Commitment to Chapter Leads Bill Sullivan ’57 to Give 

When Bill Sullivan ’57 was an undergraduate, Beta-Chi stood as the predominate chapter on campus. His father, William Sullivan Jr. ’33, was a member of the Fraternity, and Bill found a good fit among the men of Kappa Sigma, as well.

“While I was living in the Chapter House, I worked alongside several Brothers to take on remodeling projects at 1201 State Street. Most significant was remodeling the bar and lounge area in the basement. Other minor projects were also completed, improving the old house. I have always been a very project-oriented person, so these extracurricular activities and friendships kept me going throughout my time in college.”

Bill’s commitment to the Chapter continued as an alumnus. As president of the House Fund he, Bill Kirchoff ’60, Charlie Becker ’60, and a few others assumed responsibility for the sale of the State Street property to the University and building the original house in Fraternity Park in 1969. Bill continued as president of the House Fund until 1978 when he was followed by Brother Kirchoff and, later, Robert Hoffman ’78. 

 “While I may not understand every detail of the campaign, I do trust the men who are leading the project. If they believe that these renovations are required, then they must be required. A group of good people have committed a great deal of their time and energy to Beta-Chi and I support their work.

“The environment and the costs of attending the University have changed significantly since I was in school, and I have become convinced of the necessity of alumni financial assistance to sustain a Chapter House. Based on this appraisal and my confidence in the leadership of the House Fund committee, I elected to make a contribution to the capital campaign. Beta-Chi has an enviable record with its continuous presence since 1903. It will be with this facility that Beta-Chi can attract new Brothers and maintain its standing at MUS&T for the next 40 years.”

After 30 years in maintenance and engineering with Monsanto, Bill retired and spends his time playing golf, taking on do-it-yourself projects, and traveling. He and his wife of 47 years, Anne, make their home near St. Louis but spend several months in California. They have three children and three grandchildren. E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

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Enriched by Beta Chi 

Why I Gave–Fred Niemeier ’92 

It wasn’t just the races during Greek Week in a rickety chariot that drew Fred Niemeier ’92 into Kappa Sigma. The men of Beta-Chi were strong leaders who worked hard and played hard, which allowed Fred to grow as an individual and a leader himself.

“During my time at Beta-Chi, I picked up invaluable experiences and lessons of leadership that formed the base for launching my business career. I made friends and shared interests among my Brothers, leaving me with priceless memories.”

Fred graduated with a degree in metallurgical engineering and landed a job as production supervisor with General Motors. After completing his MBA at Harvard Business School, Fred worked in management consulting, a Fortune 500 conglomerate, and private equity. He now has a rewarding position within a business unit of IDEX Corporation as the vice president of global supply chain management and general manager of the Asia/Pacific business. The international challenges and opportunities bring great enjoyment to Fred’s work. At home, Fred spends his time with his wife, Jessica, and their son, Logan. The family enjoys the outdoors and hiking in the U.S. national parks.

Knowing the importance and impact that Beta-Chi had on his life, Fred understands the importance of giving to the capital campaign.

“Kappa Sigma was a fundamental part of my college experience and remains an important part of my life today. I believe this project will equip the Fraternity with the capital and resources it needs to remain competitive on campus. If we are to continue as the number one chapter at Missouri S&T, we must leverage the strong alumni base that has grown over the years.

“I have yet to meet a man that regrets his decision to join Kappa Sigma. We have all been enriched by our experience and we must all try to give back to the Chapter. If you run the calculations, since our founding in 1903, more than 1,400 men have benefited from Beta-Chi. So far, about 150 Brothers have generously pledged more than $2 million toward the campaign. If the remaining 820 or so alumni each pledge $500 per year for the next five years, we would exceed our $4 million project cost.”

Fred can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it