[Note: This is the fourth in a series of stories related to Sigma Chapter Alumni. If you are interested in telling a story related to Sigma Chapter or an Alumnus of Sigma Chapter, or you would like to write and submit a story for the Spotlight, please send to svagerko@rocketmail.com.]
We all know that Sigma Chapter was chartered on November 30, 1934, but what was it like back then? In 1936, a young man by the name of Coy Nixon, Jr. joined the fraternity. Together with other young men, at what was then known as Arkansas State Teachers College, he set out to transform Sigma Chapter of Sigma Tau Gamma into a Fraternity of truly outstanding men. Coy was president of Sigma chapter in his senior year from 1939 to 1940. During that time Dr. H.L. Minton was the chapter’s sponsor and held the office of First National Vice-President of Sigma Tau Gamma. Also during that time, Dr. D.D. McBrien held the position of Southern Archon.
In the fall of 2005 I had the great pleasure of meeting and interviewing Coy Nixon, Jr. at his home in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. It was a special opportunity for me to meet a man that was one of the first presidents of Sigma Chapter and held that office exactly fifty years before I had the privilege. Coy, now 87 years of age, was a leader in the early days of our chapter – a chapter that had not yet faced the entry of the United States into World War II. Coy was so kind to share with me some memories of his days as a member of Sigma Tau Gamma.
Let me share with you how I was so fortunate to find Coy. Last year I came across a copy of the 1940 Scroll for sale on the internet. I bought the year book in hopes of learning about what Sigma Chapter was up to in 1940. I was amazed by the amount of space covered in that book by members of Sigma Chapter. I began to wonder if by chance I might have an opportunity to meet any of those men. While I thought it unlikely, I nevertheless set out to find one of them. After some searching and a number of telephone calls, I could hardly believe that I had reached Coy Nixon, Jr., the president of the chapter in that 1940 year book! A few months later, my wife Cheri and I traveled from Houston, Texas to Pine Bluff, Arkansas to sit down with Coy and discuss some history and some fond memories.
Clearly, it is a much different world today from that in 1940, but some things I learned from Coy and found documented in that year book were remarkably similar to my memories of the fraternity from 1988 to 1991. What I learned is that the 32 men that comprised Sigma Chapter in 1940 were in a significant number of activities and leadership roles across the campus and the these men evidently had bright futures ahead of them. Coy in particular had a list that went on and on. In addition to being president of Sigma chapter, Coy was president of the senior class and a member of several organizations including the Royal Rooters and the Inter-fraternity Council. As a member of the school debate squad he won the Arkansas state tournament and the invitational meet in Jackson, Mississippi in 1939. He was selected as one of the 15 outstanding students in college. This was the same Sigma Chapter that I knew 50 years later in 1990 – a group of men leading organizations and activities across the campus - how awesome is that tradition?!
Of course, while Sigma Chapter was chartered in 1934, it traced its roots back to the Owls in 1915. It was then, and of course remains, the oldest fraternity on the campus. By 1940, over 400 men had been initiated into the local organization. At that time, the national organization had about 6,000 members. One of the greatest mentors and friend that Coy had was Dr. D.D. McBrien. In addition to being very active in the fraternity, Dr. McBrien was Coy’s history major Professor. As a result of their friendship, Coy drove Dr. McBrien to towns throughout Arkansas and Louisiana to expand the national fraternity. In fact, Coy participated in the installation of several new chapters – in one chapter he participated in the initiation of 45 members in one evening! According to Coy, “Dr. D.D. McBrien was a great influence and a great man.”
Following college, Coy Nixon taught school for a year and then joined the United States Army in July 1942. He said that during that time patriotism was very high. He was assigned to Camp Robinson where he was responsible for evaluating the literacy of men seeking enlistment. After the Battle of the Bulge, he said the nation faced a crisis and he was given orders to ship to Europe. However, he was retained at Camp Robinson to carry on his responsibilities there. While in the Army, in September 1945, Coy married Agnes Coffman. While married and in the Army, he attended law school in Little Rock at night. He completed his duty in the Army in 1946 and completed his law degree. He decided not to practice law and instead went into business by opening a General Reynolds store renting medical, industrial and construction equipment. Coy and Agnes were married for 41 years before she passed away on November 20, 1986. After she passed away, a book she had written was published in January 1987. Coy has a son, John Coy Nixon of Little Rock, three grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Coy sold his business in 1989 and is retired in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
You might appreciate this excerpt, written by brother Doyle Smee, published in The Scroll in 1940 under the heading “Nix on the Sigma Tau’s”: “Friends, Grecian Heroes, Ministers of War - !! We give you- if you would care to have them – the Sigma Tau Gammas, men of ambition, politicians, lovers, pseudo-play boys…vieing always for positions in school activities and politics, the Sigma Taus show by actual inventory: three class presidents – Nixon, J. Jones, and Clifton; two editors – of The Scroll, Alfred Cox, of the Echo, Silas Dunn…” and the pages are filled with others brothers involved in debate, athletics, music and other various endeavors.
