fund #4034.
Once your check is processed, the Foundation will mail an official acknowledgment letter and tax receipt within 10 days.
Naming Rights
Honor your connection to Eta Mu with recognition at 2103 while supporting White Cross 250.
Gold Level — $50,000+
| Naming opportunity | Gift amount | Commitment in guide |
|---|---|---|
| House Naming Rights | $500,000 | — |
| Chapter Study Room | $100,000 | Committed — Pierce Family |
| Library (Formal Room) | $75,000 | — |
| Outdoor Patio — South Side | $50,000 | — |
| Lounge | $50,000 | Committed — Alan Roller |
Blue Level — $25,000–$49,999
| Naming opportunity | Gift amount | Commitment in guide |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation Room | $25,000 | — |
| Foyer | $25,000 | Committed — Jim Getz |
| Consul’s Suite | $25,000 | Committed — Barrett Callaghan |
Silver Level — $10,000–$24,999
| Naming opportunity | Gift amount | Commitment in guide |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor Deck — North Side | $15,000 | — |
| Computer Room | $10,000 | — |
| Study Room | $10,000 | — |
| Office | $10,000 | — |
| Office | $10,000 | — |
White Level — $5,000–$9,999
| Naming opportunity | Gift amount | Commitment in guide |
|---|---|---|
| First Floor Rooms | $7,500 per room | — |
| Second Floor Rooms | $6,000 per room | — |
Recognition and giving arrangements
- Duration: Naming rights are guaranteed for a minimum of 15 years.
- Recognition: Naming gifts receive a plaque outside the designated area, recognition online, and recognition on the Significant Alumni Donor plaque in the chapter entryway.
- Pledge periods: Silver Level gifts may be contributed over one year; Blue Level gifts over two years; Gold Level gifts over up to three years.
- Recognition begins once total funds are received.
White Cross 250 and pavilion recognition
Gifts of $1,000–$4,999 receive website recognition. The first 50 donors to the pavilion campaign receive a White Cross 250 hat.
One name recognition is provided per $1,000 donation. A donor requesting multiple names may add an Eta Mu Sigma Chi who has entered the Chapter Eternal, a spouse who was an Eta Mu chapter sweetheart, or another Eta Mu chapter brother.
Group donor options
Families of alumni, a pledge class or group of pledge classes, and graduating classes may pool donations to reach any naming rights category.
The 2103 Legacy Circle
Give $21.03 per month and receive a recognition chip and website recognition.
Commitments shown reflect the October 2026 donation guide. Contact the House Corporation to confirm current availability and arrange a naming gift.
Ask About Naming RightsHonoring generosity
Significant Alumni Donors
We sincerely thank these brothers for their generous support of Eta Mu. Their contributions help preserve our home at 2103, strengthen the chapter, and provide opportunities for future generations of brothers.
Our Significant Alumni Donors plaque is a lasting tribute to their generosity and commitment to our brotherhood.
The House. Our Legacy. Their Future.
Gold · $50,000+
- Pierce Family
- Alan Roller
Blue · $25,000–$49,999
- Jim Getz
- Barrett Callaghan
- Rich Fish
- Sean Payton
- Brian Jones
Silver · $10,000–$24,999
- Ken Aubens
- Ed Huber
- Steve Brewer
- Craig Andree
White · $5,000–$9,999
- Bruce Hunt
- Randy Dunn
- Bob Shaver
- Steve Allen
- Kevin Doyle
- Jeff Middleton
- Sam Van Scoyoc
- Doug Wade
Brotherhood in action
Project Lockwood/White Cross 250 and/or Education Fund Donor Recognition
With gratitude to the brothers whose support helps protect 2103 and secure Eta Mu’s future.
Legacy Gifts
The 2103 Legacy Circle Donor Recognition
Finish the work. Protect 2103. Secure Eta Mu’s future.
Your chapter still needs you
There’s more than one way
to leave your mark.
Give your time. Share your experience. Mentor an undergraduate. Attend an event. Support 2103. Alumni involvement is what turns a chapter house into a brotherhood for life.
Share a Story or PhotoAlumni spotlight
The brothers
behind 2103.
