Dear Fellow Sinfonian:
A few words come to mind when you think of Dr. Jeff Highland (Norwegian, Lutheran, self-less, hard-working, and a True Sinfonian). He is also a great man who has served Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota for over 30 years, and a great mentor to our Eta Nu Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia for over 25 years. He certainly has left a great legacy within the bluff-lands of the Saint Mary’s campus.
Dr. Highland has announced that he will be retiring from Saint Mary’s at the end of this academic year. A very important era is coming to an end, and we need to come together and honor him in a very fitting way. The Brothers of Eta Nu cordially invite you back to campus to help honor Dr. Highland’s dedication to Saint Mary’s, Eta Nu, and the friendships that he has formed with the hundreds of brothers during the last 30 years. The festivities will occur on Saturday, May 2nd. The scheduled events include:
Time Event Location
5:30pm Ritual (Brother’s only) Studio Theatre, Performance Center
6:30pm Dinner/Program SMU Dining Room
8pm Entertainment Figliulo Recital Hall, Performance Center
Enclosed with this letter is an invitation form for the festivities. If you plan to attend, we ask that you return the form and payment by April 28. Also, located on the invitation form is a section where you can write well-wishes to Dr. Highland and/or share your favorite memory. We will present these to him on May 2nd. Even if you are unable to attend the event, we encourage you to share your thoughts. Lastly, we are also putting together a slide show and picture gallery. We have some great pictures in the Eta Nu archives, but if you would like to share your pictures with us for the slide show, please either include them with your invitation or you can email them to phimualpha@smumn.edu. We will return them to you on May 2nd.
We hope that you will be able to join us as we celebrate Dr. Highland’s incredible legacy and his dedication to the Sinfonian brotherhood.
Fraternally yours,
Neil M. Leibundguth ’09
President, Eta Nu
Bob Fisher ’97
Alumnus, Eta Nu
posted by Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Eta Nu Chapter @ 12:16 PM
3 comments
3 Comments:
My Brothers,
You have been the benefactors of a person who has guided you, mentored you, looked after you, supported you, defended you and most of all trusted you. Doc Highland is a treasure that you have held and you have honored by supporting him as you traveled your fraternal and academic road.
As an alumni, I view "Doc" as the keeper of the torch and protector of a spirt of brotherhood and musical tradition. Brother Jeff has truly set a standard of leadership of a student organization second to none. For the majority of the life of this fraternity it has been led by two very fine men and both of them allowed us to grow in mind and body. They helped us to appreciate the arts and to celebrate the true Spirit of Orpheus. Jeff took on the the torch that was passed from Paul and has kept it lit and has raised it higher. When we came together for our 50th the feeling of accomplishment on behalf of all those who were there in both live or in spirit was amazing. To have both of these leaders present was most honored.
To you alumni and current actives who have had the opportunity to be under his baton of leadership, you are thanked by those who have gone before you. We did not have a Dept. of Music or the opportunities to learn the art of performance, composition, voice etc, but we had spirit.That spirit was the building blocks to something that has reached levels that no one would of thought when we were founded or when we celebrated 15 years as an organization. Doc has used his talent and savy to mold you politically, spiritually, musically and most of all fraternally. You are one of the mosted recognized faces on campus. The fraternity's presence is seen and felt on the alumni board, university relations, educational staff and the office of Provost. Jeff has helped and fostered and cemented these relationships.
I have had the opportunity to see him lead and direct you. His leadership in keeping the boat on course as well afloat will be remembered and honored. In the old days that position of extreme honor and service to the fraternity and its chapter brotherhood was bestowed in the following manner as it is this day;
"Forever be it know to all members of Eta Nu Chapter Phi Mu Alpha"
'Brother Dr. Jeffery Highland is hearby proclaimed, appointted and annointed to the status of Doctor,Classic,Epic, Legend and Saint of this chapter.' When stories are spoken of Brother Highland in chapter and fraternal meetings, the first mentioned of his name shall be addressed as follows "Dr. Jeff Highland Classic, Epic, Legend and Saint...".
By Proclamation by the Keeper of Tradition, Eta NU Chapter, Phi Mu Alpha this Day April 30th, 2009
at Winona, MN
Robert P Stapleton
Spring Class 1971
I should have said you have been beneficaries of Jeff. He is and has been your benefactor.
Bob
Bob, Neil, the boys of 228, and all my brothers - Thank you much for putting together a tribute to Dr. Highland and for tolerating the alums once again in your lives...It is a thrill to see the same love of music from the 1980s Eta Nu still alive and well in the 21st century.
Doc - best of luck in retirement. This chapter is what it is because of you.
Chopper
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