Sigma Chi’s 6th Merlin Olsen Day of Service took place on Tuesday. It has been held annually on September 15 since 2010. The day honors the philanthropic spirit of Merlin Olsen, a 1962 initiate of the Sigma Chi chapter at Utah State University. Olsen played football at Utah State and then went on to become a Pro Football Hall of Fame member.
Olsen also served as a long-time spokesman for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and was also a committed Sigma Chi. He was named to the fraternity’s Order of Constantine as well as being a Significant Sig.
I was able to #HonorMerlin today by taking lunch, with my coworkers to the local police force. #lifelongcommitment
Some of our brothers giving back to the community by volunteering in honor of Merlin Olsen service day. #HonorMerlin
Today, September 17, is Phi Kappa Psi’s Consititution Day. It happens to fall on the United State’s Constitution Day. The U.S. Constitution Day recognizes the adoption of the United States Constitution and U.S. citizens. September 17, 1787, is the day upon which the delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document.
Phi Kappa Psi members are encouraged to wear their badge and fly the fraternity’s flag. Constitution Day marks the 129th anniversary of the fraternity’s undergrad-alumni shared governance.
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The video of the day comes from the Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut. Sleeping Giant State Park is located near the campus. It’s called Sleeping Giant because the traprock mountain resembles to a sleeping human figure.
Joey Mullaney, a member of the chapter, suffers from Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), a debilitating, degenerative neuro-muscular disorder, and is confined to a wheelchair. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxYfB5YOzbk. The chapter members took turns carrying him to the top of the Sleeping Giant.
On October 11, the chapter is sponsoring a 10-mile bike ride on the Farmington Canal Trail through Hamden and Cheshire. The funds raised will support FARA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to FA research.
© Fran Becque, www.fraternityhistory.com, 2015. All Rights Reserved. If you enjoyed this post, please sign up for updates. Also follow me on twitter @GLOHistory and Pinterest www.pinterest.com/glohistory/
