The Alpha Sigma Foundation established the Brothers Remembered, Brothers Honored (BRBH) Graduate Scholarship almost five years ago to memorialize and commemorate deceased brothers. In August 2020, we mourned the untimely passing of Jim Medford ’67, a Morehead and Fulbright Scholar, Harvard Law graduate, and distinguished attorney. His passing—and that of more than twenty brothers from the late sixties—moved Murray Sawyer ’68, Bob Neely ’68, John Strickland ’68, and Hal Rainey ’68 to create a scholarship that would honor their memory by supporting outstanding graduating seniors and recently graduated brothers. Since 2021, the Endowment has funded seven competitive graduate school scholarships, including two this year to Jack Garside ’21 (MD Candidate, Georgetown University) and Nathan Webb ’24 (MD/MPH Candidate, Emory University). What began as a one-time $5,000 award has grown to two $10,000 awards annually, ensuring that the achievements and aspirations of Alpha Sigma brothers are supported well beyond Chapel Hill.
The BRBH Endowment Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: In January 2021, the fund began with $8212 and then grew by January 2025 to $391,367. Today, tanks to your generosity, we have surpassed $400,000. Our next milestone is within reach: $500,000. Crossing this threshold will help secure the endowment against market swings and guarantee scholarships for years to come.
The Sawyer Challenge: To help us finish strong, Brother Murray Sawyer ’68 has issued a challenge: Every gift made before December 1, 2025 will be matched by him $2-for-$1, up to $50,000. That means your $500 gift becomes $1,500 for the BRBH Endowment.
Honoring brothers we have lost. As we look forward, we also remember brothers we have lost since last fall, including the following. Please let us know if there are others we should honor.
Gary L. Broadway, Jr. ’55
Eric C. Murdock ’73
Michael G. Thomas ’64
Ellison P. Edwards ’58
John C. Neely ’68
Robert C. Vaught ’73
George M. Geeslin ’72
Stephen H. Powell ’70
William M. Wallace ’58
Thomas S. Marks ’60
David B. Thomas ’87
James D. Withers ’74
How to give. Visit alphasigmafoundation.org and click “Donate” (top right) and then complete the following steps:
1. Select “Make a Donation to the BRBH Fund.”
2. Choose your amount and enter your information.
3. Complete your gift by check, bank draft, credit card, appreciated securities, or QCD.
Two new Giving Societies. We are also proud to announce two new Giving Societies recognizing larger donors: (1) The Jim Medford ’67 Society for $5,000+ and (2) BRBH Society Member for $1,000+.
While on our new Sigma Foundation website, take a moment to browse the stories of brothers who have already benefited from your generosity. Together, we can ensure the BRBH Graduate Scholarship Endowment stands as a lasting legacy—honoring our deceased brothers, supporting our future leaders, and reaching $500,000 by year’s end.
