Latest news with #KappaSigma
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
University of Utah terminates recognition of Sigma Nu fraternity citing ‘egregious' hazing violations
SALT LAKE CITY () — A University of Utah fraternity chapter officially lost its recognition with the university after an investigation the U's anti-hazing policies. According to , the Sigma Nu fraternity had engaged in all three types of hazing recognized by the University of Utah – subtle, harassment, and violent – during the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 recruitment cycles. The hazing allegations included several instances where new members of the fraternity were forced to drink alcohol or use illegal substances such as marijuana during the initiation process. In one instance, new members were allegedly forced to sit in a circle and drink a large amount of beer and liquor. If the alcohol was not finished by the time it reached the last new member in the circle, they would be forced to drink the remaining amount alone. Two Utah campgrounds included in list of 50 Favorite Places to Camp in America Right Now: Hipcamp Members were also allegedly given several new chores to complete in the early morning, requiring students to arrive at the chapter facility as early as 3 a.m. on school days to clean the entire facility. The investigation also reportedly found that new members were forced to camp out in the chapter's facility on the weekend of initiation week. During the time, new members were reportedly forced to sleep on the floor, required to clean and sing songs, with limited food provided. In , Vice President for Student Affairs Lori MacDonald said the findings of the investigation were 'undisputed,' adding that she did not have any confidence the chapter would follow policies laid out in a suspension. 'Therefore, termination of the university recognition of the chapter is warranted,' McDonald said. Carp chaos at Utah Lake as carp overpopulation becomes serious problem Sigma Nu will not be able to reapply for recognition with the University of Utah until Summer 2031. The Greek Council Executive Board responded to the termination, saying hazing is harmful, unacceptable and has no place in its community. 'The actions that led to this decision do not reflect the values or true purpose of Greek life. Greek organizations should stand for leadership, service, friendship and personal growth,' the Executive Board said. 'As a council, we are committed to promoting education, accountability, and a culture where every member feels safe and respected.' Since 2002, only three University of Utah fraternities have lost their official recognition from the institution. All three were later allowed to reapply and return to operations. The most recent was Kappa Sigma, which after the school found the fraternity had held several events while on suspension for in 2022. Following its year-long termination, the University of Utah confirmed Kappa Sigma had successfully reapplied for official recognition. Riverton teen allegedly shoots uncle three times during dispute, police say Judge blocks Trump administration Job Corps centers' suspension University of Utah terminates recognition of Sigma Nu fraternity citing 'egregious' hazing violations Supreme Court throws out Mexico's lawsuit against US gun industry Supreme Court unanimously revives straight woman's 'reverse discrimination' lawsuit Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Washburn graduate etches memory of lost fraternity house on campus with new monument
TOPEKA (KSNT) – A recent graduate from Washburn University is leaving behind a parting gift honoring his fraternity that will be enjoyed by new members for years to come. Joseph Marr recently graduated from Washburn with a bachelor's degree, majoring in actuarial science with a minor in business. He spent his years on campus with the Gamma-Nu chapter of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. While he has graduated from the university and is leaving town to pursue a career in Minnesota, Marr is making sure the legacy of his fraternity is etched in stone. Marr spent the last year of his degree program collaborating with the university, current and former fraternity members and Hutton Monuments to install a special tribute to the Gamma-Nu chapter that can be enjoyed for years to come. The project consists of installing a new monument in the area where the fraternity's old chapter house used to sit after it was demolished in 2015. 'When I joined Kappa Sigma and Washburn University in 2020, we didn't have the house but everyone was asking about the house,' Marr said. 'A lot of our alumni have shared stories about the house.' Big changes coming to Topeka's airports The Gamma-Nu house was built in 1927 and remained in service for decades at 1820 Southwest Mulvane Street. Marr said the structure was designed by architect Thomas Williamson who also sketched out the plans for Topeka High School and the Brown v. Board of Education Historic Site building. Members of Gamma-Nu have since conducted their meetings at different places on campus with little left to remind them of the old house that they used to gather at. Marr, serving as the chapter's historian, came up with the idea to memorialize the legacy of the Gamma-Nu chapter by erecting the new monument. To raise funds for the project, Marr reached out to alumni and put together a donor list to add onto the stone. 