Eugene McKnight resides in Santa Barbara, California. Mason Cross traveled from Birmingham to meet Gene and they participated in Grand Chapter in San Diego.

Here’s what Gene had to say:

Grand Chapter renewed my belief in Sigma Nu.  It was especially refreshing since I am so far from Auburn and my chapter brothers.  It was great to see Lee Perrett and Beta Theta chapter in such strong leadership positions nationally.  Commander James Pateand Lt. Commander Alexander McCall represented the undergraduate chapter exceptionally well.

The Chapter Eternal ceremony was very moving, much more than I expected, and was done in a beautiful light.

The awards dinner was simply terrific.  It was a treat to be seated prominently on the first row with Lee and Jan’s three fine sons.  Lee’s recognition of Mason and me in his speech was certainly unexpected and generous.

All the brothers from every chapter, young and old, were exceptional. What a great group to be associated with. Our Brotherhood is for Life was really the essence of the weekend.  I’m so glad I went!

If you’d like to contact Gene, he’s at 805-689-6500 and mcknight@igfpartners.com.

Mason Cross, Beta Theta  1761, had this to say:

In the fall of 1981, while still a collegian, I had the opportunity to attend the wedding of Sigma Nu friend and roommate Gene McKnight in Santa Barbara, California. Since it was a Saturday morning wedding, I had made arrangements to ride back to Los Angeles afterwards with Gino’s father. I had also made plans to stay Saturday night at the Sigma Nu house on the campus of the University of Southern California, so Mr. McKnight dropped me off at the house that afternoon. The brothers at that chapter taught me a lot about Beta Theta’s national reputation of excellence, and they treated me like a celebrity. Today, Lane Dugger’sson is enrolling at Southern Cal and rushing that same chapter.

Thirty-five years later at the recent Sigma Nu Grand Chapter in San Diego, that reputation grew for me in a very special way. Beta Theta Chapter alums Lee Perrett and Maury Gaston attained very important high offices in the National fraternity.  Lee was elected and became the 65th Regent and Maury was re-elected to the High Council as a Vice Regent.

It was an honor to attend the conference and see our alumni and our chapter so greatly respected.

Connect with Mason at 205-533-0276 and masoncross@att.net.




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