Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Colorado

C hris Gassman '04 will tell you he joined Sigma Phi Epsilon "for all the right reasons, but in all the wrong ways." At a time of the chapter's recolonization, Chris approached the benefits of joining as bullet points on his resume and was excited about how the experience could help him professionally in the future. "Over the course of my undergraduate experience, I began to think about the experience behind those bullet points and about the journey," he said. Chris was a dual major in international affairs and political science with a minor in German and certificate in Central and Eastern European studies. He held a number of leadership positions within Colorado Alpha, including guide, Epsilon Challenge co-coordinator, parliamentarian, Quest to Greece scholar, and facilitator for Carson Leadership Academy, earning him a reputation as a jack of all trades. Chris also holds a MBA/J.D. from the joint degree program between Carnegie Mellon's Tepper School of Business and University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Today he works in management consulting, where, he says, "I help companies do well by doing good." He has focused his career on growing companies sustainably, working with UN Agencies, Fortune 500 companies, and many more. SigEp has been a contributing factor in Chris's career success. "It gave me my first taste of being entrepreneurial within an existing organization…of being intrapreneurial." Being part of the recolonization process offered a great opportunity to build something from the ground up. "This was a chance to start from scratch with an organization that still had a safety net to support it," he said. "It gave me the gist of doing things in the startup mentality. There were some levels of resources, but at the end of the day it was on our shoulders to make it a success." Being a part of the Colorado Alpha recolonization left a lasting impression on Chris. "It was like building a well that we knew we weren't going to be drinking from, but someone who came after would be using. There was a lot of pride in that feeling of building a legacy and being at the ground floor," he said. Chris hopes that undergraduates take advantage of opportunities to sharpen their interpersonal skills. "There are a lot of opportunities and skills that being in SigEp as an undergraduate can help people hone, whatever their skill level is when they start. Regardless of the field that I've been in, technical or artistic or another variety, everyone has highlighted interpersonal skills as what has made them successful." Regardless of an individual's definition of success, whether that be having more time with family or making more money, Chris says the largest contributing factor to achieving that success was interpersonal skills. When things go well, or don't go well in the Chapter, step back and ask why they did and you can do differently next time around in similar situations. Chris enjoys keeping in touch with his brothers from Colorado Alpha and encourages other alumni to stay in touch. "If you felt any sort of connection with different folks and felt the connection to the virtues of Sound Mind and Sound Body—those virtues are still relevant as alumni. SigEp provides an opportunity to hang out with people that get it." Chris pays rent in Manhattan and offices across the U.S., enjoys alpine skiing and loves to travel internationally. You can contact him at Chris.Gassman@SigEpMail.com. The FlaTiron LEAVING A LEGACY Get to Know Your Scholarship Winner Pericles Scholarship Recipient Matthew Wivell '16 Shares His SigEp Experience Chris Gassman '04 Learned Business Lessons from Colorado Alpha T he Pericles Achievement Scholarship is awarded annually to the member who has demonstrated superior achievement in academic pursuits, chapter involvement and leadership, and campus and community activities and projects. The scholarship is based on merit without regard to financial need or other grants, scholarships, stipends or awards received. This scholarship must be used for academic expenses such as tuition, fees, books, equipment, supplies, and room and board. The Pericles Scholarship is intended for a SigEp brother in his junior year, who will be a graduating senior in the coming school year. Matthew Wivell '16 was born and raised in Madison, Connecticut, with a younger brother and sister. He is a senior at the University of Colorado, studying history and military science. His father is also a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, and when Matthew decided he wanted to get more out of his college experience, he went through fraternity recruitment. "I joined SigEp in the spring of my freshman year, and it has been one of the best decisions of my life," he said. In addition to being a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, Matthew is also an Army ROTC cadet and serves in the Colorado National Guard. What does Pericles mean to you? I believe the award recognizes me for assisting in philanthropies, as well as being a leader and a brother that is able to have members look up to and come to me for anything at anytime. How will this scholarship help you in your studies? The money awarded to me will help me cut down the hours I have to work to get through college, so that I can spend more time and efforts in helping SigEp and other activities, such as ROTC, while I am in my senior year of college. How has SigEp helped you become a better man and person? SigEp has assisted me as a young man by giving me good values, as well as enabling opportunities to become a leader, both in and away from the fraternity house. It has also taught me to be a good follower, in SigEp and other student activities. Chris catches up with Darren Legge '07 on an informal reunion hike.

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