'I've been working from scratch for the last year,' Marr said. 'About two months ago I put out the idea of having a donor's list attached to the monument and raised a little under $16,000.' Artist Anita Shikles came up with the designs for the stone with Hutton Monuments supplying the raw material. She said it was somewhat challenging to reconstruct the house in her sketches for the new monument but pieced it together using the original blueprint and some old photos. 'They sent me an original blueprint of the house,' Shikles said. 'I was able to take a few photographs and piece the drawing together.' New $60 million Topeka apartment community set to open in 2027 Shikles also created the designs for a series of veteran memorials that stand on campus. She said she has been doing this type of work for about 25 years now, but also works with granite and painting. 'I like to help tell people's stories on stone because it'll be there forever,' Shikles said. 'It was kind of fun because you can feel the memories when you're working on it.' Missouri company ready to make new home in Topeka Marr said the monument is special for many reasons. Chiefly, it will let others on campus and new fraternity members learn about the history of the chapter and give a space for alumni to remember their time on campus. 'This monument has meaning as a place for a lot of the Kappa Sigma alumni to have that space on campus that was taken away,' Marr said. 'The monument is a nod to the house and collective effort shown to local alumni.' The monument itself will feature the more than 60 names which make up the donor list, a sketch of the old chapter house, crest of the fraternity and will be topped by an owl that used to adorn the home. Marr said many alumni members who contributed to the project did so on behalf of those who passed away years prior, securing their names on the stone. New $60 million Topeka apartment community set to open in 2027 'Joseph has been so passionate about this,' Shikles said. 'It's been just kind of one that I'm really looking forward to coming together.' Shikles said she is waiting for a delivery of the stone from Hutton Monuments before the project can move forward. The new monument is slated to be installed sometime in the spring of 2026. You can find the spot where the monument will be installed a short distance to the southwest of the Phi Delta Theta chapter house and east of the Petro Allied Health Center. You can also meet Shikles in person at the upcoming Mulvane Art Show on Saturday, June 7 where she will be showing off some of her artwork. She will also be handing out books informing people about how to get a headstone after a loved one passes away. Marr said that while he is focused on starting his career now that he has graduated, he will be helping to organize a grand opening ceremony once the new monument is completed. He said those who have helped support the fraternity and alumni members will be invited to attend. New roundabout coming west of Topeka For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
American Press
21-05-2025
- General
- American Press
Daniel 'Danny' Kingston Johnson
Daniel Kingston Johnson, affectionately known as Danny, passed away peacefully on April 30, 2025, in Pensacola, Fla., at the age of 64. Born on May 25, 1960, in Lake Charles, La. A proud graduate of St. Louis High School, Danny went on to earn his bachelor's degree from Tulane University, where he was a proud member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. He later settled in Pensacola, where he built successful businesses as the owner of Dixie Health of Pensacola, Inc. dba Smoothie King. Danny married the love of his life, Apryle Johnson, on Jan. 11, 2002. He was a devoted father to Jeremy Johnson (Cierra Urso) and Isabella Johnson, and while never seeing him in person, loved his grandson, James Urso. He also spoiled and had fun with his new furbabies, Bijoux and Liloux. He loved grilling the perfect steak, savoring a good cigar, sipping fine wine, and passionately discussing politics, especially while watching Fox News. He was an opinionated Republican, a faithful Catholic, and a straight shooter with a sharp wit and a warm heart. A proud Louisianan at heart, he remained a member of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church before relocating to Florida, where he worshipped at St. Paul Catholic Church in Pensacola. He is survived by his wife, Apryle; his children, Jeremy (Cierra) and Isabella; his grandson, James; his sister, Cassie Watson; and his wide circle of in-laws and extended family, Harley Shuff, Richard LeFranc, Josh (Erica) LeFranc, Ricky LeFranc, Kimberley Shuff (Natalie McCauley), Stacie Shuff (John Hymel), Jenny (Charles) Elbert, and Zoie LeFranc. He is also survived by his cherished 'framily,' Laura Darbonne (Marciano), and numerous nieces and nephews, whom he loved dearly; Maegan Burrage (Brad), Marissa Terry (Jesse), Landon Watson, Saije Shuff, Deven Shuff, Zoe Perkins, Emmalee Granger, Lanie LeFranc, Joshua LeFranc, Kaleb Belton, Noah LeFranc, Kynlee Hawkins, Slade Hawkins, Indie Shuff, Venise Shuff, and Ahna Traske. Danny was preceded in death by his parents, Dixie and Al Johnson, his mother-in-law, Connie Shuff, and his dearly loved pup, Olivia. His favorite movies were Battleship and Guardians of the Galaxy, and no song got him going like AC/DC's Thunderstruck or Jimmy Buffett's Volcano. He lived his life unapologetically and with passion. His heart was as big as his opinions, and his love for his family was boundless. