4/15/2003
Why did you join Kappa Sigma?
I was interested in joining a fraternity, but was not sure which one to choose. After heading back from a big rush event at the HUB, Curtis Huber ’89 and I ran into Tim Madden ’89 and Steve Fox ’89 from our dorm and joined them heading out to Kappa Sigma. Tim’s dad was a Kappa Sig. Once we got to the chapter house, which was jammed with a big party, we met John Martin Murphy ’89 (senior from Camp Hill, Pa.) who remembered our names from the rush event! After that we found that everyone at the house was cool and down to earth, and stayed.
What kind of influence has the fraternity had on your life since graduation?
My Kappa Sigma experience was a valuable influence. It taught me how to make friends in the big world, interact and get along with a very diverse group of people, how to make organizations work, something about patience and leadership, the value of public service, how to throw big parties, and how (and how not) to meet the ladies, all the essentials in life.
With who are you still in contact?
I’m the worst about staying in contact! I trade notes with Steve B (for Box) Fox and Chris Bostaph ’89 from time to time, other than that living in Austin there have been few around to keep in close contact with. Matt Bennett ’94 just moved into town so finally someone to start tearing the place up with (like I have the energy to do that anymore).
Tell us about your family.
My wife Sandra is a Rutgers and University of Houston Law School grad. She works as an attorney for the Texas Senate. We currently have no children.
What was your nickname?
My nicknames were Mitch or MitchDawg. You’ll have to ask Joe Shiber ’87 about the origin of the last one.
Did you live in the house? Who were your roommates?
I lived in the house from the time I was a sophomore through being a senior. I was always on first deck, first in the room right by the foyer stairs, then the Mike Carrell ’86 palace at the end of the eastern end of hall, and then finally moved across into the smaller end suite on the Beaver Avenue side.
What do you do for a living?
I am a senior project manager with Weston Solutions Inc., formerly known as Roy F. Weston Inc. Weston is one of the older and larger environmental engineering firms in the nation. Though our firm is based out of West Chester, Pa., I’ve been working out of our Houston and Austin, Texas, offices for the past 12 years. I’m currently in Austin. My work involves directing and executing environmental investigation and remediation projects for federal, state, municipal, and industrial clients. I also serve as our office’s section manager, supervising a staff of 24 scientists and engineers.
What organizations are you affiliated with in your community?
Unfortunately none at present for me, though my wife helps out with Meals on Wheels deliveries. Since I’ve been in Austin (and it was my third move), I’ve been lazy and have not become involved — largely because I work so hard during the day that I appreciate all the downtime I can get. But I’m looking for something to get involved in.
What hobbies do you enjoy?
Travel (recently been to Alaska, England, southern Europe); hanging out with my dog (smooth merle-coated collie); geology; hiking; reading something as deep as Greek-Roman-Byzantine history or as cheap as a good Star Trek novel; movies; some online gaming (instead of TV).
What are your goals for the next few years?
1) To continue working as a senior project manager for Weston’s Austin office, which pays the bills;
2) travel to another cool destination very soon;
3) get back to Pennsylvania a bit more than I have in the past;
4) maybe, just maybe, expand the family a little; and
5) just have fun.