Conclave 2009:

Welcome to the

Jungle

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It’s been a while since we’ve been around, and if you’ve noticed, there have been a few changes. First of all, I’d like to introduce myself. I’m the new Editor of this issue (obviously). My name is Nick Martinez and I joined Michigan Theta approximately one year ago in January of 2009. That would make me an undergraduate, but I no longer attend Lawrence Tech. I originally came to LTU to study Transportation Design (which is just a fancy way to say that I wanted to be a Car Designer), but

after that didn’t go the way I planned, I switched into Broadcasting. Surprisingly, LTU had a program for that but staying there wasn’t a long-term option. A change in major required a change in venue, and in the Fall of 2009, I switched to Ball State University in Indiana to continue with Broadcasting. I chose Ball State because of their program and to somewhat follow in the shadow of one of my idols, David Letterman. However, due to personal issues, it looks as if I will be coming back to Michigan by going to Central starting in the summer. I find some humor that in three years of school, I will have gone to three different schools. I guess it’s a new way to “shop” for the right school. LTU was a very special place for me and being Editor is one of the many ways I can find myself be active with my chapter.

Now, with this being my first issue as Editor, we aren’t exactly going to hit the ground running. There is a two-year gap since the last issue was produced and a lot of things have happened since then – both with members and with the world. In that time, a lot of information has since gone missing if it has been sent to us. If there’s anything that you don’t find satisfying, I apologize in advance. If you sent something to appear in an issue but it didn’t make it in, let us know. I built this new format from the ground up and it is in no way perfect, but your comments will help with future improvements with the next issue. We’ve done the best we can to put something together after a two-year absence, and I take pride that I was able to relearn Desktop Publishing software and put all this together in about a timeframe of two months.

I hope that after reading this issue, you can take pride on what Michigan Theta SigEps have been able to accomplish in the last two years. I think as SigEps, we’ll never cease to make positive contributions to the world and I take pride when I say “It’s Great to be a SigEp”.

“Theta Thoughts” is the Newsletter for the Michigan Theta

Chapter of the

Fraternitythis publicaton is

produced two times a year and available electronically at

www.michigantheta.org

copies of the issue can be printed upon request.

Newsletter CommitteeNicholas Martinez,

Editor

Austin Chapman,Vice President of Communciations

Article ContributorsRob RonchonJamiil Gaston

Kevin McLarneyJamiil GastonCollin GrawIan WilliamsMike Newton

Dan BishopingAndrew hopkins

Address changes, photos, lettersupdates and other submissions

should be sent tosigep.mi.theta@gmail.com

or toSigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity

21000 West Ten Mile RoadSouthfield MI, 48075 C-405

WRITER’S BLOCK: A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR

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BY ROB ROCHON, ‘92

On September 21, 2008 the Michigan Theta Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon lost a brother as a result of a tragic car accident. After spending weeks in a coma, John Jurewicz II, Lawrence Tech ’92, died from injuries suffered when his car was struck by another vehicle.

Brother Jurewicz, affectionately known as JJ, was a very dedicated member, if not the most dedicated member, of the chapter for the past 20 years as both an undergraduate and alumnus. He joined the fraternity in the fall of 1987 and held numerous positions while an undergraduate member. However, his legacy in the chapter began in 1989 when he took on the role of the chapter’s Fundraising Chairmen. At the time the chapter was rebuilding in a number of ways; membership and finances were improving, but they were still below expectations. It was through the help of another fraternity brother, Steve Lowes, Lawrence Tech ’88, that Brother Jurewicz was able to secure the chapter to work a concession stand at the Pontiac Silverdome for the Detroit Lions and other entertainment events. It consistent dedication to organize the events, secure volunteers for each event, and train the chapter members as needed. Not only was Brother Jurewicz up for the challenge, but he exceeded any expectations that anyone could have conceived. There were several times that the chapter almost lost this opportunity and it was because Brother Jurewicz personally went and spoke to the vending company and gave them his word that the chapter would improve, that the chapter did not get fired. The actions of Brother Jurewicz saved the chapter a huge potential loss of revenue and to this day the chapter still works at home games for Detroit Lions and other events at Ford Field. Over the past 20 years the chapter has earned over $300,000 working these events, all thanks in part to the commitment of Brother Jurewicz.

However, Brother Jurewicz’ dedication to the fraternity did not end when he graduated, it had only begun. Immediately upon graduation in June of 1992 Brother Jurewicz joined the Chapter’s Alumni Board, now Alumni Volunteer Cooperation (AVC) and began supporting the chapter by continuing to attend chapter functions as well as numerous Carlson Leadership Academies and Grand Chapter Conclaves in order to improve operations of the alumni board/corporation.