Eta Mu’s story continues through alumni who give their time, support, and leadership to the next generation.
Featured brother
Richard Fish
Richard helped bring the Recognition Patio to life through his leadership and has joined The 2103 Legacy Circle. His continued involvement helps keep 2103 a home for the brothers who follow.
Featured brother
Bob Shaver
Bob plays an integral role in maintaining the safety of 2103 and moving its improvements forward. He helped plan and design the Recognition Patio alongside Jeff Middleton and Jim Getz, and was among the first brothers to join the 2103 Legacy Circle. Thank you, Bob, for your continuing care and commitment to the Eta Mu brotherhood.
Featured brother
Jeff Middleton
Jeff has been instrumental in Eta Mu’s reinstallation, the work at 2103, and support for the active brothers. Over the years, he has served as Kustos, a member of the House Corporation, and is the current Ritual Peer for Eta Mu. His steady commitment to the chapter and its next generation was recognized with the Seven Lights Alumni Award in 2026.
Alumni Spotlight: Bob Schwier — Alpha Rho, Spring 1989
Bob Schwier, initiated in October 1989 and a 1992 Bachelor of Arts graduate, lives in Naperville, Illinois, and has spent 26 years with AstraZeneca and 18 years coaching baseball and football. From life at the Red Barn to championship celebrations, Bob treasures the friendships and leadership lessons that continue to guide him. One of his proudest moments was pinning his son Jack when he became a Sigma Chi at Southern Illinois University. To Bob, 2103 represents Eta Mu’s renewed future—a place where alumni can contribute their time, treasure, and talent to help today’s brothers thrive.
Every Eta Mu brother has a story. Every brother remains part of 2103. Stay connected, come home, and take ownership of our shared future.
Eta Mu recognition
Significant Sigs
Click a name to view their biography.
Eta Mu recognition
The Order of Constantine
Click a name to view their biography.
Eta Mu recognition
Seven Lights Alumni Award
- Bill Leonard
- Tom Smith
- Kevin Pierce
- Gary Munson
- Jim Corn
- John Fisher
- Blake Pierce
- Ken Szafranski
- Jeff Middleton
The Order of Constantine · Eastern Illinois 1970
John R. Beeson
Bro. Beeson was initiated into the Kappa Kappa Chapter at the University of Illinois. After his return from the U.S. Army, he enrolled at Eastern Illinois University in 1969 and immediately became involved with the founding of the Lambda Sigma Chi local fraternity. Lambda Sigma Chi was formed with the express purpose of achieving a charter from Sigma Chi, which occurred on December 11, 1971. Bro. Beeson had already graduated from EIU in 1970 and was attending St. Louis University Law School, but he remained very involved with Lambda Sigma Chi and the new Eta Mu Chapter, even after he completed law school and re-enlisted in the U.S. Army as an officer in the Adjutant General Corps.
At the time of his induction into the Order of Constantine in 2004, Bro. Beeson had recently served as a member of the review and reactivation committees of the Omega Chapter at Northwestern University. He had retired from the Army and was a 20-year member of the Eta Mu House Corporation, serving briefly as its President. He was also a 15-year member of the Chicago and Chicago North Shore Alumni Chapters and had served as Vice President of the Chicago North Shore Alumni Chapter. He was inducted into the Order of Constantine at the Grand Council meeting at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, home of Sigma Chi’s Alpha Chapter.
Bro. Beeson was a Life Loyal Sig.
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The Order of Constantine · Eastern Illinois 1972
James E. Getz
Bro. Getz was initiated as a Charter Member of Eta Mu Chapter on December 11, 1971. He was in the Alpha Pledge Class of Lambda Sigma Chi and served as its Magister during the 1970–71 academic year. He was Pro Consul of the Eta Mu Chapter when the chapter was installed during his senior year at EIU. Bro. Getz was presented with the Illinois Province Balfour Award by Grand Praetor Ed King in 1972.
