THE MAGAZINE OF
HAVE YOU HEARD?
28
Meet four members who are using their voices in different ways to connect with listeners. SPRING 2026 / EXPECT MORE
/ ARCHIVES /
SIGMA CHI CHAMPIONS Nearly 70 Sig athletes have reached the pinnacle of their respective sports. 2 THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI / spring 2026
/ INSIDE SIGMA CHI /
28 38
48 8
/ FEATURES /
/ EVERY ISSUE /
8 28 56 62 66
4 7 10 12
Character-in-Action™ Feature Archives Foundation Focus The Transformational Leader
From the Grand Consul Social Sigs Books by Sigs Significance
/ ON THE COVER /
14 38 48 59
Alumni Almanac Campus Chronicles Chapter Eternal Closing Circle
Significant Sig Bill Farmer, KANSAS 1975; Significant Sig Kevin Harlan, KANSAS 1982; Rob Pennington, GEORGIA SOUTHERN 2013; and Arik Housley, PEPPERDINE 1999, are shown on the cover. expect more / THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI 3
/ FROM THE GRAND CONSUL /
"NOTHING GIVES ME MORE PLEASURE THAN SEEING THE LIGHT OF BROTHERHOOD REKINDLED."
B
ROTHERS, Spring is upon us, or about to be. That late spring snowfall
Now to talk about something I am very excited about — the launch of
can really crush a person after a long winter. Those of us who have
Sigma Chi+ in December! It’s the return of the Life Loyal Sig program, a new
lived through a few of them know it is good news, as its coming will
way to connect with Sigma Chi, and a way to give to Sigma Chi while getting
finally bring the real spring and with it the eruption of life that follows. As I recall these times, I also think of all the mentors that influenced me. Our brothers in the active chapter, of course. Our chapter advisor, Order
something back. I am excited to be one of the first program members. I have been enjoying the benefits of this exclusive club while proudly displaying that I am helping Sigma Chi all the while. I hope you will join me.
of Constantine Sig John MacGillivray, BUCKNELL 1979, who selflessly gave
Next, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that hard work that the Sigma
his time and wisdom to our young associate chapter. Even our Fraternity and
Chi Foundation has been doing. Giving Tuesday following Thanksgiving was
Sorority Life advisors. The first one’s name is long forgotten, but the second
again a huge success thanks to our Foundation staff and in particular Wes
one was Al Page, CASE WESTERN 1983. He was also heavily involved in Sigma
Holtsclaw, EAST TENNESSEE 2012, and Kaitlyn Martin. In fact, our Foundation,
Chi, so he had a special influence on us.
under the direction of Past Grand Consul Michael Greenberg, ILLINOIS
But then my mind wanders further back to all the high school teachers,
WESLEYAN 1982, has been doing a wonderful job of bringing Sigs back into
the coaches, friends’ parents and, naturally, my own parents. It’s difficult to
active participation. Nothing gives me more pleasure than seeing the light of
imagine life without community. I am fortunate to only remember the positive
brotherhood rekindled.
influences, (well except Jerry, who I blame for the 1.2 GPA that one spring).
Finally, (and I acknowledge this is starting to read like that one Christmas
Positive, negative or too much fun (Jerry), these folks enter our lives, and we
card you get every year with a newsletter inside) I thought I might tell you that
are forever changed. The good ones we remember how they made us feel, what
Sigma Chi is rising to the challenges set out in the biennium. We are long on
they taught us and how our lives were made better. So, as you go through
our way to a new version of the Preparation for Brotherhood pledge education
your days, remember our Ritual. It will guide you on how to be one of the good
program. This program, led by Asher Kalef, CAL. STATE-SAN BERNARDINO 2011,
influences on another’s life.
is going to deliver on a promise of being something for which we can be proud
4 THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI / spring 2026
SPRING 2026 / VOL. 145, #1 The Magazine of Sigma Chi, the official exoteric quarterly publication of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, has been published continuously since 1881. Its mission is to reflect through content the Sigma Chi experience; to instill and sustain pride in the International Fraternity; to educate and entertain its undergraduate members, alumni, parents and others interested in the Fraternity; to maintain a historical record of the activities of the Fraternity and its undergraduate and alumni chapters; and to present current issues affecting the Greek-letter system, the Fraternity and its members. EDITORIAL TEAM CONTRIBUTERS Ashley Szatala David Jones Jeff Burnside Nathanael Hawthorne Wes Holtsclaw Wendell Gibbs Jr. CREATIVE DESIGN PRINTING ADVERTISING SALES Maddy Chapman Royle Printing Justin Hanen CONTACT The Magazine, 1714 Hinman Ave., Evanston, IL 60201 editor@sigmachi.org sigmachi.org/magazine CALL: (847) 869-3655 FAX: (847) 869-4906 ADVERTISING View our media kit at sigmachi.org/files/mediakit.pdf. Contact Justin Hanen at (847) 425-4413, or email justin.hanen@sigmachi.org to place an ad. © 2026 Sigma Chi Fraternity | The Magazine of Sigma Chi (USPS325500) is issued quarterly by Sigma Chi Fraternity International Headquarters 1714 Hinman Ave., Evanston, IL 60201 Periodicals postage paid at Evanston, Illinois and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Magazine of Sigma Chi, 1714 Hinman Ave., Evanston, IL 60201.
and our active chapters will embrace. Officer training planning is over, and the execution phase has begun. I am proud to see its rollout, beginning with the Magisters, at workshop. That’s probably enough for now. Sigma Chi is growing, and we continue to be the place where a young man can find the values, support and fellowship he will need throughout his life. Guard well,
Ryan Temby, RUTGERS 1990 74th Grand Consul
HOW TO RECEIVE THE MAGAZINE | Undergraduates: Undergraduate members receive a digital copy of The Magazine through payment of semiannual dues through their chapter. Individual copies are emailed to each undergraduate, and five copies are sent via postal mail to the chapter editor or the chapter house. Recent graduates: The Sigma Chi Foundation gives each recent graduate a one-year complimentary membership in the Life Loyal Sig annual fund program, which includes four digital issues of The Magazine of Sigma Chi. At the end of the year, recent graduates may continue to receive The Magazine through the alumni options. Alumni: Alumni receive The Magazine by contributing to the Life Loyal Sig annual fund program. Persons contributing $1-99 annually receive a digital version of The Magazine via email, and those contributing $100+ annually receive one paper copy each quarter. For either of these, phone subscription sales at (847) 869-3655 or visit sigmachi.org/lifeloyal. A single copy of the current issue is $8.75 and can be purchased by contacting subscription sales. Past issues are $10.25 each. HOW TO CHANGE AN ADDRESS | Email your old and new addresses to addresschange@ sigmachi.org. You may also call (847) 869-3655, send mail to Address Changes, 1714 Hinman Ave., Evanston, IL 60201, or go to sigmachi.org > Membership > Update my contact info. HOW TO GET PUBLISHED | Undergraduates: Each chapter editor is a correspondent for The Magazine of Sigma Chi. View deadlines and submission requirements at sigmachi.org. Chapter updates and photos must be submitted via sigmachi.org/submitcampuschronicle. Please upload the original photo file from the camera. Alumni: Alumni are encouraged to submit news and stories. Tell us about your alumni chapter events, and please include photographs — alumni chapters should email us at alumni.almanac@sigmachi.org or upload updates at chaptersystem.sigmachi.org. If you have news about an individual alumnus, email editor@sigmachi.org or send information and photos to the address above. HOW TO SEND A LETTER TO THE EDITOR | We always welcome your comments — both criticism and praise — about this publication. Email editor@sigmachi.org, or send mail to Editor, 1714 Hinman Ave., Evanston, IL 60201.
CORRECTIONS:
The Magazine misspelled the last name of Significant Sig Jack Berka, OREGON STATE 1977, in his Significant Sig bio in our winter issue. We deeply regret the error.
GENERAL DEADLINES FOR SUBMISSIONS Spring issue: Jan. 1 Fall issue: June 1 Summer issue: April 1 Winter issue: Sept. 1
expect more / THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI 5
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Bruce Sadler, PUGET SOUND 1983
“I never became a Life Loyal Sig after college. I treated myself for my 50 th anniversary as a proud Sigma Chi. Zeta Xi Chapter, California State University-Northridge. This is a great offer! IHSV.”
Life Loyal Sig Scott Kingsbury CAL. STATE-NORTHRIDGE 1979
6 THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI / spring 2026
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Brad Brumm, KETTERING 2001
For more information and to sign up, visit sigmachi.org/sigmachiplus or scan the QR code to the right.
/ SOCIAL SIGS /
SOCIAL SIGS
FOLLOW THE FEED @sigmachi @officialsigs Sigma Chi Fraternity officialsigs #SIGMACHI for the chance to be featured. sigmachi Greek-letter representation is strong on American Idol! This season, the judges are heading to college campuses to discover new talent. Did you know all three judges are members of Greek-letter organizations? Carrie Underwood is a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma (Tri Sigma) sorority at Northeastern State University. Luke Bryan is a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity at Georgia Southern University.
sigmachi Congratulations to the top Sigma Chi artists on @spotify in 2025! Significant Sig Drew Taggart, SYRACUSE 2012, of The Chainsmokers; Significant Sig Luke Bryan, GEORGIA SOUTHERN 1999; Significant Sig Michael Carter, GEORGIA SOUTHERN 2001, of Luke Bryan (Guitar); Significant Sig Joe De Pace, WESTERN 2013, of Loud Luxury; Significant Sig Cole Swindell, GEORGIA SOUTHERN 2005; Garrett Murphy, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 2023, of It’s Murph; Robert Ingraham, TULANE 2008, of The Revivalists (Saxophone); Johannes Williams, TULANE 2021, of Hans Williams; Matt Halper, STANFORD 2015, of Two Friends; Tony Fresch, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 2013, of Dr. Fresch; Oliver Martin, UTAH 2020, David Macey, UTAH 2019, Matthew Monoson, UTAH 2022, and Paul Colgan, UTAH 2019, of Krooked Kings; Jason Ross, SAN DIEGO STATE 2011; Paul Oliger, TARLETON STATE 2018, of Kolby Cooper (Guitar); Significant Sig Wade Bowen, TEXAS TECH 2000; Walker Montgomery, KENTUCKY 2020; Jackson Wendell, STEPHEN F. AUSTIN 2027; Vincent Fazzolari, OREGON STATE 2015, of FREAK ON; Brooks Hoffman, MURRAY STATE 2017; Grant Pallokat, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 2025, of Gkat; Justin Holt, BIRMINGHAM-SOUTHERN 2019; Fabricio Almeida, FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL 2023, of Breez. Tag an up-and-coming Sigma Chi artist or your go-to chapter DJ #spotify #wrapped #spotifywrapped #2025
⬇
Lionel Richie is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. at Tuskegee University.
BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION
sigmachi Every chapter has icons… here are just a few of the GOATS. There was plenty of Friendship, Justice, and Learning to go around in 2025. Tag a brother that needs to be added to the ultimate Sigma Chi composite
⬇
expect more / THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI 7
/ CHARACTER-IN-ACTION™ /
BY ASHLEY SZATALA //////
Supporting the Sobriety Journeys of Others Mike Krieg, MISSOURI STATE 1981, has been a dedicated AA sponsor and addiction recovery coach for more than 30 years
M
ike Krieg, MISSOURI STATE 1981, didn’t think he had a problem with drinking in his youth. But his college days were long past him, and he was getting pulled over for DWIs. His last one was April 22, 1989, and on April 30, his daughter was born. It was a court order that Krieg attend Alcoholics Anonymous, and it changed his life. He now proudly marks Sept. 7, 1989, as his sobriety date and has been an AA sponsor, addiction recovery coach and Al-Anon supporter for more than 30 years, in addition to his volunteerism as an alumni advisor with the Missouri State chapter. For his work supporting the sobriety journeys of others, Krieg has been named this quarter’s Mark V. Anderson Character-in-Action Leadership AwardTM recipient. Helping Others Find Redemption Alcoholics Anonymous, founded in 1935, counts over 2 million members and is active in 180 countries. In the United States, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism estimates that 10 percent of the population has alcohol use disorder. “These programs work best — and sometimes only work — when you’re willing to get out there and help get the next (person) going (on their sobriety journey),” Krieg says. “In short, how we save our own butts is by helping the next one get their life back.” He recalls a few years ago the magnitude of gathering in the same room eight generations of sponsors and sponsees — Krieg’s sponsor, Krieg’s sponsee, and the sponsees of each person after that. Outside of one-on-one mentorship, Krieg also facilitates group sessions in Missouri Department of Corrections facilities. In addition, he visits those in mental health facilities and treatment centers and recently became a Certified Peer Specialist to better support those with substance use challenges. His support has gone beyond meetings. Krieg, a professional painting contractor, estimates he has hired more than 50 individuals participating in AA or Narcotics Anonymous to help him on jobs. “For a while, (AA) was something I didn’t want to do. And now, it’s become who I am,” he says. “It’s funny how over time that transition can take place.”
8 THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI / spring 2026
Krieg’s service is rooted in the idea that everyone deserves a chance at redemption, a key component of the 12-step program. “The power of what goes on in and around these programs is mind blowing,” he says. “To be able to put that message (of redemption) in front of folks who are beat up, broke, homeless and lost — and get some hope in front of them — is incredible.”
Mike Krieg, MISSOURI STATE 1981
A Servant Leader Krieg maintains a close friendship with many of his pledge brothers, and his busy schedule does not go unnoticed by them. “Sometimes I call Mike and leave two, three or four messages without a response. I'll call (fellow pledge brother) Rob Thornhill, MISSOURI STATE 1981, and ask if Mike's OK. Rob says, "Oh, he'll call you back later. He's just mentoring at some prison hospital,’” says pledge brother Chris Myers, MISSOURI STATE 1981. “As a volunteer, Mike has devoted so many years to working within Missouri's correctional facilities, county jails and federal prisons/hospitals on behalf of AA that if he were a state employee, he'd be eligible for a pension. And he shows no signs of slowing down.” Myers adds that Krieg also motivates him in service to others. As a cancer survivor, Myers often fundraises for research and awareness with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. “Whenever I reach a (fundraising) goal and think I’ve done my part, I think of Mike — and realize I have more capacity than I knew,” he says. “He stretches me, and others too, without even knowing it. That’s servant leadership.”
/ SIGNIFICANCE /
Submit your recently published book at editor@sigmachi.org. Only books published in the past two years will be featured. The Books by Sigs section prints twice a year.
150
Years of Brotherhood
Sigma Chi Fraternity at Purdue University 1875 - 2025
by A n g i e
K l i n k | Curation P h i l S t e e l e | Design N a t a l i e P o w e l l
150 Years of Brotherhood: Sigma Chi Fraternity at Purdue University By Angie Klink, with curation by Order of Constantine Sig Phil Steele, PURDUE 1977 / Independently published; June 1, 2025
Klink remarks that the story of Delta Delta is like any compelling narrative — “the hero’s journey filled with ups and downs and the return home, in this case, to 202 Littleton.” This 242-page full-color book chronicles 150 years of the chapter’s history as the first fraternity at Purdue University. It uncovers long forgotten and new stories of shared brotherhood, achievement and shenanigans. Any Sig interested in the Fraternity’s early history and the contributions of alumni including Significant Sig George Ade, 1887, Significant Sig John T. McCutcheon, 1889, and 64th Grand Consul Keith Krach, 1979, will enjoy this compilation of historic events. The book can only be purchased at TixTree.com.
The Five Pillars of Leadership: Leadership is an Art By Greg Coker, WESTERN KENTUCKY 1986 / ISBN: 979-8898523589 / Clark Publishing; Sept. 1, 2025
The Five Pillars of Leadership is Coker’s fourth book. The first three were motivational and inspirational. This latest one is a leader’s playbook for individual, team and organizational excellence. Coker has been in every position and situation imaginable when it comes to employment and leadership. Throughout it all, it has been these five pillars that have held everything together. When these pillars were absent, everything tumbled down. The five pillars are: The Quest for Best Version; The Appreciation of Differences; Followership, Management and Leadership; Team Excellence; and Creating Winning Cultures. Every follower, manager and leader would benefit from the pillars and lessons in this book only available at GregCoker.com.
Lessons from the Front: A Rookie War Correspondent in Ukraine and Israel By Robert Sherman, DEPAUW 2018 / ISBN: 979-8881807153 / Bloomsbury Academic; Oct. 30, 2025
While working as a correspondent for NewsNation, Sherman’s life changed at age 25 when Russia invaded Ukraine. He had been covering local political stories at the time then suddenly found himself in the middle of the world’s biggest geopolitical crisis, fleeing air raids and being questioned by militants. One year later when Hamas carried out its Oct. 7 attack, Sherman was back to covering another geopolitical crisis while running from rockets and diving into Hamas tunnels in Gaza. In this book, he gives an account of his time covering those crises and how the world isn’t as simple as he once thought.
Must: Becoming the Person You Are Meant to Be By Stephen Rue, SOUTHERN METHODIST 1982 / ISBN: 978-1544548265 / Houndstooth Press; Sept. 16, 2025 You’ve always known you were capable of more, but self-doubt, tragedy, disappointments and trauma have kept you from realizing your dreams. The choice is clear: Remain as you are, or become the person you were meant to be. At the heart of this transformation is the concept of Must — your most authentic calling, the non-negotiable truth about who you are meant to become. Must is a mindset, a commitment and a call to action. You can become the person you are meant to be by following the proven Must framework. Each section moves from exploration (discovering your Must) to implementation (habits and goal setting) and finally to integration and transcendence (finding purpose in adversity, gratitude and more). This book will help your personal growth toward success in various aspects of life.
10 THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI / spring 2026
Nether Land: High School Temptation, Insurance Haze, Stolen Resolution, and Murder By Significant Sig Kem Hinton, TENNESSEE-KNOXVILLE 1977 / ISBN: 979-8218685201 / Tenebo Publishing; Aug. 11, 2025
After the shocking murder of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, insurance executive Ed Netherland at a secluded location in the Virgin Islands, Hinton is stunned and confused by a mysterious occurrence at the funeral of his former classmate. Given a haunting challenge, he embarks on a decade-long investigation into the lifetime exploits of this person after their shared time in high school and college. Throughout the investigation Hinton uncovers a fascinating yet bizarre, tangled web of toxic waste endeavors, controversial life insurance techniques, enticing investment schemes, accumulation of enormous wealth and then great loss — any one of which may have contributed to Netherland’s death in paradise.
No One Dies Alone By Robin Pendergrast, BRADLEY 1967, and William Graham / ISBN: 979-8339013396 / Independently published; Sept. 11, 2024
No One Dies Alone combines moving photos with lyrical poetry to highlight the needs of the homeless who require health care or endof-life care. This book highlights how they find comfort, respect and dignity while they recover or when the time comes to say their final goodbye. This book supports the mission of The INN Between, a facility in Salt Lake City that provides a stable home for homeless adults to experience the end of life with dignity, recuperate from illness, and/or receive life-saving medical treatment.
A Palm Beach Affair By Peter Antonucci, ROCHESTER 1982 / ISBN: 9798241121318 / Independently published; Jan. 9, 2026
A Palm Beach Affair explores the private lives, quiet rivalries and unspoken social rules governing life inside an exclusive condominium community. At the center of the story is an unlikely relationship between a reluctant condominium board president and a younger female resident who has been informally ostracized by the island’s entrenched social hierarchy. What begins as a battle of wits and guarded mistrust gradually evolves into a far more complicated — and dangerous — connection as buried pasts, fragile reputations and hidden loyalties begin to surface.
The People's House Miscellany: A Treasury of White House History, Fun Facts and Things to Know By Significant Sig Stewart McLaurin, ALABAMA 1981 / ISBN: 978-19505273669 / White House Historical Association; Sept. 23, 2025
McLaurin says the best place to begin when learning more about the most famous address in America is to start with this book of facts and figures. Miscellany books were first created in the Renaissance to entertain, and within this one are no shortage of firsts, lasts, onlys, always, mosts and nevers in White House history. Included within are answers to questions like: Which president practiced jiu jitsu in the East Room? Who made a dress from red velvet White House curtains? What are the rules of Hooverball?
A Story of Redemption: As Told to My Shrink By Joseph Cardamone, SYRACUSE 1970 / ISBN: 978-1733939980 / Independently published; Nov. 15, 2023
A Story of Redemption is about having the courage and determination to help the ones we love, even when they don’t want help. In it, Cardamone takes the reader on a journey into the circumstances of a family tragedy and the author’s feelings and doubts going back to childhood. Ultimately, it is a story of love, hope and redemption where the situation and emotions felt throughout are universally relatable and keeps readers wanting to get to the next chapter (or session).
Universal Wisdom: 25 Principles and Beliefs Every Major Religion Shares By Guy Charles, WYOMING 1993 / ISBN: 979-8312243048 / Independently published; Feb. 26, 2025
Universal Wisdom teaches readers timeless principles of character, purpose and inner strength and offers practical guidance for everyday life. It connects ancient truths with struggles we face today and delivers a map for those seeking clarity, courage and a more impactful way of living. This book can help readers remember who they are, why they’re here and how to live a life that truly matters. By embracing these truths, readers will not only enhance their own happiness and fulfillment but also contribute to a more compassionate and connected world we can all enjoy living in. expect more / THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI 11
/ SIGNIFICANCE /
Celebrating Achievements Submit your professional or volunteer recognition, as well as a headshot, to editor@sigmachi.org. This Significance section prints one to two times a year, depending on volume of submissions.
James Grimaldi, MISSOURI-COLUMBIA 1984
Significant Sig James Grimaldi, MISSOURI-COLUMBIA 1984, was recognized by the Mizzou Alumni Association with its 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award. Grimaldi is a three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist who has worked in newsrooms such as the National Catholic Reporter, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Seattle Times and Orange County Register. He currently serves on the steering committee of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and is a past president of Investigative Reporters and Editors.
Sixty-fourth Grand Consul Keith Krach, PURDUE 1979, received Oct. 5, 2025, the M. Eugene Merchant Manufacturing Medal, jointly awarded by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. The award is among the manufacturing sector’s highest honors and recognizes exceptional innovation and leadership that advance the science and practice of manufacturing. Krach, who holds a bachelor’s and honorary doctorate in industrial engineering, was recognized for his lifelong record of transformational leadership across technology, manufacturing, economic policy and diplomacy that have helped drive global productivity, GDP growth and quality of life, according to ASME.
Rob Gleason, PENNSYLVANIA 1961
Significant Sig Rob Gleason, PENNSYLVANIA 1961, was appointed by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in September 2025 to serve on Amtrak’s board of directors. He has been a vocal advocate for increased Amtrak service. Gleason was previously appointed as Pennsylvania’s Secretary of the Commonwealth in the mid-1980s and later served on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and the state’s Transportation Commission. Today he is Pennsylvania president of a global insurance firm.
