Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Connecticut

SPEACONN A PUBLICATION OF SIGMA PHI EPSILON AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT FALL 2019 INSIDE: ALUMNUS SPOTLIGHT 2 LOYAL DONORS 3 ALUMNI NEWS 4, 6 CHAPTER REPORT 6-7 The SigEp @ Alumni Newsletter T his summer, Connecticut Alpha participated in its most exciting, eventful, and rewarding Con- clave to date. Hosted at the Marriott Marquis in Houston, Texas, the 56th Grand Chapter Conclave of Sigma Phi Epsilon took place July 24-28. Every two years, undergraduates, alumni, and volunteers from around the country gather at Conclave to pass national legislation, participate in professional- grade educational and leadership ses- sions, recognize the best chapters and alumni in our fraternity, and celebrate our common bonds as members of the largest fraternal organization in the country. Connecticut Alpha was represented by 12 members of our undergraduate chapter and roughly that many alumni and chapter volunteers. In addition to being one of the largest delegations in our chapter's history, the 2019 Con- clave proved to be one that our chapter will not soon forget. Connecticut Alpha demonstrated a strong presence and involvement throughout the entire weekend. e action began Wednesday night when Conclave attendees gathered for a special celebration of the fraternity's ritual. In a tradition started in 2007, Conclave attendees experience the con- temporary ritual performed side-by- side with the fraternity's original 1907 ritual. Bob Flynn '82, Steve Chaneles '83, and Van Augur '20 all played key roles in the 1907 performance. Ryan Jarnutowski '19 volunteered for the second time on the Conclave fitness team, coordinating Sound Body programming and workouts for Con- clave attendees. As he has done every Conclave since 1997, National Song Chairman Bill Gunn '88 directed the Conclave Chorus (including a dozen UConn members!) in four stellar per- formances over the weekend. Jayson Gilbert '19 had the honor of singing the national anthem at the opening of the Balanced Man Celebration—an honor that he hit out of the park. Later in the Balanced Man Celebra- tion, the Connecticut Alpha delegation erupted with excitement when it was announced that our chapter received the prestigious Buchanan Cup, rec- ognizing Connecticut Alpha as one of the highest performing chapters in the country. is is CT Alpha's fih Bu- chanan Cup, and our first since 1989! Van Augur '20 Elected to National Board of Directors On Saturday morning, Van was elected to a two-year term on the Sigma Phi Epsilon National Board of Directors, the first Connecticut Alpha to achieve this position since Bob Flynn '82 was elected student director at the New (Continued on page 2) CONNECTICUT ALPHA TRIUMPHS IN HOUSTON Chapter Awarded First Buchanan Cup Since 1989 Connecticut Alpha undergraduates and alumni celebrate winning the Buchanan Cup with Grand President Chris Bittman, Colorado '85. By Van Augur '20 and Ed Kaplan '88

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