Sigma Pi - Cornell University

Winter 2020 Newsletter

Mu Chapter of Sigma Pi at Cornell University, Educational Foundation

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A s the first member of his family to attend college, studying at a university like Cornell was an amazing experience for Joseph Zanetta '75. After transferring in his junior year, Sigma Pi provided a wonderful way for Joseph to connect with a smaller setting of peers within the larger university. He welcomed the social outlet Sigma Pi offered to balance his ultimate goal of attending law school. As the newest member of the Educational Foundation, Joe has recently reconnected with Sigma Pi. With his background in philanthropy, Joe feels his experience will add value to the Foundation. "I hope to instill a culture of philanthropy within the Foundation and among the brothers—we all have an obligation to provide gifts to organizations that helped develop our character and values," he stated. "It is simple. We need to give back!" Additionally, he hopes to secure supplementary resources and build Mu Chapter's endowment to benefit future generations of Sigma Pis. Joe had a varied and rewarding career in philanthropy, including being CEO of two large health care foundations, working in Cornell development, and serving as vice president at two colleges. He recently retired as CEO of Citrus Valley Health Foundation, a non-profit, integrated community health care system in the San Gabriel Valley, serving one T he Sigma Pi Educational Foundation is proud to have completed its 12th anniversary in 2019. The Foundation is dedicated to funding educational programs for the brothers of Mu Chapter, enhancing the learning infrastructure of the house, supporting programming that benefits the youth of the greater Ithaca community, and providing mentorship and leadership opportunities for the undergraduates. We have accomplished a tremendous amount and I thank all of you who have contributed their time, resources, and financial support to help achieve our goals. The Educational Foundation is part of the legacy that Jim Keene '57, together with Bert Harrop '61, built at Sigma Pi. Jim and Bert envisioned an organization within Mu Chapter that would broaden brothers' experiences, diversify and enhance their academic and non-academic orientation, help improve their leadership skills, and ensure that Sigma Pi brothers would also become more involved in the Ithaca community. Their perspectives help differentiate Sigma Pi and make it the unique fraternity that it is today. The Foundation continues to support its core program, College Mentors for Kids. Nine brothers are participating with Little Buddies in Ithaca schools, with one holding a leadership position in the organization, and two more brothers to take on leadership positions this spring. The Foundation was a significant supporter of the development of the Learning Commons—part of the kitchen and dining project. We are happy to know that brothers are using the enhanced study environment for collaboration and meeting space daily. The new wi-fi is another critical component of recent innovation. Combined with the Richard Cahoon '77 Tech Center, brothers can routinely take advantage of state-of-the-art technology to help them meet their demanding academic requirements. The Foundation has also supported brothers' attendance at various leadership conferences, sponsored educational and career services and onsite speaker conferences, created intern positions for brothers, and supported educationally oriented scholarships. It has been my pleasure to serve as the Foundation's president for the past three-and- a-half years. I thank all alumni and brothers for their support during that time. I also want to thank the Foundation Board of Directors that is growing and is well positioned for the future. We are fortunate that Joe Zanetta '75 will assume the role of president in January 2020. I look forward to working with Joe as we plan for the future. Fraternally, Tom Silver '81 President tsilver10359@yahoo.com (914) 582-1604 winter 2020 S I G M A P I • M U C H A P T E R MU CHAPTER OF SIGMA PI EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION SIGMA PI EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION COMPLETES ITS 12TH YEAR Tom Silver '81 Handing Over President Reins (Continued on page 2) WELCOME, JOSEPH ZANETTA '75 The Newest Member of the Mu Chapter Educational Foundation

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