Sigma Chi - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

DELTA PSI CHAPTER OF SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY AT RPI 58pinewoods@gmail.com FALL 2019 RELIVING THE BROTHERHOOD John Leroy Pfaff '71 Reflects on Sigma Chi Values and Continued Support I n fall 1967, five men living on the third floor of freshman dorm Cary Hall became friends. Al Lubrano '71 (our newest Significant Sig) was in the talent show during freshman orienta- tion. e show was run by a couple of Sigs, and they invited Al, George Wurm '71, Gary Wood '71, Steve DeMichelle '71, and me to meet the Sigma Chi broth- ers. In a few weeks, we had met every brother at 58 Pinewoods, with formal recruitment not yet started. We checked out all the other fraternities, but they couldn't hold a candle to Sigma Chi. e brothers were a very diverse group, and they were all great guys. e five of us, along with Bill Wurst '71, Ernie Parkin '71, Larry Frey '71, John Golden '71, Bob Hutnick '71, Bob Barnes '71, Bill Crowe '71, and Denny Nelson '71, made up the 1971 Pledge Class and remain lifelong friends. In 1967, 27 brothers resided at the chapter house. Several of the 10 rooms were triples, and there was one quad. All slept in bunks on the open-air third deck (attic). ere were about a dozen apartment brothers. Living at 58 Pinewoods (now the Pomeroy Chapter House) proved to be a great experience. Besides learning to live with each other, we had great pride in the chapter house and keeping it in good order. We learned to be good neighbors, and if anyone on the street needed help, they knew they could depend on men of Sigma Chi. Leaf raking day, the Halloween Haunted House, and Parents Weekend—many of our favorite events—always included inviting our neighbors. It's great to know these events continue today. Typically, twice a month, I drive three hours each way from my home to Troy to participate in Sigma Chi House Corpora- tion business and Alumni Inter-Greek Council (AIGC) meetings and events. Let me assure you, as a retired guy, support- ing our chapter and the Greek system results in some of my most rewarding experiences. I get to relive the brother- hood and practice Sigma Chi values that started for me 52 years ago. So get reconnected with your brothers—come and join me. In hoc, John "Leroy" Pfaff '71 Phi Epsilon Phi House Corporation President johnpfaff3@gmail.com John has been on the Phi Epsilon Phi House Corporation Board since 2013 and President since 2015. He is also an AIGC Board member. Fall 2019 Greek Task Force Update O n April 16, John Pfaff '71 sent us his update on RPI's activity through our email discussion group, listed on page 2 of this newsletter. Please join our discussion group and follow postings from RPI at info.rpi.edu/greek-life-task- force. As of mid-July, their last update was posted on June 25, 2019. Actions included defer recruitment and alcohol policy changes. Actions by RPI have also been monitored by Sigma Chi International (along with several more schools) and the North American Interfraternity Conference. Pfaff 's report ended with this recommendation: "If you are still supporting RPI with your donations, please switch your money to our Pinewoods Educational Foundation." John Pfaff '71, Bob Hutnick '71, and John Golden '71 at the Belmont Stakes.

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