Sigma Chi - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

3 SIGMA CHI Delta Psi Emphasizes Community Service, Leadership Events A t 58 Pinewoods, 2015 seemed to pass in the blink of an eye. Looking back, I am proud of the success of the chapter. It's easy to think about the mistakes and the things that we wish we had done, but that's been overshadowed by the undergradu- ates' consistent hard work to pull off our packed schedule. With the achievements of the fall behind us, we are excited to be taking on the spring semester with renewed energy after the break. Commitment to Service In the fall semester, Delta Psi showed its commitment to philanthropic events. Led by Community Service Chairman Bill Mehner '16, the chapter took the lead in answering the calls of the Troy community. Brothers took rakes and helped multiple residents in need of assis- tance, in addition to our traditional Pinewoods leaf rake. We also as- sisted the City of Troy with its Victorian Stroll and brothers' miscella- neous family friends. The haunted house we put on for the community was a hit, with several long-time attendees claiming it was the best yet. Of all, we were most proud and honored to be able to rake the lawn of Chris Gribbin '00 and assist in the gift of his new wheel- chair-accessible van. Alumni Events a Success Including the Gribbin rake, the fall events involving alumni were some of the most memorable and impressive to me. Starting with the August work party, where double the number of alumni we expected attended, we felt the impact of your support. The Pinewoods Educa- tional Foundation hosted a talk by Courtney Banghart, daughter of Jim Banghart '69, which drew hundreds of attendees—it was a truly incredible feat and boost for our PR effort. The 65th celebration and Homecoming also drew a great crowd and allowed for important in- teraction between undergraduates and alumni along with appreciation of our history. Four Undergraduates Become Alumni At the close of the semester, four brothers transitioned into alumni with the graduating senior ceremony. Mike Greenberg '15 is work- ing at The Hartford in risk modeling and analytics. Zackary Reed '15 is an inside sales engineer at Northeast Controls. Evan Kaiser '15 is working for General Dynamics in Pittsfield, Mass., as a sys- tems engineer. Dan Lachance '16 is working as a lab technician at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, before beginning a Ph.D. program. While we wished these brothers success, we also said a sad goodbye to our next-door neighbors, the Bells, who have always been great friends of the chapter. While the Bells move downtown, a young family with three children takes their place. Full Spring Calendar This spring will be an exciting challenge. Success in our recruitment efforts—which typically yield a small spring class—will be vital since Greek recruitment numbers in the fall were so poor (16 new mem- bers). With one semester of headquarters' pilot new member program under our belt, we will carry it out again with the spring new members, hoping to bring it to perfection before its full implementation in fall 2016. Last spring, our Derby Days raised an unprecedented $20,000 for cancer research. We plan to host another outstanding week in April and cement Derby Days as the Greek philanthropic event to emulate on campus. Finally, we hope to see you at our spring alumni weekend in the end of April. With the closing of my term as Consul, I realize the great debt of grati- tude I owe to those who helped make everything work. Thank you to the undergraduate officers who worked with me and to the dedicated officers of our alumni organizations. Thank you to all of the broth- ers, undergraduates, and alumni who support our events and make the chapter what it is. I am especially grateful for our chapter adviser, Bob "Justa" Eckart '73, without whom I am not sure how I would have made it through the past year. All of you make me proud to be a Sig. In Hoc Signo Vinces, Christopher Higley '16 Consul higleyc@gmail.com The active chapter and alumni gather before heading back to the chapter house to give Chris Gribbin '00 his first tour since the renovations. Chris Gribbin '00 Receives Donated Van N ora and Chris Gribbin '00 received a van used by Gary "Sluggo" Wood '71, who passed away in 2015 from a blood cancer called multiple myeloma, which led to the paralysis in his back. The van was donated by Gary's wife, Joann Samalonis Wood, with additional donations collected by Pe- ter Wurst '04 from more than 150 brothers and friends to pay off the van loan balance. The surprise donation was coordinated with the chapter's annual leaf-raking event at the Gribbin family house in Clifton Park, N.Y. Chris is a past Delta Psi chapter advisor. Read the full story and see pictures at www.sigmachi-rpi.org/news/44

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