Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Michigan

Founded 1912 • Michigan alpha chapter oF SigMa phi epSilon at the univerSity oF Michigan • Fall 2017 Golden Heart Society ($500 to $999) Kenneth J. Bush '48 Robert C. Emde '60 John J. Kapusky '69 Michigan Alpha Society ($100 to $499) Patrick H. Woods '46 Ross Herron '50 Richard K. Park, M.D. '50 John Thomas '57 Stephen C. De Brock '58 David L. Blair '60 Andrew C. Woofter Jr. '61 Richard Leyden '62 Stephen A. Trodden '62 Carl D. Moe '68 Dan Wedge '68 Peter E. Meagher III '69 Gregory Stout '74 Ted J. Zukowski '83 T.R. Longo '01 Brotherhood Society (Up to $99) James Gately '44 C. Frank Scribano '46 A. Robert Bauer Jr., M.D. '49 Karl E. Mihalyfy '69 Jeffrey Dulzo '81 John Bednarski '84 William Ickes '86 Ethan J. Cohen '11 Rick Stepanovic '12 T hank you to the 26 alumni who have shown their enthusiastic support for our annual campaign since its inauguration in 2015. We look forward to hearing from more of you soon. Your gifts help the men of Michigan Alpha Chapter not only today but well into the future. Donors are listed below by their lifetime giving levels to the annual campaign. If an error has been made in recording the amount of your gift, we sincerely apologize. If corrections to your giving records are needed, please contact our campaign coordinator at (785) 843-1661. Thank you, again, for your loyal support. Thank You, Generous Alumni S igEp has served purpose in my life and for unknown reasons I have not been comfortable with the fraternity only being seen in my rearview mirror since stepping down as AVC president in 2002. My heart tells me there are miles to go and when Rick Stepanovic '12 called, I was grateful for the extended hand. Let me share my SigEp past. My freshman year was 1997 and I wanted to be Greek. I participated in recruitment, but my grandfather passed just before bids were extended. I thought about pushing through, but even at 18 I understood the fraternal bond was a lifelong decision, not just a four-year party, so I excused myself from the process. Headquarters later contacted me with an unparalleled opportunity as a founding father. I knew there would be highs and lows; both exceeded expectations. Leadership skills were developed, fun was had, and bonds of brotherhood were forged. To this day, some of my best friends are SigEps. We've celebrated weddings, children's births, and we helped each other through challenges. Three of us were in Iowa last fall at our annual road game trip when I got a call that my dad had passed. If I couldn't get a hug from my wife, my best friends were a close alternative. They didn't give me that bro hug pat on the back, they hugged me as family because we are—we are brothers with a bloodline. After reflection of that moment, I knew my life with SigEp was not over; I had to give back. Twenty years ago, I signed up for a lifetime of virtue, diligence, and brotherly love, and I keep promises. Our world is changing and the fraternal world is not exempt. Initially, my original goal was to increase alumni involvement, but in just a few weeks I've realized more can be done. The future of Greek life is at risk for reasons unnecessary to discuss here, and fraternities must evolve, shift priorities, and offer new value propositions. It seems logical that this shift must include formal professional preparation and development for our youngest brothers. Preliminary thoughts include establishing a mentorship program or maybe even an internship program to complement classroom learnings. I urge my brothers to consider reconnecting with SigEp. I understand that all of us cannot actively participate, but we can all stop by the house before a game, attend a golf outing, and/or write an annual check for $25 so the AVC can continue with alumni programming. A new chapter is beginning for me and I ask each of you to reflect; is SigEp in your rearview mirror? Me? I'm moving forward and fulfilling my promise of a lifetime of brotherhood. Please contact me if I can help bring the fraternity closer to your needs or expectations. Fraternally, T.R. Longo '01 trlongo@hotmail.com FRATERNAL REFLECTION Join your brothers and support Michigan Alpha today mailing in the enclosed form or by giving online at sigep.kintera.org/michiganalpha!

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