I learned from Coy that many of those men went on to lead very successful lives and made meaningful contributions to society, others had their lives cut short. Just a few survive today. I learned from Coy that one of his brothers in 1940, John Jones, went on to become Sigma Chapter president then went on to Yale Law School and ran for Congress. Would you believe that John Jones currently lives just down the street from Coy in Pine Bluff? I hope to make another trip to Pine Bluff in the near future to meet brother John Jones. If you would like to contact brother Coy, please let me know – I am sure he would love to meet you.
Thank you Coy Nixon for your contributions to my own success, shared through generations of other brothers carrying on the traditions that you valued so greatly. Thank you also for signing my 1940 year book in 2005 with your own special good words: “Greetings to a Sigma Tau Brother – my good wishes go with you and your lovely wife – Coy Nixon.” I will always treasure it.
Top Sergeant John Ordway (SGM Marshall) using a quill pen to write in his journal
SGM Thomas K. Marshall, '65
National Advisor 1986
By Keith Svagerko
[Note: This is the third in a series of stories and articles related to Sigma Chapter Alumni. If you are interested in telling a story related to Sigma Chapter or an Alumnus of Sigma Chapter, or you would like to write and submit a story for the Spotlight, please send to svagerko@rocketmail.com.]
Army Reserve Sergeant Major Thomas Marshall (Spring 1965) has almost 36 years of military service. Marshall served as a member of the Arkansas National Guard from 1967 until 1982 when he joined the U.S. Army Reserve and was mobilized for Desert Storm in 1991 to the Army Reserve Personnel Command in St. Louis, MO where he later became employed as a Department of the Army civilian. SGM Marshall, now mobilized for a second time for Operation Noble Eagle, is stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. He is a Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) assigned to HHC, 84th Chemical Battalion, 3rd Chemical Brigade and functions as the Chemical Schools Reserve Courses Coordinator.
SGM Marshall is a member of the Discovery Expedition of St. Charles, Missouri, a group that will re-enact the entire waterway portion of the original Corps of Discovery Expedition. The members of the Discovery Expedition, all volunteers, have recreated vessels—one keelboat and two pirogues—that are exact replicas of the original craft used by the Lewis and Clark Expedition. They have already logged more than 3,600 miles on the Ohio, Mississippi, and Missouri rivers and made educational presentations to more than 50,000 school children. The Sergeant Major said, “Our goal is to promote education and the study of our heritage and we want to keep as strong a military tie as we can, since the expedition was a military operation”. Information about the Discovery Expedition can be found at www.LewisandClark.net.
In the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers meet, lies the town of Harpers Ferry, WV. This historic town has witnessed many exciting events in early America’s history. One event of particular note occurred March 16th of 1803 with the arrival of Meriwether Lewis. Captain Lewis relied on the U.S. Armory and Arsenal for supplies and arms to meet the unique requirements of the pending transcontinental expedition. Now, 200 years later, the National Park Service and a committed group of historic interpreters are commemorating the period that Lewis was at Harpers Ferry. Information about Harpers Ferry National Historic Park can be found at www.nps.gov/hafe and www.HarpersFerryHistory.org
SGM Marshall and the Discovery Expedition participated in an event commemorating the time that CPT Meriwether Lewis spent at Harpers Ferry Arsenal procuring weapons and supplies for the Corps of Discovery. In 1803 Harpers Ferry was the Federal Arsenal and Armory and produced weapons and accouterments for the Army. CPT Lewis spent five weeks there supplying the expedition and assisting in the development of a metal frame boat to be transported to the western side of the Rocky Mountains where it was to be assembled for the trip down the Columbia River. Lewis also assisted in the design of a custom rifle that later became the standard Army issue weapon. “Fort Leonard Wood approved that my duty assignment on those days be at Harpers Ferry representing the Army and Army Reserve at the important Bicentennial event, “ Marshall explained. He emphasized that the original expedition was an Army excursion and that the Department of the Army is supporting Lewis and Clark Bicentennial efforts nationwide over the next three and one half years.