Keith Krach, PURDUE 1979 12 THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI / spring 2026
Jeffrey Kroeker, WILFRID LAURIER 2002
Jeffrey Kroeker, WILFRID LAURIER 2002, received on Oct. 22, 2025, the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his exceptional contributions to Canada. The medal was placed upon his chest by Ontario’s Minister of Citizenship, Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment, and the Attorney General of Ontario. He was nominated by the premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, who noted in Kroeker’s nomination that he demonstrated “exceptional leadership and an enduring commitment to community service.” Kroeker is both a lawyer and political advisor who serves as co-chair of the True Patriot Love Gala that supports military families and veterans; is a board director for the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research; is involved with the Fraternity as Grand Praetor; and is engaged in human rights advocacy abroad.
Doug McConnell, ILLINOIS 1979
Doug McConnell, ILLINOIS 1979, was named one of several 2025 Chicagoans of the Year by Chicago magazine for spearheading the effort to bring back the opportunity to swim in the Chicago River for the first time in nearly a century. The September swim was a 1- and 2-mile race through the city’s downtown that raised $100,000 for ALS research and $50,000 to teach kids in underserved neighborhoods how to swim. McConnell is an open water swimmer whose A Long Swim foundation has raised $3 million for ALS research at Northwestern University since 2011.
Dr. Chris Morris, TULANE 1980
Dr. Chris Morris, TULANE 1980, received from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) its 2025 Master of the ACR Award in October 2025. It is one of the highest honors that the organization bestows on its members and reflects Morris’s outstanding contributions to the advancement of rheumatology. Professional accomplishments include serving on multiple ACR committees; making over 20 Capitol Hill visits as an advocate for patients and his profession; being involved in the leadership of the Southern Medical Association, including serving as president; and locally serving as a clinical faculty for three different internal medicine residency programs.
Rusty Strawn, GEORGIA SOUTHERN 1985
Rusty Strawn, GEORGIA SOUTHERN 1985, was inducted into the National Senior Amateur Hall of Fame as its 2025 honoree. Strawn is the 2022 U.S. Senior Amateur champion in golf. He initially fell in love with golf decades ago because it allowed him to spend time with his father, who taught him the sport. Growing up he spent hours on the range improving his game but put golf on the backburner once he began working professionally and had a family. Strawn began training in earnest as age 55 approached and he knew he could start playing senior amateur golf. His hard work culminated in the 2022 championship win at age 59.
Jim Yunker, BALL STATE 1969
Significant Sig Jim Yunker, BALL STATE 1969, was recognized by the Cincinnati chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals with the Lifetime Achievement in Fundraising Award. Yunker first discovered in college his passion for development and fundraising, something he found fun, goal-oriented and helped make a difference. In 1983 he entered the fundraising and search consulting industry in Chicago, later relocating to Cincinnati in 1993. There, he co-founded his own consulting firm. Yunker is involved with several local and national organizations, including serving as founding director of the Association of Philanthropic Counsel, past chair of the Giving USA Foundation and past board leader of The Giving Institute.
Erik Neinstedt, NORTHWESTERN 2005
Erik Neinstedt, NORTHWESTERN 2005, was recognized in September 2025 with the Walt Disney Legacy Award, the highest recognition a Disney cast or crew member or Imagineer can earn. This peer-nominated recognition is presented to fewer than 1 percent of Disney Experiences employees worldwide who embody Disney’s vision to dream, create and inspire. Neinstedt is a senior video producer at Disney Experiences.
Mark Self, TENNESSEE TECH 1979
Mark Self, TENNESSEE TECH 1979, was recognized as the Engineering Alumni of the Year at Tennessee Technological University on Sept. 19, 2025. He earned a degree in civil engineering and began his career as first a reclamation engineer and then a maintenance engineer in a lignite coal mine. Afterward, Self worked for various other companies and engineering areas, eventually living in eight states and Switzerland and working on projects in all 50 states. He most recently served as CEO of Philadelphia Mixing Solutions and now is a consultant and coach for companies.
Greg Zerzan, WILLAMETTE 1993
Greg Zerzan, WILLAMETTE 1993, has been appointed General Counsel to the U.S. Dept. Of Transportation. In the role, Zerzan will serve as chief legal officer of the department, legal advisor to the U.S. Transportation Secretary and be the final authority within the department on questions of law. He will lead more than 400 attorneys to address a wide range of issues impacting transportation law, policy and the department’s operations. Zerzan also has served in several other senior agency positions during the Trump administration, including as principal deputy solicitor of the U.S. Department of the Interior.
expect more / THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI 13
/ ALUMNI ALMANAC /
BY THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI STAFF /////////
A DEEPER MEANING
Brothers share their unique stories surrounding Sigma Chi’s various badges, pins and rings * Some stories have been abridged.
My wife and I learned that we were going to have a son in 2002. Right then I bought him a badge and had it engraved with, “For My Son.” I never told anyone about it. In the fall of 2021, my son Alexander Scott Cameron was initiated into the Gamma Omega chapter of Sigma Chi at the University of Connecticut. I was there, along with my brother (Gamma Omega Sig from 1995) and several of my pledge brothers. It was a highlight of my life to pin that badge on my son's chest. My wife got emotional when I told her that I bought his badge in 2002 and kept it a secret for so many years. I have another son in high school. If he becomes a Sig, I'll pin my badge from 1991 on his chest. ~ Allan Cameron, CONNECTICUT 1995
I graduated from Westminster College in 1973 where I was a member of the Delta Tau chapter. The chapter was (suspended in 2015). In 2025, after several years of effort from alumni, the International Fraternity and cooperation with Westminster College, the chapter was re-established and initiated its first pledge class. One of the new initiates was a young man from my hometown. I met him before he went to Westminster and encouraged him to consider pledging Sigma Chi. After he was initiated, I gifted him my Sigma Chi pin hoping to pass on some of the legacy of an alumnus. The student I gave the pin to ended up being the Magister of the first pledge class of the re-established chapter. The pin was always precious to me, but I thought it was important to share it with someone to encourage the rebirth of the chapter. ~ Dan Barbour, WESTMINSTER 1973 14 THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI / spring 2026
It began as an innocuous post on Facebook in late August 2024. A man named Joey found a ring at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa, California. But what caught my attention? It was a Sigma Chi ring. There was no name inscribed. No chapter or school. Only the initials “G.L.H.” As a retired police detective, I thought tracking down Brother G.L.H. and returning the ring would be a refreshing change. What I assumed would be a quick search turned into a four-week-long investigation. I contacted Sigma Chi International Fraternity Headquarters. Brother Jeff Burnside, WASHINGTON STATE 1980, with the Sigma Chi Foundation accessed the Sigma Chi database. I also referenced the 2005 membership directory. We found around 80 Sigma Chis with the initials G.L.H. After narrowing the search, the three best possibilities were: 1. Gary L. Heineman, WASHINGTON STATE 1975 (Mission Viejo) 2. Gary L. Hamilton, CAL. STATE-LONG BEACH 1969 (Irvine) 3. Greg L. Hamblin, ILLINOIS WESLEYAN 1979 (Irvine) Now came the difficult part: contacting these three brothers. After several weeks, I finally heard back from Gary Heineman and Gary Hamilton confirming that the ring did not belong to them. On Sept. 11, Jaren, the son of Greg Hamblin, informed me that his father had passed away a year ago. When I mentioned that the ring was found at Fairview Park, there was a breakthrough. Jaren recalled that his father used to take him to the OC Model Train Engineers in the park when he was a boy, which was only 700 feet away from the very spot the ring was discovered, according to Google Earth. Jaren wanted to be certain before accepting the ring. He reached out to one of his father’s best friends, who recalled that Greg wore a gold ring. When Jaren showed him photos of the ring, his friend confirmed it was indeed his father’s. I arranged a meeting a couple of weeks later with Joey, Jaren, and Jaren’s brother Joshua in Newport Beach. They were thrilled to hold a very special piece of their late father’s past. Jaren believed the ring had been lost for about 20 years. With the ring back in familial hands, my quest was over. I want to express my gratitude to my Eta Sigma alumni brothers. While Joey insisted that his true reward was seeing Brother Hamblin’s son smile upon receiving the ring, the Eta Sigma brothers still chose to honor him with a monetary reward for his honesty and integrity. Although I never had the opportunity to meet Brother Greg, I feel like I got to know him in a little way. Poignantly, I first reached out to Jaren just two days after the first anniversary of Greg L. Hamblin’s passing. All honor to G.L.H. ~ Ross Nemeroff, CALIFORNIA-IRVINE 1992
My father was an Alpha Tau Omega. During college, he purchased a gold ring with the black onyx background base adorned with the ATO Maltese cross. Sometime subsequent to his purchase the cross broke off. He held onto the ring sans cross in his jewelry box for 20 years or so. When I became a Sigma Chi, he gave me the ring. I worked with Buddy Cote at Legacy Deuteron to find and secure a White Cross of Sigma Chi that would fit and properly adorn the otherwise blank pallet of black onyx. It has been proudly worn by a Sigma Chi who later became Fraternity executive director! ~ Order of Constantine Sig Mark Anderson, ILLINOIS 1977
I had been hoping to buy the official Sigma Chi White Cross ring, but I was still in college, and it wasn't really affordable. Instead, I always kept an eye out for a ring that looked close enough to the real thing. I found my "faux" ring in December 2002 while killing time before an interview for an internship at the National Endowment for the Arts in Washington, D.C. I wore it during the interview and every day since. I got the internship, which led to my first job out of college (also at the Endowment), which in turn led to all of my subsequent jobs in the arts. So, I definitely think of the ring as a good luck charm. ~ Adam Natale, AMERICAN 2003
When I was initiated in 1977, my father, Capt. Robert M. Pond Sr., CALIFORNIA-BERKELEY 1943, gave me his badge. He got the badge from his great uncle, William G. Hay, CALIFORNIA-BERKELEY 1889, who was one of the founding members of the Alpha Beta chapter (I believe he was initiate No. 6). The badge is gold with diamonds and emeralds at the ends of each arm of the cross. The back is engraved with H. G. Hay ’89 and R. M. Pond ’43. Unfortunately, there was no more room for me to add my name and graduation date. ~ Bob Pond, CALIFORNIA-BERKELEY 1980
It was the fall of 1994. I had moved to Ohio from Southern California to begin my medical studies at the University of Cincinnati. I was at this time a collector of Sigma Chi memorabilia, including badges. I had begun scouring antique shops, pawn shops, flea markets and antique shows looking for anything related to Sigma Chi. Remember, this was way before the internet. By that time, my oldest badge was from the early 1910s, but I told myself, “Wait until you get to Ohio.” I figured we had our beginnings there, so there’s bound to be even older treasures to find! A few weeks into the semester, I needed a break. I found an antique flea market about 100 miles north of Cincinnati and made plans to go. Searching up and down the aisles of dealers, I saw some interesting things. That was until ... I saw it! Larger than modern badges, jeweled with rubies, it honestly took my breath away. I asked the seller to see the pin, and his first words to me were, “Are you a Sigma Chi? Because I will only sell it to a Sigma Chi.” I immediately confirmed my membership, and I was then holding this treasure in my hand. The dealer was Hank Spangenberger, BOWLING GREEN 1958. “How much?” I asked. He replied, “$100.” I thought that was a bit steep, but I had no choice but to pay it. It has been in my possession ever since. The badge originally belonged to Edwin E. Sheffield, DENISON 1887. I was lucky to also find a photo of him wearing the badge, adorned with a chapter guard that was long gone when I bought the badge. ~ Twenty-second Grand Historian Michael Codina, CALIFORNIASAN DIEGO 1993
1950s 1966
1915
1930s
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I have several Sigma Chi rings, mostly vintage. The first was made in 1915 and is inscribed with the owner's initials and the dates inside in very elaborate calligraphy. The next one was made in the 1930s and features an Art Deco style with small diamonds and rubies surrounding the cross. The next one was made in 1947 and was purchased from the family of the original owner. You can see by the worn patina on the cross that this gentleman wore it every day. This is the ring that I wear most often. The next one was produced in the 1950s and is a very simple design. Lastly, the ring with the blue stone is from Balfour and was made in 1966. It was passed on to me by a dear friend, Order of Constantine Sig Danny Nelson, WYOMING 1969, who served as chapter advisor to the Wyoming chapter for 31 years. He sent it to me just before his recent passing, and I am honored to be its caretaker now. ~ Significant Sig Jeffrey Steinhour, WYOMING 1988
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I went to a very small high school in northern Kentucky. We all knew each other in several classes. I was prompted to pledge Sigma Chi because an older boy I looked up to came home from college and talked to several of us over lunch one day. He told us of the brotherhood and fun he was having as a Sig. I went on to pledge Sigma Chi at the University of Cincinnati and was initiated in March 1961. Later that year during the Christmas holidays I got a call from another high school friend two years ahead of me who was a Sig at Ohio University. He had dated a girl at our high school who was now terminally ill with leukemia. He wanted to get pinned to her before she passed away but had left his pin at OU in Athens. He asked if he could borrow my pin, and I said yes. He pinned her, and she was buried wearing my Sigma Chi badge. He later gave me his badge, and I pinned the girl who became my wife. She still has that pin today after 60-plus years. ~ Lauren Hill, CINCINNATI 1965
My daughter loves Sigma Chi almost as much as her brother and I do. I had given her a sweetheart pin several years before as well as various other sweetheart things. At her wedding in 2023, she and I were waiting outside the doors for me to walk her in, and she smiled and said, “Dad, I have something to show you.” She pulled over the shoulder of her dress to reveal that she had her sweetheart pin beneath the dress near her heart. I thought nothing would be more emotional than walking her down the aisle, but I was wrong. ~ Seventieth Grand Consul Tommy Geddings, SOUTH CAROLINA 1985
Back in the early 2000s when I was Grand Praetor for Central Texas, I had a lady contact me who said her dad was a Sigma Chi, and when she was a young girl he had given her a sweetheart badge he found in an antique store. This would have been in the late 1950s or early ’60s. Her dad had passed away, and she didn't have any children, so she decided to sell the badge. I told her I would take a look, and if I didn't buy it, I would help her sell it. I agreed to meet her the next day. It was beginning to get dark when an old rusty pickup pulled into the lot and an older lady climbed out. When she came around the door, in the dim light I saw she had more in her hand than a badge — a beautiful Sigma Chi jewelry box with an equally beautiful badge inside. I told her I was planning to give the badge to my wife, who was a chapter sweetheart, as was her mom and a couple of other female cousins and that her dad, both brothers and numerous other uncles and cousins (over 20 in total) were all Sigma Chis. She teared up and said that is exactly where her dad would want the badge to end up. I pulled out the roll of cash I had and handed it to her, which was a bit more than the top of her price range. I told her I wouldn't feel right trying to negotiate with her. I also pulled out everything else I had in my wallet and told her that was for the case I wasn't expecting. She gave me a big hug then climbed into her truck and drove away. ~ John Klier, TEXAS STATE 1990 Scan the QR code for more stories about rings.
I purchased my ring in the 1980s from an elderly brother while in Fargo, North Dakota, on business; he had no legacy heirs to which to leave it. He warned me, “It's an illegal ring. Not blessed by Balfour or the Fraternity. I had it made by a local Native Indian artisan based on my design and have worn it for over 50 years.” Due to the significance it had in my heart and obviously in his heart, I had a duplicate made for my son, Will Arrington, NEW MEXICO 2012, and will have one made for the hand of a future brother, 6-year-old grandson Glenn Arrington. ~ Chris Arrington, TEXAS TECH 1984
16 THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI / spring 2026
Scan the QR code for more stories about badges.
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ALUMNI CHAPTER NEWS
A tribute to Significant Sig Tom Davin, DUKE 1979, who entered the Chapter Eternal in September 2025, during the sold-out 19th annual Augie’s Quest at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach in California raised $2.6 million to help find a cure for ALS, which Davin was battling before his death. During the event, Edward Cook III, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 1986, gave a tribute to Davin where Cook focused on his U.S. Marine and business leadership, love of Sigma Chi and his fight to eradicate ALS. In a twist of programming, the wife of a Sigma Chi pushed very hard for all Sigma Chis in attendance to sing the “Sweetheart of Sigma Chi” song for Davin’s widow, Molly. An impromptu opportunity came up, and Sigma Chis from all parts of the room came up to sing for a $20,000 donation.
It is not often that two Sigma Chi brothers run into each other at the same Scottish hunting lodge called Craigsanquhar, on the same week, for a hunt just outside of St. Andrews. Jon Starks, KANSAS 1980, pictured at left, was wearing his Sigma Chi ring during a reception after a hunt the first day when Chris Matson, LOYOLA MARYMOUNT 1990, and his wife, Julie, discovered it. The bond of Sigma Chi took over with a handshake grip. Their brotherhood and pheasant, partridge and duck hunt was captured on Matson’s YouTube channel, Matador Outdoor Sportsman Adventures. You never know when a brother might be standing right next to you!
Members of the Upstate South Carolina Alumni Association, formed in March 2025, are pictured during a recent gathering.
Brothers John Hall Sr., GEORGE MASON 1992, and Douglas Harden, GEORGIA 2005, chat at the 2025 Military Bourbon Chew.
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Fort Worth, Texas, Alumni Chapter members are pictured Dec. 20, 2025, celebrating the life of Brother Joe Scanlan, TEXAS-ARLINGTON 2018, who entered the Chapter Eternal on Dec. 13, 2025, at age 29 after a long battle with Wilson Disease. He loved sports, so many wore sports apparel in his memory.
Order of Constantine Sig and Significant Sig Bernie Sergesketter, PURDUE 1958, is pictured with 64th Grand Consul Keith Krach, PURDUE 1979, as well as fellow pledge brothers during the June celebration of the Delta Delta chapter’s 150th anniversary.
Dalhousie-St. Mary’s brothers Kinnon Kendziora, 1998, Brett Copeland, 1996, and Joe Dacey, 1998, recently met up at Gamma Rho’s annual Wickwire Weekend in Halifax.
Over 120 brothers gathered Oct. 17 and 18, 2025, to celebrate the 165th anniversary of the Omicron chapter at Dickinson College.
18 THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI / spring 2026
Brothers gathered Dec. 9 in Inslington for some social time after a London Alumni Chapter Ritual meeting. Pictured, from left, are Raphael Uribe, MCGILL 2014; Josh Conde, NORTH CAROLINA-CHARLOTTE 2016; Erik Marx, UNION 2008; Elliott Flockhart, BRITISH COLUMBIA-SIMON FRASER 2015; Mahamudar Kalam, TORONTORYERSON 2015; and David Stroud, BRITISH COLUMBIA-SIMON FRASER 1997.
Alumni brothers from the Furman chapter enjoy the Furman v. Wofford basketball game on Jan. 17, 2026. Pictured, from left, are Jason Turnblad, 2001; Myers Smith, 2001; Reggie Bloom, 2001; Order of Constantine Sig Chris Brown, 1989; Kevin Jenko, 2006; Doug Stinson, 2001; and Kyle Moody, 2001.
The Sacramento, California, Alumni Chapter members are pictured during their successful Toys for Tots dinner.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Alumni Chapter members are pictured during the chapter’s annual Christmas party held at the Baton Rouge Country Club.
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Michigan State alumni held a reunion at the university in East Lansing on Oct. 3 and 4, 2025. Thirty-six brothers, many with their sweethearts, attended, as well as several alumni support staff and six undergraduate brothers from the Gamma Psi chapter. The first night, a social hour and banquet dinner allowed brothers to catch up; some had not seen each other in over 60 years. After dinner, an auction of In Hoc Napa Valley Sweetheart Chardonay and two wooden wine crates netted a $1,000 donation to the undergraduate chapter. In addition, 20 brothers received their Semi-Century Sig pins and certificates, and the evening closed with a singing of the “Sweetheart of Sigma Chi” to the brothers’ sweethearts. The next day, everyone attended a tailgate and gameday watch party at the chapter house. They also were able to see the new 6-foot-tall White Cross badge donated by Significant Sig Hap Fry, 1963, which will adorn the front of the chapter house. Pictured are Michigan State Consul Drew Davis, 2027, addressing attendees while Mike Roach, 1966, watches. In the second picture, class of 1966 Michigan State alumni Dr. Roger Hill, Allen Philbrick, Scott Cummings and Dr. Floyd Ostrom pose for a photo with their sweethearts.
California-Davis chapter members celebrated their 40th reunion with a weekend campout and barbecue in the backyard of Significant Sig Mike Hart, 1985, and his wife, Vicki. The men had a Ritual meeting and enjoyed a social hour throughout Davis. They also resolved to assist with the undergraduate chapter’s return to campus come fall 2029.
20 THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI / spring 2026
Pictured is the original 1881 petition to Sigma Chi to establish an alumni chapter in Cincinnati, signed by Cincinnati area alumni, including Founder Isaac M. Jordan, MIAMI (OHIO) 1857. Also displayed is the original 1882 petition, signed by seven University of Cincinnati students, requesting to establish an active chapter at the University of Cincinnati. Both are on display at the Susan Butler-McBeath Memorial Zeta Psi Chapter Museum.
The 2025 Eastern Province Christmas Party, held at the Army-Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia, on Dec. 13, had several guests of honor in attendance at the sold-out event. Those guests were, from left, Northern Virginia Alumni Chapter President and Grand Trustee Frank Araby, GEORGE WASHINGTON 1984; 67th Grand Consul Dennis Santoli, CASE WESTERN 1967; Grand Consul Ryan Temby, RUTGERS 1990; Grand Quaestor Chris Walters, ROANOKE 2000; and 68th Grand Consul and Sigma Chi Foundation President Mike Greenberg, ILLINOIS WESLEYAN 1982.
Pictured during a December meeting of the Katy, Texas, Alumni Chapter members and sweethearts are, from left, Suzanne Reece; Caraline Campbell; Kyle Campbell, TEXAS STATE 2020; Nathan Reese, STEPHEN F. AUSTIN 1989; Order of Constantine Sig Bob Shortle, RENSSELAER 1974; Grand Praetor Rick de Hoyos, HOUSTON 2003; Eric Koval, PENN STATE 1986; Valarie Koval; and Chris Turner, NORTH TEXAS 2014. The alumni chapter thanks de Hoyos for attending their meeting.
The Dallas Alumni Chapter recognized several brothers with the chapter’s inaugural Lifetime Service Award. Pictured, from left, are Larry Wiliams, SAM HOUSTON 1961; Larry Foster, EAST TEXAS A&M 1967; Dick Dawson, EAST TEXAS A&M 1968; Dick Weisheit, TEXAS TECH 1973; Dan Yerian, OKLAHOMA STATE 1969; Order of Constantine Sig Chester McCrary, EAST TEXAS A&M 1965; Dave Cravens, TEXAS TECH 1974; Significant Sig Gary Bieritz, BRADLEY 1967; and Don Knudsen, TEXAS TECH 1971. They are pictured with Dallas Alumni Chapter President and Order of Constantine Sig Steve Harrington, SOUTHERN METHODIST 1979. expect more / THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI 21
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Chicago-DuPage Alumni Chapter President and Order of Constantine Sig Bill Leonard, EASTERN ILLINOIS 1981, presents Barry Anderson, EASTERN ILLINOIS 1975, with his Semi-Century Sig pin and certificate. These two brothers lived together for a year in 1978 in the “old barn” when Anderson came back to school to get his master’s degree.
