Media Releases

Texas State Alumnus Makes $1.5 Million Gift To Sigma Nu Educational Foundation

CONTACT:
Brad Hastings, President
Sigma Nu Educational Foundation
(540) 463-1869

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 23, 2012

TEXAS STATE ALUMNUS MAKES $1.5 MILLION GIFT TO SIGMA NU EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONLexington, Va. – With much gratitude the Sigma Nu Educational Foundation acknowledges the generous contribution of $1.5 million from Brother Jerry Fields, graduate of Texas State University-San Marcos and alumnus of the Eta Tau Chapter of Sigma Nu.

This is the largest individual gift the Foundation has ever received, and it sets an example to others who wish to invest in the development of ethical leaders through the educational and charitable missions of the organization.

Joining Sigma Nu was a life-altering decision for Fields who, as a young boy, had difficulty fitting in among his peers because his family moved frequently for his father's job. In Fields' sophomore year everything changed when he joined Sigma Nu. A year later he was elected junior class president.

Now a successful businessman, Fields is Chairman and CEO of J.D. Fields & Co., a worldwide supplier of steel products, headquartered in Houston. He graduated from Texas State in 1969, fulfilling a promise to his wife, Linda, a 1966 graduate of the school, that he would complete his education after they were married.

The Fields are well-known philanthropists involved in numerous charitable organizations including the American Cancer Society and the Ronald McDonald House. They have given more than $11.7 million dollars to their alma mater for ethics and accounting professorships in the college of business and toward scholarships, athletics, arts and the University's alumni center.

Fields strives to be an ethical leader in all aspects of his life. When an employee stole more than $11 million dollars from Fields' company in 2001, he didn't give up. Six month later he paid back every dollar owed to the bank. His actions are consistent with the Sigma Nu Creed, which instructs members to "walk in the way of honor."

In January 2012, Fields was the keynote speaker before a captivated audience of undergraduate members at the Fraternity's College of Chapters, one of the educational programs supported by the Educational Foundation. He shared stories of his life and successes and encouraged the young men to live life as if they could not fail.

Fields made the announcement of his $1.5 million gift at the Sigma Nu Honor Luncheon held during the Fraternity's biennial meeting in Dallas, Texas, last month. A portion of his gift is designated for the preservation and care of the nearly 12-acre Fraternity Headquarters property located in Lexington, Va. It was a decision he made after visiting the historic location of Sigma Nu's founding last spring.

"It was a real treat to visit the national Headquarters, see the history and tour the museum at Virginia Military Institute where Sigma Nu was founded. It was eye-opening to see everything Sigma Nu has to offer," says Fields.

Brad Hastings, President of the Sigma Nu Educational Foundation, recognizes the significance of Fields' gift at a time when the organization is striving for excellence in every aspect of its operations and programming. "To have Jerry involved is just phenomenal! The enthusiasm he brings into the room is contagious. He's excited to be there, and he entices others to do the same," says Hastings.

Fields' gift will be used to promote the longevity of the organization. "There's something inside me to work extremely hard for Sigma Nu. Hopefully this gift, along with others, will help Sigma Nu remain a leader in trying to educate young men in the way of honor, because they will be our future leaders. I hope my gift will inspire others," he says.

Headquartered in Lexington, Va., Sigma Nu Fraternity was founded in 1869 at Virginia Military Institute and currently has 172 active chapters and colonies on college campuses throughout North America.

To view the video announcement of Jerry announcing his gift in Dallas, please click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYH1Bg0GCmQ.

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