Sigma Chi - University of Cincinnati

Sigma Chi 3 Celebrating Sigma Chi Brotherhood Cincy Sigs Holiday Party Raises Funds and Recognizes Outstanding Alumni T his year's second annual Cincy Sigs holiday party on December 9 was about more than just celebrating the holiday season with Sigma Chi brothers. It was about honoring brothers who have left a lasting impact on the future of Zeta Psi. This year, Steve Knight '74, Dennis Oltorik '86, and Kelly Nichols '97 were honored for their years of selfless service. The White Cross of Sigma Chi has surely gained more luster from their work. Steve Knight was honored for his leadership of the House Corporation over the last decade. His contributions include moving ownership of our land from UC to our House Corporation and moving our foundation from the UC Foundation to the newly established Lincoln W. Pavey Educational Foundation. Steve also oversaw a capital project, which added a stone deck to the front of the chapter house, championed ongoing annual maintenance updates, and helped set the chapter up to recruit the "student of the future." Dennis Oltorik has spent the last two years taking the Cincinnati Alumni Chapter to the next level. He strengthened the speaker lineup at their monthly luncheons, which increased average attendance by 53%, and added the Cincy Sigs holiday party and sporting clays shoot to the yearly programming calendar. In addition, he created a new logo, website, and online payment system, leading to an increase in paid alumni membership to 150 brothers. This level of engagement and opportunity drove the Cincinnati Alumni Chapter to be the only chapter in the nation to be recognized for the 2015 Alumni Chapter Excellence Award at Grand Chapter. Kelly Nichols has been a pillar of stability for the undergraduates over the past decade. He was a fearless chapter advisor who helped students grow, and he is considered a brother, friend, and mentor to so many. Kelly put 110% into the undergraduate chapter and the results reflect his selfless dedication, as the chapter has won seven Peterson Awards during his tenure. Beyond honoring the dedicated service of these three brothers, the holiday party is a chance to give back to the Lincoln W. Pavey Educational Foundation. Funds raised from the event benefit the chapter through scholarships, philanthropic pursuits, and educational opportunities, such as helping members attend leadership conferences and training workshops. Building a Special place at Homecoming Elliott Hilsinger '69 Remembers the Start of a Zeta Psi Tradition A s an underclassman, Elliott Hilsinger '69 was looking to join the right fraternity when he found the men of Sigma Chi. He was a very active member of the chapter in his collegiate years, serving as recruitment chairman for five semesters, vice president for a year, and living in the chapter house for three years. However, Elliott's commitment to Sigma Chi didn't end after those four years; he has continued to give back to the fraternity as an alumnus, creating a unique legacy at 2617 University Court. After graduating from the University of Cincinnati (UC) with a bachelor's degree in business administration and a major in marketing, Elliott and Walt McBeath '69 started a furniture business. Over the years they grew the business, La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries, into a group of stores across the Ohio area with four stores in Cincinnati, three in Columbus, and two in Dayton. They both retired four years ago after 38 years in the furniture business. When Elliott began what is now a Sigma Chi Homecoming tradition, he did not have big plans in mind. In 1992, his son, Elliott Allan Hilsinger '95, and other active chapter members had organized an alumni Homecoming event before the football game, but only a handful of alumni attended. Elliott decided to try and help change that. The first Sigma Chi Homecoming event that he organized featured "a few trays of frozen lasagna," but through sending out invitations to alumni they were able to recruit 150 people to attend, as opposed to the 25 who had come the year before. It didn't take long for the event to become a tradition; by the next year they had 200 people attending. As attendance continued to grow, they could no longer host the event inside and they had to move to a large tent in the front yard of the chapter house. Elliott isn't exactly sure how many people attended the event this year; he only knows that—with help from active chapter members—he grilled over 1,000 metts. As Elliott described it, "We just keep cooking and everyone has a good time. Active members tell me it's one of their favorite events of the year." But it's more than just the food that keeps brothers returning for this annual event. "Guys bring their wives, girlfriends, and families to the event so you can see their families change and grow," he said. It also encourages people to come by and reconnect. "Just this year a guy showed up who I hadn't seen since college," Elliott said. "The Sigma Chi chapter house during Homecoming is a special place at the University of Cincinnati." In addition to organizing the Homecoming tailgate event, Elliott has served on the chapter House Corporation working to ensure the legacy of Sigma Chi at UC. "We have a beautiful house and we need to work to make sure it stays beautiful. In 1968 when the fraternity was struggling, it was the alumni who stepped up and helped out. We have to make sure that the fraternity is here for another 100 years," he said. Elliott has been recognized for his lifelong support to both UC and Sigma Chi. In 2006, he was inducted to the Order of the Black Blazer, which honors individuals for their service to Bearcat Athletics. Then in 2011, he was given the Significant Sig Award, one of the fraternity's highest honors, which recognizes alumni whose achievements have brought honor and prestige to the name of Sigma Chi. He and his wife, Carol, live in Cincinnati. They have three children and six grandchildren. In his semi-retirement, Elliott engages in his favorite hobbies: spending time with his family, fishing, racing sailboats, and gardening. You can connect with Elliott at ehilsinger@cinci.rr.com.

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