For 60 years now Brother Kent Pierce ’51 has been a stalwart supporter of the Chi Chapter of Kappa Sigma.
As an undergrad, Pierce was very active both with Chi and on campus. While pursuing his BS in Civil Engineering Kent served as Pledge Co-Chairman, Grand Master of Ceremonies, and sporadically as Song Leader. His musical talents were also on display on campus as a member of the Purdue Marching and Symphonic bands. Brother Pierce was also a member of Chi Epsilon, the Civil Engineering honorary.
Upon graduation Pierce worked with several engineering firms, Pierce, Gruber & Beam, Consulting Engineers (now Beam, Longest & Neff) and Monical & Wolverton, Engineers & Architects before starting a 20 year stint with James Associates, Architects & Engineers in 1964, where he held the posts of Chief of the Structural Department and Vice-President.
In 1984 he went solo, forming Kent D. Pierce, P.C. Consulting Structural Engineer, where he handled all contracting, studies, communications, design, drafting, shop drawings, and job inspections until retiring in 2007.
Brother Pierce’s affinity for music continued as an alumnus – he has been active with the Indianapolis Symphonic Band for over 50 years, including serving as Board Member and President. He has also been active with the Indianapolis Philharmonic Orchestra for a couple of periods, as well as the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir for over 29 years, including serving as a Board Member and President for five years. He is also still active in the Carriage House Brass Quintet, the Meridian Street Trombone Quartet, and the North United Methodist Church Choir.
His community service also includes volunteering for Meals-On-Wheels, mentoring at Tech and Crispus Attucks High Schools and Carmel Orchard Park Elementary School, and the Carmel Rotary Club.
Brother Pierce has brought his talents for music and engineering back to Lafayette as well. He played with the alumni jazz band during last year’s jazz festival, and, in addition to serving on the Chi Chapter House Board, he donated all structural engineering services for the most recent reconstruction and remodeling of the Chi Chapter House.
Pierce and his wife, Joanne, a former Sweetheart of Kappa Sigma, have five daughters, 14 grand children, and eight great-grandchildren.
Chi was “where I met several classmen who became lifelong friends. I was wrong after high school in thinking that I could never have a better, more enjoyable experience. That was too gloomy! My four years at Purdue, as a Kappa Sigma, were far, far better.”
