Authors:  

Jack McWard (Mu 2904), Harrison Lee (Mu 2975), Philip Wilder (Mu 2896), Troy Schmidt (Mu 2922), William Hearn (Mu 2968) 

Fellow Brothers and Alumni of Mu Chapter, 

    Amidst the fall season, there seems to be changes occurring. New people entering positions, and familiar names leaving to do greater things. As our Alumni Relations Team comes to a close of a great year, we would like to highlight the best parts of September and October for Mu Chapter! 

Skate Night

Pictured Left to Right: Jack Bahr (Mu 2897), Davis Clark (Mu 2978), Mason Bruner (Mu 2970), Mac Lovein (Mu 2956), Will Cowart (Mu 2949), Walker Smith (Mu 2948), Jake Bryant (Mu 2985), Harrison Lee (Mu 2975) 

What better way to start the year than remembering the 1970/80’s and disco skating. Brothers joined together at Fun Galaxy Athens to skate with dates and enjoy the struggle of rolling 5 feet without falling over. The annual freshman race also commenced, and Luke Payne (Mu 3005) took the win over his pledge class. However, there is some controversy and it is only right to honor the close second place to Jack Fernandez (Mu 3014). Everyone had a great time and walked away with only a few bruises. 

– Jack McWard (Mu 2904) 

Initiation of the 2024 Pledgeclass

This fall, Mu Chapter proudly welcomed the 2024 pledge class and celebrated a momentous milestone: the initiation of our 3,000th member, Topher Ferarra. The ceremony took place in the Victor K. Wilson ballroom at Memorial Hall, where over 30 alumni from across the country came together to honor this achievement. Following the ceremony, brothers and alumni gathered at the house for a celebration filled with appetizers, beverages, and plenty of photo opportunities, strengthening the bonds of brotherhood. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for making this event a resounding success. 

– Jack McWard (Mu 2904) 

Speakers Series

During the months of September and October, Mu Chapter had the distinct honor of hosting a series of exceptional speakers who generously shared their insights and experiences with our members. These visits not only enriched our understanding but also inspired us to grow personally and collectively. 

Our series kicked off with Mr. Lovein, who captivated us with his journey through the insurance industry. His engaging stories from his time at UGA resonated deeply, offering a glimpse into the value of perseverance and adaptability in one’s career. Mr. Lovein’s passion for his work and his alma mater set a positive tone for the series, reminding us of the connections we forge during our college years. 

Next, we welcomed Naval Officer Adam McDonald, who brought a wealth of military experience to our discussions. His stories from the field were both riveting and enlightening, providing a unique perspective on leadership and resilience. Officer McDonald emphasized the importance of discipline and teamwork, urging us to carry these principles into our daily lives as we navigate our own paths. 

We were also privileged to hear from Head Baseball Coach Wes Johnson, who shared his insights about the UGA baseball team and the dynamics of coaching at a competitive level. His anecdotes about the challenges and triumphs of his career resonated with many of us, and his advice on perseverance and dedication reinforced the values we strive to uphold as a chapter. 

To conclude our speaker series, we had the opportunity to engage with Megan Laconico from the Student Care and Outreach office. Her discussion on mental health was both timely and crucial, as she encouraged us to prioritize our well-being and foster supportive relationships within our chapter. Megan’s insights sparked meaningful conversations about the importance of creating a safe space for discussing our challenges and supporting one another. 

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each of our speakers for their invaluable contributions and the time they dedicated to us. Their wisdom has left a lasting impact, and we are eager to implement their lessons in our lives. We look forward to welcoming them back in the future and continuing these important dialogues within our chapter. Thank you all for being part of this enriching experience! 

– Jack McWard (Mu 2904) 

Mu Philanthropy

During the month of September, some underclassmen traveled to the City of Refuge in Athens, which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. They provide various services aimed at helping people achieve stability and self-sufficiency. Our brothers are proud to have helped out and make an impact within the community. 

– Jack McWard (Mu 2904) 

Dawgs Football

Pictured Left to Right: Troy Schmidt (Mu 2922), Luke Bornhorst (Mu 2907), Michael Dwyer (Mu 2905), Luke Tredennick (Mu 2914) 

September and October were eventful months for both the Dawgs and the Brothers of Sigma Nu. Things kicked off at home against Tennessee Tech with artist Sam Burchfield. Some traveled to the all-too-close game in Lexington, Kentucky. The Dawgs took their first regular season loss in years, but we were together through it all. Where things really got exciting, though, was when well-known band, Futurebirds, took the stage on the back porch. Brothers, alumni, family, and friends gathered to listen before attending the “Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.” Parents came to town for Mississippi State to watch the better Dawgs come out on top. Finally, many made the trip to Austin, Texas, to watch Georgia knock off the No. 1 team in the nation on the road. 

– Will Hearn (Mu 2968) 

Parents Weekend

Pictured Left to Right: Brady Kelly, Darden Hearn, Amy Hearn, John Hearn (Mu 2000), Will Hearn (Mu 2968) 

On October 11th, Brothers’ parents made their way to Athens for this semesters’ Fall Parents Weekend. Each pledge class spent time individually, before gathering at a larger event for the entire chapter. On Saturday, there was a Bulldawg vs. Bulldog matchup, preceded by country musician Will Slater. It was an eventful tailgate surrounded by family. The good guys capped the weekend off with a win.

– Will Hearn (Mu 2968) 

Big Brother Night 

Pictured Left to Right: Luke Ferrara (Mu 2866), Will Hearn (Mu 2968), Topher Ferrara (Mu 3000), Zach Jackson (Mu 2924) 

It is an annual tradition to celebrate the entrance of freshman into the fraternity families. This year, the brothers had a blast getting to know the freshman who joined their families and celebrated family lineages that have continued for generations. We welcome the 2024 pledge class into these families and are excited to see the young men grow into the chapter.

