How to be inspired by a $25 billion dollar man (besides just his money)
December 9th, 2008 • Uncategorized
Wow, 3 days in a row… that may be a new record – at least, in recent years.
Last night I was at a fraternity memorial tribute for Ted Rogers, who passed away last week at 75. Now, those of you who know me know that I’m passionate about my fraternity (Sigma Chi) and the ideals for which it stands. One of our founders had a line about it that goes as follows: “Sigma Chi was my first love, and it shall be my last.” While that line gets me made fun of relentlessly, there’s a good amount of truth to that statement, which has caused problems in some of my relationships with others, particularly those that don’t understand it.
Last night’s ceremony helped us remember Ted through his impact on not just the fraternity, but on all of us. Ted, the man of the 25 billion dollar empire, the man who once was so far in debt that he picked bills out of a hat to decide what to pay (and told those who complained that they weren’t getting paid that he’d take their names out of the hat – I love that story), the man whom most assuredly had his own set of problems to deal with, nevertheless gave back so much to the fraternity which he loved. He helped found a chapter at the University of Western Ontario, served as a Governor for the Sigma Chi Foundation, served as a founder of the Sigma Chi Canadian Foundation, and contributed significant amounts of his own money to help chapters across Canada gain housing. If Ted could find the time to give back in these ways, there’s no reason why any of us can’t; I think this is why I take the approach I do with staying involved.
I’m still inspired by meeting Ted just over 2 years ago at the Toronto Alumni Chapter dinner; I was trying to register when this older gentlemen beside me struck up a conversation – we spoke for about 5 minutes before he decided that it was appropriate to introduce himself – of course, it was Ted. I was a little intimidated after that, but seeing this man out and participating definitely served as an inspiration. Sigma Chi’s lost a great man in Ted; heck, Canada’s lost a great man. In hoc, brother Rogers.
