Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Connecticut

PAGE 2 SPEACONN J oseph Langella '83 came to UConn from Hamden, Conn. He was a late bloomer, joining SigEp the second semester of his sophomore year. But Joe knew he wanted to get more out of his college experience than just hanging out in his dorm room and going home on weekends. Joe shares, "Joining SigEp was a great experience and one of the most fortunate things that has ever happened to me." As recruitment chairman in his junior year, Joe was able to get to know the new brothers "one- on-one" and that helped him forge a special bond with all his brothers. From the very beginning of his time in SigEp, Joe recalls, "e camaraderie we enjoyed was very strong—and still is." He remembers, "Some of the best times we had were working together toward accomplishing the same goal— raising money for a charity, participating in Homecoming, playing intramural sports or just enjoying each other's company." Aer graduating, Joe stepped in to the role of Regional Director with SigEp. Joe credits his chapter and Regional Director experience with helping him develop skills that he uses to this day in the varied sales career he's had. With his "SigEp wisdom," Joe learned that professionally, a person's success largely depends on how they treat people. Joe's passion for SigEp has been decades in the making. "My time as a SigEp undergraduate and HQ staff member opened a lot of doors for me and the lifelong friends I've made in SigEp have given me a very rich life." Joe has been paying it forward for SigEp for most of his life—and when it came time to go to bat for CT Alpha, Joe was there. "Given my experience and position in the fraternity, I was in a good position to help petition the school for our recent return to campus. I felt I owed it to all of our alumni brothers to have a chapter and house to come home to." Joe does wish he could snap his fingers and have CT Alpha's beloved home at 9 Gilbert Road reappear, but he recognizes that now is the time for all CT Alpha brothers to work together toward solidifying CT Alpha's future. To reconnect with Joe, reach out to him at jwlangella@logancapital.com. A ndy Kelly, University of Arkansas '00 serves as chapter counselor for CT Al- pha. He joined SigEp at the University of Arkansas aer bumping into a national offi- cer near his dorm room. "Aer we got to talking, he mentioned I may be interested in SigEp and described the Balanced Man program." To Andy, his idea of what a fraternity should be aligned with the SigEp program. Andy was a founding father to the recolonizing AR Alpha chapter be- fore graduating in 2000 with a B.S. in electrical engineering. Andy served in the Air Force for 11 years be- fore separating from active duty with the rank of major and transitioned to his service to the Air National Guard. Aer earning his master's in en- gineering management in 2009, with a certifica- tion in project management, Andy and his family settled on their farm in Connecticut. He began working for the University of Connecticut and currently is the associate director of operations and distribution. "I have many students working in my office. One day I saw a student with a SigEp shirt on and mentioned I was a SigEp too." He was surprised to find he worked with many CT Alphas in his very office. "I was then approached to serve as faculty/staff advisor and in 2018 accepted the role of chapter counselor." "It feels good to be involved with men that are just start- ing off in their collegiate and career paths. I see SigEp as an incubator for growth in interpersonal com- munication, organization, and time manage- ment." Andy's philosophy when working with the undergraduates is to let them learn through missteps or errors. "Allowing for failure lets them grow and take ownership of their own paths." Andy has to juggle a few balls in his life to be able to help the young CT Alpha foster an environ- ment of maximum growth for the members. First and foremost is his family; Andy and his wife Giving Back to My Fraternity Why Joseph Langella '83 Gives Back to CT Alpha Joe was honored as a Distinguished Alum- nus in 2008, and, in 2016, was an inaugural recipient of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Exempla- ry Service Award, which recognizes SigEp volunteers who have tirelessly served the Fraternity and modeled the way for others for at least 20 years. have two very active daugh- ters. ey own about four acres of land that is home to chickens, pigs, and turkeys. And with a full-time job at UConn, Andy still serves his country with his Air National Guard commitments (as Lt. Colonel). With keeping a tight sched- ule, Andy makes time to at- tend most chapter meetings. Andy is aware of how pivotal collegiate years in a young man's life can be. "My undergraduate years were especially rewarding for me through SigEp. I lacked social and other life skills that I was able to learn through my interactions at the chapter house and the Balanced Man Program. Diversity cultivated growth in areas I lacked and built my foundation while surrounded by a group of dy- namic men." He is proud to be witness to the cali- ber of men and the incredible rise in GPA. Andy can be reached at andy.kelly@uconn.edu. A Connecticut Family Farmer Backs Our Undergraduates Andy Kelly, University of Arkansas '00 Dedicates His Time

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