Alumni from Southeast Missouri State University have met every two years since 2003 at Cedar Creek resort in New Haven, Missouri, for fishing, golf, horseshoes, good food and brotherhood. Pictured at their most recent reunion are brothers who graduated between 1969 and 1975.
Hilton Head, South Carolina, Alumni Chapter members and sweethearts gathered Dec. 13, 2025, at the Beaufort National Cemetery to place wreaths on the graves of U.S. military veterans. Pictured, from left, are Carole Haley; Bill Haley, KENT STATE 1968; John Stevens, PENNSYLVANIA 1984; Harold Wood, OHIO 1965; and Ron Bradley, GEORGIA TECH 1960.
Blockchain.com, which helps millions across the globe safely access cryptocurrency, has a strong but small tribe of Sigma Chis employed there. Pictured Dec. 14, 2025, are Matt Arney, SAN DIEGO STATE 1991, head of business development; Nicolas Cary, PUGET SOUND 2007, co-founder and vice chairman; Kevin Blackburne, GEORGIA 2015, senior director of financial strategy; and Lane Kasselman, CAL. STATE-SACRAMENTO 2000, co-CEO.
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Chattanooga, Tennessee, Alumni Chapter members are pictured at a local restaurant with Centerstone Foster Care staff to drop off stocking stuffers they collected for 30 children served by the program. They then presented Centerstone with a $500 donation.
At a recent Flagstaff, Arizona, Alumni Chapter gathering, three members received Semi-Century Sig certificates. Pictured are Tom Laws, NORTHERN ARIZONA and ARIZONA STATE 1971; Chuck LaBenz, ARIZONA STATE 1970; and Dr. Ron Castro, ARIZONA STATE 1970.
With great enthusiasm and dedication, East Bay, California, Alumni Group members Bill VanOss, CAL. POLY.-SAN LUIS OBISPO 1987; Tustin Ellison, CAL. POLY.-SAN LUIS OBISPO 1989; and Darwin Beardsley, CAL. STATE-FRESNO 1974, spent an afternoon bringing joy to the Rossmoor Retirement Community’s Hawaiian Club. Their efforts were warmly received, and many residents left with big smiles and lifted spirits.
Detroit Alumni Chapter brothers David Wegener, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 1985; Mark Malatesta, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 1989; Jeff Hoomaian, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 1990; Jeff Gabrielson, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 1986; Order of Constantine Sig Don Fergle, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 1980; and Tom Kerns, HILLSDALE 1987, are pictured during the chapter's holiday lunch gathering.
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ALUMNI CHAPTER ANNIVERSARIES APRIL 4/6/1911
MAY
5/15/1916 Puget Sound Sigs celebrated five decades as Sigma Chis during an August 2004 reunion in Tacoma, Washington. Pictured in the front row are Dick Chiarovano, 1951; Ed Balarezo, 1951; Len Spanich, 1951; and Tim Chapman, 1950. Pictured in the back row are Ralph Wehmhoff, 1951; Harold Prescott, 1951; Bud McDonald, 1951; Wilmont Westlin, 1950; Jack Knapp, 1950; Lew White, 1953; and Order of Constantine Sig Jack Fabulich, 1951.
Tacoma, Washington, Alumni Chapter, 115 years
Central New York Alumni Chapter, 110 years
*Anniversaries are listed every five years.
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Order of Constantine Sigs and Washington, D.C., Alumni Chapter members Bruce Casner, GEORGE WASHINGTON 1971, and George Hooper, KANSAS STATE 1960, snap pics with the newly recreated alumni chapter charter.
Nebraska alumni gathered in Lincoln, Nebraska, in September 2025 for a Cornhusker football weekend. Pictured, from left, are Jeff Peetz, 1980; Mark Hasebroock, 1982; John Massey, 1982; and Brian Cornelius, 1980.
Georgia Southwestern alumni recently participated in a North Dakota pheasant hunt. Pictured, from left, are Ed Shaw, 1989; Tracy Law, 1989; Bryan McMichael, 1993; Ty Turner, 1989; and Mike Ragsdale, 1990.
Chuck Groshek, OHIO STATE 1977, pins the Significant Sig badge to the chest of Greg Burke, OHIO STATE 1978, during Burke’s Significant Sig Award presentation at the Alpha Gamma chapter house in September.
24 THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI / spring 2026
AMERICUS ALUMNI / The Americus, Georgia, Alumni Chapter continues to be very active in supporting the chapter at Georgia Southwestern State University. We hold bimonthly alumni meetings that are well attended. During meetings we handle chapter business, pray for brothers experiencing health issues, share a meal, and make sure to save plenty of time to experience fellowship with one another at the meeting’s close. It’s a great time of renewal for our brotherhood. Alumni continue to actively support our alumni chapter, the house corporation and our scholarship fund. Our housing corporation was able to replace the chapter house flooring, and it looks incredible. We are thankful for all those involved in making sure this project was completed in a timely manner. We look forward to continuing to grow in all areas as we enter 2026 and can’t wait to see what the future holds for us. ~ Tracy Law, GEORGIA SOUTHWESTERN 1989 BATON ROUGE ALUMNI / The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Alumni Chapter celebrated the 100th anniversary of our 1925 founding at Louisiana State University. Over 500 alums and guests participated in activities at the House of the Southern Woods on the LSU campus. The annual alumni Christmas party was held at the Baton Rouge Country Club. ~ Order of Constantine Sig Jim Bollinger, LOUISIANA STATE 1967 BIRMINGHAM ALUMNI / This quarter we held our monthly dinner on the second Thursday of the month at Cajun Seafood House in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. Attendance has been good, and we would love to see some new faces. Several brothers attended undergraduate initiations in October for the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Samford; it was great to experience the Ritual after all these years. In December we participated in Wreaths Across America in Montevallo. We will be having a new event for young alumni at Sig-owned All Good Beverage Company. Check out BirminghamAlumni. SigmaChi.org for more information. ~ Mike Hayes, SOUTH ALABAMA 1991 CHARLOTTE ALUMNI / 2025? Crushed it. We're leveling up the content for our monthly lunch and evening meetups. Taco Tuesday lunches were a hit, and the quest for Charlotte's best taco continues. Our evening socials are about to get real with indoor curling. It's not just sweeping — it's peak content. Get ready for the 'gram! ~ Mike Beroth, AUSTIN PEAY 1985 CHATTANOOGA ALUMNI / The Chattanooga, Tennessee, Alumni Chapter embraced the spirit of the season with its annual Christmas Giving Campaign. Early in December, members gathered stocking stuffers for 30 children served by Centerstone Foster Care. The chapter then met with the Centerstone director and staff at a local restaurant to deliver the stocking stuffers, share fellowship and present a $500 donation. But the chapter’s giving didn’t stop there — the group extended more than $10,000 in support to several meaningful organizations. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga received contributions to the Michael Baskette Scholarship and the UTC Emergency Student Fund. The Chatt Foundation’s Community Kitchen also received support. Additionally, a heartfelt gift was made to the Orange Grove Center in memory of Jordan LaGraff to honor a life and legacy that continues to inspire. Through service, generosity and brotherhood, the Chattanooga Alumni Chapter once again demonstrated the true meaning of the season. ~ Bill Hawkins, TENNESSEE-CHATTANOOGA 1983
CHICAGO-DUPAGE ALUMNI / The Chicago-DuPage Alumni Chapter had its annual holiday party at Pappadeaux’s Cajun Restaurant in Westmont, Illinois, on Dec. 15. Sweethearts were in attendance, and all had great time celebrating. Our monthly lunch meetings are the last Thursday of the month at 11:30 a.m. at Labriola’s in Oak Brook. ~ Order of Constantine Sig Bill Leonard, EASTERN ILLINOIS 1981 CHICAGO METRO ALUMNI / This is a great area to be a brother — we have Sigs in every corner! Join us by emailing WindyCitySig@aol.com so that we can get information and news to you regularly. Your involvement can be specific to what fits you: social networking, business networking, the opportunity to share brotherhood with undergraduate brothers at three local schools, or to assist with restarting the Northwestern chapter. And, we are especially excited that a group has been developing other activities in the area and has been having socials at Prost at 2566 N. Western on Saturday afternoons. Let’s hear from you! ~ Order of Constantine Sig Bill Bringham, ALBION 1975
CHICAGO NORTH SHORE ALUMNI / 2025 wrapped up a great year! Our monthly lunches in Deerfield, Illinois, at the Italian Kitchen are always well attended. 2026 should be a real success as we continue to reach out to Sigs of all ages and chapters in the area to attend events, including every odd month at the Silo in Lake Bluff for pizza. We also will be looking to do other events: a golf outing, reception at Hackney's and supporting our local undergraduate chapters. Email us at WindyCitySig@aol.com to let us know your interest(s) and to make sure you are on our email list. ~ Significant Sig Mark Nagy, PITTSBURGH 1954
CINCINNATI ALUMNI / The Susan Butler-McBeath Memorial Zeta Psi Chapter Museum announced its newest display: the original 1881 petition to the Sigma Chi International Fraternity to establish an alumni chapter in Cincinnati, Ohio, signed by Cincinnati area alumni, including Founder Isaac M. Jordan, MIAMI (OHIO) 1857. Also displayed is the original 1882 petition, signed by seven University of Cincinnati students, requesting to establish an active chapter at the University of Cincinnati. ~ Rick Fearn, CINCINNATI 1978 DALLAS ALUMNI / Membership continued to grow for the Dallas Alumni Chapter as we neared 350 paid members! Eighty of those are young professional brothers between the ages of 22 and 32. We inaugurated our Lifetime Service Award for brothers who have done outstanding work for the chapter. Eleven brothers were recognized this year. ~ Order of Constantine Sig Jim Bloom, SAN DIEGO STATE 1982 DETROIT ALUMNI / The past year for the Detroit Alumni Chapter was highlighted by a successful pheasant hunt, a holiday lunchtime gathering, as well as our annual Christmas banquet at the Edgewood Country Club hosted by Scott Cartwright, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 1986, where we thanked longtime President Gary Dubois, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 1968, for his service and welcomed Corey Voorman, HILLSDALE 2015, as our new president. ~ Order of Constantine Sig Don Fergle, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 1980
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FORT MYERS AND LEE COUNTY ALUMNI / With brothers from across America, we invite you to the dedication of the John Wayne Birthplace Museum as a Sigma Chi Memorial Monument on Saturday, May 23, 2026. In absolute appreciation to Sigma Chi, the museum’s board of directors has named its formal entryway Sigma Chi Plaza. The event on Friday, May 22, celebrates the 100th anniversary of the 1926 initiation of Significant Sig John Wayne, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 1929, into the Alpha Upsilon chapter. Participating in the dedication ceremony is the Duke’s daughter, Aissa Wayne. With Aissa is her husband and Oscar-winning film editor of Rocky, Scott Conrad, as well as Aissa’s daughter, Jennifer Wayne. Saturday’s celebration will feature Jennifer, an award-winning songwriter, as the evening’s musical headliner. For reservations visit JohnWayneBirthplace. Museum, or call 515-462-1044. ~ Significant Sig Jim Shields. IOWA 1965 FORT WORTH ALUMNI / On Dec. 20, 2025, the Fort Worth, Texas, Alumni Chapter celebrated with family and friends the life of Brother Joe Scanlan, TEXAS-ARLINGTON 2018, who entered the Chapter Eternal on Dec. 13, 2025, at age 29 from a long battle with Wilson Disease. Please support awareness of this rare disease at WilsonDisease.org. All honor to his name! Follow us at Facebook.com/FortWorthSigmaChiAlumni. ~ Doug Zent, NORTH TEXAS 1992
FRESNO ALUMNI / At our recent alumni chapter event, we featured Desmond Camacho, CAL. STATE-FRESNO 2010, chief development officer of the Fresno Mission. He discussed his undergraduate experience as Derby Daddy as a foundation for his career path and job advancements. Joining him was their CEO, Matt Dildine. They discussed their nationally recognized City Center that provides services to people in crisis. ~ Order of Constantine Sig and Significant Sig Brad Fischer, CAL. STATE-FRESNO 1981 GREATER MINNESOTA ALUMNI / The Greater Minnesota Alumni Chapter recently had our holiday party where brothers and their guests were able to get together for some brotherhood, holiday cheer and food at the Gold Nugget Tavern & Grille here in the Twin Cities. We continue to meet monthly for our social hours. ~ Bradley Revier, MINNESOTA STATE-MANKATO 2017
HARRISBURG ALUMNI / The Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Alumni Chapter continues to rebuild and appreciates your continued interest and patience. For those brothers in the central Pennsylvania/Harrisburg region interested in connecting with regional alumni and developing options for local gatherings, please contact Joe Santacroce, SOUTH FLORIDA 1987, at Joseph.Santacroce@gmail.com or via 717-342-9203. ~ Santacroce HILTON HEAD ALUMNI / On a brisk Saturday morning on Dec. 13, 2025, a large group of Hilton Head, South Carolina, Alumni Chapter brothers demonstrated their patriotism and respect for our deceased U.S. military veterans at Beaufort National Cemetery. Following the laying of wreaths in Beaufort, the brothers came together for a post-event luncheon. Several brothers' wives joined in to help and enjoy the brotherhood camaraderie. ~ Doug Dafler, MIAMI (OHIO) 1985
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KATY ALUMNI / The Katy, Texas, Alumni Chapter once again had a great chapter meeting at our traditional meeting place on the third Thursday of each month at Walk-On's in Katy. A special shout out to Grand Praetor Rick de Hoyos, HOUSTON 2003, for attending our December meeting. Not present at this meeting was Brother Chris Turner's, NORTH TEXAS 2014, spouse, who is soon expecting the arrival of our latest Sigma Chi legacy and future Significant Sig to be named Scotty! The Katy Alumni Chapter once again is planning on an entire table of members attending the 78th annual Wild Game Dinner this year at the University of Houston's Hilton Hotel location. ~ Eric Koval, PENN STATE 1986 LONDON ALUMNI / Brothers and families gathered at the end of November for a chapter Christmas dinner at the Old Red Cow in Farringdon. Sahir Kurji, TORONTORYERSON 2019, joined us for the event, having moved to London only two weeks earlier. Brothers gathered for Ritual meetings in October and in December with a social before Christmas. Elliott Flockhart, BRITISH COLUMBIA-SIMON FRASER 2015, has joined our executive board, having recently moved to London. ~ Ryan Chen-Wing, WATERLOO 2006 MADISON ALUMNI / Members of the Madison, Wisconsin, Alumni Association played a supportive role in the rechartering of the Alpha Lambda chapter at Wisconsin-Madison in October, chiefly through the efforts of Brett Armstrong, WISCONSIN-MADISON 1992; Ken Szafranski, EASTERN ILLINOIS 1984; and Grand Praetor Jeremy Walden, BELOIT 2004. The return of the undergraduate chapter in Madison should complement the growth of the Sigma Chi alumni base in southern Wisconsin as the alumni association resumes its monthly Wednesday after-work get-togethers at Buck & Honey's in Waunakee at the end of January. ~ Bob Schmitt, RIPON 1979 MID-CITIES ALUMNI / The Mid-Cities Alumni Chapter in Texas has worked diligently with the associate chapter at the University of Texas at Arlington to provide guidance and support as they prepare to return to campus in spring 2026. In addition, we have collaborated with other local alumni chapters throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area, as well as the Houston Alumni Chapter, on joint initiatives such as the annual Brotherhood Silver Boot Series featuring the Texas Rangers versus Houston Astros baseball teams. ~ Steve Smillie, TEXAS-ARLINGTON 1992 MID-MICHIGAN ALUMNI / The Mid-Michigan Alumni Chapter is looking forward to co-sponsoring its first American Red Cross blood drive with the associate chapter at Central Michigan University on Friday, April 10, 2026. Also, the alumni chapter plans on joining forces with the West Michigan Alumni Association to schedule a blood drive at Grand Valley State University with the associate chapter there. ~ Bubba Russell, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 1993
MILWAUKEE ALUMNI / The Milwaukee Alumni Chapter held its annual Holiday Gala in November with over 90 alumni and undergraduate brothers attending. We were honored to be joined by the Fraternity's Executive Director and Order of Constantine Sig Mike Church, ILLINOIS 2005, who outlined some exciting advancements that Sigma Chi will be undertaking in the coming years. Alumni chapter member, Order of Constantine Sig and Significant Sig Andy Nunemaker, VALPARAISO 1991, also spoke on behalf of the Sigma Chi Foundation and inspired brothers with updates on how their contributions can directly benefit their chapters. Finally, our raffle helped generate funds to reinvigorate the alumni chapter's scholarships. ~ Bob Schmitt, RIPON 1979 NORTHERN VIRGINIA / The Northern Virginia Alumni Chapter capped off an exciting year by sponsoring the 2025 Eastern Province Christmas Party. The event was sold out and included Grand Consul Ryan Temby, RUTGERS 1990; Grand Quaestor Chris Walters, ROANOKE 2000; 67th Grand Consul Dennis Santoli, CASE WESTERN 1967; 68th Grand Consul Mike Greenberg, ILLINOIS WESLEYAN 1982; Grand Trustee Frank Araby, GEORGE WASHINGTON 1984; Grand Praetor Walt Cooner, EMORY 1974; and Foundation Board members John Pasquantino, NEVADA-LAS VEGAS 1984; and Randy Coppersmith, SOUTH FLORIDA 1979. What a great way to kick off brotherhood for 2026! ~ Morgan Wright, FORT HAYS 1982 NOVA SCOTIA ALUMNI / Dalhousie-St. Mary’s brothers Kinnon Kendziora, 1998, Brett Copeland, 1996, and Joe Dacey, 1998, met at Gamma Rho’s annual Wickwire Weekend in Halifax. Wickwire Weekend drew over 40 brothers and welcomed travelling brothers Dacey, Chris Renner, 1989, Steve Piers, 1988, and Significant Sig Brice Scheschuk, 1994. Roll Call of Distinction honorees were Jody Clarke, 1978, Bob Lewington, 1971, Significant Sig John Pickford, 1971 (Chapter Eternal), and David Finlayson, 1998. Alumni attended Ritual and a Blue Jays playoff night. ~ Dillon Morris, DALHOUSIE-ST. MARY’S 2021 PHOENIX ALUMNI / Brothers from five chapters observed the 119th anniversary of the Phoenix Alumni Chapter on Dec. 19, 2025. The chapter was founded when Arizona was still a territory in 1906. We unveiled our newly restored charter and presented SemiCentury Sig pins and certificates to several 50-year and older brothers present. ~ Ted Decker, NORTHERN ARIZONA 1975
Anthony Ybarra, CAL. STATE-LONG BEACH 1999, speaking about college acceptance requirements. Don’t forget we have monthly luncheons (always the second Friday of each month at 11:45 a.m. at Miguel’s Cocina in Old Town) and poker nights (the last Saturday each month). You can find more info at SanDiegoSigmaChi.org/events. ~ Significant Sig Pat Suggs, NORTH GEORGIA 1983 STATESBORO ALUMNI / Our 2025 calendar featured events and meetings that fostered fellowship while establishing greater structure, organization and purpose for our chapter. With the guidance of Order of Constantine Sig Andrew Crossan, WESTERN ILLINOIS 1995, we launched our own website: StatesboroAlumni.SigmaChi.org. Crossan also helped us develop a comprehensive Policies and Procedures Manual, which has become an invaluable resource for our executive committee. For the third consecutive year, we closed the year with more than 100 members (104). For the fourth year in a row, we hosted the annual Meet & Greet Prospect Dinner for the Eta Zeta chapter. Of the 45 prospects who attended, 41 accepted bids, and 33 were initiated. Our chapter supported Eta Zeta throughout this process. We wrapped up the year with our annual Oyster Roast and Low Country Boil, highlighted by watching Georgia Southern defeat Appalachian State — a perfect ending to a great year. ~ Alan Reaves, GEORGIA SOUTHERN 1986 UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA ALUMNI / The Upstate South Carolina Alumni Association was newly formed in March 2025, and we are pleased to report it has been a resounding success! With over 30 active brothers, we have held six events and plan to increase this to 10 outings in 2026. We look forward to supporting our local undergraduate chapters and aligning with a charity in the Greenville area. ~ Bruce Edmonston, ARIZONA 1989 WEST MICHIGAN ALUMNI / The West Michigan Alumni Association hosts its meeting luncheons the first Thursday of every month at Mark’s Diner, 677 Romence Road in Portage, starting at noon. We also will continue to host our after-work meetings at the Mitten Brewing Co., 527 Leonard St. in Grand Rapids. We will reach out to West Michigan Sigs with date and time announcements. ~ Bubba Russell, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 1993
RALEIGH ALUMNI / The Raleigh, North Carolina/Triangle Alumni Chapter has a monthly social hour each month, frequently with one of the local active chapters. We recently started hosting a monthly alumni networking lunch. Learn more about our events and activities on our new website, RaleighAlumni.SigmaChi.org. ~ Order of Constantine Sig Jeff Murison, DICKINSON 1993 SAN DIEGO ALUMNI / As we all venture into 2026, let us renew our fraternal bonds. The alumni chapter is planning to hold a Ritual chapter meeting on Feb. 21. This past quarter we volunteered at the local Ronald McDonald House, helped lay Christmas wreaths in a local national cemetery, had group bicycle rides and had some great speakers, such as former San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman and Brother
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28 THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI / spring 2026
Sigma Chis use their voices each day to make an impact on others. Sometimes that impact is a laugh and smile. The feeling of being informed about something. The sense of being heard and understood in difficult moments. Or, the ability to be transported to another time and place through song. Here, The Magazine of Sigma Chi highlights four members who are using their voices in different ways to connect with listeners.
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/ FEATURE /
BY NATHANAEL HAWTHORNE, YOUNGSTOWN 2020 //////
Perfecting his voice at the Sigma Chi house Significant Sig Kevin Harlan, KANSAS 1982, thought he chose Sigma Chi so he could practice his craft as a sports broadcaster but found so much more when he walked through the front door If you’ve ever watched a National Football League broadcast on CBS or a National Basketball Association game on TNT or Amazon Prime, chances are you’ve heard the unique voice of Significant Sig Kevin Harlan, KANSAS 1982. Harlan has spent nearly the last four decades calling games in the NFL and NBA and has been named Sportscaster of the Year several times. He’s called 15 consecutive Super Bowls on the radio as the voice for Westwood One and has been on the sidelines for some of the biggest names in the NBA like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal. Before that, however, Harlan was an undergraduate student at University of Kansas and became a Sigma Chi shortly after stepping foot on campus for a specific reason — or so he thought. Harlan’s father, Bob Harlan, was former president of the Green Bay Packers. Growing up around professional sports, Harlan knew he wanted to be involved in some capacity. As a teenager, he called games for his high school, and thanks to his father, he was able to work with various news and radio stations at Lambeau Field. The elder Harlan was close to the longtime Packers’ radio voice Gary Bender, a Kansas graduate himself. Bender told Bob Harlan that his son should check out KU before making a choice on where to attend and said Kevin Harlan needed to look up Tom Hendrick, then the radio voice for the university. On that visit, Harlan was sold on attending University of Kansas after Hendrick promised Harlan he would be his right-hand man for calling games. While away for the weekend on the visit, Hendrick suggested Harlan check out the sports information department to get an insight into what it’s like to be a student at the university. When
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he did that, Harlan was introduced to two fraternity men who showed him what Greek-letter life is all about. That introduction sealed the deal, and Harlan knew he wanted to be in a fraternity. Going through recruitment, Harlan narrowed his selection down to three organizations, Sigma Chi being one of them. He says Sigma Chi was well-respected on campus, had a beautiful house and had one other circumstance that really sweetened the pot. “The reason, initially, that I pledged (Sigma Chi) was because for each group of four guys that became roommates, there were three rooms — one where they slept, one where they studied and another was a lounge area. I’m kind of embarrassed to say it, but I picked (Sigma Chi) because I could practice doing games in private off of the TV with the sound off,” says Harlan. “Once I got involved with pledgeship, met the guys and participated in all the activities, I found that Sigma Chi was definitely the perfect place for me to be. It became far more fulfilling than just a place to work on my craft. It was a chance to be a part of something much greater than me.”
