Sigma Alpha Epsilon To Return To House #6

January 22nd, 2010 / Comments Off / by Alumni Chair

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               The Missouri Beta Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon is set to move back into House #6 on the Upper Row at Washington University for the 2010-11 academic year. The Chapter has been without an on-campus residence since December 2005. Although the housing contract is still being finalized, the Chapter and Mike Hayes, the Executive Director of Campus Life, believe it will be completed in the very near future. 

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              Sigma Alpha Epsilon has been a member of the Washington University community since April 30, 1892. The Chapter has a long, storied and accomplished history on campus. The Chapter’s alumni include Founder of Charter Communications and current member of the Washington University Board of Trustees, Howard Wood (Missouri Beta ’58).  

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              Sigma Alpha Epsilon has a strong tradition of service and philanthropy – hosting its annual Dodging Depression every fall and working with a number of organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Operation Food Search, and the Naturally Occurring Retirement Community of St. Louis. 

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              Despite Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s contributions to the University community during the last one-hundred and seventeen years, over a period of several years the Chapter was unable to meet the expectations of the University and the Fraternity’s National organization. Since the Chapter left House #6 over four years ago, the chapter has made considerable progress – resulting in the complete rebirth of the Chapter. 

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              Under the leadership of former President Jonathan Bremer (’09), Chapter Advisor Ray Sobocinski (’87), and members from the Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s National Organization including Executive Director Steve Priepke and Province Archon Pete Carrabine, the Chapter made major operational changes to realign its direction with the values of both Sigma Alpha Epsilon and the University community. 

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              In March 2007, Ray Sobocinski directed a Leadership Retreat at the Minnesota Alpha Chapter (University of Minnesota) with members of the  Chapter’s Executive Council. Minnesota Alpha has been consistently been recognized in recent years as one of the strong chapters in the country, winning the Fraternity’s National Zeal Award for 2009. Not only were members able to bring back valuable ideas to improve the Chapter, the experience was also a major catalyst for the Chapter in shifting toward a new direction and reevaluating its own expectations of the Fraternity experience.

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              During the fall 2008 semester, under former President and current Treasurer and Alumni Chairman, Matt Furnas, the Chapter regained University recognition. Matt helped increase alumni involvement in Chapter operations resulting in the establishment of the Missouri Beta Alumni Advisory Board led by Ray Sobocinski and Matt Claus (Wisconsin Alpha ’94). ΣΑΕ alumni from other Chapters have also made significant contributions as Advisors including Jeff Wright (Indian Epsilon ’99) who also serves as the President of the St. Louis Area Alumni Association and Fitz Gordon (Missouri Gamma ’79) who also serves on the Missouri Beta House Corporation.

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            The Missouri Beta House Corporation led by President Keith Shaw (’52) and Dan Cadigan (Missouri Beta ’60) has undertaken a significant role in the reestablishment of the Chapter. In addition to more recently leading the Chapter’s housing negotiations with the University, the have continually provided financial support and scholarships to the John O. Moseley Leadership School which brings leaders from all SAE chapters throughout the country together aboard a Carnival Cruise ship. These scholarships for Leadership School along with the Chapter Education Fund allow younger members to attend the conference for no cost.

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            Former Vice President and current Pledge Educator Jake Bernstein (’10) was one brother chosen to attend Leadership School. Jake was not only able to bring back a numer of new ideas to improve the Chapter’s pledge program but the experience working with active members and alumni advisors from all diferent types of situations helped the Chapter to begin thinking about new ways to overcome some of the Chapter’s challenges.

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               Last summer a number of members including current President Garrett Schreiber (’12) and Recruitment Chairman Zack Cupkovic (’12) attended the conference. Garrett served as Philanthropy Chairman during the fall semester leading the effort between Sigma Alpha Epsilon and the Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity to host Dodging Depression. The event raised almost $1,000 for charity. Zack’s contributions as Recruitment Chair along with those of the previous Chair, Jonathan Bremer, have allowed the chapter to increase its membership two-fold in to a two-fold increase in less than two years.

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            The Chapter’s negotiations to return to the house began in earnest last semester under former Chapter President, Dayo Adesokan (’11). He along with Rohit Venkat (’12) helped facilitate the Chapter’s discussion and adoption of numerous housing policies and procedures necessary to begin the transition toward living in on-campus Greek housing. 

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            The brothers of the Fraternity look forward to returning to House #6 in the fall. We cannot possibly express our appreciation and gratitude for everybody who has contributed to this effort including those in the Greek Life Office - Ryan Henne, Lucy Morlan, Dave Wallace, and Mike Hayes - and the University administration notably Vice Chancellor Jill Carnaghi; the Brothers at Minnesota Alpha especially former President Alex Coontz; the Alumni of Missouri Beta and of chapters throughout the Realm, members of the Fraternity Service Center, and the members of the Supreme Council. Thank you and Phi Alpha.

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Posted in: Alumni, Brotherhood

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