At the time of his induction into the Order of Constantine in 2004, Bro. Getz was a 29-year Trustee of the Eta Mu House Corporation, having served most of those years as President and later as Vice President/Secretary. During his tenure as President, he was instrumental in the purchase of “The Barn” at 1617 Ninth Street, the first Eta Mu chapter house owned by the Eta Mu House Corporation. Bro. Getz and Bro. Dick Berry, the House Corporation Treasurer, personally guaranteed the mortgage loan.
Beginning in 1972, Bro. Getz also served for seven years on the Magister faculty at the fraternity’s annual Balfour Leadership Training Workshop. In 2004, Bro. Getz was also an 18-year active member of the Chicago North Shore Alumni Chapter, a tenure that has extended beyond 35 years. He was inducted into the Order of Constantine at the Grand Council meeting at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, home of Sigma Chi’s Alpha Chapter.
Bro. Getz is a Life Loyal Sig and a Significant Sig.
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The Order of Constantine · Eastern Illinois 1981
William B. Leonard
Bro. Leonard was initiated into the Eta Mu Chapter as a member of the Nu Pledge Class in 1976. He was a Trustee of the Eta Mu House Corporation from 1996 to 2006 and is a 30-year member of the Chicago DuPage Alumni Chapter. The success of the alumni chapter is largely due to the work and long devotion of Bro. Leonard. At the time of his induction into the Order of Constantine in 2012, he was well into his 15-year tenure as President of the Chicago DuPage Alumni Chapter. Bro. Leonard was also a recipient of the Seven Lights Alumni Award in 2011 for his outstanding volunteer service to the Sigma Chi Fraternity.
Bro. Leonard is a Life Loyal Sig.
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The Order of Constantine · Eastern Illinois 1984
Kevin M. Pierce
Bro. Pierce was initiated into the Eta Mu Chapter as a member of the Alpha Zeta Pledge Class in 1983. He served as a Trustee of the Eta Mu House Corporation from 1990 to 2025, including five years as Vice President/Secretary and eight years as Treasurer. He also served Eta Mu as its Chapter Advisor for five years.
Bro. Pierce served as Chapter Advisor to the Sigma Chi chapter at Southern Illinois University from its colonization through its installation. For many years, he has played a critical role in initiations at numerous Sigma Chi chapters throughout Illinois. He received the Seven Lights Alumni Award in 2013 for his service to the Sigma Chi Fraternity and was inducted into the Order of Constantine in 2016.
Bro. Pierce is a Life Loyal Sig.
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Significant Sig · Eastern Illinois 1983 · Tau Pledge Class
William P. “Robbie” Robertson
Bro. Robertson was initiated into the Eta Mu Chapter as a member of the Tau Pledge Class on March 17, 1979. He left EIU and finished his bachelor’s degree at Bradley University in his hometown of Peoria, Illinois.
At the time of his selection as a Significant Sig in 2021, Bro. Robertson was a Brigadier General in the Illinois Air National Guard (ANG), serving the last of his five-year tour as the ANG Assistant to the Commander of the 12th Air Force, based out of Davis-Monthan AFB in Arizona. He provided direction and advice concerning ANG-specific programs to all ANG units supporting the 12th Air Force/Air Force Southern, the air and space component of U.S. Southern Command responsible for operations in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Bro. Robertson began his military career in 1980 by enlisting as a security police officer with the 182d Tactical Air Group in Peoria. Upon his graduation from Bradley University in 1983, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and underwent pilot training. During his 40-year career in the U.S. Air Force and ANG, he logged over 4,800 flight hours with qualifications in numerous airframes, including the F-16 and C-130 aircraft. He served as a forward air controller, air liaison officer, aircraft commander, and operations group commander before becoming the 182d Airlift Wing Commander (2004–2017). In that role, he was responsible for maintaining the combat readiness of eight C-130 aircraft and more than 1,200 traditional and full-time Illinois Air National Guardsmen.
Bro. Robertson was mobilized for Operation Desert Storm and again during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served as Chief of Staff, Illinois Air National Guard, from 2017 to 2020. He also served as Director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency from March 2018 to January 2019.
Bro. Robertson received many awards during his military career, including the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, and Air Medal. His community service includes serving as a board member of the Peoria YMCA, Peoria Goodwill, and Peoria High School Alumni Association.