SENSE OF BELONGING As an undergraduate away from home for the first time, Harlan was surrounded by classmates who knew each other and were relatively local. There were times he felt isolated being from Wisconsin. That feeling went away after joining Sigma Chi. The initiated brothers and his pledge brothers made him feel at home. “I was part of the Sigma Chi house and had established this great group of friends so that if there was ever an event, I had buddies to go with, games to
For nearly 40 years Significant Sig Kevin Harlan, KANSAS 1982, has graced the microphones for the NBA on various services. Over his career, he called games that featured NBA legends Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal and many other Hall of Famers.
“It really gave me an instant family.”
Significant Sig Kevin Harlan, KANSAS 1982, is pictured in the University of Kansas chapter’s 1982 composite.
go to, intramural sports and all of that, so it really gave me an instant family,” he says. When it came to calling games in the house, Harlan says his chapter brothers would let him practice in peace but sometimes listened outside the door. It was the upperclassmen who would give him an audience. Some
Significant Sig Kevin Harlan, KANSAS 1982
audience members from those “private broadcasts” still remember what it was like to listen to Harlan call a game. “When I was a freshman, the upperclassmen would have their girlfriends come over, and they’d have me do a couple minutes of play-byplay if they were watching TV in the lounge area. That was part of my pledgeship. It didn’t bother me,” says Harlan. “Occasionally, I will run into either one of my brothers or one of their old girlfriends, and they’ll bring it up: ‘I remember when you were a freshman and so-and-so made you broadcast the game to us, and we had so much fun.’” During his undergraduate years, he called high school football games, Kansas football and basketball games and began working with the Kansas City Chiefs’ radio network. He helped produce pre-game, halftime and postgame shows as a sophomore for the Chiefs. There were times that he missed some events. But as co-recruitment chair in his junior year, Harlan says he enjoyed being able to participate in any way he could. The chapter brothers all knew it was part of the deal. “They got it. They knew what kind of path I was on and were supportive,” he says. Looking back on his time at Kansas, Harlan says he wouldn’t have it any other way. “I got to do what I love — broadcast during the game then have the social side of it afterward. Being on a college campus after a college football game, that was pretty special. Being able to walk back to the house and have fun, I think about how cool that was to do. Then I’d wake up Sunday morning and produce the Chiefs pre-game, halftime
and post-game on the Chiefs’ radio network. That was such a dream,” he says.
BECOMING ONE OF THE BEST Upon his graduation, Harlan worked for the Kansas City Kings NBA team (now Sacramento Kings), worked for the Minnesota Timberwolves and then made the jump to the network level. In 1996 he started with CBS calling NFL games and NBA games on TNT. In 2009, he started calling NFL for Westwood One radio station and has called the last 15 Super Bowls for the station. “If you’d told me, at that time, even though things were trending in the right direction for a great job, I never would have dreamt that I’d be doing what I ended up doing like network NFL games on Sunday and Monday, the NBA for 30 years at the network level,” he says. “It has exceeded my most creative imagination and hopeful imagination of what I might have done with my life.” Despite solidifying himself as one of the top broadcasters, Harlan still critiques his work and spends time watching and listening to previous broadcasts of his to see where he can still improve. “I’m constantly trying to be as good as I can be, dealing with great competition in the world of broadcasting serves as a reminder that I need to be on my game,” he says. “The people I’m broadcasting to, they’re counting on me to do the best possible job that I can do. It goes back to enjoying the challenge of being the best I can be.”
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/ FEATURE /
BY ASHLEY SZATALA //////
Finding the Right Words to Say Arik Housley, PEPPERDINE 1999, uses his voice to help those on their grief journey and help others know what to say during times of loss Grief often grips us with overwhelming emotions, numbness, profound sadness and loneliness. It’s an inescapable emotion that everyone will experience at some point, and yet communication surrounding grief is varied and not often thought about prior to tragedy. People try and provide comfort, but sometimes the message comes off in the wrong way. Arik Housley, PEPPERDINE 1999, understands the complex emotions grief brings and the path forward from it. After losing his daughter, Alaina, in a mass shooting, Housley suddenly found himself in the grieving process. “(The situation made us) realize how much we as a society don’t talk about grief and resilience,” he says. “Some cultures really embrace life and death as parts of living, and we as a society really don’t.” Through the grieving process, he and his family have chosen to find the positive in each moment and honor Alaina through founding Alaina’s Voice Foundation, which aims to inspire hope and kindness in communities through education, music and mental health initiatives. He also uses his voice to speak with others — whether individuals or groups — experiencing grief, share the lessons he learned during his own grieving process and provide tips for communicating with others on their own grief journeys.
SUPPORT AFTER TRAGEDY
Arik Housley, PEPPERDINE 1999
32 THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI / spring 2026
Alaina Housley was a freshman at Pepperdine University. She was outgoing, inclusive, kind and musically inclined but was struggling to find her place at college, her father says. Two weeks before her death, things started looking up for Alaina. She made the school’s Mock Trial team and was accepted into a Florence, Italy, study abroad opportunity for her sophomore year. Her parents encouraged her to go out — her first time that fall semester — to hang out with friends and go line dancing at Borderline Bar in Thousand Oaks, California.
She was dancing when someone shot and killed her and 11 other people on Nov. 7, 2018. After the tragedy, Housley found himself unable to speak and in a fog. When his 14-year-old son let Housley know he had written a speech to share at Alaina’s funeral, Housley realized that if his son could do that, then he could find his voice, too. He also remembers the support friends — especially his Sigma Chi brothers, many of who are Kappa Omicron chapter Founding Fathers like Housley — showed him and his family in the days after the tragedy. The Housleys wanted to go to the chapel at Pepperdine in the aftermath of the shooting, and friends began showing up, finding a private space on campus to gather and helping set up food for everyone to have. About 15 brothers and their families attended that day and many more the day of Alaina’s funeral. The majority left that weekend of the funeral, but most memorable for Housley was how Levi Sutter, 1995, stayed until Thursday before flying back to New Jersey. “He’s like, ‘I decided to stay because I thought you’d want somebody around,’” Housley recalls. “I call that the calm after the storm. You’re with everybody, people are checking on you, the memorial happens, everybody slowly leaves, and then you’re standing there in the quiet. So (Levi) and I hung out, and it meant more than I could probably ever express to him.”
HUMANIZING THE GRIEF JOURNEY Housley didn’t originally set out to become an author and speaker on grief. While on CBS national news after the shooting, when asked if there was anything else he’d like to say, he blurted out without thinking, “Mark my words. Alaina’s voice will be heard.” Next thing he knew, he was speaking to groups about grief. “Some people think it must he healing (to be talking to others about the topic), but it’s not really healing as
The Housley family is pictured together prior to Alaina Housley’s death on Nov. 7, 2018.
Alaina Housley is pictured in a high school senior picture.
much as it’s fulfilling,” Housley says. “I don’t know how they’re feeling (after a loss), but I know what it feels like to be lost, alone and in a fog. It’s really nice to help other people in those moments.” He emphasizes that loss isn’t just restricted to a death. Loss and grief can include losing a job, the end of a relationship, or loss of a physical ability. Key points he tries to communicate to others are: • Speak with empathy rather than sympathy. “Some people tilt their head, look at me and go, ‘Oh, I’m so sorry.’ I don’t need your pity. But when they turn and say, ‘I have no idea how that feels. I’m so sorry,’ that’s speaking with more compassion. I also suggest not trying to relate. I always tell people don't ever say you know how they feel — because you don't.” • Sit with people in their grief. “For example, you could say, ‘I'm so sorry to hear this. Do you want to go get a coffee?’ Or, ‘Would you
like to chat? And if not, that's OK.’ It’s just about letting people know they’re not alone.” • Think about the timing. “If somebody lost someone a week ago, the conversation is different than if they lost someone a month ago. They’re in a different place (on the grief journey) a month later. It’s about paying attention and being present.” • Understand that people speak with good intentions. “They don't always know what to say in those moments. They’re trying.” Since publishing his book in November 2025, Always November: Lessons in Loss, Love and Resilience, Housley estimates he has been speaking monthly in terms of community events, workshops, seminars and keynotes. “I think what I do is help humanize the grief journey for people. Grief comes in many fashions, and it’s a way of learning to communicate with people when they’re in that journey,” he says. “Some of the common things that I hear back is, ‘What you said meant so much to me. It helped me understand some of my grief.’ Or, it’s, ‘What you said helped me because I lost X in my life, and I’m really struggling.’ “It’s about giving people those tools to be able to use in their everyday life and learning to find the words to say. Because unfortunately, with grief, we’re not getting out of it. We’re all going to see it many times in our future, whatever form the loss takes. And if it’s not to us, it’s to those around us.”
Ways to Learn More
Always November is a memoir of a father’s journey through sorrow, a family’s unbreakable bond and the redemptive power of love in the darkest of times. With unflinching honesty, Housley recounts the early days of shock, the lifeline of community and the long road to healing. This book offers a powerful reminder that our loved ones never completely leave us, and hope is always within reach.
Housley sits down with various guests each episode to discuss grief, resilience and positivity on his podcast Lessons in Loss, Love and Resilience.
If chapters or individual brothers are interested in connecting with Housley about grief, the journey forward and ways to communicate around it, contact him through his website, ArikHousley.com.
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/ FEATURE /
BY ORDER OF CONSTANTINE SIG AND SIGNIFICANT SIG JEFF BURNSIDE, WASHINGTON STATE 1980, AND NATHANAEL HAWTHORNE, YOUNGSTOWN 2020 //////
Finding Goofy with Sigma Chi The path Significant Sig Bill Farmer, KANSAS 1975, took to becoming Disney’s Goofy was shaped not by shortcuts, but by the confidence, perseverance and values learned at Sigma Chi Sometimes in his most quiet moments, Significant Sig Bill Farmer, KANSAS 1975, reminds himself that the childhoods of millions of children throughout the English-speaking world were shaped in some tiny way by the legendary, lovable Disney character “Goofy.” For decades, that recognizable voice of Goofy and scores of other famous characters has come from Brother Farmer. And it was Sigma Chi where he learned the tools to get him there. “Showbusiness is a weird way to make a living,” Farmer says, “but many of the basics are the same — hard work, get out there, do your best, don’t take no (for an answer) — all those things I learned at Sigma Chi.” As a child in a small town in Kansas, Farmer was keen on imitating voices and would often debut his voices around the dinner table. As he grew up and continued to build his repertoire, he loved to imitate Significant Sig John Wayne, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 1929, and his high school classmates would egg him on to get up at school assemblies and on football team bus trips to do voices. That continued when he was an undergraduate, and it helped him develop real-world experience as a standup comic. “At the Sigma Chi house, we’d have a band, and during the breaks they would tell me to go up on the stage and do voices. I had to come up with some material because if you go up to just do the voice, it doesn’t really go anywhere, so I decided to learn how to write comedy, and that was my first entrance into show business,” says Farmer. Imagine the sorority girls telling their friends about that entertaining guy at the Sigma Chi house. And yet, Farmer reveals he was a shy and insecure young man who could, by doing imitations, embolden himself by becoming someone else. It’s a stark contrast to the witty, silly and, frankly, goofy persona he assumes 34 THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI / spring 2026
on television and in movies. At Sigma Chi, he says his insecurity faded, and his chapter brothers helped him in so many ways. “Sigma Chi was a great way to get to know these people who actually care about you,” Farmer says. “During my freshman year, they would have us go into a study hall, which I really needed at the time. Some pledge brothers would tell me that I needed to learn to study and guided me along that way.” Sigma Chi also helped him get through a personal tragedy. Farmer’s father, Lawrence Farmer, KANSAS 1933, was previously Consul at the Alpha Xi chapter and proudly attended his son’s initiation. That poignant moment during his initiation, when he was just 19 years old, was the last time he’d see his father alive. Lawrence Farmer passed into Chapter Eternal a short time later. “He never got to see all the stuff that’s happened (to me) since then.” That’s when his chapter mates demonstrated Sigma Chi values “every single day. It became real to me when my father died. The caring and the love that I received during that difficult time was overwhelming. That got me through a very difficult time. Sigma Chi is like a family. It’s a place you’re put together with other people, but they become your family you can rely on, love and keep relationships with for decades.”
Significant Sig Bill Farmer, KANSAS 1975, the voice actor for Disney’s Goofy, is seen alongside fellow voice actor Jim Cummings. The duo star in the animated film A Goofy Movie.
FINDING GOOFY After college, Farmer found himself in the radio business as a DJ in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas and Dallas. The final stop in Dallas is where he started to get back to stand-up comedy and found his true passion. On March 17, 1982 – he remembers the exact date - Farmer and a friend went to a comedy place called “The Comedy Corner.” The club had an open mic night, and on that day his act caught the eye of comic Bill Engvall, who inspired Farmer
Significant Sig Bill Farmer, KANSAS 1975, stands with a statue of Walt Disney. Farmer was named a Disney Legend in 2009.
Significant Sig Bill Farmer, KANSAS 1975, is pictured in the studio delivering voice acting lines.
Significant Sig Bill Farmer, KANSAS 1975, is pictured alongside an animation of Disney’s Goofy — a role Farmer has voiced for nearly 40 years.
to make it a career. “I said to myself, ‘If I don’t give this a shot, I’m going to kick myself when I’m old.’ It was a lifelong dream, but up to that point it was really unattainable,” says Farmer. “(Engvall) was the first to tell me that he thought I had something and encouraged me to come back and learn the ropes. Six or seven months later, I was on the road as a stand-up comic.” Farmer acknowledges that route is one of the toughest things to do in the industry, but if that can be managed, you can do anything. “After a few years of touring, I knew I was ready to give it my all and go to
Hollywood, which was the ultimate goal,” he says. Once in California, Farmer says he went to an open casting call for Goofy. When he was first starting out, he said he was doing an impression of the original voice actor, Pinto Colvig. He points out that when doing voice over work, specifically in this case, you have to first imitate the voice actor then allow your personality to come through. "After a while, you put a bit of yourself in there. It’s more your personality than it is the voice,” he says. And Goofy was only part of his vast voice acting career. Farmer is also
“Sigma Chi is like a family… the caring and the love that I received during that difficult time was overwhelming. That got me through.” known for doing the voices of Disney’s Pluto and Horace Horsecaller, as well as Looney Tunes’ Sylvester, Yosemite Sam and Foghorn Leghorn in the film Space Jam, among many other voices in numerous Disney/Pixar films. He also was recently honored with the 2025 National Association of Voice Acting Icon Award. Farmer says there is a secret to becoming Goofy or other characters: The most important thing is placed on becoming the character itself. As a child, Farmer says he learned, after many years, to put “Bill on another shelf and inhabit the other characters.” “When I inhabit them, I’m not worried about what Bill would think and be nervous. You have to learn, and it took me a long time,” he says. “I always say to meet things head on. I did stand-up, which was the best training I’ve ever had.” For nearly 40 years, Farmer has been the voice of one of the most loveable
characters in Disney history. That longevity and resilience, according to Farmer, is all that Goofy embodies — likening it to a career in Hollywood. He says Goofy is “an eternal optimist. He can fall off of a mountain, pick himself back up and get right back on track. It doesn’t affect him or let it get him down. That’s the attitude you need when you go into Hollywood or any career. You have to be tough and go for the gold.”
Scan here to view the complete webinar Q&A with Farmer.
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/ FEATURE /
BY DAVID JONES, DEPAUW 2019 //////
Living Within the Music, One Verse at a Time How brotherhood, faith and self-belief pushed a Georgia songwriter from the chapter house to the charts
On any given night in Nashville, a song can be born in a small writing room, passed around like a shared secret, and months later echo through a truck radio on a small Georgia driveway. For Rob Pennington, GEORGIA SOUTHERN 2013, that journey, from scribbled lyrics to country hits, traces back further than Music City. It begins in Statesboro, Georgia, where brotherhood and music intertwined.
STATESBORO AND SIGMA CHI A Sigma Chi legacy with a father and two uncles in the Fraternity, Pennington grew up in Statesboro watching men who were “proud to be Sigma Chis,” learning early what it meant to belong to something bigger than himself. By the time he pledged Eta Zeta, it already felt like home. “I’d go back tomorrow if I could,” Pennington says happily. “My Sigma Chi experience was right up there. I’ve still got my group text message.” The brotherhood remains active. At least once a year, Pennington and his chapter mates attend a Georgia Southern football game. These relationships, Pennington recalls, would not only stay part of his core, but also help lead him toward his passion of working in music.
building a foundation in nashville Pennington always loved music. He played in his church youth group band and eventually discovered he could earn a few dollars playing at local bars. Yet, he wasn’t sure whether he wanted to perform or work behind the scenes. Despite that, he knew he wanted to be in Nashville, and it was help from fellow Eta Zeta
36 THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI / spring 2026
Rob Pennington, GEORGIA SOUTHERN 2013, is pictured performing live at a writers round.
Rob Pennington,
“Sigma Chi has a lot to do with where I’m at today.”
GEORGIA SOUTHERN 2013
SECURING THE DEAL AND WRITING FOR COUNTRY STARS
Georgia Southern brothers Rob Pennington, 2013, left, and Significant Sig Cole Swindell, 2005, are pictured watching a Georgia Southern Eagles football game together.
brothers that got him there. “Sigma Chi has a lot to do with where I’m at today,” Pennington says. “A guy I pledged under, Blain Rhodes, 2010, was a publisher in town. He was still in Statesboro when I was pledging, and he had a bunch of connections in Nashville, one of which was Cole Swindell.” At that time, Significant Sig Cole Swindell, 2005, worked for country star and Significant Sig Luke Bryan, 1999. When Swindell visited Statesboro in his free time, he would perform songs Pennington didn’t recognize, songs Swindell wrote himself. “It really intrigued me you could get paid to write songs you play on guitar every day,” Pennington says. “And it’s the coolest job in the world now.”
Swindell quickly saw musical potential in Pennington. “He asked me to go on a little tour and open for him at different places in Georgia,” Pennington says. “And we just became friends and enjoyed each other’s company. He exemplifies The Jordan Standard.” In 2014, Pennington left for Nashville to pursue songwriting, while maintaining a day job for a construction company. During the evenings, he spent time attending writing sessions and collaborating with other musicians, crafting new songs and sounds to capture the attention of publishing companies. After years of steady persistence, Pennington’s music career finally changed.
In 2020, Pennington secured a publishing deal and quit his day job to focus on music completely. It was a dream fully realized, but he knew he needed to keep improving his craft. “You have to have a passion for the process … it’s like a golf swing,” Pennington explains. “When you pure that 7-iron and hit it 157, 162 yards, you want to feel it again. When you get a good song, and you get a good room, it’s the same thing. I love it.” In 2022, country artist Chris Janson cut “Cold Beer Truth,” giving Pennington his first major release. But another longstanding Nashville friendship was about to come full circle. When Pennington arrived in Nashville in 2014, Luke Combs had also just moved to town. The two became friends, chasing the same dreams. “You meet up and become friends, just like your pledge brothers,” Pennington recalls. “You do the things together. You order the pizza you can’t afford. You play Madden until 2:00 in the morning talking about songs, and you talk about being a big star. And at the time, there’s no way this could happen to us. Then sure enough, one of your best buddies literally becomes the biggest thing in country music.” In 2025, Pennington wrote “15 Minutes” and sent it to Combs. Months later, Combs released the song publicly, and it was received with immense popularity. When he finally caught it on the radio, Pennington was in Statesboro for Christmas. His mom called him to run outside to the driveway to the car radio so they could listen together.
“I got to listen to it with my mom for the first time which was pretty neat,” Pennigton says smiling. “It was on SiriusXM Radio. I’ve never heard my song on the radio until this one.”
FOCUSING ON WHAT MATTERS For Pennington, the cuts matter. The passion matters. Hearing his name tied to artists like Luke Combs, Chris Janson, LOCASH and Mason Ramsey matters. But moments like the one he shared with his mom in Statesboro matter most. It was proof the journey from Eta Zeta to Nashville wasn’t accidental. It was built on belief and on brothers who opened doors and offered encouragement. Nashville, he says, has a kind of magic, but it favors those who stay in the room, who keep showing up and keep writing. Those lessons feel familiar to him, echoing ones learned in Statesboro: Commit fully, trust the process and lean on your brothers. “Music is subjective,” Pennington says. “The only thing that’s constant is change. I’ve been blessed to be a chameleon in the room because I like the old stuff, and I really like the new stuff.” Today, as part of 50 Egg Music, a publishing company founded by Combs, Pennington continues songwriting, making sure to live his life fully rooted in legacy, grounded in faith and carried forward by brotherhood.
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BY ASHLEY SZATALA //////
GETTING A GLIMPSE INTO THEIR WORLD
Parents Clubs at Sigma Chi chapters are a unique opportunity to have parents connect with their sons in the fraternal space and participate in activities that not only enhance the relationship between families but also make connections with other parents. Membership dues and club fundraising often help support the chapter house and fund academic scholarships for brothers. Here, Parents Clubs members share more about their clubs’ engagement with families and undergraduates and the benefits belonging to such club bring.
TIPS FOR STARTING S A PARENT CLUB:
38 THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI / spring 2026
Various mothers and their Sigma Chi sons are pictured during a recent event hosted by the Gamma Delta chapter’s Parents Club.
Have a website with club information
Use web-based communication to parents
Create a leadership structure within the club, e.g. president, vice president, secretary and treasurer
University of Southern California Sigma Chi Parents Club
Years Active: >60 Events Hosted: Fall Family Weekend tailgate party at chapter house then get-to-know-each other social mixer the following day; spring Family Fiesta with catered food at chapter house; formal dinner with seniors before graduation; and other miscellaneous events, such as mother-son brunch with seniors and pledge class events Membership Dues Support: Event costs, academic scholarships each semester and purchasing needed items or repairs for chapter house Valerey Huntley is pictured with her son, Grant, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 2026; daughter, Samantha; and husband, Cameron, at a recent Alpha Upsilon chapter Parents Club event.
