Sigma Chi - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

2 I met John in the first few days of freshman year, on the soccer field, trying out for the junior varsity team. He was proud of his Oneonta soccer heritage and his yellow Puma sneakers! I remember his smooth defensive style that seemed unhurried while at the same time efficient. He played sweeper back, the last guy defending the goalkeeper. Conversely, given the right situation, the sweeper back can make an attacking run, setting up the front line for a successful strike. The position fit the man, and the man the position. John was a good student. He graduated with a B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering in five years. He went about his studies with quiet efficiency and competence. His discipline allowed him to play sports, participate in house activities, socialize, get adequate sleep, and excel in his schoolwork at the same time. John was highly competitive, always setting goals and working diligently to achieve them. John met the love of his life, Cheryl, a freshman at Russell Sage, early freshman year. They dated through college. Cheryl was our chapter Sweetheart senior year, which sealed the deal. They married following graduation and now have three sons and six grandchildren. John has held many jobs in the data transmission field. He has worked for start- up companies as well as established industry leaders. It takes a special kind of person to work a start-up. Most people do not appreciate the courage to take on the risk of failure, and the strength required to bring a business from concept to reality. John made it happen. It does not surprise me that John was recognized as a 2021 Significant Sig. He is one of those individuals with the right character traits to pursue great ideas and turn them into great things. But to me, he is the same youthful, grinning, quietly enthusiastic guy that I met on the soccer field so many years ago. In hoc, Eric Spalding '78 eric.r.spalding@gmail.com John Ulm '78: From Sweeper to Significant Sig Brother Spalding Profiles John's Beginnings at RPI O ver the summer of 2020, the chapter developed extensive and exhaustive precautions to operate safely during the pandemic. Our plan was recognized as a model for the Hudson Valley Province of Sigma Chi. Despite our safeguards, we knew we might need to deal with a positive diagnosis within the walls of the Pomeroy Chapter House. Through good luck and hard work, we avoided a positive test result for more than 60% of the school year. Then, in March 2021, one brother in the house tested positive. In keeping with our protocols, we immediately placed him into quarantine on the third floor. He had a private bathroom, and the brotherhood delivered meals to his door for two weeks. Thankfully, our aforementioned brother staged a full recovery in less than a week. He completed the last week of his quarantine healthy if a bit lonely. The strong arms of our brotherhood ultimately prevailed, thanks to close undergrad-alumni cooperation and the fast-acting leadership of the undergraduate brothers. In hoc, Nick Osuch '22 Pro Consul nick.osuch@gmail.com Career Highlights • Primary author of the DOCSIS 1.0 specification, which enabled widespread adoption of cable modem technology. • Primary author of the DOCSIS 1.1 Quality of Service specification, which enabled cable operators to support voice services. • Inducted into the Cable TV Pioneers in 2019. • Author of 100+ technical papers. • Holder of 15+ patents. • See John's full bio at https://bit.ly/3o7zeqh. PrePared for CoVId-19, ChaPter enaCted Voluntary QuarantIne

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