Bro. Robertson is a Life Loyal Sig.
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Significant Sig · Eastern Illinois 1987 · Alpha Eta Pledge Class
Sean Payton
Bro. Payton pledged the Fraternity with 19 other brothers of the Alpha Eta Pledge Class. He was initiated into the Eta Mu Chapter on April 21, 1984, and graduated from EIU in 1987.
Bro. Payton was selected as a Significant Sig in 2007 in recognition of his career as a collegiate player and professional football coach. At the time of his selection, he was Head Coach of the New Orleans Saints. He later guided the Saints to their Super Bowl XLIV victory in February 2010, with fellow Significant Sig Drew Brees (Purdue University 2001) at quarterback.
Before coaching, Bro. Payton had a brief stint as a quarterback in the National Football League. His coaching career began as Co-Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach at Miami University in Ohio, home of Sigma Chi’s Alpha Chapter. His NFL coaching positions included Assistant Head Coach and Quarterbacks Coach for the Dallas Cowboys, Offensive Coordinator for the New York Giants when they appeared in Super Bowl XXXV, and Quarterbacks Coach with the Philadelphia Eagles. He later became Head Coach of the Denver Broncos. After leading Denver to the AFC Championship Game following the 2025 season, he signed a new contract through 2030.
At Eastern Illinois University, Bro. Payton was the starting quarterback for the Panthers and set many team passing and offensive records. A few remain in place today. Several were eventually eclipsed by Tony Romo and Jimmy Garoppolo, who both went on to NFL careers.
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Significant Sig · Eastern Illinois 1999 · Beta Lambda Pledge Class
Ryan Pace
Bro. Pace was initiated into the Eta Mu Chapter as a member of the Beta Lambda Pledge Class on May 2, 1998. At the time of his selection as a Significant Sig in 2019, Bro. Pace was the general manager of the NFL’s Chicago Bears, who were the 2018 NFC North Division champions. When the Bears hired him in 2015, he was the youngest general manager in the NFL. In 2018, the Bears extended his contract through 2021.
Bro. Pace started his NFL career as an operations assistant for the New Orleans Saints. Over the next 14 years, he rose to become the Saints’ Director of Player Personnel. During that time, the Saints reached the NFL playoffs five times and won Super Bowl XLIV. Bro. Pace was named Sporting News Executive of the Year for 2018.
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Significant Sig · Eastern Illinois 1971
Charles R. “Doc” Maris, M.D.
Bro. Maris was a founding member of Lambda Sigma Chi and initiated as a Charter Member of Eta Mu Chapter. At the time of his selection as a Significant Sig in 2020, Bro. Maris had recently retired from a long dual career in medicine and the military. After graduating from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in 1975, Bro. Maris earned dual board certification in General Surgery and Otolaryngology (Head & Neck Surgery). He started his medical career in private practice in the Charleston area while being elected to multiple staff leadership positions at Sarah Bush Lincoln Medical Center, including President of the Medical Staff. He left private practice in 1996 to join the Carle Clinic Association, where he became the Regional Medical Director, Medical Director of Pathology & Radiology, and Medical Director of Surgical Services. He also served as an Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Illinois College of Medicine and the Carle Illinois College of Medicine.
Bro. Maris’ civilian medical career is only half of his story. He also served an equally distinguished career as a citizen soldier. After 34 years of reserve and active duty in the U.S. Army, he retired at the rank of Colonel in 2014 and was honored with the Legion of Merit. While in the reserves, he served in multiple capacities, including Surgeon, Chief of Surgical Services, Deputy Command Surgeon, and Command Surgeon. When mobilized for active duty, Bro. Maris served as Assistant Chief of Surgery for the 159th MASH in Saudi Arabia and Iraq during Operation Desert Storm in 1990–91.
Bro. Maris’ community involvement is extensive and varied. Besides donating his time to provide medical services in the Charleston area, he has served on the boards of Charleston Public Schools, the Chamber of Commerce, and the EIU Foundation. Most notable of all his community involvement, however, has been his active role in the Boy Scouts of America, as well as his support of BSA Philanthropy. His appointments and positions are numerous.