What Members Say: Both Becky Chanawatr and Valerey Huntley are southern California locals and have always been involved parents in their children’s activities, so joining the Alpha Upsilon chapter’s Parents Club was a natural fit for them. “When your kids go off to college, there’s less opportunity to engage with them. Yes, you can go have dinner with them and visit, but there’s not often that opportunity to engage with them in their space,” Chanawatr says. “It’s a unique opportunity to have these parent events, to be able to go to their chapter house, participate in activities they like to participate in, like tailgates, and really get a glimpse into their world.” To help plan and put on the various Parents Club events throughout the year, it takes a variety of volunteers and people, including club members, spouses as well as the chapter brothers themselves. “The boys are all super sweet, super receptive to us and our asks, and they’re always very appreciative,” Huntley says. Chanawatr adds that it “takes a village” to coordinate and assign roles for each event, but she adds that all parents, not just Parents Club members, are invited to activities throughout the year. Their comments after the events are always ones of appreciation and how they find the unique opportunities to connect with their sons special. In addition, parents in each pledge class will coordinate activities with those pledge classes outside of the Parents Club. Both women note the strong community surrounding the chapter. “It’s one of the things I truly love about the brotherhood,” Huntley says. “It enables so many friendships and connections.” Becky Chanawatr is pictured with her son, Alex, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 2026, at a recent Alpha Upsilon chapter Parents Club event.
Work with the house parent and local alumni volunteers to find out needs of chapter and how the club can best offer support
Build connections with parents at beginning of son’s Sigma Chi experience, such as during chapter house move-in day or during pledgeship process
Get other parents involved so the workload doesn’t fall on the same individuals, create a chair for each event and utilize everyone’s strengths when planning and executing activities
Add value to each event, such as photo opportunities with parents and sons and unique event shirts
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Jennifer Glenn is pictured with her son, Sam, OKLAHOMA STATE 2025, during a recent Moms Weekend event hosted by the Gamma Delta chapter’s Parents Club.
Oklahoma state university Sigma Chi Parents Club
Years Active: >15 Events Hosted: New Parent Meeting on pledge move-in day; Dad’s Weekend and golf tournament in the fall; Mom’s Weekend and mealtime social events in April; Homecoming week snacks and midnight pancake break; and other miscellaneous events, such as finals week snacks and holiday decorating of the chapter house Membership Dues Support: Event costs, academic scholarships each semester, needed items for the chapter house, and gifts for kitchen staff and house mom
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What Members Say: When Jennifer Glenn, a professor of industrial engineering and management at Oklahoma State, and her husband, Allen Glenn, WASHINGTON (ST. LOUIS) 1991, learned their son, Sam, 2025, had pledged the Delta Gamma chapter at Oklahoma State, the two wanted to get involved with the chapter’s Parents Club as a way to stay connected to their son. The following year, when the opportunity to become a club officer came up, Jennifer Glenn joined as president. It was a beneficial role due to her working on campus and being able to be a local resource for parents and the young men. “When I was in the Fraternity, there was no Parents Club. We saw a strong support network there just as our son was getting started, so we wanted to help continue this,” says Allen Glenn, who helped make an informative webpage for the club. “A lot of the members are children of alums who have been in Sigma Chi, or they’re from Oklahoma and know other alums, but many are new to the Fraternity experience, OSU or they’ve come from out of state, and so parents might be a little apprehensive,” he adds. “The Parents Club gives them a nice introduction (to Sigma Chi, OSU and the fraternal experience) so that they can feel better about their son’s experience. And, having other parents who are going through that as well helps provide more comfort about the years to come.” Jennifer Glenn says building that relationship with parents starts early with pledge move-in day at the chapter house. Parents Club representatives are there to meet with parents and answer any questions. It’s that relationship building with others — both with the house mom and other parents during activities — that has been her favorite part. “It was a very positive experience, very impactful, and we formed some great relationships with each other, too,” Jennifer Glenn says.
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS Sigma Chi MOMS Club
Years Active: >100 Events Hosted: Mom’s Weekend events, March NCAA tournament brackets fundraiser and annual Moms Club luncheon Membership Dues Support: Needed items and upgrades for the chapter house
Pictured during the Illinois chapter’s Mom’s Weekend 2024 are, from left, Vikki Reid; Carter Reid, 2027; Will Guerin, 2027; Jamie Guerin; Sam Reichert, 2027; Carrie Reichert; Gabriela Henriquez; Jarett Henriquez, 2027; Lee Carroll; and Jimmy Carroll, 2027. The mothers and sons attended a breakfast provided by the Moms Club for mothers of recent initiates.
What Members Say: Jamie Guerin’s husband, Roger, ILLINOIS 1995, and two sons are Sigma Chis, and at her first Mom’s Weekend with the Kappa Kappa brothers, she was impressed with event and what the Moms Club members had organized. The following year, she joined the club as the 2024-2025 president as a way to give back and help organize such meaningful events, too. “There’s a stigma about Greek(-letter) life, and (the events) helped combat that and create community among the parents,” she says. “We felt part of what was going on with the boys and felt part of the Sigma Chi community.” A luncheon is held each year for mothers to get to know each other, and each spring is Moms Weekend, the biggest event for the club each year. It was during the Kappa Kappa chapter’s inaugural Mom’s Weekend in 1922 when the Moms Club was first founded to “assist the active and new pledge brothers … in improving the house (and) to foster lasting relationships with our sons, their Fraternity brothers, and the Sigma Chi Moms Group,” according to the club’s website. During Mom’s Weekend, a mother-son dinner is held Friday night, a welcome breakfast held Saturday morning for freshman class mothers, and then Saturday evening is the club’s biggest fundraiser. Families of Sigma Chi undergrads donate items that are auctioned off, and everyone, including the brothers, get really into it, Guerin says. The money raised goes toward purchasing needed items for the chapter house, event costs, holiday gifts for chapter house staff and donating to the Huntsman Cancer Foundation. A special moment for Guerin during her presidency was organizing events alongside her son, Will, 2027, who was house manager. “Everybody pitches in a little bit of time and effort to plan these events, and for that small commitment, it turns out to be a big win for the (chapter) house,” she says. 40 THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI / spring 2026
CAMPUS CHRONICLES UPDATES ALABAMA Iota Iota The chapter looks forward to building on last year’s record-breaking Derby Days philanthropic event success while preparing to celebrate the chapter’s 150th anniversary in 2026 with a planned bicentennial reunion and celebration. ~ Samuel Redelsheimer, 2023 ARKANSAS Omega Omega We are preparing for an exciting Derby Days philanthropic event featuring several events, such as a powder puff football game, banner contest and dance competition. We’re also looking forward to a pledge class call-a-thon and a community service event at Hiding Place Hollow as part of our continued service efforts. ~ Trevor Duke, 2027 AUSTIN PEAY
Eta Xi
Our most impactful accomplishment was the holiday toy drive, led in partnership with the Clarksville,
Tennessee, Alumni Chapter. We raised over $2,500 to purchase toys that were then donated through the Clarksville Police Department for local families in need. The initiative united brothers and alumni while strengthening the chapter’s community presence. ~ Luke Beckham, 2027 BELOIT
Alpha Zeta
Our brothers remained active through leadership, service and brotherhood. Many attended the Krach Transformational Leaders Workshop, supported blood drives and river cleanups and participated in crosschapter initiations, with some brothers traveling to Madison, Wisconsin, to support the Alpha Lambda chapter’s reinstalment. ~ Jayden Guffey, 2028 BRADLEY
Delta Rho
The chapter is preparing for an exciting Derby Days philanthropic event, featuring our second annual charity baseball game, dunk tank, Pie-aBrother and many other events supporting the Huntsman Cancer Institute. The chapter remains dedicated to service, philanthropy and
The Jacksonville chapter is pictured during the Parkinson’s Disease Awareness 5K held at the university. Hundreds laced up their running shoes and raised over $7,000 for JaxHope in an effort to bring awareness to the disease.
strong campus involvement.
CALIFORNIA-MERCED
~ Connor Hoover, 2028
Lambda Delta
BRYANT Lambda Eta The chapter is building toward an engaging Derby Days philanthropy event featuring a basketball tournament, golf outing, White Rose Ceremony, call-a-thon, field day and closing ceremony. With live music and food trucks planned, we are looking forward to exceeding last year’s fundraising total while strengthening campus involvement. ~ Gerald Kent, 2027
We are proud to announce our annual Derby Days philanthropic event week in April 2026, with a goal of raising $20,000 for the Huntsman Cancer Foundation. Partnering with more campus and local organizations than ever, our events will include Shave-aSig, Wax-a-Sig and a 5K run. We look forward to building community support and setting a new chapter fundraising milestone. ~ Tyler Hooks, 2026 CAL. POLY.-POMONA
CALIFORNIA-SANTA BARBARA Zeta Kappa We have an exciting spring ahead thanks to our Derby Days philanthropic event, as well as other events like our Chi Cup soccer tournament, door painting, volleyball, Pie-a-Chi and other fundraisers supporting the Huntsman Cancer Foundation. These events strengthen our campus engagement, leadership development, community impact and charitable outreach. ~ Ethan Smothers, 2028
Brothers from the Washington State chapter celebrate the bonds of Sigma Chi with chapter alumnus and Significant Sig Bob Thompson, 1985, during the chapter’s annual Alumni Dinner in October.
Theta Sigma
Our chapter raised over $3,600 through a successful call-a-thon and is carrying that momentum into spring fundraisers. The chapter also proudly supports our chapter sweetheart, Anna Loya, as she leads her Sweetheart Challenge that benefits the Huntsman Cancer Institute. ~ Adam Gomez, 2028 CENTRE
Zeta Zeta
The chapter looks ahead to another successful Derby Days philanthropic event this spring. Some of our events include Sigma Chidol karaoke, Hairless for Huntsman head-shaving and a
A West Virginia undergraduate brother is pictured at the chapter house with his grandparents beside a hand-painted cooler raffled off to raise funds for the Huntsman Cancer Foundation during the chapter’s Derby Days philanthropic events.
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Brothers with the Valdosta State chapter are pictured with canned goods after organizing a food drive for local military families.
Brothers from the Louisiana State chapter pose with a cake during the Gamma Iota chapter’s 100th anniversary celebration in fall 2025.
potential live band finale. Additional philanthropy efforts, such as a charity softball home run derby, are also underway as we build momentum for a strong fundraising week.
$3,000 and resulted in more than 120 shirts sold, combining creativity with advocacy. ~ Liam Taylor, 2028
~ Nicholas Witcher, 2026
Our proudest fall 2025 achievement was the Shave-A-Sig event, where sororities bid on brothers to shave to raise funds for cancer awareness. We raised over $6,000 for the Huntsman Cancer Institute, led by Derby Days Chairs Caden Berger, 2029, and Tommy Fleming, 2028.
The chapter remains the largest of the fraternity chapters on campus for another semester. Over 25 percent of our brothers are involved in other student organizations, many serving in leadership roles. Our fall philanthropy efforts were highly successful, raising $4,552 toward our annual goal of $30,000. We are proud of our continued campus involvement and commitment to service.
~ Jude Eckerle, 2028
~ Cole Boyd, 2027
DRAKE
EMBRY-RIDDLE (DAYTONA BEACH) Eta Iota
CINCINNATI
Zeta Psi
Theta Gamma
In the fall semester, our chapter became well-versed in our Ritual by having 25 percent of the chapter become Ritual Peers along with hosting two successful initiations. Additionally, many members excelled in their studies and improved their GPA significantly. ~ Brett Ingamells, 2027 DENISON
Mu
The chapter launched a T-shirt sale and mustache-growing competition to support men’s mental health awareness. Together, these efforts raised over
EAST TENNESSEE
Zeta Omega
The chapter is focused on service this spring through our Derby Days philanthropic event, a Huntsman Cancer Foundation call-a-thon and an adopted roadway cleanup in Daytona Beach. We are also supporting Greek-letter life philanthropy competitions and are assisting the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office fishing tournament, demonstrating a strong commitment to service, leadership and community involvement. ~ Charles Bellett, 2026
42 THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI / spring 2026
FLORIDA
Florida State Sigs, from left, Joey Weibel, 2027, Ben Dyer, 2026, Kason Dake, 2027, and Cooper Brandt, 2028, are pictured in Chamonix, France, over the winter break.
Gamma Theta
During the fall semester, we raised over $30,000 for our Derby Days philanthropic event, with the official Derby Days Week taking place in February. The chapter also initiated 42 new members, strengthening our brotherhood and positioning ourselves for continued success. ~ Riley Adams, 2028 FURMAN
Iota Nu
The chapter had an exceptional fall semester, highlighted by a successful Homecoming tailgate and brotherhood retreat. We would like to congratulate former Iota Nu chapter advisor Leo Fackler, FURMAN 2003, for his induction into the Order of Constantine. The chapter looks forward to hosting our Derby Days philanthropic event in the spring, featuring a Day of Giving and the White Rose Ceremony. ~ Peter Gibbes, 2027 GEORGE MASON
Iota Xi
This term, we were recognized as one of the Huntsman Cancer Foundation’s top 10 donors through November.
The chapter is excited to see the long-term impact these brothers will have as they grow and contribute to Epsilon’s future. ~ Alex Hanover, 2028 GETTYSBURG
Theta
This spring, we’re looking forward to recruitment and our Derby Days philanthropic event after raising over $24,000 for the Huntsman Cancer Foundation last year. Our brotherhood remains strong, and the chapter is excited to build on its momentum through continued philanthropy, campus involvement and social programming. ~ Nate Hoang, 2026 HILLSDALE
Alpha Kappa
Our aim is to extend the chapter’s streak of record-breaking Derby Days philanthropic event fundraising. We are expanding service projects in partnership with faculty and recently hosted a hot dog eating contest involving students and professors, drawing a large crowd and raising significant funds for future events. ~ Joshua Mistry, 2026
~ Ethan Fuglestad, 2027 HOUSTON GEORGE WASHINGTON
Epsilon
We welcomed our largest pledge class in five years, initiating 25 new members.
Epsilon Xi
In the fall semester, we set a new single-semester record by raising $16,800 for the Huntsman Cancer
Foundation and completing over 400 service hours. The chapter also celebrated brother Ricardo Cordova’s, 2028, victory in the Texas Kinders Bowl against Louisiana State University, exemplifying Sigma Chi values on and off the field. ~ Bryce Feigle, 2027 ILLINOIS STATE
Theta Rho
During the fall term, we focused on strengthening chapter culture through reflection and accountability, recommitting ourselves to the values of Sigma Chi. As a result, our brotherhood grew more unified, proving our ability to grow and lead with integrity. ~ Landon Kienitz, 2028 IOWA STATE
Beta Omicron
~ Nathan Tenney, 2027 Iota Gamma
We hosted a Parkinson’s Disease Awareness 5K at Jacksonville University, drawing hundreds of participants. Inspired by brother Jared Simoneau, 2028, the event raised $7,295 for JaxHope and increased campus-wide awareness through custom shirts supporting Parkinson’s research and education.~ Ayden Schott, 2027 LOUISIANA STATE
~ Robbie Blanchard, 2027 MARYLAND
Gamma Chi
This spring, more than 10 brothers will study abroad, representing the chapter while pursuing academic and personal growth. We will also host our annual spring initiation in late March at the University Chapel, welcoming new brothers through a meaningful and traditional Sigma Chi ceremony. ~ Vaughn Sines, 2028 MASSACHUSETTS-AMHERST Mu Epsilon
The chapter earned first place overall in Iowa State’s Homecoming, winning Lawn Display, Community Service and Yell Like Hell. This year’s Derby Days philanthropic event will emphasize service-focused fundraising, including comfort baskets, a mural banner contest and a closing carnival for the campus community.
JACKSONVILLE
service, shows our traditions, foundation and strong future.
Gamma Iota
We are proud to celebrate 100 years at Louisiana State University and celebrated a successful formal recruitment, initiating 43 new members and growing the chapter to 165 brothers. Our growth, combined with our achievements in service, philanthropy and community
The chapter saw increased success in both philanthropy and campus engagement. We raised money for cancer research through our Hairless for Huntsman tailgate and earned first place in Sigma Sigma Sigma’s Big Man on Campus competition. ~ Alexander Suhajda, 2028 MIAMI (OHIO)
Alpha
Following a strong fall semester, we are looking forward to welcoming brothers back from abroad, introducing a new pledge class and hosting our Derby Days philanthropic event featuring daily competitions and a concluding car wash. We wish all brothers a successful spring semester. ~ Robert Clarkowski, 2027 MISSOURI-COLUMBIA
Xi Xi
The chapter moved back into our chapter house this fall with 36 brothers living in the house, and we initiated our largest pledge class with 18 new members. Our spring goals include raising $15,000 during Derby Days and earning the Gold Peterson Significant Chapter Award and the Daniel William Cooper Award. ~ Luke Matson, 2027
NEBRASKA
Alpha Epsilon
The chapter reached a major milestone this fall by initiating 41 new members, the largest pledge class in at least a decade. This achievement reflects the chapter’s continued growth and success, both on campus and nationally. We will remain committed to developing young men grounded in the values of Sigma Chi. ~ Dayton Sudbeck, 2028 PENNSYLVANIA
and alumni gathered on campus to reconnect and reflect on the chapter’s accomplishments since its last milestone celebration in 2015. The event highlighted decades of brotherhood, leadership and continued impact within the Sigma Chi International Fraternity. ~ Thomas Geocaris, 2027 R.I.T.
Phi Phi
This semester, the chapter raised nearly $10,000 for the Huntsman Cancer Foundation, building early momentum toward our $50,000 annual goal. As our Derby Days philanthropic event approaches, we look forward to expanding our philanthropy efforts and making this year its most impactful one yet. ~ Charles Bass, 2028
Lambda Kappa
The chapter initiated seven new members, elected a new Executive Committee and continued expanding campus involvement. Brothers serve in Interfraternity Council leadership, student government and student-run organizations, thus reinforcing the chapter’s strong presence and positive impact within the R.I.T. community. ~ Xavier Wellington, 2026 ROANOKE
PURDUE
Delta Delta
Tau
This spring, we aim to raise $30,000 for the Huntsman Cancer Foundation while uniting Purdue Greek-letter life for our Derby Days philanthropic event. We also expanded service through a partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Lafayette, began planning a mission trip to Guatemala and increased volunteer efforts through food drives, youth mentorship and campus involvement.
Our chapter’s most significant accomplishment this term was completing two impactful community service initiatives. The first was supporting the Red Cross Veterans Day Parade honoring local veterans, and the second was volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House to provide hands-on assistance to families in need — reinforcing our chapter’s commitment to service and community engagement.
~ Owen Coleman, 2027
~ Clayton Bewick, 2026
RADFORD
ROCHESTER
Kappa Zeta
In the fall semester, the chapter boasted over 90 percent chapter attendance at our community service event at Strickland Farms. These efforts reflect our commitment to engagement, service and accountability as a chapter while serving and giving back to our community. ~ Ethan Barrett, 2027 RIPON
Epsilon Lambda
Gamma Pi
For our Derby Days philanthropic event, our chapter is preparing a banner‑making event and a Pie‑a‑Sig fundraiser to boost campus engagement and support our philanthropy efforts. Along with Derby Days, we’re excited for our upcoming service trip to the Dominican Republic in early January, where brothers will participate in hands-on community development. ~ Olin Archer, 2028
During the fall semester, we proudly celebrated our 70th anniversary. Brothers expect more / THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI 43
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Brothers from the Ripon chapter celebrate the chapter’s 70th anniversary in fall 2025.
Brothers from the newly installed Wisconsin-Madison chapter put labels on canned goods during a fall 2025 community service event.
SAINT LOUIS
the highest fall semester total in chapter history. ~ Maxwell Ellis, 2028
Theta Iota
The chapter earned the highest GPA, became the most involved chapter on campus, and received a Peterson Significant Chapter Award. The chapter also secured the Legion of Honor Award and strengthened alumni relations through a successful post-initiation event connecting new brothers with alumni. ~ TJ Kwapiszeski, 2027
of events and the launch of our golf philanthropy event, will position the chapter to remain in the top five Sigma Chi chapters for money raised. We will also host several other events throughout the spring with all proceeds going toward the Huntsman Cancer Foundation. ~ Johnathan Bunnell, 2028 TENNESSEE-CHATTANOOGA Delta Theta
SAN DIEGO STATE
Delta Xi
We welcomed 36 new brothers, strengthened alumni engagement and served the San Diego community through river cleanups in the fall semester. The chapter is preparing for a $200,000 Derby Days philanthropy goal and planning a spring leadership development workshop supported by alumni involvement. ~ Broden Loo, 2028 SYRACUSE
Psi Psi
The chapter is working to break our Derby Days philanthropic event fundraising record of over $157,000 this spring. New initiatives, along with the other four days
Our chapter’s most significant accomplishment was expanding our philanthropy and community service impact. We raised over $12,000 through fundraisers and hands-on service events while dedicating time to volunteer hours. These efforts strengthened our ties to the community and reinforced our commitment to service above self. ~ Jackson Murray, 2027 TENNESSEE-KNOXVILLE Beta Sigma The chapter raised over $47,000 for the Huntsman Cancer Foundation this fall —
44 THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI / spring 2026
TENNESSEE-MARTIN
Kappa Psi
This semester, we raised significantly more money for charities, including the Huntsman Cancer Foundation and Children’s Miracle Network, than in previous terms. Successful events such as Pie-a-Sig and a bake sale will return for our Derby Days philanthropic event as the chapter builds on its momentum. ~ Bryant Steele, 2028 TEXAS TECH
Epsilon Nu
The chapter earned first place for its Homecoming float and reached the finals of the Greek Basketball League. We initiated 32 new members and raised nearly $1,000 for the Huntsman Cancer Foundation, over $5,000 for JT’s Scholarship Foundation and completed a successful highway cleanup. ~ Gavin Ross, 2025 TROY
Eta Phi
The chapter continues to grow and
improve by initiating 32 new members this fall. Our brothers increased academic performance and campus involvement while alumni generously donated furnishings to the chapter house. We’re also developing a new annual philanthropy rodeo. ~ Andrew Thornton, 2027 TULANE
Alpha Omicron
This semester, 21 juniors studied abroad across the globe while maintaining a strong brotherhood at Tulane. We celebrated a successful football season and strengthened bonds through events like the chapter’s inaugural golf tournament. Next semester, we look forward to welcoming a new pledge class and reuniting as a full brotherhood in New Orleans. ~ Bennett Egge, 2027 UTAH STATE
Gamma Kappa
This past academic term, we welcomed 16 new members who collectively raised $7,000 for the Huntsman Cancer Foundation. ~ Kalani Panoke, 2026
WASHINGTON STATE
Beta Upsilon
This fall and winter, we welcomed 29 new initiates, hosted a successful Haunted House philanthropy event and reconnected generations of brothers at our alumni dinner. The chapter earned the Outstanding Three-Star Academic Achievement Award and was named an Overall Three-Star Chapter. ~ Hayden McDonald, 2026 WESTERN ILLINOIS
Iota Omicron
This spring, we will host our Derby Days philanthropic event with a $10,000 fundraising goal for the Huntsman Cancer Foundation. Some of our events include Smash-a-Car, Big Pink Volleyball, Wax-a-Sig and campus-wide competitions designed to engage students and encourage giving throughout the year. ~ Macullum Steen, 2027
WINDSOR
Kappa Mu
Following a productive executive retreat, the chapter entered the year with renewed focus and momentum. We grew to 24 members and hosted successful brotherhood, social and fundraising events. We’re looking forward to expanding service efforts in Windsor and delivering a strong Derby Days philanthropic event in support of the Huntsman Cancer Foundation. ~ Matthew Najem, 2028
WISCONSIN-MADISON Lambda
Alpha
In the fall semester, we successfully returned to campus and renewed our charter. With our return comes the much-anticipated Derby Days philanthropic event. Currently, our brothers are focused on communal outreach and are involving other Greek-letter life organizations to increase the excitement surrounding this philanthropy event. ~ Finn McEllistrem, 2027
WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE Lambda Chi This spring, we continue our commitment to raising funds for the Huntsman Cancer Institute. The chapter is planning a comedy show finale for our Derby Days philanthropic event, headlined by alum Bryan LeConte, 2023, to cap off our philanthropy efforts. ~ Osama Khatib, 2024
events that will strengthen our campus presence and leadership. The chapter now has increased manpower, leadership and energy! ~ Erick Madrid, 2027 CHAPMAN
Sigma Chi Omega
The associate chapter participated in multiple Greek-letter life philanthropy events in the fall semester. Most notably, brothers partnered with Alpha Phi during Gamma Phi Beta’s Airbands event, raising several thousand dollars and earning the “Best Performance” award. ~ Ethan Riley, 2028
ASSOCIATE CHAPTERS
TEXAS-ARLINGTON Sigma Chi Theta Our associate chapter entered the spring semester with strong momentum toward our reinstalment efforts. After doubling in size, we are planning a Derby Days philanthropic event and other large-scale
CHAPTER ANNIVERSARIES APRIL
4/3/1971 4/4/2021 4/9/2011 4/22/1916 4/23/1921
MAY
5/5/1956 5/8/1926 5/15/1886 5/27/1891 5/30/1871 5/31/1881 Dike Eddleman, ILLINOIS 1949, center, is pictured shaking hands with members of the University of Michigan basketball team in this undated photo. Eddleman is considered by many to be one of the greatest University of Illinois athletes in the history of the school. Between 1942 and 1949 (he served in World War II from 1943 to 1946 then returned to school), Eddleman played on the university’s basketball, track and field, and football teams. After graduating he played four seasons in the NBA. Today, the university’s Athlete of the Year awards are named after Eddleman.
