Sigma Chi - University of Texas

Alpha Nu Chapter 2 "Piano Man" Jim Calanni '88 Upholds Alpha Nu's High Standards J im Calanni '88 found Sigma Chi at UT alongside his childhood friend Scott Krist '88. Scott was an Alpha Nu legacy, having a long line of family members come before him (Stanley '56, Ronald '59, Kirk '81, and Kevin '83), so the two decided to join the fraternity together. Alpha Nu was a well- respected Chapter on campus, maintaining positive relationships with UT's sororities, and displaying strong leadership not only the active members, but alumni as well. One alumnus in particular, Audrey Freeman '84, Jim notes as being the most influential during his Sigma Chi tenure. "He seemed to always be there when times were tough and gave you just enough encouragement to keep going, both within the fraternity and school in general." Jim visited Austin on business a few years ago and took his wife, Rebecca, to the house. "Audrey didn't miss a beat, yelling, 'Calanni! Sing us a song, piano man!' He continues to be a wonderful man, friend, and mentor." Jim graduated from UT with a B.S. in biochemistry. He later earned a degree from Western State College of Law in 1994 and started his own consulting business, which he sold to a larger firm in 2000. He has since returned to school, completing his MBA, and is a part-time business intelligence consultant by day, moonlighting as a pianist. "I began playing piano on 6th Street while in Austin at a place called Pete's Dueling Pianos. I also played at the Holiday Inn off Mopac. Poncho Russell enjoyed many dinners when I was a pledge, air playing and singing him songs like 'Feelings' and 'Strangers in the Night' while he dined." Jim has performed around the world and even owns a dueling piano bar in Denver. He also takes the occasional cruise engagement ("If the ports are of interest and the wife agrees to let me go.") Jim's Sigma Chi experience as a new member and an active member stuck with him throughout his professional life. "While we had a very busy pledgeship with the obvious activities required of us, there was always a focus on learning and maintaining our grades in a manner that would best represent the fraternity. Upperclassmen were tough on us, but in a constructive way that I feel we benefitted from. If I had it to do all over again, this is one decision I can honestly say I have no interest in changing. Alpha Nu was a wonderful experience. I met some great friends and made some great memories especially at Bee Creek!" Jim and Rebecca live in Colorado Springs and between the two of them, have nine children (boys ages 14, 25, 26, and 27; girls ages 17, 17, 18, 18, and 30). The two oldest boys graduated from OU ("And have still not been forgiven"), while the others are either pursuing college careers or finishing high school. Their daughters are going to UC Boulder, UC Colorado Springs, and SCAD in Georgia. In his spare time, Jim enjoys cooking and growing organic vegetables in his garden. He is also the secretary and executive board member for non- profit Invisible Disabilities (www.invisibledisabilities.org), legal counsel for a non-profit animal and wildlife sanctuary his family runs in Colorado, and sits as an advisory board member at MD Valuate (www.mdvaluate. com). You can contact Jim at jimmycpiano@gmail.com. Rich Jochetz '80 Reflects on Lessons from Sigma Chi R ich Jochetz '80 had the pleasure of coming to Sigma Chi as a legacy, as his older brother, George '76, had already made his mark on Alpha Nu. Rich, along with several of his good friends from Stratford High School in Houston, and numerous others formed an even tighter bond through their pledgeship, and many are still close today. "We were all proud to be members of Alpha Nu and strove to be the best fraternity on campus by attracting the best young men and always caring about our reputation. I think that carried on for me later in life by always maintaining a sense of pride wherever I worked and always striving to attract the best talent." Rich graduated with a BBA in finance and is now president of Texas Gulf Bank, a $500MM-plus Community bank. "My first job out of college was as a management trainee with Cullen Bank in Houston. I've always been in the banking business with primary emphasis on the lending and management side." Sigma Chi taught Rich how to network and be competitive among peers. As in most cases, contacts are extremely important, and the contacts Rich made at UT were invaluable to his career success and trajectory. "We may not have known it at the time, but the things you learn as a pledge are core values that you carry through life. My sons are all Sigma Chis, so I was able to participate in all of their initiations. Sigma Chi made me appreciate the values taught in the Jordan Standard, especially about character, ambition, and moral standards. I can only hope those values continue influencing who I am today." As an alumnus, Rich hopes to shine a light on the active chapter and how they are excelling. Unlike when he was a collegiate member, alumni are more involved in Chapter operations today, which benefits everyone involved; actives have an alumni presence and alumni reacquainting themselves with each other. "My main encouragement is for alumni to check out what a fine job Alpha Nu has done with attracting fine young men from all over the country and give back something to help keep the traditions of Chi Villa strong." "In the late '70s we didn't have strong alumni involvement. We didn't even have a housemother, but we did have Audrey Freeman '84. Audrey had a huge influence on many Alpha Nu Sigma Chis that came through our doors in the 40+ years he was working for the Chapter. He's fighting for his life right now and concern for him is in everyone's hearts. He definitely impacted my college career, and there's no telling how many others can say that, as well. He needs every Sigma Chi brother praying for him and his family." Rich and his wife, Kim, live in Houston and have three sons: Austin, TCU '08, Lane, TCU '09, and John, TCU '12. In his free time, Rich enjoys golfing, hunting, and fishing. He's gotten together with a group of Alpha Nus to hunt and fish since 1982. He also attends as many UT football games as he can every year. You can contact Rich at jochetz@ texasgulfbank.com.

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