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who had the honor of knowing him. Family to celebrate his life on what would have been his 65th birthday in the chapel of Johnson Funeral Home, Sunday, May 25, 2025 at 3 p.m. Visitation to be held Sunday, May 25, 2025 beginning 1 p.m. until 2:30 p.m., with a Rosary to be prayed at 2:30 p.m. We invite you share a fond memory or sentiment of condolence on our website
Fox News
03-05-2025
- General
- Fox News
Gone with the wind, found with the bros: Beloved missing dog shows up at frat house 5 years later
Five years ago, as Hurricane Laura tore through Lake Charles, Louisiana, a 6-pound Yorkshire terrier named Kingston disappeared into the storm. But this isn't your average lost dog story. His owner, Debbie LaFleur, searched desperately, fearing the worst. Then, out of nowhere and half a decade later, he turned up somewhere no one expected — not in a shelter, not with a neighbor, but on the back porch of a college fraternity. "I never thought I'd see him again," LaFleur told KBTX. "Never." In early April, Kingston, now 11 years old, was discovered lounging casually on the back steps of the Kappa Sigma house at the University of Southern Mississippi, wearing a red T-shirt like he'd just gotten back from tailgating. "There's just this Yorkie sitting there in a red T-shirt," fraternity President Neal Rachal told CNN, still sounding a bit bewildered. Naturally, the brothers took him in, named him "Benji" and treated him like one of their own. He had a full run of the house, shared their snacks and blended into the chaos better than some pledges. "He's like a member of the chapter right now," Rachal told KBTX. "He's done everything with us for the past week." But it didn't take long for curiosity to take over. One of the brothers brought the mystery pup to get his microchip scanned. That's when the truth came out. "Benji" was actually Kingston, and he was reported missing five years earlier in Lake Charles. "Years ago, Debbie had Kingston microchipped at University Animal Clinic in Lake Charles," Dr. Sarah Guidry told KPLC. "That's how a fraternity at the University of Southern Mississippi identified the pup. It worked great. Five years later, they found the dog, and it was still registered to the correct owner." Once the microchip gave them LaFleur's info, the brothers emailed her. Back in Louisiana, Debbie was at work when the message popped up. "My heart started pounding," she told KPLC. "Before I could call him, he called me. I told my boss, 'I found Kingston! I found Kingston!' And we both just started yelling and screaming." She and her son Jared wasted no time, hopping in the car and making the four-hour drive to Hattiesburg to get their pup. When they arrived, Kingston wasted no time either. He bolted toward Debbie, ears perked up like a tiny, fuzzy missile. "We've never seen Benji run like that," Rachal said, laughing in an interview with KPLC. It was a joyful reunion and an emotional one. Debbie told KBTX the moment was bittersweet because Kingston had belonged to both her and her late husband, who died in 2022. "This was our dog," she said. "He's probably the one that made this happen." The Kappa Sigma brothers, for their part, were happy to play a role in the reunion and rather proud of their temporary house guest. Debbie praised them as "wonderful, wonderful guys" for taking Kingston in and doing the right thing. "I'm so happy to have my baby back," she told KBTX. It also says something about Yorkies. These little guys are tougher than they look. Kingston had apparently spent years dodging storms, traffic and whatever else the Gulf Coast threw his way, only to find a safe haven 300 miles away from Lake Charles on the porch of a bunch of college kids. And just to keep things interesting, Kingston wasn't quite done adventuring. Just days after making it home to Lake Charles, he pulled one last stunt, slipping away during a walk in the park. This time, he recovered within an hour thanks to the help of a local reporter. "Thank you so much, Brendan Brown, for all your help!" Debbie told KPLC, laughing. "It didn't take us five years this time." Debbie Lafleur could not be reached for comment by Fox News Digital.
Washington Post
25-04-2025
- General
- Washington Post
A dog was lost for 5 years. Then he showed up at a fraternity house.
Neal Rachal walked out the back door of his fraternity house and saw an unexpected visitor: a light brown Yorkshire Terrier wearing a tiny red shirt. Rachal, president of Kappa Sigma at the University of Southern Mississippi, figured the dog had run off from another house on Fraternity Row, so he sent a picture of the Yorkshire Terrier to his neighbors.