JUNE
6/21/1886 6/23/1886
Eta Kappa, Missouri State, 55 years Iota Upsilon, Boston, 5 years Lambda Kappa, R.I.T., 15 years Beta Xi, New Mexico, 110 years Beta Phi, Arizona, 105 years
Epsilon Xi, Houston, 70 years Gamma Kappa, Utah State, 100 years Alpha Omicron, Tulane, 140 years Alpha Chi, Penn State, 135 years Chi, Hanover, 155 years Kappa Kappa, Illinois, 145 years
Alpha Pi, Albion, 140 years Alpha Beta, California-Berkeley, 140 years
*Anniversaries are listed every five years.
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/ CAMPUS CHRONICLES /
WELCOME BACK, WISCONSIN-MADISON CHAPTER NAME: Alpha Lambda INSTALLATION DATE: Oct. 25, 2025 SIGS INITIATED AT INSTALLATION: 35
Coming in as a freshman with no real aspiration for joining Greek-letter life, Biagio Gargano, WISCONSIN-MADISON 2027, quickly realized Sigma Chi was the place for him. During the associate chapter process, he and his brothers worked hard to earn back the charter and hit a few roadblocks along the way. But, committed alumni, and the chapter as a whole, helped get the chapter back on track, culminating in the chapter's reinstallation on October 25. Gargano also found something he was missing along the way. When the charter was signed and you guys got to hold it, what did you feel in that moment? It’s hard to describe. There was some relief and pure elation. Leading up to our installation, we were still a little uptight that we needed to make sure we were doing everything perfectly. Once we heard that (our installation) was going to happen, everyone was a little more relaxed.
doubled, we ended up doing a second pledge class of about seven and were at 20 guys. At the time I wasn’t even thinking about the installation. I wanted to add some organization as Pro Consul, so I had each officer set out their own plan for what they wanted to see in the semester so they could feel responsibility for their job. From there, we started having social events and committees. I looked at all of our goals that we needed to accomplish to get installed and built off of that.
What was the local alumni involvement like? Our House Corporation President Brett Armstrong, WISCONSIN-MADISON 1992, saw that we hit our numbers for recruitment and told us to focus on hitting the rest of our goals while he made sure the finances wouldn’t be an issue. That was really encouraging for us. The support for accomplishing our goals really came from our chapter advisor Nick Brown, INDIANA 2002. He helped us in whatever way we needed. Our Grand Praetor Jeremy Walden, BELOIT 2004, and Assistant Grand Praetor Ken Szafranski, EASTERN ILLINOIS 1984, were the same way. I made almost 50 calls to (Szafranski) for advice on how to do things, and he would check in on the progress we were making. (Walden) was just awesome in making sure we had all of our paperwork done in the correct way. Their support definitely shows that lifelong commitment to Sigma Chi we always hear about.
When you were deciding to join Greek-letter life, what drew you to Sigma Chi? Before joining, I honestly didn’t enjoy my first semester of college. I didn’t really make any new friends, and I was either sitting in my dorm studying, watching TV, going to the dining hall or going to class. I didn’t even want to go back to school. I was talking with my mom, and she told me that I needed to find something to get involved in. I never considered joining a fraternity. In that first week back on campus, I saw on the school’s Snapchat story that Sigma Chi’s bowling event was about to start in 10 minutes. The name of the group stood out to me because my grandpa is a Sigma Chi, and he had brought it up a few months ago. For whatever reason I decided to go. Then I went to the open house and realized they were building back the chapter. I didn’t go to any other event for any other organizations because one of the guys in Sigma Chi kept asking to hang out, and I ran out of excuses not to do it. I took the opportunity and, as I got more involved, I got more excited about being a part of building it.
What was your involvement like from the beginning? I really took everything seriously. I came to meetings, answered questions and, when I was through the pledge phase, I started to make a few suggestions. I didn’t really get too involved until I was elected as recruitment chairman. I was excited about actually putting in the work to grow the chapter. I feel like I became a leader in that sense, but I was also finding other ways to improve our chapter with philanthropy events, spending time with the brothers or finding ways to run our meetings better. When I got involved in recruitment, I genuinely cared a lot more about the Fraternity, and I wanted to make the chapter the best I could. That drove me to become Pro Consul and, now, Consul. In those leadership positions, what were the goals you set for yourself? At first it was recruitment. We started with each person recruiting one guy. When we 46 THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI / spring 2026
The newly installed brothers of the Alpha Lambda chapter at the University of WisconsinMadison celebrate after successfully getting their charter back in October 2025.
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/ CHAPTER ETERNAL /
BY ASHLEY SZATALA //////
REMEMBERING 67TH GRAND CONSUL DENNIS SANTOLI Santoli entered the Chapter Eternal on Jan. 25, 2026, at age 79 Sixty-seventh Grand Consul, Order of Constantine Sig and Significant Sig Dennis Santoli, WESTERN RESERVE 1967, entered the Chapter Eternal on Jan. 25, 2026. He was 79. Santoli was born Feb. 12, 1946. He majored in history at Case Western Reserve University and earned his law degree from Georgetown University. Professionally, he spent more than 30 years founding and leading insurance companies that underwrite liability risks for health care facilities. Prior to his retirement in 2016, Santoli was president and CEO of the Campania Group and president of Hanover Healthcare. He also retired from the U.S. Army Reserve with the rank of major. Santoli served in leadership roles for several cultural and educational institutions, such as on the boards of Casa Italian Cultural Center, Language School and Museum in Washington, D.C., and as executive director of the Blue and Gold Education Foundation in Vienna, Virginia. At Case Western, he was an Alumni Admission Ambassador and member of the college’s visiting committee. His Fraternity service began with his initiation into the Beta Alpha chapter of Sigma Chi at Western Reserve University (later Case Western) on Feb. 1, 1964. Santoli served as recruitment chairman, Quaestor and Pro Consul. After graduating, he later was Eastern Virginia province Grand Praetor for six years and president of the Northern Virginia Alumni Chapter from 1997 to 2002. Santoli also was a member of numerous Fraternity committees, including the Legal Affairs, Chapter and Member Accountability, International Balfour Selection, Investment, Budget, and Non-Student Initiation committees. In addition, he was a past chairman of the Sigma Chi Leadership Institute. His volunteerism earned him several Certificates of Appreciation and Grand Consul’s Citations over the years. Santoli was elected Grand Consul in 2011 and made it a priority to promote Sigma Chi’s values and ideals throughout his tenure, according to his inauguration speech. Leadership development education and opportunities expanded under him. Misconduct investigations and outcomes switched from group discipline to individual accountability. And, under his leadership, most notably, an emphasis was placed on the Ritual. “From my first awakening as to the true meaning of the White Cross, the teachings contained in the Ritual have guided and tempered my actions,” Santoli said at the 2011 Grand Chapter. “(Friendship) is the most important of the Three 48 THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI / spring 2026
Sixty-seventh Grand Consul Dennis Santoli, WESTERN RESERVE 1967
Sixty-seventh Grand Consul Dennis Santoli, WESTERN RESERVE 1967, left, is pictured with 68th Grand Consul Mike Greenberg, ILLINOIS WESLEYAN 1982.
Sigs Remember Grand Consul Santoli
Sixty-seventh Grand Consul Dennis Santoli, WESTERN RESERVE 1967, signs the charter of the Lambda Sigma chapter at the University of New Hampshire on April 27, 2013.
Sixty-sixth Grand Consul Wayne Tucker, BAYLOR 1985, pins the Grand Pro Consul badge onto Dennis Santoli, WESTERN RESERVE 1967, at the 2009 Grand Chapter in Charleston, South Carolina.
Great Aims. Friendship embodies the bonds of our brotherhood, and true friendship is derived from our Ritual, the Ritual which unites us in one heart and mind even though we are different in our temperaments, talents and convictions. The Ritual defines the motives and ideals which make us Sigma Chis.” Santoli swiftly appointed and tasked a Ritual Committee with the objectives of training and certifying skilled practitioners of the Ritual. Province and chapter Ritual trainings were established. And, annual Ritual certification became a requirement for a chapter to qualify for a Peterson Significant Chapter Award. After leaving the Fraternity’s highest office in 2013, Santoli joined the Risk Management Foundation board of directors and quickly became its chairman. He served in that role until his death. Santoli was married to his sweetheart, Cynthia, and blended together they had four children. Two of his brothers, Michael, WESTERN RESERVE 1969, and Order of Constantine Sig David Santoli, CASE WESTERN 1985, also wear the Sigma Chi badge. Santoli was well known for his love of Italian culture, wine and food; his spirit of generosity; and his passion of paying forward the many blessings he received throughout his life. Services were held Feb. 14, 2026, in Washington, D.C. As a tribute to Santoli's enduring legacy and commitment to Ritual education and excellence across Sigma Chi during his biennium as Grand Consul, the Fraternity invites you to honor his memory with your support of the Dennis R. Santoli Ritual Renaissance Educational Initiative — a fund established to advance the educational components of Sigma Chi’s Ritual certification and training. To donate online, visit https://donate. sigmachi.org/santoli.
“Dennis — the moment always starts the same. A smile bigger than the room; a warm embrace; a friendly exchange of pleasantries. There is no better greeting. Dennis was generous in all things, but mostly in his ability to give energy in the form of love to everyone he greeted. His dedication to Sigma Chi was beyond reproach. Regarding his care for his family and friends, I am not sure I have met his equal. I am a better person for having been lucky enough to be his friend. Also, he would hate hearing these kind things said about him. Always humble, as if everyone gave this much of themselves. Truly an inspiration in so many ways.” — Seventy-fourth Grand Consul Ryan Temby, RUTGERS 1990 “Dennis served with distinction as the chairman of the board for our Fraternity’s insurance company, where his leadership was defined by a rare combination of deep knowledge and unwavering fairness. He was a loyal and dedicated brother who remained even-handed in every decision, always keeping the best interests of our community at heart. Above all, his kindness and commitment to the spirit of brotherhood left an indelible mark on Sigma Chi. He will be deeply missed.” — Order of Constantine Sig Ted Pitt, WESTERN 1971 “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Brother Santoli, a mentor with whom I had the privilege of working closely with for more than a decade. During my 20 years with RMF, Dennis served as our longest-tenured chairman, providing principled leadership that profoundly shaped the Foundation’s mission and impact. His generosity of spirit and lifelong service will continue to guide our work, and we are forever grateful for his enduring legacy.” — Risk Management Foundation Executive Director Steve Davidson, BIRMINGHAM-SOUTHERN 1996
“For my entire life, my brother Dennis represented all that is noblest and best in the Fraternity. When I was born in September 1963, Dennis was already a freshman at Western Reserve University working on founding the Beta Alpha chapter. Through him, I learned about the Seven Founders, their virtues and Sigma Chi's high ideals. Because of him, I wanted to become a Sigma Chi. Because of him, I am a Sigma Chi. His impact on the Fraternity — whether in Cleveland, Virginia, the Praetorial College, the Executive Committee or the Risk Management Foundation — was profound and will be lasting. He was a true, loyal and generous friend. He was firm but fair in his business dealings, striving at all times to do what was right and just. He had a powerful intellect and loved to read, travel and learn about the world around him. I have always done my best to follow his example. I am a better man because of him, and I believe that Sigma Chi is a better Fraternity because of him, too.” — Order of Constantine Sig David Santoli, CASE WESTERN 1985 expect expect more more // THE THE MAGAZINE MAGAZINE OF OF SIGMA SIGMA CHI CHI 49 49
/ CHAPTER ETERNAL /
The White Rose Ceremony Chapter Eternal brothers appearing in this issue were reported to International Fraternity Headquarters from Sept. 16 to Dec. 15, 2025. The Magazine prints new death notices going back two years. To let Sigma Chi know of a Chapter Eternal brother, please email Chapter.Eternal@sigmachi.org and include: the brother's name; school and grad year; date of death; and a link to his obituary.
Denotes Life Loyal Sig
ORDER OF CONSTANTINE SIG AND SIGNIFICANT SIG ED BLESSING, SAN DIEGO STATE 1960 , entered the Chapter Eternal on Sept. 30, 2025. He was 88. Blessing was born Oct. 6, 1936, in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. Blessing earned his MBA from Harvard in 1965 and began working for McKinsey and Company, where a project with Getty Oil introduced him to the oil and gas industry. In 1978 he launched Blessing Petroleum Co. to serve as a financial advisor to the energy industry on developing petroleum products. His Fraternity service included serving on the Sigma Chi Foundation Board of Governors and Significant Sig Selection Committee, mentoring those in the Horizons Huntsman Leadership Summit and participating in the Dallas and San Diego alumni chapters.
SIGNIFICANT SIG ROBIN BARRICK, VANDERBILT 1974 , entered the Chapter Eternal on Nov. 6, 2025. He was 73. Barrick was born June 30, 1952, in Nashville, Tennessee. He earned his engineering degree and later MBA from Vanderbilt, where he also served as an adjunct engineering professor for 11 years. Barrick spent 48 years working at Smith Seckman Reid Consulting Engineers and was CEO for 32 years. After retirement, he served on the boards of several companies throughout the U.S as well as local nonprofits such as the Nashville Food Project, which he co-founded in 2007 and prepares 1,700 meals a week for the homeless.
SIGNIFICANT SIG REAR. ADM. BRUCE BLACK, NEW MEXICO , entered the Chapter Eternal on July 8, 2025. He was 88. Black was born Aug. 20, 1936, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He spent 41 years in active and reserve duty in the U.S. Navy and Naval Reserves and served four years in Japan. He obtained his master’s degree in geology and joined Shell Oil Company in California. While working there, he earned his doctorate degree and left Shell in 1970 to start his own company, Colorado Plateau Geological Services. He also formed Black Oil Inc. and Black Exploration in Farmington, New Mexico. Black and his son built Kokopelli’s Cave B&B, a cave house, which was recognized by National Geographic for its uniqueness.
SIGNIFICANT SIG BRETT CORNELIUS, BAYLOR 1990, entered the Chapter Eternal on Sept. 18, 2025. He was 57. Cornelius was born June 5, 1968, in Columbia, Missouri. He originally was studying medicine before leaving to pursue music in Nashville. There, he went by Brett James and began writing songs for others and scoring early cuts by Billy Ray Cyrus, Kenny Chesney and Martina McBride. His first No. 1 hit came in 2001, but it was his song “Jesus, Take the Wheel” by Carrie Underwood that earned the 2006 Grammy for Best Country Song as well as several other recognitions. Cornelius had more than 300 major-label cuts and hits by some of the biggest names in country music. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020.
50 THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI / spring 2026
SIGNIFICANT SIG THOMAS DAVIN, DUKE 1979 , entered the Chapter Eternal on Sept. 1, 2025. He was 67. Davin was born Oct. 4, 1957, in New York City. He served six years as a Marine infantry and reconnaissance officer, and afterward he earned his MBA from Harvard Business School in 1987. Davin then began a distinguished career that spanned Wall Street, restaurants and consumer brands, beginning in mergers and acquisitions before moving into senior leadership roles. He served as chief operating officer of Taco Bell, CEO of Panda Restaurant Group, CEO of 5.11 Tactical, and most recently as co-CEO of Black Rifle Coffee Company.
SIGNIFICANT SIG GARY DROOK, INDIANA 1967 , entered the Chapter Eternal on June 2, 2025. He was 80. Drook was born Feb. 21, 1945, in Indiana. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and remained active as a captain in the Army Reserves until 1978. Drook began his career with Indiana Bell, a regional phone company, and quickly rose up the ranks. He then joined Affina, where he innovated in customer engagement and contract call center operations. Drook served on the board of directors for several companies, including VimpelCom, which introduced cellular service to Russia. Later, developing a successful ethanol distillery in Indiana near where he grew up became one of Drook’s proudest accomplishments.
SIGNIFICANT SIG GARY GREAR, MEMPHIS 1969 , entered the Chapter Eternal on Sept. 11, 2025. He was 78. Grear was born Feb. 11, 1947, in Memphis, Tennessee. He had a notable career in investment banking and equity markets. Grear ultimately became senior vice president and director of fixed income marketing at Morgan Keegan & Co., and in 1990, he was appointed to a committee overseeing fixed income market groups. He later founded Legacy Securities Corp. and became a chairman and executive at FTN Financial Securities and FTN Equity Capital Markets. A lifelong athlete, Grear was instrumental in the founding of the Leftwich Tennis Center in 2023. He also was past president of the Memphis chapter’s house corporation.
SIGNIFICANT SIG BANNUS HUDSON, KANSAS 1967 , entered the Chapter Eternal on March 20, 2025. He was 79. Hudson was born Aug. 24, 1945, in Fort Scott, Kansas. He began his career in the optical industry in 1985 following a long tenure at Procter & Gamble. He took on the role of senior vice president of operations for the newly launched Precision LensCrafters. Hudson ultimately became CEO and helped the company grow from 20 to 800 stores. In 1990 he joined LensCrafters’s parent company, U.S. Shoe Corporation, and helped negotiate its sale five years later. Afterward, Hudson started his consulting firm, Equity Enterprises Inc., served as interim CEO of the SFJazz in the 2010s and also was on several local boards.
SIGNIFICANT SIG WAYNE KIDWELL, IDAHO 1960 , entered the Chapter Eternal on Nov. 7, 2025. He was 87. Kidwell was born June 15, 1938, in Council, Idaho. After serving two years in the U.S. Army as a military police officer, he earned his law degree from the University of Idaho. Kidwell went on to have a distinguished legal and political career. He served as Ada County prosecutor, was majority leader in the Idaho State Senate, and was elected Idaho Attorney General, where he advocated for victims and worked to strengthen the state’s legal institutions. He was sworn in as a justice on the Idaho Supreme Court and served a six-year term before retiring in 2005.
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/ CHAPTER ETERNAL /
SIGNIFICANT SIG DR. RUSSELL NELSON, UTAH 1945, entered the Chapter Eternal on Sept. 27, 2025. He was 101. Nelson was born Sept. 9, 1924, in Salt Lake City. He ultimately earned his medical degree from the University of Utah in 1945 then his PhD at the University of Minnesota, where in 1951 Nelson and fellow researchers developed a heart-lung machine that supported the first-ever human open-heart surgery. He became the first cardiothoracic surgeon to perform open-heart surgery in Utah using that same technology. Nelson also led the University of Utah’s cardiothoracic program for nearly 20 years. He also spent 40 years in the highest levels of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints leadership, serving as its president from 2018 until his death.
SIGNIFICANT SIG BOB TRUMPY, ILLINOIS 1967, entered the Chapter Eternal on Nov. 2, 2025. He was 80. Trumpy was born March 6, 1945, in Illinois. He was one of the Cincinnati Bengal’s draft picks as a tight end in 1968 and is the only player in franchise history to be a Pro Bowler in both the AFL and NFL. Trumpy played with the Bengals from 1968 to 1977, totaling 298 receptions for 4,600 yards and 35 touchdowns. Afterward, he worked as a broadcaster and covered a Super Bowl, the Ryder Cup and the Olympics. Trumpy also was a longtime host for WLW-AM radio station in Cincinnati. In 2014 he was given the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award by the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a lifetime achievement honor.
SIGNIFICANT SIG DR. DANIEL WALSH, SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 1971 , entered the Chapter Eternal on Oct. 16, 2025. He was 78. Walsh was born Sept. 20, 1947, in St. Louis. He earned his undergraduate degree in geology and in 1982 received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine. He would spend more than 30 years practicing emergency medicine and was passionate about foreign medical mission work. Walsh was also a veteran who served nearly three decades as a naval officer in both active duty and the reserves, retiring with the rank of captain. His Fraternity service included serving on the Foundation Board of Governors.
SIGNIFICANT SIG PEDRO WASMER, MARYLAND 1962 , entered the Chapter Eternal on July 6, 2025. He was 84. Wasmer was born Aug. 10, 1940, in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. He earned his undergraduate degree in civil engineering and later earned a master’s degree in Latin American studies at American University. Wasmer went on to be a respected leader in the equipment leasing industry. He founded Somerset Investment Services in 1980 and Somerset Capital Group in 1996. Both would rank top among Hispanic-owned firms in the U.S. Wasmer also maintained strong ties to the University of Maryland, where he endowed a professorship and served on various boards.
