Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Connecticut

SPEACONN A PUBLICATION OF SIGMA PHI EPSILON AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT FALL 2022 INSIDE: ED KAPLAN '88 MEMORIAL SERVICE 2 TRAGOS QUEST TO GREECE 3 ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT 4 THANK YOU, LOYAL BROTHERS, FOR YOUR SUPPORT 4 CHAPTER ETERNAL 6 ALUMNI NEWS 7 REFLECTING ON RUCK 8 The SigEp @ Alumni Newsletter I t is an exciting but bittersweet privilege to write to you in our first newsletter since I became president of Connecticut Alpha's Alumni and Volunteer Corporation (AVC) in late 2021. On one hand, I am very pleased that the SPEaconn has returned after a two-year hiatus, and it is an honor to be trusted by Connecticut Alpha's AVC Board of Directors to lead our incredible group of mentors and volunteers. On the other hand, my heart still aches that my predecessor, the late Ed Kaplan '88, is not here to pen this note to you all. By the time you receive this newsletter, it will be just under a year since we learned Brother Kaplan was stricken with cancer, and around 10 months since he passed. His was "a life unfinished," and the whole AVC feels his absence. In the months since his passing, I have worked with several heroic alumni and volunteers to fill Big Ed's shoes. The return of SPEaconn is one of the many fruits of my fellow brothers' sustained efforts. To those of you who have given your time, treasure, and talents over the past year, even if it was just a simple condolence or attending one of our socials, thank you. "The ties of fraternal love are binding and holy"—a Hoop of Steel—and your support over the past months has been a potent reminder of what makes our fraternity so special. Moreover, Ed would be very proud of all the chapter and AVC have accomplished this past year. On the chapter side, it returned to its pre-coronavirus manpower and is achieving the highest chapter GPAs in Connecticut Alpha's history. Over the past four years, three members have participated in SigEp's most selective program, the Tragos Quest to Greece, and a dozen undergraduates went to the Denver Conclave in 2021, where the chapter received its second consecutive Buchanan Cup. On the AVC side, we have grown our active volunteer roster to over 25 members. Of course, there is always more work to be done. As you read through this issue, please consider supporting our mission however you can. We have no shortage of volunteer roles that need filling (both big and small), and our AVC and chapter's operational excellence would not be possible without the generous financial support of our alumni. Be well, and I hope to see many of you at our biannual reunion on September 17. Refer to page 8 for more information on our upcoming biannual reunion. HFF, Van Augur '20 AVC President and Director speaconn@gmail.com The Conclave Chorus at the formal dinner. Our brothers represent Connecticut Alpha at the Denver Conclave in 2021. Brothers enjoy sharing a meal at the Buckhorn Exchange in Denver on Friday night. Connecticut Alpha Remains Strong Thanks to the Dedication of Our Brothers Save the Date 2022 Extravaganza Reunion Wickham Park, Manchester, Conn. Saturday, September 17, 2022. For more information, refer to page 8.

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