In early April the Discovery Expedition crewmembers established their period military camp on the left descending bank of the Shenandoah River at its confluence with the Potomac River. Also on display was their three ton, forty foot long, Red Pirogue, exact replica of one of the boats used by the Corps of Discovery from 1803-1805. SGM Marshall portrayed an 1803 “Top Sergeant,” John Ordway, who was a permanent party soldier assigned to the original expedition for its duration. He and the other members of the crew were attired in authentic 1803 1st Infantry uniforms. They interacted directly with the public making historic presentations telling the story of the expedition and its significance as part of our American story.
In addition to the Discovery Expedition, the “Old Guard” Fife and Drum Corps, and the National Park traveling exhibit Corps of Discovery II were present for the edification and entertainment of the public. The 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment known today as the “Old Guard” was originally designated the 1st Infantry. The 1st Infantry provided most of the regular Army soldiers for the Louisiana Purchase Exploration. The Old Guard has served as the Army’s Official Ceremonial Unit and Escort to the President. 3rd Infantry soldiers conduct military ceremonies at the White House, the Pentagon, national memorials, and elsewhere in the National Capital Region. The 3rd Infantry Fife and Drum Corps provided music and precision parade maneuvers for the crowds at Harpers Ferry. Information about the Old Guard can be found at www.mdw.army.mil/oldguard
Corps of Discovery II is a mobile exhibit that will travel across the American heartland to the Pacific Ocean from 2003-2006 bringing the story of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to millions of people. The exhibit consists of two tents, one with interpretive displays of the many Native American Indian tribes encountered along the route and the other a performance tent—the Tent of Many Voices—that will provide space for live demonstrations, lectures, cultural presentations and audio-visual showings. Information about Corps II can be found at http://nps.gov/CorpsII/Corps2.htm or www.LewisandClarkgnet.com.
SGM Marshall just returned from 17 days with the Discovery Expedition crew who are bringing the boats and story own the Ohio river following the same schedule of stops on the same dates as CPT Lewis did in 1803. He will be with the crew again the entire month of November bringing the story to the public along the lower Ohio and Mississippi from Cairo to St. Louis. SGM Marshall states “we have already interacted with an additional 37,000 students along the route since our departure from Elizabeth, PA on 31 August. What an unbelievable opportunity to reach out to the young people of this great country. It is my great fortune that the Army is so supportive of this effort and has made my duty assignment traveling with the re-enactors as they recreate the actual voyage of the Corps of Discovery.”
The “Old Guard” Fife and Drum Corps performing
John Thompson, '78
By David Grimes
[Editor’s Note: This is the second in a series of stories and articles related to Sigma Chapter and Sigma Chapter Alumni. If you are interested in telling a story related to Sigma Chapter or an Alumnus of Sigma Chapter, or you would like to write and submit a story for the Spotlight, please send to svagerko@rocketmail.com.]
The son of a coach, John Thompson, '78, has always known he wanted to coach football on the college level. In December 2002, his dream came true as his years of hard work as an assistant paid off when he was named the new head coach at East Carolina University.
The Pirates compete in Conference USA and have been building a strong
football tradition in recent years, including three straight bowl
appearances from 1999 to 2001. But when the team fell to 4-8 last season,
the school decided to look for a change in coaching direction.
Thompson, 47, brings a strong defense background to his new job, coming to
ECU from the University of Florida where he served as the Gator’s defensive
coordinator. In fact, Thompson has spent most of the past 20 years honing
his skills as a defensive coordinator on the college level, becoming one of
the best in the business.
After playing quarterback at Forrest City (Arkansas) High School, Thompson
discovered his passion for the defensive side of the ball at the University
of Central Arkansas in Conway, playing in the secondary for the Bears. It
was also at UCA that he pledged Sigma Tau Gamma.
Following graduation, Thompson coached in the Arkansas high school ranks for
a few years before landing his first collegiate job in 1982 as a graduate
assistant at the University of Arkansas under legendary coach Lou Holtz.
Thompson then moved to Northwestern (Louisiana) State in 1983 where he
eventually became defensive coordinator. After a brief stop with the
Alabama Crimson Tide in 1987 as linebacker coach, Thompson went back to his
coordinator position at Northwestern State. He would continue to move up
the coaching ladder during the 1990’s, serving as defensive coordinator at
Louisiana Tech, Southern Miss, Memphis and LSU.
In 2000, Thompson returned to his home state and to the University of
Arkansas, this time not as a student assistant but as defensive coordinator.
After two seasons with the Razorbacks, he accepted the Florida job.
Thompson’s defenses have consistently ranked among the nation’s best. He
has coached in seven bowl games and sent numerous players on to NFL careers.