52 THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI / spring 2026
Sigma Chi Fraternity CHAPTER ETERNAL Dalhousie-St. Mary's
Houston
1967 Dr. Thomas Nigro of Leawood, KS; 9/25
1956 John Fraser of Chester, NS; 11/25
1965 Damon McWilliams of Bellaire, TX; 8/25 1985 James Smelley of Angleton, TX; 10/25
Auburn
Davidson
Arizona
1965 James Rainer of Birmingham, AL; 3/25
1966 Richard Foss of Birmingham, AL; 8/25
Austin Peay
Denison
1975 Charles Maddox of Clarksville, TN; 9/25 1977 Adren Duncan of Little Rock, AR; 10/25 Ball State
1957 Robert Klaus of Chillicothe, IL; 11/25 1960 Richard Coulter of Columbia, SC; 10/25
Illinois Wesleyan
DePauw
1950 Dr. William Akerly of Lehigh Acres, FL; 2/25 1954 Richard Chesnut of Springfield, IL; 7/25
1973 Reid Ladenson of Columbus, IN; 9/25 Indiana (Pennsylvania)
1962 Kenneth Schmid of Indianapolis; 9/25 Dickinson Beloit
1981 Daniel Kusnierz of Wallace, NC; 12/25
1978 William Cashman of Carlisle, PA; 9/25 Kansas
1947 Ralph Jacobsen of Neenah, WI; 10/25 Duke Bowling Green
1948 Dr. Charles Johnson of Laurinburg, NC; 2/24
1953 Ben Scasserra of Seaside Park, NJ; 7/25 1964 William Fashing of Flat Rock, MI; 11/25
Eastern Illinois
Cal. State-Northridge
Illinois
1963 Hoite Caston of Lawrence, KS; 11/25 1966 Dr. Stephen Cade of Clancy, MT; 8/24 1968 Herbert Marshall of Topeka, KS; 7/25
1979 Bradley Hunt of Virginia Beach, VA; 9/25 1983 Douglas Dehority of Forsyth, IL; 8/25
Kansas State
Eastern New Mexico
Kentucky
1990 Jeffrey Barker of Bridgeport, MI; 10/25
1949 Wallace Horine of Louisville, KY; 10/25 1968 Cary Sully of Parker, CO; 10/25 1971 George Ochs of Louisville, KY; 10/25
2019 Jacob Kuckelman of Overland Park, KS; 10/25
1973 Klaus Wohland of Cerritos, CA; 11/25 California-Berkeley
1956 Jerry Wendt of Walnut Creek, CA; 8/25 Emory California-Los Angeles
1956 Rev. John Wetzel of Ashburn, VA; 5/25
1954 Dr. Murray Coulter of Katy, TX; 7/25 1974 Christopher Roady of Tallahassee, FL; 2/24 1976 Dr. David Galloway of Atlanta; 12/24
Carnegie Mellon
2014 Lawrence Jackson of Shelby, AL; 6/25
1968 Hjalmar Berg of Venice, FL; 10/25 Georgia
1953 Stell Askew of Raleigh, NC; 6/24
Central Michigan
2002 Dominic Rovano of New York; 11/25
Louisiana State
1953 Duncan Burford of Billings, MT; 10/25 1955 Don Morgan of Baton Rouge, LA; 8/25 1955 Samuel Harris of Baton Rouge, LA; 9/25 1960 Robert Robichaux of Bossier City, LA; 7/25
Georgia Tech
1954 Robert Laumann of Dayton, OH; 11/24
1956 Richard Lenholt of Fort Myers, FL; 8/24 1956 Edward Grey of Winter Park, FL; 10/25 1966 Jerry Priestley of Marietta, GA; 9/25
Colgate
Hampden-Sydney
Cincinnati
1980 David Soltis of Ridgeway, SC; 11/25 2002 Allen Rubel of Hazel Park, MI; 1/25
Florida
Central Florida
1980 Richard Hull of Orlando, FL; 6/24
Kettering
Maine
1966 Joseph Murray of Honolulu, HI; 10/25 Michigan State
1955 Joseph Cleaver of Cupertino, CA; 11/25
1948 David Smith of Falls Church, VA; 10/24
1958 Thomas Scales of Richmond, VA; 9/25
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/ CHAPTER ETERNAL /
Mississippi
1969 Warren Edmundson of Stillwater, OK; 1/25
1954 Chris Mitsos of New Castle, PA; 9/24
1957 Edward Litkenhous of Huntsville, AL; 8/25 1958 James French of Franklin, TN; 11/25 1967 Louis Lauman of Lake Oswego, OR; 1/24
Pennsylvania
Wake Forest
1975 Lemuel Houchins of Jackson, MS; 10/25 Penn State Mississippi State
Vanderbilt
1960 Lamar McIntyre of Houston; 11/25 Montana
1964 Richard Rogers of Bronxville, NY; 10/25
1963 Dr. Mark Smith of High Point, NC; 10/25
1953 Dr. Richard Shadoan of San Francisco; 12/24 1964 Thomas Hauck of Missoula, MT; 9/25
Pittsburgh
Wesleyan
Montana State
1952 Eugene Smith of Pittsburgh, PA; 11/25 1970 Dr. George Medich of Aliquippa, PA; 5/25
West Virginia
1954 Joseph Virag of Littleton, CO; 2/25 Purdue
1969 William Hogan of Knoxville, TN; 7/25
1962 Hon. John Westhafer of Greensburg, IN; 11/25 1968 Douglas Widell of Blanco, TX; 7/25
Nebraska
Sam Houston
1966 Thomas Sorensen of Hardy, NE; 6/25
1963 Robert Fuller of Seabrook, TX; 9/25
Murray State
1957 Hon. William Shepard of Easton, MD; 8/25
1958 Larry Holswade of Indian Wells, CA; 9/25 1963 Bruce Leithead of Fountain Hills, AZ; 10/25 1966 Douglas Witten of Logan, WV; 5/25 1983 John Moore of Roanoke, VA; 12/25 2026 Caleb Smith of Summit Point, WV; 10/25 Whitman
Nevada-Las Vegas
South Carolina
1971 Richard Gonzales of Las Vegas; 10/25 2003 Ryan Happ of Redondo Beach, CA; 9/25
1986 Paul Butler of Hopkins, SC; 12/25 Wisconsin-Madison Southeast Missouri
New Mexico
1994 Darrell Naeger of Frisco, TX; 11/25
1955 William Keleher of Albuquerque, NM; 11/25 Southern Methodist North Carolina State
1971 John Yates of Saint Louis; 11/25
1989 Billy Harrell of Raleigh, NC; 10/25 Southern Mississippi North Dakota
2000 Dr. Michael Humphreys of Flowood, MS; 11/25
1944 Franklin Gibbens of Tacoma, WA; 8/25 Syracuse Northern Colorado
1960 William Hilsdorf of San Diego; 6/25
1962 Maj. Ernest Brown of Eatonton, GA; 9/25 Tennessee-Knoxville Ohio Wesleyan
1953 Asa Crawford of Columbus, GA; 3/25 1954 Lincoln Annas of Leesburg, FL; 1/25 1954 Kenneth Massar of Etna, ME; 11/25 1965 Joseph Groscost of Castalia, OH; 10/25
1956 Harrison Edwards of Nashville, TN; 9/24 1961 John Johnson of Townsend, TN; 6/24 1965 Donald Harris of Knoxville, TN; 10/25 Texas-Arlington
2018 Joseph Scanlan of Arlington, TX; 12/25 Oklahoma
1966 Capt. Roger Gossard of Coffeyville, KS; 10/25
Texas Tech 1963 Jerry Hurst of Hampton, VA; 11/25
Oklahoma State
1950 Joe Allen of Pawhuska, OK; 3/25 1963 Daniel Hill of Houston; 10/25 1965 Douglas Schoenhals of Fort Worth, TX; 2/25
54 THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI / spring 2026
1955 Wilber Pribilsky of Walla Walla, WA; 10/25
Utah
1971 Peter Madsen of Salt Lake City; 9/25
1957 Jack Lane of Sarasota, FL; 5/25 1960 Jerry Stalcup of Rockford, IL; 10/25
PRESERVE IMPROVE EXPAND
PRESERVE chapter housing by consulting on project design & property management and, when warranted, offering conservation of title IMPROVE chapter housing by providing local house corporations access to professional services, and training for volunteers EXPAND chapter housing by offering financial support & resources to local house corporations for construction, renovation & acquisitions
Learn more about how your House Corporation can work with CHI... TODAY! On the web, visit:
www.ConstantineHousing.org By phone, call:
847.869.3658
expect more / THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI 55
/ ARCHIVES /
BY NATHANAEL HAWTHORNE, YOUNGSTOWN 2020 //////
Sigma Chi Champions Nearly 70 Sig athletes have reached the pinnacle of their respective sports
Sigma Chi has always proudly boasted the best of the best in their respective fields. In one such field, professional sports, Sigma Chi has its fair share of athletes to reach the pinnacle of the National Football League, Major League Baseball and the National Basketball Association. Having scoured Sigma Chi’s archives, The Magazine of Sigma Chi has compiled a list of nearly 70 names — that we know of — to have reached the Super Bowl, World Series or NBA Finals. Of that list, Sigma Chis have won 94 championships, claim 10 Hall of Fame spots in their respective sports and have solidified Sigma Chi’s place among the top in the Greek-letter world for athletics. Now, we need your help. If we missed a brother who played on a championship team (regardless of the outcome), please let us know via the QR code.
* By name denotes Hall of Famer in respective sport, ^ denotes contest winner
NFL STATS: • In the Super Bowl Era, at least one Sigma Chi has appeared in the big game more than 54 percent of the time. • The longest streak of a Sig in the Super Bowl happened from Super Bowl III to Super Bowl XII, meaning for 10 consecutive years there was a Sigma Chi in the Super Bowl. • The Super Bowl that had the most Sigs was Super Bowl VI. That game featured Bill Arnsparger and Bob Griese of the Miami Dolphins against Mike Ditka and
NFL CHAMPION SIGMA CHIS: Bronko Nagurski*, MINNESOTA 1930 | 1932^, 1933^, 1943^ NFL Championship, Chicago Bears Don Hutson*, ALABAMA 1935 | 1936^, 1939^, 1941, 1943^ NFL Championship, Green Bay Packers James David, COLORADO STATE 1952 | 1952^, 1953^, 1957^ NFL
NBA STATS: • Of the 78 NBA Finals, 24 have featured a Sigma Chi in some capacity either as a player, coach or executive. • Only once did two Sigs face off against each other — 1963 when Clyde Lovellette of the Boston
Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, coached by Fred Schaus. • Two general managers, Bob Myers and Ed McCloskey, are considered to be among the best in the business by building dynasties in their respective eras: McCloskey in the late 1980s with
56 THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI / spring 2026
Chuck Howley of the victorious Dallas Cowboys. • Bill Arnsparger holds the title for the Sigma Chi with the most Super Bowl appearances with six — III, VI, VII, VIII, XVII, and XXIX.
Championship, Detroit Lions Harland Svare, WASHINGTON STATE 1953 | 1956^, 1958, 1959 NFL Championship, New York Giants Howard Cassady, OHIO STATE 1956 | 1957^ NFL Championship, Detroit Lions Robert Pellegrini, MARYLAND 1956 | 1960^ NFL Championship, Philadelphia Eagles Ed White, CALIFORNIA-BERKELEY 1969 | 1969^, IV, VIII, IX, XI NFL Championship/Super Bowl, Minnesota Vikings Jim Turner, UTAH STATE 1963 | III^, XII New York Jets/Denver Broncos Jack Rudnay, NORTHWESTERN 1969 |
the Detroit Pistons and Myers with the 2010s Golden State Warriors. • Clyde Lovellette is the first person to win the NBA Triple Crown: NBA Finals, Olympic Gold Medal and NCAA Championship.
IV^, Kansas City Chiefs Hank Stram*, PURDUE 1945 | IV^ (as coach of the Kansas City Chiefs) Sam Havrilak, BUCKNELL 1969 | V^, Baltimore Colts Mike Ditka*, PITTSBURGH 1961 | 1963^, VI^, XII^, XX^ NFL Championship/Super Bowl, Dallas Cowboys/Chicago Bears Chuck Howley*, WEST VIRGINIA 1961 | 1966, 1967, V, VI^, X, XII NFL Championship/Super Bowl, Dallas Cowboys Bill Arnsparger, MIAMI (OHIO) 1950 | 1964, III, VI, VII^, VIII^, XVII, XXIX NFL Championship/Super Bowl, Baltimore
Colts, Miami Dolphins, San Diego Chargers Bob Griese*, PURDUE 1967 | VI, VII^, VIII^, Miami Dolphins Andy Russell, MISSOURI-COLUMBIA 1963 | IX^, X^ Pittsburgh Steelers John McVay, MIAMI (OHIO) 1953 | XVI^, XIX^, XXIII^, XXIV^, XXIX^ (as San Francisco 49ers general manager) Chuck Studley, ILLINOIS 1953 | XVI^, XIX (as San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator) Jon Hesse, NEBRASKA 1996 | XXXII^, Denver Broncos Rick Tuten, MIAMI (FLORIDA) 1985 | XXXIV^, St. Louis Rams
Steve Hoffman, DICKINSON 1980 | XXVII^, XXVIII^, XXX^ (as Dallas Cowboys Special Teams coordinator) Jeffrey Thomason, OREGON 1993 | XXXI^, XXXIX, LVII, Green Bay Packers/ Philadelphia Eagles Glenn Cadrez, HOUSTON 1992 | XXXI, XXXII^, XXXIII^ Denver Broncos Michael Holmgren, CALIFORNIALOS ANGELES 1970 | XXIII^, XXIV^, XXXI^, XXXII, XL (in multiple coaching capacities for the San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks) Kliff Kingsbury, TEXAS TECH 2002 | XXXVIII^ New England Patriots
Brian Kinchen, LOUISIANA STATE 1988 | XXXVIII^ New England Patriots Jim Finn, PENNSYLVANIA 1999 | XLII^ New York Giants Drew Brees, PURDUE 2001 | XLIV^ New Orleans Saints Sean Payton, EASTERN ILLINOIS 1987 | XLIV^ (as New Orleans Saints head coach) Ryan Pace, EASTERN ILLINOIS 1999 | XLIV^ (as New Orleans Saints executive) Chris Oladokun, SOUTH FLORIDA and SAMFORD 2020 | LVII^, LVIII^, LIX Kansas City Chiefs
NBA CHAMPION SIGMA CHIS: Paul Hoffman, PURDUE 1947 | 1948^ BAA Champion, Baltimore Bullets Bob Harrison, MICHIGAN 1949 | 1950^, 1952^, 1953^ NBA Champion, Minneapolis Lakers Dick Hemric, WAKE FOREST 1955 | 1957^ NBA Champion, Boston Celtics
Clyde Lovellette*, KANSAS 1952 | 1954^, 1963^, 1964^ NBA Championship Minneapolis Lakers/ Boston Celtics | 1952 NCAA Champion | 1952 Olympic Gold Medalist Fred Schaus, WEST VIRGINIA 1950 | 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1972^ NBA Champion (as Los Angeles Lakers
general manager) Jack Sikma*, ILLINOIS WESLEYAN 1977 | 1978, 1979^ NBA Champion, Seattle SuperSonics Jack McCloskey, PENNSYLVANIA 1946 | 1988, 1989^, 1990^ NBA Champion (as Detroit Pistons general manager) Bob Myers, CALIFORNIA-LOS ANGELES
1998 | 4x NBA champion 2015^, 2016,
2017^, 2018^, 2019, 2022^ (as Golden State Warriors general manager)
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/ ARCHIVES /
MLB STATS: • Of the 121 World Series played, 36 of them have featured at least one Sigma Chi in some capacity. • In six World Series (1939, 1966, 1969, 1974, 1983, 2000), the Fall Classic featured two Sigs playing against each other. • There’s only one instance of two teammates (Bob Friend, Dick Groat) winning the World Series (1960 Pittsburgh Pirates). • Joe Gordon and Jim Palmer tie for the Sigma Chi who appeared in the most World Series with six, but Gordon takes the crown for the Sigma Chi with the most World Series wins with five.
WORLD SERIES SIGMA CHIS: Garland Stahl, ILLINOIS 1903 | 1903^, 1912^ Boston Americans/Red Sox Joe Evans, MISSISSIPPI 1914 | 1920^ Cleveland Indians Jackson Stephenson, ALABAMA 1921 | 1929, 1932 Chicago Cubs Gerald Walker, MISSISSIPPI 1931 | 1934, 1935^ Detroit Tigers Joe Gordon*, OREGON 1936 | 1938^, 1939^, 1941^, 1942, 1943^, 1948^ New York Yankees/Cleveland Indians William Werber, DUKE 1930 | 1939, 1940^ Cincinnati Reds Harvey Walker, MISSISSIPPI 1929 | 1945^ Detroit Tigers Bob Friend, PURDUE 1953 | 1960^ Pittsburgh Pirates
Dick Groat, DUKE 1953 | 1960^, 1964^ Pittsburgh Pirates/St. Louis Cardinals Wes Parker, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 1962 | 1965^, 1966 Los Angeles Dodgers Jim Palmer*, ARIZONA STATE 1967 | 1966^, 1969, 1970^, 1971, 1979, 1983^ Baltimore Orioles Don Dyer, ARIZONA STATE 1967 | 1969^ New York Mets Bobby Winkles, ILLINOIS WESLEYAN 1952 | 1974^ (as Oakland Athletics third base coach) Bill Buckner, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 1972 | 1974, 1986 Los Angeles Dodgers/ Boston Red Sox Bill Giles, DENISON 1956 | 1980^, 1983, 1993, 2008^, 2009 (As
Philadelphia Phillies part-owner) George Medich, PITTSBURGH 1970 | 1982 Milwaukee Brewers Greg Pryor, FLORIDA SOUTHERN 1971 | 1985^ Kansas City Royals Bobby Valentine, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 1972 | 2000 (as New York Mets head coach) Chris Turner, WESTERN KENTUCKY 1992 | 2000^ New York Yankees Mark DeRosa, PENNSYLVANIA 1997 | 2010^ San Francisco Giants Josh Willingham, NORTH ALABAMA 1999 | 2014 Kansas City Royals Ed Rogers, WESTERN 1992 | 2025 Toronto Blue Jays (as Toronto Blue Jays executive chairman)
OTHER NOTABLES: Dick Jorgensen, WISCONSIN 1956 | Referee, Super Bowl XXIV Charley Boswell, ALABAMA 1940 | 16x National Champion, 11x International
Champion, National Blind Golf Association Bill Dellinger, OREGON 1956 | Bronze Medal, 1964 Olympics – 5000-meter race
Jonathan Smith, BROWN 1983 | Silver Medal, 1984 Olympics – Coxless four (rowing), Bronze Medal, 1988 Olympics – Men’s eight (rowing) Bill Miller, CALIFORNIA-LOS ANGELES
1989 | 5x World Series umpire 2010,
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2013, 2017, 2020, 2023
/ CLOSING CIRCLE /
The Sig List
Things to know, notice and tell a brother
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
1
Sigma Chi International Fraternity announced in late 2025 its new partnership with Birches Health — the nationwide leader in behavioral addiction treatment specializing in virtual counseling — as a way to offer gambling and other compulsive behavior resources to members. To confidentially connect, visit BirchesHealth.com/SigmaChi.
2
The white carnation, the white chrysanthemum and the lily of the valley were the other candidates considered in 1897 at the 23rd Grand Chapter in Nashville, Tennessee, for the title of the Fraternity’s official flower.
3
Congrats to Jeremy Dickenson, EAST TENNESSEE 2003, and his team with Ford Racing for the 2025 Baja 1000 win! This challenging and prestigious off-road race held on the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico had storms, disappearing lines and a shifting course, but despite it all the team’s Bronco Raptor was able to deliver the victory.
4
Prior to the first successful flight by the Wright brothers in 1903 at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, they conducted research and development at Huffman Pasture near Dayton, Ohio. The farm was owned by the family of 41st Grand Consul William P. Huffman, DENISON 1911, who would have witnessed some of the Wright brothers’ early flights.
5 6
Experience brotherhood, discovery and la dolce vita on Sigma Chi’s inaugural ΣXperiences series, A Week in Italy, beginning April 3, 2027. Bring your family and friends as the group explores Venice, Florence and Rome. More info is available at groups.goaheadtours.com/tours/ sigma-chi-italy.
It took 67 years for the Fraternity to install its first 100 chapters. The next 100 chapters were installed in 56 years.
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/ CLOSING CIRCLE /
BY THE NUMBERS First month on the new Sigma Chi Member Hub
202
Discussion threads and responses in All Members community
445
Total communities
3,570 15
Different countries outside of U.S. and Canada people are logging in from
175
Daily average users
Friend requests sent
43
Events hosted in November
2,962 Unique logins in November
*From Nov. 1-Dec. 1, 2025 60 THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI / spring 2026
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/ FOUNDATION FOCUS /
FROM THE SIGMA CHI FOUNDATION CAPITAL CAMPAIGN UPDATE
HARPENAU COMMITS $3 MILLION TO SUPPORT FUTURE EPSILON ZETA HOUSE AND BELL CHAPTER ENDOWMENT The Sigma Chi Foundation is pleased to announce that Rick Harpenau, FLORIDA STATE 1980, made a $3 million commitment in support of the Epsilon Zeta chapter at Florida State University as part of Sigma Chi’s annual Giving Tuesday effort. Brother Harpenau’s leadership gift includes a $2.5 million commitment establishing the Richard J. Harpenau Epsilon Zeta Educational Space Fund, intended to help catalyze momentum toward the development of a future chapter house designed to accommodate 40 to 50 undergraduate brothers. An additional $500,000 establishes the Harpenau Family Epsilon Zeta Thomas Cowan Bell Chapter Endowment, a Gold-level Bell Chapter fund that will provide academic scholarships and transformational leadership development benefits for Epsilon Zeta brothers in perpetuity. “When I was an undergraduate at Florida State, I lived in our chapter house on West College Avenue for three years and served as house manager,” says Harpenau. “That experience shaped me in profoundly positive ways and instilled a lifelong commitment to ensuring future Epsilon Zeta initiates have the same opportunity I was fortunate to enjoy.” Harpenau notes that his investment reflects a belief that the chapter deserves facilities and resources that match the caliber of its membership. “Our chapter deserves a home that reflects the men who join it,” he says. “My hope is this commitment will unite alumni around a shared vision for a future house while also strengthening the Bell Chapter Fund as a lasting source of scholarships and leadership development for our undergraduates.” Harpenau chose to make the announcement during Giving Tuesday to encourage broader alumni participation. “Sigma Chi has shaped my life in profound ways,” he says. “I hoped brothers across North America (would) remember their own undergraduate experiences and consider supporting their home chapters or the Foundation’s Annual Fund. Together, we (could) build something that lasts for generations.” Sigma Chi Foundation President Michael Greenberg, ILLINOIS WESLEYAN 1982, calls the commitment a transformational moment for the chapter. “Brother Rick Harpenau’s remarkable gift represents a significant investment in the future of Epsilon Zeta,” Greenberg says. “Through his generosity, future brothers will benefit from enduring academic scholarships, leadership development opportunities and the promise of an educational space designed to help them excel. We are deeply grateful for his vision and commitment.” 62 THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI / spring 2026
EDUCATIONAL SPACE EFFORTS
Oklahoma State Alumni Rally Behind Educational Space Significant Sig Dennis Reilley, OKLAHOMA STATE 1975, former chairman, president and CEO of Praxair and vice chairman of Air Products, provided a $960,177 leadership gift supporting the Gamma Delta Chapter Educational Space Fund in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Additional leadership gifts included an anonymous $200,000 contribution, $125,000 from Significant Sig Roger Helms, OKLAHOMA STATE 1986, founder and CEO of HelmsBriscoe, and $100,000 from Significant Sig Ed Raschen, OKLAHOMA STATE 1991.