Brother Jurewicz served on the AVC until 2006, where he served on the chapter’s 30th Anniversary Party Committee, and acted as President from 2005 to 2006. It was because of his long standing and unsolicited

devotion to the chapter that they honored him with the Volunteer Excellence Award at the Chapter’s 30th Anniversary Party in October of 2001. It was through John and other volunteers’ efforts as an undergraduate and alumnus that helped the chapter earn three Buchanan Outstanding Chapter Awards from 1993 to 1997. Since 2006, Brother Jurewicz had to focus on personal and professional commitments, but it never waivered his dedication to the chapter. He still regularly attended chapter and alumni events such as the chapter’s Winter Retreat, IFC Greek Day, and the Steve Iaquinto (Lawrence Tech ’87) Memorial Golf Outing and became known as the chapter’s unofficial photographer.

Over the years Brother Jurewicz influenced the

Chapter at Lawrence Tech Honors Deceased Brother

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lives of many members of the fraternity in one way or another, and in fact, on hearing the news of his passing, over 50 brothers came from across the country to mourn the loss of a very special brother and friend. During his eulogy a few brothers spoke on how John touched their lives. Jim Taggart, Lawrence Tech ’93, said, “His love, dedication, and commitment for SigEp were nothing more than an unquantifiable passion for his Fraternity and the Brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon.” Tom Andreozzi, Lawrence Tech ’92, said “He figuratively walked me up to the Red Door of Sigma Phi Epsilon and if it were not for John and joining the Fraternity, I cannot even imagine what the trajectory of my life would have been.”

As a result of discussions following John’s funeral the Michigan Theta Alumni and Volunteer Corporation has established the Educational Foundation Committee. The committee has already launched a fundraising campaign and has established three endowments that are being managed at two locations. The goal is to raise $50,000 over the next three years. Two of the endowments, the Michigan Theta Endowed Educational Fund and the Michigan Theta Direct Educational Fund are being managed through the ΣΦΕ Educational Foundation located at the Fraternity’s National Headquarter in Richmond, Virginia and these funds support the Balanced Man Scholarship, John Jurewicz II Burning Heart Award, Leadership Continuum Sponsorships, and partial funding for the chapter’s alumni newsletter, Theta Thoughts. To contribute to this fund you can send your donations to Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation P.O. Box 1901Richmond, Virginia 23218-1901 or contact Doug Scheibe, Executive Director at 804-612-1409.

The third endowment, Sigma Phi Epsilon Memorial

Fund, is being managed through Lawrence Technological University and this fund will support the construction of the Memorial Garden and then create an endowment to provide maintenance required for the garden in perpetuity. To contribute to this fund you can send your donation to Lawrence Tech University, Office of Advancement, 21000 West 10 Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48075 or contact Julie Vulaj, Director of Major Gifts at 248-204-2313.

The creation of the John Jurewicz II Burning Heart Award that will be given annually to the undergraduate member who demonstrates the passion and dedication to the Fraternity exemplified by Brother Jurewicz over the last two decades. The winner of this award will also have their dues paid for during the following year from the endowment fund. The goal is to present the first award as part of the chapter’s Balanced Man Scholarship Banquet in August of 2009.

On a personal note, JJ and I pledged the Fraternity together, won three intramural football and one softball championship together, won two Greek Week trophies together, graduated together, saw our chapter win four Buchanan Cups together, saw three of our local sports teams, Michigan Wolverines Football, Detroit Red Wings, and Detroit Pistons, win championships together, and shared many other laughs and tears together. JJ will be deeply missed by his surviving family, friends, and fraternity brothers and that is why it is so wonderful that the chapter has decided to honor him in the way that they have. I hope that his dedication and passion will always be remembered and will inspire other brothers to renew their dedication to our great Fraternity.

Graphic created by Brother Erik Slagter.

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A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

The Michigan Theta Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon has always been the poster boy for the 14th District; these past two years have been no exception. Highlights include: winning Greek Week, obtaining and maintaining a chapter size of over 50 men, breaking an average 3.0 GPA, and for the first time in a while, undergraduate members have been obtaining Brother Mentor status in the Balanced Man Program. We have been (as always) on top of recruitment and academia among other Greeks on campus and we are a competitive force both locally and nationally. A few of our brothers attended the national Conclave and brought back some very interesting and innovative changes. We have been revolutionizing the Balanced Man Program, making it our own. Our young and ever growing chapter is paving the way for progressive change. Michigan Theta is thriving at every turn, utilizing the massive force we have created over the years.We have been through some rough times lately, but despite the best efforts to bring us down we have stayed strong and positive. We are extremely excited to be SigEps. The new executive board is young and immensely energetic with the passion of 100 men; the enthusiasm that stems from the executive board radiates and fuels the chapter. We have chapter involvement that I have never seen before, so many different brothers doing so many different things; we truly are utilizing everyone to the best of their abilities and spreading out the work load as the work load increases. Every brother has a chance to shine and make a difference in his chapter making him even more a part of Sigma Phi Epsilon.For the first time in almost 25 years we are extremely close to maneuvering a chapter house. There is a house that LTU is going to let us lease as a chapter, for a chapter house. We have also talked to LTU about creating a Greek Row, so as long as our “loaner” house goes well we will be the first to start a movement never seen before at LTU. With the cohesive work done by our current and past undergraduates and our Alumni and Volunteer Corporation we have made the dream of Michigan Theta a possibility.The Michigan Theta Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon is continuing to strive and lead both locally and nationally. This chapter has a great reputation and continues to uphold the high expectations placed upon it. This undergraduate chapter is the most proud group of individuals I have ever met and watching them all grow as men and SigEps is the best time of my life, I love this chapter with all of my heart and appreciate all of the things SigEp has given me and I am proud and honored to be able to give of my time and talents to aid those who have become brothers with me in their Journey through life. This fraternity is different!

