Sigma Chi - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

DELTA PSI CHAPTER OF SIGMA CHI FRATERNITY AT RPI SPRING 2022 I n honor of Father's Day, we're featuring a few father/son legacy pairs. These men followed in their father's footsteps, not just attending Rensselaer, but also joining Sigma Chi as well. Learn more about their backstories! Jim O'Brien '85 and Connor O'Brien '22 Jim always told Connor that Sigma Chi Delta Psi was strict in its weekly Bible Study, but the many occasions when Jim and his fraternity brothers got together had Connor questioning that. Connor grew up seeing his father reunite annually with five of his closest brothers around the country. Jim would also talk about all the valuable skills he learned at the house, from interacting with others in a group setting to simply managing a household. So when Connor arrived at RPI, he wanted to take a look at Sigma Chi to see what it was all about. At the Meet the Greeks event, Connor really connected with the current brothers. His dad had often spoken about the importance of finding a group of men he fit in with and enjoyed being around, and Sigma Chi clicked with Connor right away. While his experience has certainly varied dramatically from Jim's time at the fraternity (thanks, COVID-19), he has likewise made cherished friendships and lifelong memories. Glen Casel '92 and Brian Casel '17 Growing up, Brian saw that his father, Glen, was an active RPI and Sigma Chi alumnus. Glen took the time to attend events and retained his friendships with his brothers. Brian's uncle was in Sigma Chi as well, and many of his friends were part of the fraternity. When Brian chose RPI due to its football, academics, and Navy ROTC, Glen encouraged him to check out the fraternity. ROTC and football took up most of Brian's time, but when he finally went to an event toward the end of recruitment, he felt it was a place he could belong. Brian and Glen were both pleasantly surprised at the opportunities Sigma Chi afforded. Glen says that Brian was always level-headed, smart, and thoughtful, so Glen wasn't worried about the maturity aspect of college. Instead, Sigma Chi gave Brian the chance to develop leadership skills by managing events and issues at the house and developing his interpersonal abilities. Brian mentioned that, after the rebuild, the fraternity was especially focused on academics and participation in the school and outside community—and that appealed to him. Brian, his father, and his uncle share a deeper connection because of their membership in the fraternity. They've made a tradition out of surprising each other at major events. Glen and Brian's uncle came up for his initiation, and his second cousin was also initiated. When Glen was inducted as a Significant Sig, Brian surprised him at the ceremony. He says, "It's nice to be there for each other during these big moments in our lives." Bill Hanson '73 and Mike Hanson '12 Bill says he "definitely put the thumb on the scale" when Mike was deciding which college he wanted to attend. Mike was debating between the University of Minnesota and RPI, and when he asked his dad, Bill suggested that RPI would be a much more intimate experience as a smaller school. The first interaction Mike had with Delta Psi Chapter of Sigma Chi occurred in high school. After a football game, Mike and Bill returned home to find Alan "HJ" Hanbury '74 and Bob "Ruff" Hutnick '71 drinking out on the back porch. Bill hadn't seen them for several years, but they immediately reconnected. Mike got an earful of old stories and was impressed by how his dad seemed to pick up right where he left off with his friends. When Mike arrived at RPI, he knew he wanted to check out Sigma Chi, as he was familiar with it. After perfunctorily looking at some other fraternities, he was thoroughly unimpressed. The group he had fallen in with were all interested in Sigma Chi, and they quickly became pledge brothers together. Like the other father/son pairs, Bill says that initiation was especially moving and emotional. He recalled how, when he was at that point in his life, he had no idea what was ahead. For him, those undergraduate years at the house were some of the best in his life, and he was thrilled that his son would be able to have similar experiences. Bill says, "What Sigma Chi Delta Psi offers is so important for young men going through that stage of life. Mike wouldn't be alone or with a roommate; he had an incredible brotherhood with upperclassmen to look out for him. I knew he'd have a great experience." Jim Manocchi '75 and Alex Manocchi '12 Jim jokes that the fraternity is the only place outside of Appalachia where it's okay for your son to be your brother. While he encouraged Alex to attend Rensselaer for his studies in mechanical engineering, he didn't actively recruit him for Sigma Chi. Alex was familiar with the fraternity because he attended work sessions while in high school. Seeing the bond between his dad and the brothers showed him that a fraternity could be something really special. Alex wanted a similar experience, but he was very hesitant to join Sigma Chi because he wanted to form his own path. The persistent efforts of some of the brothers (shoutout to Nate Murray '11, Adam Weltz '11, and Christian Foster '11) were what convinced him. Prior to joining the fraternity, Alex was shy and reserved. He and his dad both credit Sigma Chi with helping him to open up and giving him the confidence he has today. Like Jim, Alex has remained friends with many of the brothers he went to school with as well as other alumni. He and his dad also have a unique shared experience that creates a special bond that is still important to them. Jim still recalls when he and his big brother Bob Jones '73 put the pin on Alex at initiation. BJ asked if he wanted to say the words that go with it, although he warned Jim he would probably cry. Jim doubted it, but BJ was right. In hoc, Diane Pulvino '10 dianepulvino@gmail.com LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON

• Cover