Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Colorado

Page 2 Chris (front) shoots hoops with SigEp at Colorado brothers. Background, from left: Kevin Schmeits '86, John Dapper '87, and Mark Bellows '87. Blast from the past: Chris sports his SigEp shorts in 1984. Furthering Our History Chris Bittman '85 Shares His Experience Growing SigEp "The history of CU and SigEp at Colorado are inextricably linked, and I'm excited to see us return." "I've often said that when I showed up in Boulder as a 19-year-old, I was depriving some village of their idiot," Chris Bittman '85 said. That ended the moment he chose SigEp. "High expectations from my brothers and our alumni helped me grow up and change my trajectory; I'll always be grateful for that." More than 40 years after the magic of being at 1005 Broadway, Chris can still call SigEp brothers his best friends. They've stood in his wedding, been his business partners, and worked with him at the National Fraternity level. Chris was first elected to the SigEp Board of Directors at the centennial Conclave in 2001; he then served as Grand Treasurer from 2003-17, followed by a two-year term as Grand President. He is now a Trustee of the SigEp Educational Foundation. One of Chris's favorite college memories was sitting around with SigEp at Colorado brothers, thinking about their post-CU futures. As SigEp's Director of Expansion, he helped countless founding brothers plot their SigEp futures across 21 new and returning Chapters. "Founding members get to leave their unique mark on SigEp and their school," Chris said. "I've found them to be driven, focused on ensuring that their Chapter would last for generations, and great representatives of our cardinal principles. SigEp and Greek systems will continue to grow and be an example for students—or they will become irrelevant. I don't think there is much middle ground." OUR OPPORTUNITY "Our Chapter has a rich, 100-plus-year history in Boulder. In troubled times, our alumni and volunteers stepped up to ensure SigEp standards would be upheld in the future— even if we had to close the Chapter for a few years." At each emerging Chapter Chris worked with, alumni and volunteer support made a critical difference; he knows the same will be true for SigEp at Colorado. "The history of CU and SigEp at Colorado are inextricably linked, and I'm excited to see us return." "I've been blessed to be able to give back to SigEp—both time and money—and would encourage my SigEp at Colorado brothers to do the same. Outside of raising good kids, supporting SigEp is one of the best ways I know of to change the world." Chris lives in Cherry Hills Village, Colorado, and can be reached at cbittman@bittman.com.

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