Fraternally,

Joseph P. Leuenberger

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timelineof events

Volleyball Blast 2008 raises $3,000 for YouthAids

SigEp does not win 2008 Greek Day, maybe there’s

next year...

Mike Newton is the 2008 Balanced Man Scholarship

Winner.

The Chapter goes to Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois for Sacred Heart Spring 2008.

(from top to bottom) Keith Bohlinger, Jamiil Gaston,

Mitch McCreadie, Mark Morsches, Mike Newton, Chadd Scruggs, Tony

Sabat

Fall Rush 2008

Volleyball Blast 2009 raises $3,250 for YouthAids

Spring Rush 2009

(from top to bottom)

Bryan Swenson, Sean Pederson, Mike Knoff, Joe Kuzdal, Kevin Mason, Nick Martinez

Fall 2008 Sacred Heart lands at Western Michigan

Ahmad Arabi is the 2009

Balanced Man Scholarship

Winner.

SigEp takes the Greek Day 2009 trophy after a 1-year absence.

Sacred Heart Fall 2009 is at the University of

Pittsburgh.

Ryan Gilmore gets elected as the IFC President for 2009-2010.

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Ben ChiuArchitecture, December 2008

Chris AntovskiElectrical Engineering, May 2009

Ryan BeaudrieCivil Engineering, May 2009

Lee BuntingArchitecture, May 2009

Jeff CoatesArchitecture, May 2009

Nick DavioGraphic Design, May 2009

Vince DanieleArchitecture, May 2009

Mike GeeArchitecture, May 2009

Mike OrlandoniGraphic Design, May 2009

Matt RileyGraphic Design, May 2009

Rich TataPharmacy, May 2009

Jack HartnerElectrical Engineering, December 2009

Nick JaskowskiElectrical Engineering, December 2009

Tim OlsenCivil Engineering, December 2009

Cayce Owens-ThrushGraphic Design, December 2009

Adam DumasCivil Engineering, December 2009

newgraduated brothers

2009 Executive Board

PresidentAdam Ingraham

ChaplainJake Waggoner

FinanceBen Guettler

CommunicationsAdam Dumas

member developmentTim Olsen

ProgrammingAndrew Hopkins

RecruitmentJason Chrumka

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A Lawrence Tech SigEp arises as a Shining Star

Over 280,000 men have entered our great Fraternity. As of Spring 2010, 480 men (believe it or not!) have passed through Michigan Theta’s Hall of Men. This year, 69 men were chosen as finalists for the Tragos Quest to Greece. Of the 280,000 lifetime Brothers, the 480 Michigan Theta SigEps, and the 69 Tragos finalists, one sticks out above the rest. Actually, there is only one man that currently fits into all three of those categories. The 437th man to enter our Great chapter, Brother Michael Newton is a one of a kind gentleman and scholar. Newton has quite a few impressive accomplishments under his belt. Just to name a few, he is a high school varsity athlete, the winner of the 2008 Balanced Man Scholarship, a 4.0 Biomedical Engineering student, has facilitated EDGE, has served on Standards Board and Ritual Team, and is the current Vice President of Recruitment. Even more amazing, he is still very active in the chapter, enjoys a normal college social life, and is a great Brother and Friend. Mike and I joined SigEp during Fall Rush 08. Since that date, I have watched him grow into a great role model for many, including myself. Throughout the Sigma Challenge, Newton was one of the men who always knew his material when he needed to and never hesitated to complete a task when presented to him. When we both advanced to the Phi Challenge, I watched the relationship between his Big Brother and himself blossom immediately from just a mentor-mentee relationship into an unbreakable bond. The same way he stays in control of his school work, Newton sailed through the Phi Challenge in the same manner that he did during Sigma. Finally, after advancing together through each stage of the Balanced Man Program together, we both passed through the

By JAMIIL GASTON, ‘12

2010 Executive Board

Epsilon Rite of Passage in May 2009 and each received a Little Brother that following November. Yet again, I have witnessed a new Big Brother/Little Brother bond that is almost like no other. Newton exerts an incredible effort in order to maintain the tight knit family which has formed around him. Every chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon should constantly raise the bar in every area. Having Michael Newton in our chapter has helped us strive to always better ourselves. I am more than proud to say that I joined with Newton and that he is one of my closest Brothers. We hail thee, Brother.

