Sigma Phi Epsilon - Florida State University

p. 2 The SigEp Seminole RETURN TO Leading the Way for Change Tom Petrillo '85 Shares the Epsilon Edge Vision—Brothers We Need Your Support! T om Petrillo '85 is one of the alumni leading the members of Florida Epsilon Chapter toward a purpose-driven life. For Tom, his undergraduate experience shaped him into the man he is today. "I had amazing mentors during college. Clint Day '82, Don Whiddon '63, and Housemother Mary O. Scott all played a role in shaping me into who I am today. My involvement in Florida Epsilon helped propel my career." As an undergraduate, Tom was Chapter President. In this role, he learned leadership skills and how to motivate participation from the 150 members of Florida Epsilon. These skills translated into his professional career. "I learned to treat your employees as volunteers and how doing so will get you a lot further in life. Give before you receive, it's more satisfying." Tom worked for Estee Lauder for over 20 years. For the last 15 years, he has owned The Salon People, the exclusive distributor for Aveda products in the state for Florida. Tom is passionate about creating environments where people can meet their full potential, which motivated him to help implement a new program for Florida Epsilon. Epsilon Edge is an initiative designed to help the Chapter navigate the climate of change with Greek life at Florida State and its overall purpose is geared toward the betterment of all members. Tom credits the Epsilon Edge vision to House Corporation Board President Rob Atkisson '93 and the board, who created the bones of the program. "Rob had the framework all there for the initiative, but as a collective we plan to implement the program to its fullest capacity, tie it all together, and see tremendous room for growth." Teamed with Rob and Tom on this initiative are Tom Pennekamp '84, Jeff McLeod '84, and Mike Thomas '86. The Epsilon Edge vision paired with the Return to Campus campaign is the perfect core model for the Chapter. Shortly after the shift in fraternity life on campus was announced, Tom, Rob Atkisson '93, Tom Pennekamp '84, and Jeff McLeod '84 met with Florida State University President John Thrasher '65 to discuss Florida Epsilon being at the forefront of changes in Greek community. Thrasher believes a "New Normal" can be established to maximize the benefits of participation in Greek life and considers Epsilon Edge an excellent example for the Greek community at Florida State. The six pillars of Epsilon Edge include: • Leadership • Critical Thinking • Communication • Community Outreach • Lifelong Connections - Relationships • Mentorship from Alumni to Undergraduates Tom says, "When students run into trouble, they may have lost their rudder and often don't know how to navigate a college career." This program, combined with the Balanced Man Program, will give undergraduates the tools for academic success, as well as resilient life skills that will ultimately lead to a purpose-driven life. "The soft skills will be implemented though team building, lectures, volunteer activities, small group and intramural sports." The foundation of the Epsilon Edge vision includes a new residential learning and professional development center, substance-free housing, alumni mentors, and strategic recruitment of new members. The recruitment strategy goal is to appeal to men who are career driven and focused on life after college. "The funding of a residential learning and professional development center is where your help is needed the most by supporting the campaign and I am confident this can be accomplished through your generosity." Epsilon Edge also opens up the opportunity to give back to Florida Epsilon by volunteering your time as a mentor. Alumni mentors will go through an orientation process and are a vital piece in the program. In addition to alumni mentorship, a facilitator from SigEp National will begin to work with the undergraduates in the fall on soft skills training. The hiring of the facilitator is funded through the alumni scholarship fund. "A solid future for Florida Epsilon is in our grasp. But help is needed from you, my brothers, by supporting the Return to Campus campaign and the Epsilon Edge program. We aim to be the #1 men's organization on campus and I strongly believe we can achieve that through your cooperation. When we ask ourselves what impact the Chapter made on us, how great would it be to reimburse the Chapter and make that experience even better for our undergraduates?" Tom can be reached at tompetrillo2012@gmail.com. FLORIDA EPSILON Tom Pennekamp '84, Tom Petrillo '85, President John Thrasher '65, Brian Warren, University of Virginia '04, SigEp CEO, Rob Atkisson '93, and Zach Stull, SENH Managing Director, all meet in June 2018, to lock in plans for Florida Epsilon. Brothers Gary Wilson '85, Clint Day '82, Tom Petrillo '85 and Mike Strawn '86 get together for a family dinner.

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