In 2021, Bro. Maris was presented with a Distinguished Alumnus Award by Eastern Illinois University. His other recognitions are numerous, including Who’s Who in America in 2000 and the Order of Military Medical Merit in 2004.
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Significant Sig · Eta Mu Chapter
Chuck Willes
Bro. Willes was selected as a Significant Sig in 2026. A member of Eta Pledge Class, he was initiated May 4, 1974. He affiliated with Kappa Kappa Chapter at the University of Illinois while earning an MBA in Finance and an MS in Accounting.
A Certified Public Accountant, Bro. Willes built a distinguished career as an executive, entrepreneur and board member. He also led entrepreneurial start-ups, acquisitions and financial turnarounds. At KPMG Peat Marwick, he specialized in bank taxation, developed the first bank acquisition software program and advised on hundreds of bank mergers. At Northern Trust and Westpac, he advised on more than $1 billion in client funding. At Motorola, he negotiated start-up joint ventures with Sprint and Bell Canada for Iridium, Inc.’s satellite phone system, plus ventures with local entities in the Middle East, South America, Taiwan and Mexico. He was also responsible for St. Petersburg Telecom, one of Russia’s first cell phone companies.
Bro. Willes’ leadership roles included Dial Info., which sold for $100 million; Hallcrest, a specialty chemical company; ISCO International, which he helped move from near bankruptcy to a public listing valued above $400 million; and Sunterra, where he advised on its NASDAQ listing before its $700 million sale. He then founded Field Connections, LLC and MB Property Inspection Services, LLC, default property management companies for banks and other mortgage holders that managed more than $4 billion in defaulted properties. He also built a Chicago-area residential cleaning business through numerous acquisitions. Collectively, the companies generated more than $200 million in revenue.
Beyond his business ventures, Bro. Willes served as a foster parent through Catholic Charities and played for the Chicago Dragons amateur ice hockey team, which competed for the North American Amateur Hockey League championship in 1989. A licensed Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), he works with EMS RoadDocs, providing medical support for charity rides and walks in the Chicago area.
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Significant Sig · Eastern Illinois 1972 · 2017
J. Thomas Long
Bro. Long was initiated as a Charter Member of Eta Mu Chapter on December 11, 1971. He was in the Alpha Pledge Class of Lambda Sigma Chi and served as its Quaestor. He was Consul when Eta Mu received its charter. At the time of his selection as a Significant Sig in 2017, Bro. Long was counsel for the Phoenix, Sandburg and Von Gontard law firm of St. Louis, Missouri, and managed their office in Alton, Illinois. He received his J.D. degree in 1976 and became a C.P.A. in 1980, concentrating on corporate planning and taxation, and business transactions and litigation. Bro. Long was a co-founder and CEO of the Argosy Gaming Company, which operated the first riverboat casino in Illinois and expanded under his leadership to gaming facilities in six states with over $500 million in annual revenue and more than 4,000 employees. Bro. Long went on to become Chairman of the Board of First National Bank of Grant Park, Illinois, and its associated holding company, Grant Park Bankshares, Inc., with $178 million in assets. In 2000, he moved on to a new challenge, becoming a private investor and owner of numerous small businesses ranging from $2 million to $50 million in annual revenues and employing over 500 people nationwide.
Bro. Long had a long history of community involvement and leadership. He served his hometown of Godfrey, Illinois, on the Community Planning and Development Committee and as Village Attorney. He was also Past President of the Southwestern Illinois Employers Association and the Riverbend Growth Association. He was on the Board of Directors and was Past President of the Lewis and Clark Community College Foundation. He also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of OSF St. Anthony’s Health Center Foundation in Alton, Illinois. St. Anthony’s Health Center is the premier hospital in the Alton area.
Bro. Long also served the nation as a volunteer member of President George W. Bush’s advance team for presidential trips to Hungary, Korea, Latvia, Mexico, Poland, and Russia.
Bro. Long was a Life Loyal Sig.
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Significant Sig · Eastern Illinois 1986 · 2020
Kevin Klauer, D.O.