– Harrison Lee (Mu 2975) 

Oktoberfest 

Pictured Left to Right: Robbie Guttman (Mu 2934), Lyle Griffith (Mu 2929), Sam Peters (Mu 2994), Luke Tredennick (Mu 2914) 

With October comes Oktoberfest! The brothers of Mu Chapter traveled to Helen, Georgia, where everyone is dressed in lederhosens and celebrates the festivities of the fall. Whether it was axe throwing, putt-putt mini golf, or enjoying the local cuisine, there was plenty to do and not enough time to enjoy it all. Towards the end of the night, all brothers and dates gathered at the event space to enjoy live music and refreshments. We enjoy the amenities of Helen every year, and are already looking forward to next year! 

– Philip Wilder (Mu 2896) 

Elections for Mu Chapter

Pictured Left to Right: Former Commander Jack Bahr (Mu 2897) and Newly Elected Commander Will Pierotti (Mu 2942) 

To close the month of October, the chapter hosted the annual election for Commander, Lieutenant Commander, and Treasurer. It was a tight race for Commander, with William Cowart (Mu 2949) and William Pierotti (Mu 2942) running. Lieutenant Commander was between Ryan Boswell (Mu 2930) and Nick Chadd (Mu 2947), while Treasurer was a stand alone race for Michael Bahr (Mu 2981). Congratulations to William Pierotti for being elected the new Commander, Ryan Boswell for being elected Lieutenant Commander, and Michael Bahr for being elected Treasurer. The future of the chapter rests in your hands, and we are all excited to see what is to come. 

– Harrison Lee (Mu 2975) 

Our Alumni Relations Team Harrison Lee (Sophomore) 

Harrison Charles Lee was born and raised on St. Simons Island and attended Glynn Academy. Growing up surrounded by UGA alumni and Mu Chapter alumni instilled in him a strong sense of connection to both. However, his path to UGA was not typical; he initially wanted to explore options at other schools. After weighing the pros and cons, he ultimately decided that UGA was the right place for him, embracing his identity as a born Dawg. Harrison is currently a Biology (Pre-Med) major with a minor in Business, aiming to embark on the long journey to become a physician. He cherishes the lasting relationships formed in Mu Chapter, particularly with his pledge brothers, who serve as his support system at school. For incoming freshmen, Harrison advises stepping out of their comfort zones; they have been thrown into the deep end together, and by relating to one another, they can forge friendships that will last a lifetime. 

Harrison’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrison-lee-785620291/

Will Hearn (Sophomore) 

As a lifelong resident of Marietta, Georgia, Will Hearn grew up with a strong desire to attend the University of Georgia. To make this dream a reality, he attended Pope High School and actively participated in various activities to build his resume as a student and individual. Currently, Will is a Journalism student with aspirations to enter the sports media field. He interned for Bulldawg Illustrated, where he has already gained valuable experience by covering a variety of sporting events. One of his favorite experiences in Mu Chapter so far was the Auburn tailgate this year, where listening to Futurebirds with the entire chapter created an unforgettable atmosphere. Will advises incoming freshmen to stay grounded in their beliefs and to get involved early in their college experience. 

Will’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-hearn-68324a242/

Troy Schmidt (Senior) 

Troy Schmidt is a dedicated finance major currently pursuing a Master’s in Accounting. He is from Marietta, Georgia and a graduate of Pope High School. With a career goal of entering the audit field, he has gained valuable experience through acquiring a summer internship with an accounting firm’s audit team in public accounting. Troy has a passion for travel, often attending events and games with friends. A memorable trip involved sharing a hotel room with eight people in a two-queen bed setup in St. Simons. This summer, he broadened his horizons by studying in Madrid, Spain, alongside Jack McWard, where he secured a finance internship that allowed him to explore the country. For advice to freshmen in his chapter, Troy emphasizes the importance of making the most of summer opportunities, living in Athens without getting too caught up in distractions, staying on top of studies, and getting involved in rush and abroad programs to enhance their college experience. He reflects on his own freshman year at UNG, where he fell behind in the involvement aspect, highlighting the importance of campus involvement to avoid a similar fate. 

Troy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-schmidt-51b3aa308/

Philip Wilder (Senior) 

Philip Wilder hails from Valdosta, Georgia, and graduated from Lowndes High School. A lifelong Georgia fan, inspired by his father’s alma mater, he was born in Athens but moved to Valdosta when he was just one year old. Initially, Philip began his college journey majoring in business, believing it to be the safest choice. However, after taking a New Testament class in the Religion department, he switched to a double major in Communication Studies and Religion during his sophomore year. As he looks forward to graduating in the spring, Philip plans to pursue a career in vocational ministry and/or a seminary degree. One notable experience from his time in Mu Chapter was running the Athens half marathon last year with five of his pledge brothers, which took place the morning after Oktoberfest. His advice to freshmen is to join a local campus church or ministry and to cultivate a personal relationship with God, as he believes this has led to the best and most enjoyable adventure of his life. 

Philip’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillip-wilder-540525220/

In Search of Speakers at Mu Chapter 

In order to strengthen the professional development of Mu Chapter, we would like to institute a speaker series as a part of our LEAD program. If you or anyone you know would like to speak at Mu Chapter to discuss your career and professional development in your industry, please reach out to mualumnichair@gmail.com.

Sincerely and from your Alumni Relations Team, 

Jack McWard (Mu 2904) 

Harrison Lee (Mu 2975), Philip Wilder (Mu 2896), Troy Schmidt (Mu 2922), William Hearn (Mu 2968) 
UGA Sigma Nu (Mu Chapter) 115 Greek Park Circle, Athens United States of America