Texas Tech Alumni Back Chapter Effort Jeffrey D. York, TEXAS TECH 1989, chief sales officer of Paycom, contributed $304,291 toward the Epsilon Nu Chapter Educational Space Fund. Brothers Thomas Stroh, TEXAS TECH 1990, and Paul Horton, TEXAS TECH 1972, further strengthened the effort with $100,000 commitments each.
Harvard Alumni Invest in Kappa Eta Significant Sig Hadi Partovi, HARVARD 1994, CEO of Code.org, and Joshua Isner, HARVARD 2009, president of Axon, each committed $100,000 supporting educational space enhancements for the Kappa Eta chapter at Harvard.
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN UPDATE
SHAPIRO, JONES LEAD IOWA COMMITMENT Significant Sig Mark Shapiro, IOWA 1992, pledged $750,000 to advance the Alpha Eta chapter through the Thomas Cowan Bell Chapter Challenge, elevating Iowa beyond a platinum-level endowment and positioning the chapter to ultimately reach Founderslevel support. In recognition of his leadership generosity, the initiative has been named the Mark S. Shapiro Alpha Eta Bell Chapter Endowment. Shapiro serves as president and chief operating officer of TKO Holdings, parent company of UFC, WWE, Professional Bull Riders and IMG, and previously held executive leadership roles with Six Flags, Dick Clark Productions and WME-IMG. Significant Sig Jerry Jones, IOWA 1963, reinforced the Alpha Eta effort with a $125,000 commitment, further accelerating alumni momentum behind the chapter’s campaign.
Fields Establishes Murray State Endowment Significant Sig Arthur Fields, MURRAY STATE 1966, chairman of Charlotte-based real estate investment firm Faison, ledged a $500,000 estate gift to establish the Arthur Fields Epsilon Tau Bell Chapter Endowment. To inspire additional alumni participation from Murray State Sig alumni and help the chapter reach its initial endowment target, Fields has pledged to match up to $80,000 in cash commitments received towards the fund by June 30.
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/ FOUNDATION FOCUS /
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN UPDATE
LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS
MUIR COMMITMENT EXPANDS FOUNDATION IMPACT, TRANSFORMS RECRUITMENT
Bogan Legacy Shapes LSU’s Future The late Harney “Beau” Bogan Jr., LOUISIANA STATE 1947, who entered the Chapter Eternal in 2018, provided Sigma Chi with a $1 million estate gift received in late 2025. Through his generosity, the Gamma Iota chapter achieved a platinum-level Bell Chapter endowment while also strengthening support for Sigma Chi’s broader mission through an additional Annual Fund contribution.
Sigma Chi Foundation Chairman, Order of Constantine Sig and Significant Sig Jeff Muir, GEORGIA 1971, pledged $650,000 in cash commitments supporting several Foundation priorities, including the newly named Jeffrey S. Muir Mission 365 Character-Based Recruitment Micro-Certificate, the Delta Chapter Bell Chapter Endowment at Georgia, matching support for Giving Tuesday initiatives, and the William Foster Scholarship Fund. Founder and partner of Fulcrum Equity Partners, Muir has also established a separate legacy commitment that will further strengthen Sigma Chi’s future impact through planned giving.
Moiso Estate Gift Benefits Arizona An estate commitment from James Moiso, ARIZONA 1963, provided $100,000 supporting the Beta Phi Bell Chapter effort at the University of Arizona. ANNUAL FUND
Zolotar, Edwards Invest in Greatest Need
Greg Zolotar, CALIFORNIA-SAN DIEGO 1994, pledged $100,000 supporting Sigma Chi’s greatest need through the Annual Fund. Zolotar serves as president of Triton Financial, a California-based business and tax consulting firm. Additionally, Harrison Edwards, TENNESSEE– KNOXVILLE 1956, who entered Chapter Eternal in 2024, made a lasting impact through a legacy gift of $122,848 received on Giving Tuesday. His generosity helped Sigma Chi surpass its single-day Annual Fund giving record during the interfraternal competition.
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CAPITAL CAMPAIGN UPDATE
Bell Chapter Support Accelerates Nationwide Momentum Across North America, Sigma Chi alumni leaders continue to invest in the future of the Fraternity through transformational commitments supporting undergraduate experiences, chapter facilities and missiondriven initiatives. Recent major gifts reflect growing momentum behind the Foundation’s historic $85 million capital campaign — the largest in the Greek-letter world — strengthening chapters today while building enduring resources for generations to come.
FOUNDATION REMEMBERS GOVERNORS EMERITUS BLESSING, DURHAM, JOSEPH AND WALSH
T
he Sigma Chi Foundation mourns the passing of four distinguished Governors Emeritus whose leadership, generosity and lifelong devotion strengthened the Fraternity and its educational mission: Significant Sig Dr. Daniel Walsh, SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 1971; 56th Grand Consul, Order of Constantine Sig and Significant Sig Robert E. “Bob” Joseph, WILLAMETTE 1957; Order of Constantine Sig and Significant Sig Henry Durham, KENTUCKY 1953; and Order of Constantine Sig and Significant Sig Edward W. Blessing, SAN DIEGO STATE 1960. Dr. Walsh served on the Foundation Board of Governors from 2012 through 2023, including as chairman of the Grants and Scholarships Committee. A longtime physician, medical executive and retired U.S. Navy captain, he devoted both his professional and fraternal life to service. A former Buckby Medical Scholarship recipient himself, Walsh paid that opportunity forward as lead donor of the Sigma Chi Medical Scholarship and co-founder of the Sigma Chi Military Service Scholarship, initiatives that have supported more than 250 undergraduate and graduate brothers pursuing careers in medicine and military service. Brother Joseph joined the Foundation Board of Governors in 2002 and served for more than two decades, providing steady leadership during a period of unprecedented growth in scholarship and leadership development support. His broader service to Sigma Chi included roles as the Fraternity’s 56th Grand Consul, Grand Trustee and chairman of the Risk Management Foundation Board of Directors. Widely respected for his mentorship and counsel, Joseph’s influence extended across generations of brothers and volunteers throughout North America. Brother Durham dedicated more than a half century to advancing Sigma Chi’s mission as a volunteer leader, mentor and advocate for undergraduate success. Initiated at Kentucky in 1951, he later helped establish the Kappa Gamma chapter at Western Carolina University and served more than 15 years on the Foundation Board of Governors, chairing both the Scholarship & Education and Property Committees. His enduring legacy includes the countless young men he mentored and the scholarship opportunities he helped create. Brother Blessing served Sigma Chi in numerous volunteer roles at both the local and international levels, while also paying it forward as a Founders Circle Sig through generous support of the Horizons Endowment Fund and the Fraternity’s greatest needs through the Annual Fund. In 2009, he joined the Sigma Chi Foundation Board of Governors, contributing to the Development, Governance and Grants Committees. He also served four terms on the Significant Sig Selection Committee and one year on the Sigma Chi Leadership Institute Board of Directors. The Sigma Chi Foundation extends its deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of Brothers Walsh, Joseph, Durham and Blessing. Their leadership, generosity and commitment to preparing future generations of Sigma Chi brothers will continue to shape the Fraternity for years to come.
Order of Constantine Sig and Significant Sig Henry Durham, KENTUCKY 1953
56th Grand Consul Robert E. “Bob” Joseph, WILLAMETTE 1957
Significant Sig Dr. Daniel Walsh, SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 1971
Order of Constantine Sig and Significant Sig Edward Blessing, SAN DIEGO STATE 1960
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/ THE TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADER PROGRAM /
BY JIM COGDAL, BRADLEY 2003 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SIGMA CHI LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE //////
PREPARATION FOR A NEW BROTHERHOOD How Sigma Chi’s flagship pledge program is rewriting itself for the next decade
O Undergraduate brothers are pictured listening to a speaker at the Krach Transformational Leaders Workshop.
66 THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI / spring 2026
n a Sunday night in early spring, a group of nervous new members file into a chapter house basement that looks like a hundred others across the continent: a couple dozen dining room chairs in a half-circle, a TV pushed against a wall, worn composite photos staring down from a different era. The agenda, led by the Magister, for the meeting is familiar — we’re going to walk through the week’s Preparation for Brotherhood (P4B) PowerPoint lesson, discuss a few reflection questions, go over the nightly activity from the past week. Ten years ago, this scene would have been cutting-edge for Sigma Chi. Preparation for Brotherhood was designed as a five-week, values-centered answer to a simple but urgent question: How do we prepare men for lifelong brotherhood without opening a door for hazing and complete independence that once defined the pledge period? It has since become the Fraternity’s standard, shaping thousands of new members.
Grand Consul Ryan Temby, RUTGERS 1990
Aiden Crossan, RIT 2028
But on today’s campuses, expectations for learning are higher, and students are more digitally fluent than ever – the same scene week after week feels a little behind the times. “P4B was a massive leap forward when it launched,” says 74th Grand Consul Ryan Temby, RUTGERS 1990. “But the world our guys live in now is different than it was in 2015. If we want the program to keep working, it has to evolve with them.” As the program approaches its 10-year milestone, Sigma Chi is preparing to do just. The next iteration of Preparation for Brotherhood is being reimagined around three core needs: more meaningful touchpoints between active members and pledges, a major upgrade in the way pledge meetings are facilitated for Sigma Chi’s Magisters, and a recalibration of experiential activities and pledge class projects across the five-week arc. To achieve direction for the refresh of the program, Sigma Chi International Fraternity Headquarters, led by the P4B Committee, developed and deployed a survey to all Magisters and Consuls to obtain their insights on the program’s strengths and growth opportunities. The feedback gained from our undergraduate brothers made it clear: Now is the time to upgrade. The goal isn’t to tear down what works. It’s to take a good, reliable program and make it unmistakably contemporary, relevant and transformative. A DECADE OF PREPERATION When Preparation for Brotherhood first rolled out, it represented a philosophical shift away from passive indoctrination and toward active learning. By 2018, P4B’s five weeks focused on a different value and Founder — complete with a Ritual Bridge week that led to initiation. The underpinning of the entire experience was the selfreflection, connections with their Big Brother and other active chapter members, and a consistent understanding of Sigma Chi heritage and history. For many chapters, P4B was the first time new member education had a common structure and language across the Fraternity. The P4B facilitator guides gave Magisters a playbook. Activities were built to reduce risk, eliminate hazing and offer a healthier path to brotherhood. Alumni and volunteers could finally see, on paper, what was supposed to happen in these five weeks. New members reported deeper understanding of Sigma Chi’s core values. Chapters
Kevin Kirwan, ALABAMA-BIRMINGHAM 2026
that embraced the program often saw fewer disciplinary issues, more engaged pledge classes, and a sharper sense of purpose around initiation. Preparation for Brotherhood did what it was designed to do: Raise the floor. “P4B is known in the Greek-letter world as a gold standard program, but it’s 10 years old,” says Asher Kalef, CAL. STATE-SAN BERNARDINO 2011. “Our undergraduate brothers have changed. The world has changed. The way we learn and absorb information has changed. To keep our program state of the art, it was time for a refresh.” THE CAMPUS HAS CHANGED — STUDENTS HAVE, TOO Kalef, a longtime Grand Praetor of the Southern California province and Executive Committee member, is tasked with making P4B relevant to today’s Sigma Chi undergraduate generation. He sees today’s new members arrive with different expectations about how they learn and connect. Students today are used to short-form videos and interactive content, not PowerPoint presentations designed for a different generation. Their classes increasingly blend in-person discussion with online modules and high-quality multimedia. Campus conversations around mental health, belonging and inclusion are front and center. Many work jobs or internships, lead other organizations, or juggle packed schedules that leave little patience for inefficient or unstructured time commitments.
"Our undergraduate brothers have changed. The world has changed. The way we learn and absorb information has changed. To keep our program state of the art, it was time for a refresh." -Asher Kalef, CAL. STATE-SAN BERNARDINO 2011 _______________________________________________
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/ THE TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADER PROGRAM /
Undergraduate brothers are pictured walking around the Bowling Green State University campus in Ohio during the Krach Transformational Leaders Workshop.
Today’s new members also live in a time when fraternities are under sharper scrutiny than ever. University administrators, parents and even potential members want proof that fraternity membership is more than social events and nostalgia. They want intentional, outcomes-based education that prepares students for life after college — not just for the week of initiation. In that environment, a once-a-week meeting driven by a PowerPoint and facilitator notes misses their learning style – even when the content is values-driven. If new member education wants to compete for attention with Netflix, TikTok and a full course load, it has to look and feel like something designed for this generation of learners. “There were also some core pieces of Sigma Chi curriculum and history that got lost along the way,” Kalef says. “The goal of this refreshed P4B is to maintain the gold standard by modernizing the content, and meeting our undergraduates needs while holding true to our heritage and values. … Oh, and making it fun! Learning has to be fun.” INCREASING CONNΣXTIONS, INCREASING BROTHERHOOD Perhaps the most significant shift in refreshing the pledge program is the reinforcement that brotherhood should be built in those critical five weeks of onboarding to Sigma Chi – and that the chapter brothers should be the orientation leaders. Traditionally, many chapters have treated new member education as a single weekly meeting plus occasional activities and sparse touchpoints with the active chapter, as allowed by the P4B guidelines. Today, though, the former process can unintentionally send the message that brotherhood is something you “go to” for 90 minutes rather than a lived, daily relationship. An enhanced ConnΣXtions process that includes a kickoff event at the beginning of pledging will provide a welcoming environment that continues with the Big Brother Ceremony now in Week 2 instead of Week 1. This will allow new members to meet the active chapter and begin relationship-building discussions that end with a more informed Big Brother-Little Brother pairing. “Without a more robust ConnΣXtions process, there will continue to be a barrier between new members and the active chapter, even despite the Ceremonies of Initiation being a major event that brings all chapter members together,” Temby says. “We can do a better job of connecting our pledges into the chapter in a values-based way.”
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5 Reasons Why Every Pledge Educator Must Be at Krach TLW This Summer When an organization of Sigma Chi’s size rolls out a refreshed pledge education program, the success or failure of that effort rests squarely on one role: the Magister. No officer has greater influence on the daily experience, development and perception of the Fraternity for pledges. For that reason alone, attending this summer’s Krach Transformational Leaders Workshop is required for Magisters because it is essential to ready them for the new era of Preparation for Brotherhood (P4B). Below are the key reasons why every Magister must be present, engaged and prepared to lead.
1
Alignment with the Fraternity’s Vision and Standards
A refreshed P4B is more than updated content. It reflects a recalibration of standards, expectations and educational philosophy. Krach TLW will provide the context behind the changes — why certain components were strengthened, why others were removed and how the new structure aligns with contemporary collegiate standards and generational learning styles. Without that alignment, our chapters risk defaulting to legacy habits. A Magister who attends workshop understands not only what to do, but why it matters. That alignment protects the integrity of the program and ensures consistency across chapters internationally. P4B Chairman Asher Kalef, CAL. STATE-SAN BERNARDINO 2011, believes that the new P4B and workshop experience will blend naturally together to become a training ground for Transformational Magisters to teach the new program for the foreseeable future. “I am excited to show our undergraduate and alumni brothers the new program this summer and maintain Sigma Chi’s place with the benchmark pledge program in the Greek-letter world,” Kalef says.
2
Clear Definition of the Magister’s Role
Too often, Magisters inherit outdated binders, anecdotes and traditions without clear role clarity from their predecessors. Krach TLW will work with the new officer training program, TransfORM, to provide something far more powerful: an explicit definition of the Magister as a facilitator, mentor and culture architect — not merely a scheduler of meetings and translator of knowledge. The refreshed Magister track emphasizes: • Structured facilitation over lecture-style delivery • Adaptive Leadership competencies that focus on facilitating change, building trust and communication, and navigating conflict within a chapter or pledge class • Experiential learning rather than passive instruction • Critical roles and responsibilities of a Magister through pre-workshop TransfORM eLearning When Magisters see themselves as facilitators of transformation rather than managers of tasks, the tone of the entire Sigma Chi pledge program experience changes. “It would be great to see all Magisters go to Krach TLW,” says Aiden Crossan, RIT 2028, who serves as an undergraduate representative on the P4B committee. “As a former Magister in my chapter, I learned a lot at Krach TLW last year, and I was excited to apply it to my position in my chapter.”
3
Comprehension of Facilitation Skills
Leadership is not transmitted through PowerPoint slides. It is cultivated through dialogue, reflection, and guided practice with well-trained facilitators. This is the main reason why Sigma Chi charged Sigma Chi Leadership Institute to develop the Sigma
Chi Facilitator Academy, which not only develops alumni, but also, for the first time ever in-person, undergraduate officers. Sigma Chi Facilitator Academy courses will be used to level-up our Magisters in facilitation skills and practices. At this Krach TLW, Magisters will learn and practice: • How to lead high-quality discussions • How to manage group dynamics • How to ask questions that drive critical thinking • How to redirect inappropriate behavior in the moment • How to balance accountability with mentorship These skills cannot be absorbed through email updates, word-of-mouth or written manuals. They require modeling, rehearsal and peer feedback — exactly what workshop provides.
4
Confidence in Delivering the Refreshed P4B Program
Rolling out any program internationally without proper training creates uncertainty. Uncertainty leads to improvisation. Improvisation leads to inconsistency. When Magisters attend this Krach TLW, they leave with: • A clear five-week roadmap for a rejuvenated P4B • Understanding of each meeting’s objectives, functions and features • Familiarity with docuseries new videos, discussion prompts and experiential components • Tools to manage time, logistics and engagement Confidence is contagious. When the Magister is confident, pledges sense passion and purpose. When purpose exists, culture strengthens.
5
Building Relationships with Magister Peers and Staff
Sigma Chi largest annual leadership workshop, Krach TLW, is more than three days of training with Sigma Chi experts on leadership — it is a network-building opportunity. Magisters will meet: • Magister peers from across the country to discuss key challenges facing their chapters • International volunteers and facilitators who are attending to support and empower them in their roles • Sigma Chi undergraduates across all leadership tracks, all committed to becoming Transformational leaders • Alumni mentors who can serve as ongoing resources at the chapter, provincial and international levels. These relationships provide year-round support for our Magisters. When challenges arise during the semester, the Magister is not operating in isolation. They have a network to consult, benchmark against and learn from in their roles. “Having Magisters attend Krach TLW this year will be a great way for them to not only grow their chapters by learning about the future curriculum and brainstorming ideas with other Magisters, but also allowing them to build connections with other guys from all over the world,” says Kevin Kirwan, ALABAMA-BIRMINGHAM 2026, a past Magister and current undergraduate representative to Sigma Chi Leadership Institute. In a year of change in Sigma Chi, preparation is not a luxury — it is leadership. And leadership begins by being in the room. The Fraternity looks forward to meeting all its Magisters at 2026 Krach TLW!
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/ THE TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADER PROGRAM /
ConnΣXtions will no longer include a cap on weekly meetings between pledges and active members; however, these conversations are encouraged to take place at the chapter house or on campus (and during campus hours). The ConnΣXtions event in the first week of pledgeship will be a dry event that encourages interaction and engagement between the new pledge class and the active chapter. Think of it more like a final chapter recruitment event after all the bids have been accepted. This time, the recruitment is more for Big Brothers than it is for a spot in the chapter. These more frequent touchpoints help new members see brotherhood in 3D, not as an abstract set of principles but as a web of real relationships and responsibilities. They also spread the weight of education across the entire chapter, rather than placing everything on the shoulders of the Magister and the pledges. For active members, this new model is not just another obligation; it is a builtin leadership development opportunity. Brothers practice coaching, listening, and modeling values in real time. And as more members share ownership in the pledge class’s development, the chapter’s culture becomes less dependent on a few officers and more resilient over time. NOW STREAMING: P4B Of course, even with an increase in ConnΣXtions, the five weekly meetings still matter. But to meet modern learning standards, those meetings must feel more like a well-designed workshop and less like a lecture. That’s where the push for highquality video comes in. New to P4B will be a docuseries, like a biopic featured on streaming networks, that will be played at each pledge meeting. The series will add artistic and creative value to the Founding, values and Founders while telling the Oscar-winning story of the Sigma Chi International Fraternity on a platform familiar to its viewers. The potential of this new resource for Magisters to facilitate is massive. The current version of Preparation for Brotherhood relies heavily on PowerPoint slides to facilitate the key learnings each week. The new docuseries will allow Magisters to hit play on a 20-minute episode that sets the emotional tone, then pause to transition into guided questions, small-group breakouts or experiential activities that local leaders adapt to their campus context. Former Magister and current Sigma Chi Leadership Institute undergraduate representative Kevin Kirwan, ALABAMA-BIRMINGHAM 2026, believes the video enhancement will bring a new twist to a chapter’s time-honored traditions. “I feel that the new P4B material will help allow our chapter to have our own local influence on the content,” says Kirwan. “It’s important to have new features to make the program better while maintaining the same values and respect for history that our brothers across the world learn.” High-quality video also provides consistency. Whether a new member is in a historic large chapter or a smaller emerging one, they’re exposed to the same core messages, the same high standards, the same examples of what Sigma Chi brotherhood is supposed to look like. “I’m excited to see the new seven episodes,” says Aiden Crossan, RIT 2028, who is one of three undergraduate representatives on the P4B Committee and a former 70 THE MAGAZINE OF SIGMA CHI / spring 2026
An undergraduate brother flips through the Magister Guide learning materials during the Krach Transformational Leaders Workshop.
Magister at his chapter. “They would help make the meetings more engaging and enjoyable.” TRADITION MEETS INNOVATION At its heart, the push to modernize Preparation for Brotherhood is not about chasing the latest educational trend or wrapping old ideas in prettier packaging. It is about honoring the Fraternity’s timeless values by delivering them in a way that resonates with today’s students. There’s so much more packed into P4B 2.0 as it prepares for a fall 2026 launch. CliftonStrengths for every pledge will be more readily utilized. Structured, Strengthsbased pledge projects will be re-imagined through the week. The nightly activities will receive greater alignment leading up to the Ceremonies of Initiation, and more development and upgrades will continue to happen so P4B never stales. The Seven Founders of Sigma Chi never saw a group chat, a streaming video or a five-week facilitation guide. But they did understand something enduring: that brotherhood must be intentional, cultivated through connection and lived out in community. In that sense, the program’s redesign is less a departure from tradition than a return to it — filtered through the realities of contemporary campus life. In the end, the measure of success won’t be the production quality of a video or the cleverness of a pledge project. It will be the kind of men who emerge from those five weeks — men who understand that Sigma Chi brotherhood is not a title you earn at initiation, but a commitment you renew every day. And if the next decade of Preparation for Brotherhood can help them make that shift, then the program’s second act may be even more powerful than its first.
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