Theta Xi - Bradley University

CONNECTED TO THE NETWORK Chip Stone '01 Talks Deep Roots and Staying Involved "When I first encountered Theta Xi, I was looking for a sense of community that I wasn't feeling in the residence halls," Charles "Chip" Stone '01 shared. "I took a semester off in my sophomore year and wasn't sure I'd be coming back to Bradley at all, but knowing I already had a home and community there was a big factor in my decision to return." Chip eagerly pitched in and took on the role of social chairman for a semester. "And while some of the guys from back then might deny it, I was, in fact, president!" The exec board was a source of pride for Chip, as they worked together to maintain the chapter's success and preserve its values. "Alpha Sigma really embraced the self- governance aspect of the Purpose," he said. "We were just a bunch of college men handling the kinds of things some homeowners don't even know how to address on their own! Replacing major systems, making long-term plans to pay off the mortgage, and handling significant remodeling projects were just a few of our tasks. Of course, we also managed to throw a few parties that our classmates thoroughly enjoyed." In 2002, Chip graduated with a degree in computer information systems; he credits Theta Xi with laying the foundation of his career after college. "The chapter couldn't have had a bigger impact if one of the guys had gotten on a steamroller and paved the first mile!" During Chip's tenure on campus, Bradley allowed the Greek houses to use the school's internet if they had the necessary wiring. "That summer, Robert Schmanski '99 and I drove back to Peoria on weekends to wire it all up ourselves, and some might say we overdid it. Bradley sent an employee from the telecommunications office to sign off on our network when we asked to be connected. He took one look and asked, 'Who did this wiring?' Within a few weeks, I had a job working for him." Chip and Kris Kopel '01 also secured a side business installing "XiNet" in some of the other chapter houses over the summer. Good memories from the chapter house are too numerous for Chip to name completely, but some of the highlights include remodeling for and hosting Club Xi, falling off a ladder and landing on the ceiling, seeking late-night wisdom (and painting walls) with Gary Gleespen '01, and talking to Kris Kopel about engagement rings. "After graduation, I thoroughly enjoyed attending Alumni Weekend, revisiting the bar in Jon Kujanski '00 and Dave Jarvas '01's old room (later inherited by Tim Heyen '03 and Keegan McCarten '12), and standing at Tim's side at his wedding." Chip does his best to make it back to campus every Alumni Weekend. "It's always amusing to walk in those doors and have a moment to look at all that's changed and all that's stayed the same," he said. "I'm proud of the work our generation did to make it ours, and I'm happy to see the way succeeding generations have made it theirs!" Chip and his partner, Teresa, live in downtown St. Louis. "We love it here, but we also enjoy traveling and exploring other cities." Teresa works with a bank in LIHTC, while Chip builds breweries and other projects as a controls engineer. "A career worthy of my ΘΞ roots!" Welcome, Welcome, New Members New Members Hunter Bent '27 Elijah Bryant '27 Jacoby Forsgren '27 Jake Goldstein '27 Kahali Griffin '27 Jack Hesser '26 Davis Kinch '27 Santiago Lugo '27 Harvey Newcomb '27 Richard G. Smith '55 and his wife, Pat, are enjoying retirement in Salt Lake City. Especially the mountain views and high altitude. David B. Stephens '59 has 11 great- grandchildren—more than enough to keep him busy and happy, he shares. Email: djstephens2@hotmail.com Spencer Gregg Minor '64 retired in 2000 from his career in the military. His hobbies include woodworking and post-war model trains. Email: sgminor@comcast.net Herbert B. Dubrow '64 finally retired after 55 years of practicing law. Email: hbd2142@yahoo.com Thomas H. Eicher '70 spends his time on family, golf, and British sports cars. Email: tomtr250@comcast.net James A. McDonald III '94 shared, "Our daughter was married June 24 in Temecula, California, at Mount Palomar Winery. It was not just a beautiful wedding but also a great party!" He and his wife continued on to Montana to visit some old friends. They hiked through Glacier National Park and took in a lot of the local history around Missoula, Mt. Email: jmcdonaldiii@comcast.net Peter M. Pirro '96 is entering his 21st year of singing U.S. and Canadian anthems for major league baseball. He now has an MBA from the University of Rochester and is certified as a PMP (project manager) and CCMP (change management professional). His goal is to make it back to the 2026 alumni event, which will be his 30th anniversary. Email: petermpirro@gmail.com "Alpha Sigma Chapter jump-started my career even more than my degree ever could and gave me strong friendships that endure to this day." ALUMNI NEWS ALUMNI NEWS

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