Dear Editor,

Last fall’s Journal story about Bentley alumni connecting even after the chapter’s closure struck a very familiar chord with me. My beloved Parsons College was founded in 1875. Unfortunately, its doors were closed because of bankruptcy in 1973.

When I enrolled at Parsons in the fall of 1951, I joined a local fraternity called Zeta Theta Gamma. In the spring of 1955, my senior year, we became the Iowa Zeta Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon. Our chapter’s camaraderie, brotherhood and spirit of unity prevailed at Parsons and continued until the school’s demise. Still, the lasting friendships and memories are never forgotten.

Since 2000, Iowa Zeta alumni have held reunions every two years, with the next one planned for 2016. Although our numbers are decreasing, those who are able still make the trek to renew acquaintances. The heartache of the school’s closure never goes away, but the spirit of Parsons is still deeply engrained in our souls. The college and its excellent professors helped us all prepare to navigate through life and now retirement.

It is so sad that our college’s name can no longer be listed in reports of active chapters. Still, we have our memories and wish nothing but continued success to all SigEp chapters that continue to thrive.

LEELAND KANE
Parsons ’55