Sigma Phi Delta - University of Illinois

2 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS Ross Talbot In memory of Jim Callahan Hubert C. Edfors '57 James N. Blecker '66 Gary J. Gross '68 Kenneth L. Jerina '68 Fred D. MacMurdo '68 William J. Broersma '82 John C. LaDue '85 Eric P. Messerschmidt '86 Andrew S. Hill, P.E. '88 Burt Andrew Wagner III '93 In memory of David L. Oitker Christopher M. Newman '95 Aaron J. Brown '98 Brian J. Cleereman '01 Paulo Llanes '12 Jacob Anderson '20 We have such an amazing group of brothers, and there is no reason we cannot hit the $1 million goal. You could be the brother that gets us over the edge! To do so, contribute online at tinyurl.com/ DeltaChapterCampaign. You may also contact Mike Rohan '93 (mprohan@ comcast.net) or Don Buckner '89 (don@donbuckner.com) directly about making a contribution. Campaign Status At-a-Glance As of April 1, 2021 W hile the bulk of our campaign ended in 2020, your support to reach our goal is still much needed and certainly welcome. We are just under $30,000 from reaching the $1 million mark. Thank you to the following donors who have made new gifts to the cam- paign since the start of the new year. Campaign goal $1 million ToTal CommiTmenTs $971,250 ToTal ConTribuTors 135 mailable alumni 526 parTiCipaTion 26% A s the alumni active relations chairman on Delta Chapter's alumni board, Danny McGovern '15 has developed a deep appreciation for everything that the chapter's alumni have done to help Sigma Phi Delta shine at the University of Illinois. Danny is thankful for the leadership skills and friendships that he gained as a Delta Chapter undergraduate and is passionate about young men having the same opportunities to reap the rewards of the ΣΦΔ experience at U of I for years to come. That all made it an easy decision for Danny to give to The Castle Renovation: Engineering the Future of Sigma Phi Delta capital campaign. "I really enjoyed being at the house and the camaraderie that came with being there," Danny said. "Now that I'm out of law school and into a legal position and have the means to give back, I felt like it was something that I wanted to give to, especially being on the alumni board and seeing all the work that was put into getting us to where we are. I wanted to contribute to that and say that I had a part in it." Getting to know brothers who have gone into the engineering profession and patent law profession has had a significant impact on Danny. Along with passing the Illinois and Missouri bar exams, Danny has enjoyed his first year of working in patent prosecution as an associate attorney at Stinson LLP in St. Louis. He hasn't had any problems settling into St. Louis thanks to the support he's received from his Delta Chapter brothers. "The people that I've met within Sigma Phi Delta have become some of my closest friends," Danny said. "I recently moved into a building right next to Brady Hill '15. Without even asking him, he volunteered to help move me in when I got into town." Many of Danny's favorite ΣΦΔ memories involve trips that he's been on with his brothers. He's attended two General Conventions—one as an undergraduate and one as an alumnus. Some of his other favorite trips have been to other ΣΦΔ colonies or chapters to celebrate their colonization or chartering. Danny remains committed to helping Delta Chapter be a premier example for other ΣΦΔ chapters and other fraternities to follow as a member of the alumni board. "Helping develop the interplay between the alumni and the active chapter after having just experienced the active side of things and seeing what the alumni side of things [is like] is really fun," Danny said. "I definitely enjoy my position right now on the advisory board. I've had aspirations to move higher up on the Delta alumni board or possibly move on to a position with the International Fraternity Supreme Council at some point." Danny is hopeful that other Delta Chapter alumni will realize how much their ΣΦΔ experience has shaped their lives. He believes that giving to the capital campaign is the perfect way to ensure that the chapter house can be a place where Delta Chapter collegians can thrive in their many endeavors. "To see the chapter house revitalized and to go from what we all can agree was a rundown state into something that can be really special is something that's worthwhile," Danny said. "It's also something that we as alumni should want to go back to and be proud of going forward." You can connect with Danny at dmcgovern88@gmail.com. THE DESIRE TO GIVE BACK TO DELTA CHAPTER Danny McGovern '15 Shares How He's Benefitted from His ΣΦΔ Experience Danny McGovern '15, Anthony Valente '16, Kit Schofield '18, Brody Schofield '17, and Louis Pukelis '15 enjoy a beautiful day of baseball at Wrigley Field. Brady Hill '15, Danny McGovern '15, and Louis Pukelis '15 cheer on the Illini.

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