Bro. Klauer was initiated into the Eta Mu Chapter as a member of the Alpha Zeta Pledge Class on December 3, 1983. At the time of his selection as a Significant Sig in 2020, Bro. Klauer was CEO of the American Osteopathic Association. Bro. Klauer previously was Chief Medical Officer for Hospital-Based Services, Chief Risk Officer, and Executive Director of Patient Safety at TeamHealth. Bro. Klauer also worked as an emergency medicine physician. During his career, Bro. Klauer has won more than 30 awards and published seven books. He also has 19 journal and peer-reviewed publications to his credit.
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Significant Sig · Eastern Illinois 1971
Paul J. Ward
Bro. Ward was initiated as a Charter Member of Eta Mu Chapter on December 11, 1971. He was a founding member of Lambda Sigma Chi and served as its first Questor. Bro. Ward graduated from Eastern Illinois University (B.S., 1971; M.A., 1974), and the Southern Methodist University School of Law (J.D., 1975). He has been admitted to practice law in Texas, Arizona, South Carolina, Indiana, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Bro. Ward served as a university General Counsel for 47 years: including 12 years at the University of South Carolina, 18 years at Arizona State University, and his last 17 years at his law school alma mater, Southern Methodist University. At the time of his selection as a Significant Sig in 2012, Bro. Ward was at Arizona State University. As of 2026, Bro. Ward serves as General Counsel Emeritus at SMU. He served as a member of the Board of Directors (1988–92 and 1993–98) and President (1996–97) of the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA). In 1993, he established NACUA’s electronic discussion list, NACUANET, which has more than 5,000 participating members in the United States and eight foreign countries. In 2000, he received the prestigious Distinguished Service Award from NACUA. Bro. Ward also served as a member of the NCAA General Counsel Advisory Board from 2000–2010. He has also served in the American Bar Association House of Delegates.
In 2002, Bro. Ward received the Thomas S. Biggs Award at the Stetson University College of Law’s National Conference on Law of Higher Education. Bro. Ward also received an EIU Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2006. Bro. Ward is AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated (25 years+), Martindale-Hubbell’s highest peer recognition for ethical standards and legal ability. Bro. Ward was the recipient of the 2020 Robert H. Dedman Award for Ethics & Law from the Texas General Counsel Forum. He is a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. In 2023, he received the Carol L. McDonald Public Service Award from Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas.
Bro. Ward is a Life Loyal Sig.
Significant Sig · Founding Member · Eta Mu Chapter
Jim Getz ’72
At the time of his selection as a Significant Sig in 2019, Bro. Getz was the managing partner of Boat Accident Reconstruction Experts, LLC, and a nationally recognized expert witness involving recreational boating accidents in both civil and criminal court cases in 42 states. Bro. Getz served over 28 years in the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Law Enforcement, retiring in 2003 as a Captain with the Illinois Conservation Police in charge of the Chicago area. Prior to that, Bro. Getz served as a Deputy Chief of Law Enforcement and Boating Law Administrator for the State of Illinois, becoming the state’s leading expert on recreational boating safety.
After he retired from the IDNR, he became the Boat Accident Investigation Program Manager for the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), where he was responsible for re-engineering the entire national training curriculum. During his 12 years with NASBLA, he taught over 3,000 police officers nationwide how to investigate and reconstruct recreational boating accidents. He was also the principal author of all the training materials and three editions of the National Field Guide to Recreational Boating Accident Investigation and Reconstruction. During his tenure with NASBLA, he also was the Project Manager for the nation’s first staged recreational boating collisions involving two moving remote-controlled vessels. He was also the principal author of a peer-reviewed paper, “Perception-Response Times in Recreational Boating,” published by the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers.
Bro. Getz was an active volunteer member of the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) for over 20 years, serving on their Technical Board, Board of Directors, and chairing a number of Project Technical Committees. ABYC develops national standards for recreational boats. He also served on the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Boating Safety Advisory Council.
Bro. Getz received a U.S. Coast Guard Meritorious Service Award and was included in the 2000–2003 editions of Who’s Who in America. In 2018, he was recognized with a Marquis Who’s Who Lifetime Achievement Award.
Bro. Getz is a Life Loyal Sig and a member of the Order of Constantine.
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