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SIGMA NU FRATERNITY, INC.
9 Lewis Street  P. O. Box 1869  Lexington, Virginia 24450
Phone: (540) 319-0799  Fax: (540) 463-1669  Email: matt.miller@sigmanu.org  Website: www.sigmanu.org
February 22nd
, 2015
To whom this may concern:
I’m writing this letter to strongly recommend your consideration of Houston Yates for the
Greek Man of the Year and the Living the Ritual awards. I’ve had the pleasure of working with
Houston and the Epsilon Lambda Chapter for the past two years. I always have a hard time
putting into words just how proud of this chapter I am. These young men have come such a long
way in a short amount of time, and have knocked down every wall that’s been put in front of
them. The progress they have made is remarkable, and Houston has been an integral part of the
movement that has taken over this chapter.
Since I’ve known Houston, he’s served the chapter as Recruitment Chairman, Recorder,
Chaplain, and currently as Commander (President). Houston inherited a troubled and confused
chapter culture when he took office in the roles of Recruitment Chairman, Recorder, and
Chaplain shortly after the passing of Austin Christiansen. He was instrumental in empowering
the chapter’s membership during that difficult time. It was awe inspiring to see the incredible
acts of fraternalism these men displayed after such a devastating tragedy.
Through this renewed sense of fraternal service, Houston led the chapter to quite a
number of noticeable accomplishments. The chapter saw a dramatic increase in manpower
thanks to the implementation of Houston’s new recruitment plan for the chapter. Epsilon
Lambda’s academic strength also improved thanks to Houston’s strong push to revise the
chapter’s scholarship program. Houston also was a strong advocate in reestablishing the
chapter’s Honor Board as a method of not just accountability, but holding the chapter’s members
to their fraternal values. He has also continued to use his credibility and leadership to educate
Epsilon Lambda’s membership on the value of Sigma Nu’s LEAD program. The LEAD program
(Leadership – Ethics – Achievement – Development) is a 4 phase journey that a member of
Sigma Nu undertakes upon entering the organization as a candidate. Houston’s help in the
formation of a new LEAD committee, has guided the chapter to begin implementing all 4 phases
of the LEAD program for the first time in years. Houston has done a phenomenal job instilling
confidence, credibility, and commitment to all the areas of chapter operations he’s been apart of.
Of course Houston’s involvement goes well beyond just the walls of his chapter. Houston
was elected to serve as the IFC’s Vice-President of Recruitment this past year. He implemented a
new fraternity recruitment system that let fraternities be more creative and independent through
informal recruitment while still utilizing some formal recruitment components. Houston’s new
plan made the fraternal recruitment playing field much more neutral while still giving flexibility
to allow the organizations to express their uniqueness. Fraternities have become more ambitious
and ethical in their approach to Values-Based Recruitment thanks to the guidance of Houston’s
plan. Houston’s strong ambition to get involved in the campus and Greek community is
admirable. He’s proof that one man with enough heart can make a huge difference in the
community he’s a part of.
At this point, I think Houston’s actions speak louder than words. As a staff member of
Sigma Nu Fraternity who has traveled to over 40 chapters, I’d have to say I haven’t met anyone
with the leadership skills, drive to succeed, and the attitude to give back to the Greek that
Houston Yates has. I’m truly thankful and blessed I’ve been given the chance to work with
Houston. He’s inspired me to be a better fraternity man, a better Greek, and to better live the
values we all hold so dear to us at Sigma Nu. While I have no doubt the candidate pool for this
award is impressive, Brother Houston Yates has set an example of what a fraternity man IS to all
of us. There is no one in my mind more deserving of these awards.
Regards,
Matthew Miller
Leadership Consultant
Sigma Nu Fraternity

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Houston Yates Letter of Recommendation

  • 1. SIGMA NU FRATERNITY, INC. 9 Lewis Street  P. O. Box 1869  Lexington, Virginia 24450 Phone: (540) 319-0799  Fax: (540) 463-1669  Email: matt.miller@sigmanu.org  Website: www.sigmanu.org February 22nd , 2015 To whom this may concern: I’m writing this letter to strongly recommend your consideration of Houston Yates for the Greek Man of the Year and the Living the Ritual awards. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Houston and the Epsilon Lambda Chapter for the past two years. I always have a hard time putting into words just how proud of this chapter I am. These young men have come such a long way in a short amount of time, and have knocked down every wall that’s been put in front of them. The progress they have made is remarkable, and Houston has been an integral part of the movement that has taken over this chapter. Since I’ve known Houston, he’s served the chapter as Recruitment Chairman, Recorder, Chaplain, and currently as Commander (President). Houston inherited a troubled and confused chapter culture when he took office in the roles of Recruitment Chairman, Recorder, and Chaplain shortly after the passing of Austin Christiansen. He was instrumental in empowering the chapter’s membership during that difficult time. It was awe inspiring to see the incredible acts of fraternalism these men displayed after such a devastating tragedy. Through this renewed sense of fraternal service, Houston led the chapter to quite a number of noticeable accomplishments. The chapter saw a dramatic increase in manpower thanks to the implementation of Houston’s new recruitment plan for the chapter. Epsilon Lambda’s academic strength also improved thanks to Houston’s strong push to revise the chapter’s scholarship program. Houston also was a strong advocate in reestablishing the chapter’s Honor Board as a method of not just accountability, but holding the chapter’s members to their fraternal values. He has also continued to use his credibility and leadership to educate Epsilon Lambda’s membership on the value of Sigma Nu’s LEAD program. The LEAD program (Leadership – Ethics – Achievement – Development) is a 4 phase journey that a member of Sigma Nu undertakes upon entering the organization as a candidate. Houston’s help in the formation of a new LEAD committee, has guided the chapter to begin implementing all 4 phases of the LEAD program for the first time in years. Houston has done a phenomenal job instilling confidence, credibility, and commitment to all the areas of chapter operations he’s been apart of.
  • 2. Of course Houston’s involvement goes well beyond just the walls of his chapter. Houston was elected to serve as the IFC’s Vice-President of Recruitment this past year. He implemented a new fraternity recruitment system that let fraternities be more creative and independent through informal recruitment while still utilizing some formal recruitment components. Houston’s new plan made the fraternal recruitment playing field much more neutral while still giving flexibility to allow the organizations to express their uniqueness. Fraternities have become more ambitious and ethical in their approach to Values-Based Recruitment thanks to the guidance of Houston’s plan. Houston’s strong ambition to get involved in the campus and Greek community is admirable. He’s proof that one man with enough heart can make a huge difference in the community he’s a part of. At this point, I think Houston’s actions speak louder than words. As a staff member of Sigma Nu Fraternity who has traveled to over 40 chapters, I’d have to say I haven’t met anyone with the leadership skills, drive to succeed, and the attitude to give back to the Greek that Houston Yates has. I’m truly thankful and blessed I’ve been given the chance to work with Houston. He’s inspired me to be a better fraternity man, a better Greek, and to better live the values we all hold so dear to us at Sigma Nu. While I have no doubt the candidate pool for this award is impressive, Brother Houston Yates has set an example of what a fraternity man IS to all of us. There is no one in my mind more deserving of these awards. Regards, Matthew Miller Leadership Consultant Sigma Nu Fraternity