News

Please click here to view a PDF of our Newsletter.

You can sign up for our newsletter here or under the stay informed tab on our website.

Summer 2024 Alumni Newsletter

 

 

You can view a PDF version here: Spring-2

 

John R. Poolman

John Richard Poolman II finished the race and began eternity with Jesus on Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023, at the age of 81. He was born April 3rd, 1942, in Des Moines, Iowa to John Richard Poolman and Beth Louise Hubbard Poolman. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 57 years, Beverly Kay Mounce Poolman ’66. John grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas where he often said about himself that he was “spoiled rotten by his mother and tortured his two younger sisters growing up!” John was outgoing, relatable, and always tried to make people feel welcomed. He really had a heart to be a blessing to others in whatever way he could be. Above everything else, John loved his family, his church, and was passionate about global missions. In the late 1950’s, with the coming integration of the public schools, John met to pray with other local high school students for the coming changes. Shortly after integration, the local public schools closed for the entirety of John’s Junior year. John remembered it as a time of intense school violence where tanks were often present on school grounds. Due to the school closures, John took correspondence courses in 11th grade. In 12th grade with the reopening of the schools, John met with several of the high school students who were soon to be integrated. He wanted those students to know they had some friendly faces while at school. John was the second graduating class from Little Rock Hall High in 1960. After high school graduation, John attended Henderson State Teachers College in Arkadelphia, AR his freshman year. The following year he transferred to Rhodes College, in TN, formerly known as Southwestern at Memphis for his sophomore year. At Southwestern he was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity and participated in intramural track and basketball. He ran cross country for Southwestern and by his senior year was one of the top 5 runners. Most importantly, it was here that he met his bride, Kay. In 1964, John graduated from Southwestern with a History Degree. The same year he and Kay were married while living in Memphis. They made several moves due to John’s job, but after a time relocated to Prairie Village, KS where John began his career in Financial Planning. His job later moved their family to Springfield, MO where he and Kay lived for 26 years. They eventually sold their Springfield house, left their friends and beloved Second Baptist church to move back to KS to be near their stateside children and grandchildren. John enjoyed living independently in his home, continuing to work as a Financial Planner, and driving his grandkids to their events up until his passing. He was always an active church member in whatever city he and Kay resided in. He has previously served as a church deacon, choir member, and at many different times a Sunday School Teacher to children or adults. Up until his death he was an active member in the Encouragers Sunday School Class at Lenexa Baptist Church, where he enjoyed many close and dear friendships. John is survived by his three children, John Richard (Ric) Poolman III and wife Ruth of Thailand, Timothy (Tim) Charles Poolman and wife Kerry of Overland Park, KS, and Kristy Kay Poolman Webb and husband Travis of Shawnee, KS; two sisters, Mary Louise Poolman of Clarkston, GA and Polly Higgins of St. Johns, FL; 18 grandchildren, John Richard IV, Ryan, Rayanne and Richelle Poolman of Thailand, Paige Poolman Willenbring and husband Cole of Overland Park, KS and Charles Poolman of Overland Park, KS, Nathanael Webb and wife Savanah of Colorado Springs, CO, Emma Webb Gutierrez and husband Christian of Waco, TX, Micah, Savannah, Ashlyn and Faith Webb of the Kansas City metro, and Gabe, Grace, Caden, Audrey, Isabella, and Elle Webb of Shawnee, KS; six great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law; and three nieces. John, you got there first, but we will see you again! “God is faithful, his promises are true, and we will meet again in the world made new.” There will be a Celebration of Life held on September 9, 2023 at 11:00am at Lenexa Baptist Church with visitation at 10.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 24, 2016

The Rye Family Makes $10,000 Donation to the Epsilon Sigma Chapter Scholarship Account

Memphis, TN – Scott ’83 and Ruth Rye ’84, parents of Colin Rye ’16, have donated $10,000 to the Epsilon Sigma Chapter Scholarship Account held at the Sigma Nu Educational Foundation for use by the Sigma Nu House Corporation of Memphis. Scott pledged the donation after visiting the house and meeting with the Active Chapter and House Corporation leaders.

Read More

The Epsilon Sigma Chapter received its first Rock Chapter Award at the 67th Grand Chapter in San Diego, CA.

The Rock Chapter Award is the highest honor that a chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity can receive, honoring collegiate chapters that have achieved excellence in all areas of chapter operations as measured by the Pursuit of Excellence Program.

Epsilon Sigma (Rhodes)

• First Rock Chapter Award
• 67 members
• 28 in GPA
• 100% of members involved in other campus organizations, 25% hold leadership positions
• Raised $5,702 for various philanthropic causes
• Recruited 21 men this past year, initiated 20
• Using all phases of LEAD
• Won campus Fraternity of the Year award for five of the past six years
• Highest fraternity GPA on campus

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2016

The Giles Family Makes $10,000 Donation to the Sigma Nu House Corporation of Memphis

Memphis, TN – Jill and Bill Giles, the parents of Chris Giles ’16, have donated $10,000 to the Sigma Nu House Corporation of Memphis. The Sigma Nu House Corporation of Memphis has established a sound business model for the corporation, with the Active Chapter paying a parlor fee to the House Corporation each semester to fund long-term property maintenance, and the Giles Family donation will go directly to capital improvements, including house repairs and renovations.

Read More

On April 8 and 9, 2016, the Epsilon Sigma Chapter will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the construction of our beloved chapter House. The celebration will include a Wild Game Cookout, an Alumni Chapter Meeting, a Family Lunch, a Tribute to Goodbar Morgan, a Campus Tour, and the White Rose Banquet. Please join us for this momentous occasion!

Brothers,

I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas holiday.

The Epsilon Sigma Chapter had an outstanding 2014. The Active Chapter received the Fraternity of the Year Award from Rhodes College and is rumored to be in contention for a future Rock Chapter Award from Sigma Nu Headquarters, Sigma Nu’s highest Chapter-level award. In 2014, we also saw the reestablishment of the Sigma Nu House Corporation of Memphis as well as the rekindling of the Alumni Chapter and alumni social activities in preparation for the 80th Anniversary Celebration.Read More