Thompson has always remained close to his alma mater and to the many friends
he made as a Sig Tau. In January 2002, after the football season had ended,
Thompson was back in Conway visiting friends with his wife Charleen and
their sons, Cabe and Hays. His visit just happened to coincide with
fraternity rush week at UCA. After only one phone call, brother John gladly
took the time to serve as keynote speaker at the Sig Tau formal rush
banquet. Many of his old friends came out to hear him speak, not only of
his experiences in football, but also how his time in the fraternity helped
lead him to where he was.
That type of dedication is what helped get Thompson where he is today. No
doubt there is much more success ahead for brother John, both on and off the
field.
Greg Wallace
Greg Wallace, Spring 1967
By Keith Svagerko
[Author’s Note: This is the first in a series of stories and articles related to Sigma Chapter and Sigma Chapter Alumni. If you are interested in telling a story related to Sigma Chapter or an Alumnus of Sigma Chapter, or you would like to write and submit a story for the Spotlight, please contact me.]
On a Sunday night in September 2000 my wife Cheri and I were at Woodridge Baptist Church in Kingwood, Texas sitting in our Pastor’s office. We were not alone. Several other people were with us to meet with our Pastor regarding instructions. We were all there that evening to be baptized, and admittedly, we were a little nervous. When the Pastor arrived we joined in conversation and he mentioned to us that, remarkably, he had attended the same university as Cheri and I – the University of Central Arkansas. Cheri and I had known this from a previous conversation with our Pastor, but what came next was at first hard for me to believe.
Our Pastor, Greg Wallace asked me if I had been in a fraternity while at UCA. I responded that I had been a member and President of Sigma Tau Gamma. Greg’s eyes widened and a great smile appeared as he walked over to me and said simply “Hello Brother.” Our Pastor, Greg Wallace is a Sigma Chapter Alumnus. Later that evening as we stood in front of the congregation, waist deep in water, Brother Greg announced to the Church that he had just learned that he and I are Fraternity brothers in Sigma Tau Gamma. In the next moment he baptized me a Brother in Christ. Later that evening, and since, I have reflected on this blessing. I believe that it was no coincidence that our paths crossed at that place and time but rather a part of God’s plan.
Greg Wallace pledged Sigma Chapter in the Spring of 1967. Greg was attending UCA from Searcy, Arkansas on scholarship and playing football for the Bears. He played his freshman and sophomore years. As a sophomore he started three games at defensive end and the rest at tight end or wing back. "My best memories of Sig Tau are the Serenades of the girl's dorms. We were the well dressed, do most things right, Fraternity on campus. I also have great memories of the 'Goat Roasts' and my first White Rose. I was in charge of getting the roses on a very limited budget." Following his sophomore year, Greg moved to Texas and continued his undergraduate studies at the University of Houston. He did graduate work at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary at Southeast Texas.
From May 1985 to November 1987, Greg was pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Childress, Texas. He then became the pastor of First Baptist Church of Atascocita, a new congregation in Northeast Houston, where he served until July 1991. Greg has been pastor of Woodridge Baptist Church, Kingwood, Texas, since 1992. His vision for the church is to "make good use of the resources God has given us" and to “make a major impact on the community." He strives to "cultivate and use to the fullest the gifts God has given me so that we can become the Church that God has placed us here to be."
Until January of 2000, Greg was dual-vocational, blending a successful business career as vice president of logistics and national accounts for Corporate Express Delivery Systems with his responsibilities as a pastor. When asked about the transition Greg said "my experience in the business world is a tremendous advantage as I seek to apply God's word to my life on a day-to-day basis and then to the lives of our congregation as a whole." With the rapid growth of Woodridge, now offering four services each weekend, Pastor Wallace is devoting all of his time to the work of the church.
Greg has been married for more than 30 years to Karon Harsch Wallace. Karon, a graduate of the University of Texas, spent 30 years as an elementary school teacher and librarian, retiring in December of 2000. Karon is one of the church's keyboard players, a violinist, and a member of the choir. She is also the director of the Woodridge Media Center. The Wallace’s have two daughters, Kristy and Kelli, both graduates of the University of Texas and active members of Woodridge along with their husbands Chris and Erin.
When asked to be featured in the Sigma Spotlight, Greg said, “I have dreamed of a way to reach my old Fraternity brothers. I didn't always give much of a witness (seldom) in the old days.” Brother Greg Wallace would love to have the opportunity to reach his Fraternity Brothers. He can be reached by email at gwallace@woodridge.org
Please visit http://www.woodridge.org/wrbc/sermons_online to listen to some of Brother Greg’s recent sermons. My path crossing with Brother Greg’s reflected a new beginning for me and I hope that it can for you as well – God’s plan at work.
Author’s note: Some of the information for this story was gained from Brother Greg’s biographical profile at www.woodridge.org
