Sigma Phi Epsilon - Purdue University

From the heart SIGMA PHI EPSILON 3 S aturday, November 7, 2015, was a crisp 47-degree day in West Lafayette. Alumni dropped by SigEp to reminisce, peruse photographs from their days at the house, enjoy some casual food on the veranda, and cheer on the Boilermakers against the Fighting Illini. Gregg Hague '82, nicknamed "Torch," served as SigEp's controller from 1980-82. He studied industrial engineering and recalls sharing the house with 97 brothers in 1981 and spending relaxing Friday afternoons on the veranda. Traveling from Chicago to participate in Homecoming, Gregg commented that he likes the improvements that have been made to the house since he graduated. If prizes were to be given out for traveling the farthest to Homecoming 2015, Mike Ellis '84 would win. He traveled from Oberderdingen, Germany, located in the southwest part of the country. While at SigEp, he studied computer and electrical engineering and admits not being a football fan. Mike comes to Homecoming to see fellow alumni and conduct business in his role as recruitment mentor, an alumni board position. "Few things are more important than the survival of the chapter," Mike says. This trip was the first time he met undergraduate brothers whom he's been corresponding with via Google Hangouts. Mike's work has him stationed in Germany for one year, and then he will return to New York City. Much has happened since Mike graduated in 1984. He says the buildings that were temporary when he lived at SigEp have since been torn down and replaced with permanent ones. "We used to walk everywhere. Where temporary buildings once were, there are now beautiful, new permanent structures." The year Mike was chapter president, the SigEp flag that everyone thought was destroyed in the house fire of 1916 was found and returned. The story is that someone went back into the burning house to save it. Since being returned, the flag has been framed and mounted in the great hall. Jay Ham '72 generally returns to Homecoming annually, as he's a season ticket holder living in Indianapolis. While at Purdue, he studied economics. Each time Jay returns, he notes updates to the house and how it's operating. He says, "The fraternity was a big part of my experience at Purdue. Prior to arriving, I came from a conservative family. Friends tended to be very studious. They were my entire social life," he says. However, living in the house changed that. "There was tremendous variety, including brothers who liked to party and those who were studious." At the time, there were between 80 and 90 brothers sharing the house, and he said it was great getting to know so many brothers. Dennis Lange '74 studied industrial design (formerly visual design). Despite residing in Noblesville, Ind., just north of Indianapolis, this was his first return trip to Purdue since the 1980s. He noted that the house hasn't changed, it's simply a landmark. Dennis says he "continues to be impressed with the guys who are here," adding, "There's so much talent and creativity here." That was the most enjoyable part of his experience—multiple talents, humor, and the creativity. Jeff Brunner '84 also stopped by to reminisce. He pledged in the fall of 1980 and studied industrial engineering. He recalls a three-story water slide landing in a four- or five-foot pool of water operating for about three weeks before being shut down due to a three-gal pileup at the bottom of the slide. Ironically, Jeff married one of the injured girls. Sharing a house with 79 other brothers really left its mark on Jeff. He says, "They got your back. It was a great thing for someone coming in and not knowing anyone." undergraduates enjoyed Homecoming weekend. AlUmni sHAre indiAnA AlpHA memories At HomeComing Jerrold L. Ulrey '75 Craig W. Wallace '75 David M. Andrews '78 Christopher D. Kelly '80 Richard C. Schroeder '82 Mark E. Sullivan '87 Douglas P. Reinking '91 Brian J. Kiessling '98 Grant R. Lohse '02 Dustin R. Longest '04 John M. Neary '05 Robert R. Vrabel '06 Donor Society (Up to $99) Gerhard N. Bolen '65 Mark D. Schmitz '69 Wesley E. Shimanek '79

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