Alpha Sigma Phi - University of Washington

8 T orjan Ronhovde '75 came to the University of Wash- ington with no knowledge or interest in the Greek system. He was the first in his family to attend a univer- sity and was signed up to live in the dorms. Thankfully, Torjan found his way to Mu Chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi after a high school friend invited him to a recruitment function. This was the beginning of a lifelong involvement and love for Mu Chapter. PLEDGING ALPHA SIG WAS A PERFECT FIT During recruitment, Torjan felt immediately comfortable with Mu Chapter members. Although he checked out a few other fraterni- ties, he ultimately joined ΑΣΦ. "ΑΣΦ felt like the best fit for me. I clearly remember the night I signed the pledge form over in one of the annexes. Afterward, they brought me back to the Chapter House and made a really big deal out of it. Some of my future pledge brothers were there and said that night helped them make up their mind to join ΑΣΦ as well." The strength and importance of Mu's community was apparent to Torjan right away. "It really was a place that I could call home. A university the size of the UW is an intimidating place for a freshman, and I felt grateful to have 60 immediate friends." He served as pledge trainer and enjoyed the recruitment functions as they allowed him to interact with freshmen and share what a great experience he was having at Mu Chapter. Through recruit- ment and everyday interactions with his brothers, Torjan feels the fraternity taught him how to communicate with others, read others' communication styles, negotiate, and sell himself; skills that have helped him in all aspects of life. "Unless you are going to be locked up in a laboratory somewhere, every job has a sales component. I learned how to walk into a strange room not knowing anyone, introduce myself, and strike up a conversation." MU CHAPTER FRIENDSHIPS HAVE STAYED STRONG In addition to providing him with lifelong skills, Mu Chapter provided Torjan many meaningful relationships with alumni and fellow undergraduate brothers. Torjan notes that John Graffee '74, Jim Dahlquist '74, John Huston '74, Rick Pasco '74, and Paul "Bud" Houser '74 all had huge impacts on him as an undergraduate. His Mu Chapter friendships have stayed strong through his adult life, and today he keeps in touch with several pledge brothers, including Charlie Conner '75, Neal Shively '75, Mark Still '75, and others from his class and later classes. "We just had a March Madness get-together, a ski trip to Whis- tler, and we have a golf tournament every summer." Torjan attends many alumni functions, but was particularly pleased when Blake Hoefer '78 recreated their pledge dance from 40 years ago. "Held at the same venue as then, he invited people from five to seven pledge classes. There must have been over 75 brothers in attendance. It was great to see everyone and reminisce." A COMMITMENT TO ENSURE MU CHAPTER IS SET UP FOR FUTURE SUCCESS Torjan's love of ΑΣΦ means he is committed to ensuring Mu Chapter is set up for future success. As a member of the Corpo- ration Board and the capital campaign board, and as the lead architect for the Old Gal renovation, Torjan is passionate about the campaign and what will be accomplished with the renova- tions. "The physical plant of the house is deficient in so many areas. Of particular concern to me are the life-safety aspects. The house is almost 100 years old and there are still areas that utilize the original knob and tube wiring, which can be a fire hazard. The exterior walls are unreinforced masonry, a potential problem in a major earthquake. Retrofitting fire sprinklers will also go a long way toward increasing safety." Torjan has become well-ac- quainted with the Old Gal, perhaps better than any of us, and has enjoyed working on the Chapter House he once called home. "I really enjoy receiving feedback from the undergraduate members. I am surprised by some of the suggestions that I thought might be untouchable, like the main floor fireplace inglenook. We're not changing it, but I was surprised that deleting or modifying it was an option." Torjan knows that Mu Chapter needs a safe and fully func- tioning Old Gal for a secure future at UW, and has done his part by supporting the Securing the Future of Mu Chapter capital campaign. "I hope this campaign enables the house to function for the next 100 years and allows several thousand more young Torjan Ronhovde '75 His lifelong involvement and love for Mu Chapter Photo by Bob Bronson

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