Sigma Chi - Gettysburg College

2 The BATTLEFIELD SIG ACHIEVING GREATNESS How Sigma Chi Helped Alan Fuerstman '78 Grow I n the 1970's, fraternal life was the main social activity at Gettysburg College. With 80% of men pledging fraternities the same year, Alan Fuerstman '78 knew Sigma Chi was the right choice for him. It was not only about the camaraderie, but also the diversity and sense of community. Alan enjoyed many things about being a part of the brotherhood, and pledge week was especially memorable. He also enjoyed spending time with his brothers at the annual beach party and participating in intramural sports and Derby Days. What really stood out for Alan was the opportunity to do great things. As all Sigma Chi brothers aspire to achieve greatness, that is exactly what Alan strove for as well. Alan is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Montage International. Hotels have always been a part of who he is. He started his hospitality career as a doorman his senior year of high school and worked summers during college as a bellman. Aer college, he started as a bell captain and worked his way up through every department. He learned the ropes and proceeded to run some of the world's greatest hotels, such as e Phoenician resort in Arizona and Bellagio in Las Vegas. "Creating Montage was the culmination of a career in hotels as well as an entrepreneurial spirit that drove me to build a brand and hotel company that redefined ultra-luxury," Alan said. "e extraordinarily gracious and humble approach to luxury service that Montage is known for, and the incredible resorts and hotels that capture the sense of place in each locale have positioned Montage as the top-performing hotel brand in North America." Being in the hospitality business has been very rewarding for Alan; some of his favorite parts have been launching Montage Laguna Beach and creating Pendry Hotels and Resorts with his son, Michael. He is honored that his hotels have received tremendous recognition, such as Montage being the only North America brand to have all its hotels rated five stars by Forbes. It all comes back to Sigma Chi—eta Chapter has always been a key player in his success. "I look back fondly at my college years, and Sigma Chi was a large part of that," Alan said. "Friendships made, experiences shared, and living closely with a group of men from different backgrounds with different perspectives helped shape my thinking and contributed to my personal growth." With many accomplishments under Alan's belt, he is pleased to add the distinction of Significant Sig to the list. "As a pledge, when reading about Significant Sigs like John Wayne, baseball hall of famer Jim Palmer, and hotel icon Bill Marriott, I was in awe to be part of an organization that had them as members," Alan said. "I feel incredibly honored to be recognized by my fraternity for my professional accomplishments and am proud to be a Sigma Chi." Alan has been married to his sweetheart for 40 years. ey have four children, two boys and two girls, and three grandchildren. He enjoys traveling, playing golf and tennis, and music. He even plays in a band with his sons! To hear more about Alan's journey, please visit www.thefounderhour.com/ episodes/alan-fuerstman-montage-international. Michael Baehre '24 Clarence, N.Y. Colton Bayesa '23 Camp Hill, Pa. Sam DeBrandt '24 Kensington, Md. David Goldman '24 Cortlandt Manor, N.Y. Andrew "Hayden" Johnson '24* Richmond, Va. (Laverne Johnson, Gamma Tau '52) Alexander Kagan '24 Guilford, Conn. Malcolm Lathrop-Allen '24 Topeka, Kan. Harrison Moore '23 Elizabeth City, N.C. Teague Olewiler '24 Lewes, Del. Ben Rose '24 Ridgewood, N.J. Anthony Sanchez '24 Brooklyn, N.Y. Declan Sheeran '24 McLean, Va. Logan Sodl '24 Stroudsburg, Pa. Daniel Soloway '24 Setauket, N.Y. Hunter Sundlun '24 Richmond, Va. Conor Vienneau '24 Laplata, Md. *Legacy In honor of Max Gruver, Sigma Chi Theta takes part in National Hazing Prevention Week. The chapter participated in "These Hands Don't Haze" in September 2021. Brothers of Sigma Chi and Sisters of Alpha Delta Pi came together to spread awareness and stand against hazing. WELCOME, NEW THETA BROTHERS

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