Sigma Chi - University of Virginia

UNDERGRADUATE BROTHERS HOST SUCCESSFUL RUSH DESPITE COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS Active Chapter Remains Optimistic About Return to Normalcy for Fall Semester The Constantine Sig L ife on the Grounds this year at the University of Virginia has been one for the history books, but not quite in the way we had anticipated when we first returned to Charlottesville in the fall of 2020. From the transition to almost entirely virtual classes to the absence of a fan presence at athletic events to the social isolation of students, the pandemic shook the culture of the University. Similarly, the men of Psi Chapter also saw significant effects on our day- to-day lives, principally characterized by the inability to interact with each other in person, host formal events, or pursue extracurricular endeavors that shape who we are as a Chapter. Nevertheless, our resolve in an ostensibly unconquerable situation outshined the temptation of complacency to which many around us unfortunately succumbed. From daily video call check-ins to activities in small groups to weekend trips with our closest Brothers, we understood the necessity to remain connected and involved in each other's lives in a time of isolation and uncertainty. Rush presented a new set of unique challenges this year in identifying potential new members since many of our larger events were restricted to virtual platforms. We utilized Zoom breakout rooms to meet all rushees during our first Open House event and then met with small groups of rushees in person at IFC-sanctioned facilities off Grounds for fun activities like bowling and Topgolf. Our goal, as always, was centered around identifying individuals who we felt would best represent the qualities that our Chapter and Sigma Chi stand for and those who fit in best with the Brothers in the Chapter. Fortunately, the buy-in from the Brotherhood was huge and we succeeded in initiating 33 well-rounded and like-minded individuals. Rush Chairman Joe Siciliano '21 and Assistant Rush Chairman Jake Hibarger '23 did a phenomenal job organizing events and keeping the energy up throughout Rush. They also created a great video showcasing the beautiful House and the Brotherhood within it. We also finally initiated last year's pledge class. Due to COVID-19, we had some difficulties getting this done. However, we're happy to say last year's group has officially been initiated as Psis. Considering the circumstances of this past year with COVID-19, our Chapter unfortunately couldn't host or pursue many opportunities involving community outreach. We have multiple Brothers who are organizing a smaller version of Derby Days for fall 2021, which historically has been one of the most successful charity fundraising events among Greek life at UVA. We look forward to hopefully hosting a full Derby Days event in spring 2022. We are optimistic that we will continue our tradition of giving to those less fortunate than ourselves within the Charlottesville community! Brother Jacob Levine '21 even found a way to continue his athletic success in his last semester at UVA by winning the Rick Donlan Intramural Award for most outstanding athlete. This award commemorates Brother Rick Donlan '68, who was tragically killed in the Vietnam War. During his time at UVA, Rick was extremely active in intramural athletics and his love for sports resonated throughout the fraternity. While this year did not allow for intramural activities, we feel Jacob's love for sports and the Brotherhood emulates that of Rick. We have remained as close as ever and, once the pandemic is no longer in control of our daily lives, are poised to pick up right where we left off. In other news, the Psi Chapter is proud to have a brand-new addition to the House with new bedrooms. Steve Herbert '68 challenged recent Consuls to pledge money to the new additions and eight of the last 10 consuls raised almost $30,000. The Psi Active Brothers greatly appreciate all you have done for us and any future donations toward reducing the mortgage. In Hoc, Brian Gilday '20 Luke Addington / Great Falls, Va. Mateo Aguiar / McLean, Va. Taylor Aukward / Salisbury, Md. Carter Begley / Boston, Mass. Will Bell / Sewell, N.J. Daniel Burke / Boston, Mass. Bart Bush / Reston, Va. Jay Chadra / Sterling, Va. Joseph Connors / Washington, D.C. Chris Craft / Newport Beach, Va. Chris Daleo / West Hampton Beach, N.Y. Thomas Dillard / McLean, Va. Jamie Garrison / Haymarket, Va. Robert Gerber / McLean, Va. Matthew Hanley / Alexandria, Va. Henry Haywood / Lexington, Va. Pat Hourican / Staten Island, N.Y. Nicolas Jaramillo / Bogota, Colombia Andreas Kamali / Fairfax, Va. Andrew Kim / Great Falls, Va. Patricio Lopez-Guerra / Lima, Peru James Mahoney / Northampton, Va. Juan Marcos / Guayaquil, Ecuador Christian Marinaro / McLean, Va. Adam Martin / Fairfax, Va. Dante Massimo / Manassas, Va. Ishaat Mawla / Lorton, Va. Cabot McTavish / Virginia Beach, Va. Ben Moskowitz / Newton, Mass. Joe Purvis / Vienna, Austria Adam Rogers / Fredericksburg, Va. Ben Stone / McLean, Va. Ritik Verma / Potomac, Md. Jack Carroll / Fairfield, Conn. Brian Gilday / Washington, D.C. Jake Hibarger / Arlington, Va. Neil Malik / Suffolk, Va. Ayush Mayur / Ashburn, Va. CJ Owen / Corvallis, Ore. Santiago Perez / Bogota, Colombia Ryan Post / Poquoson, Va. Noah Schmeisser / Milford, Conn. Harrison Turlington / Los Angeles, Calif. SPRING 2020 NEW MEMBERS (Initiated in 2021 due to COVID-19) SPRING 2021 NEW MEMBERS 6

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