Picture: Newton (center) with his Big (left) and Little Brother (right)

P R E S I D E N T

C H A P L A I N

F I N A N C E

NAME Joe Leuenberger

MAJOR Biomedical Engineering

GOALS - 80% chapter involvement - 3.1 GPA - upperclassment prgram-ming

NAME Ryan Gilmore

MAJOR Biomedical Engineering

GOALS - Explore and integrate new/old rituals and ceremonies and increase alumni participation in rituals. - Implement positive reinforcement

through the standards board

NAME Matt Hawley

MAJOR Civil Engineering

GOALS - Financial Stability - Develop new fundraising opportunities - Acquire a chapter house

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NAME Kevin McLarney

MAJOR Architecture

GOALS

NAME Keith Bohlinger

MAJOR Architecture

GOALS

NAME Mike Newton

MAJOR Biomedical Engineering

GOALS

Spring Rush 2010

(from left to right) David Jacks, Michael Hall, Justin Shaffer, Ahmad Arabi, Phil Kerby, Kyle Robie, Gabe Howell, Ehren Quigley

Fall Rush 2009

(from left to right) Spencer Callahan, Lee Dunn, Matt Haelterman, Dan Bishoping, Brandon Hartwick, Jim LaPash, Austin Chapman,

Trevor Taormina, Jake MontgomeryNot pictured: Charlie Harris, Mike Paciero, Jeff Mannor

M E M B E R D E V E L O P M E N T

P R O G R A M M I N G

R E C R U I T M E N T

NAME Kevin McLarney

MAJOR Architecture

GOALS - Track development of members through their journey. - Gentleman’s Club to encourage members to push thru challenges, and give benefits for the older members. - help with retention rate and complacency issues

NAME Keith Bohlinger

MAJOR Architecture

GOALS - Create new experiences for the brothers of Michigan Theta - Create better cultural experi-ences for older members

NAME Mike Newton

MAJOR Biomedical Engineering

GOALS - Revamp and Refine the BMS interview process and banquet - Create new and innovative re-cruitment materials to make our booth stand out among the rest

our NEWEST members

C O M M U N I C A T I O N SNAME Austin Chapman

MAJOR Architecture

GOALS - create/utilize communication Chairs to the fullest - Produce two Theta Thoughts Newsletters a Year - Update and Re-organize Chapter Webpage

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By ANDREW HOPKINS, ‘10

Our plane landed mid afternoon at Orlando International Airport. Joe Leuenberger, Ian Williams, Erik Slagter, and myself arrived at Sigma Phi Epsilon’s 51st National Conclave. SigEp hosts this event every two years at a different location and some of the most prestige hotel resorts in the country. The 2009 Conclave was at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel in Orlando, Florida. Arriving at the hotel we soon learned what Florida was like in August – very hot and very humid. Not comfortable, but luckily all of the planned events were to be inside with air conditioning. The rest of the afternoon was spent registering for the three-day event. Evening consisted of the opening ceremony and different small conferences. I was assigned to the credentials conference which involved sitting on a committee and meeting with the chapters that had outstanding debt to the national fraternity. I never expected to see some of the great amounts of debt that I did. Some of the figures were over $25,000! As a committee and with help from the Grand National Treasurer Christopher Bittman , we were able to work out all financial plans for the chapters in debt. The opening ceremony welcomed all of the undergraduates, alumni, volunteers, and

Michigan Theta unites with brothers nationwide at Conclave 2009

C O V E R S T O R Y

Greetings, I hope that all is well with you, and your family. Some of us are a little older, grayer, but one thing remains; it’s great to be a SigEp!

As you will read in our magazine wonderful things are happening with Michigan Theta chapter and our Alumni Volunteer Corporation. The chapter remains the largest, drawing the best and brightest to its mem-bership because of our reputation, consistent balanced programming, scholarship, and leading by example, all making SigEp the best fraternity on campus.

Over the past year, we have established a Michigan Theta Endowment Committee dedicated to growing our scholarship funds, and establishing a memorial on campus. Our house committee is working to secure a long term rental property on Circle Drive for Michigan Theta to call home.

I would like to welcome four new volunteers who have joined our AVC over the past year. Mike Fleck, joins us from Michigan Tech, Nick Stremer from Uni-versity of Minnesota, Josh Bach from Grand Valley, and Raini Gilmore, our parents liaison; I am excited to have these individuals on our team, I know their fresh ideas will strengthen our chapter. Additionally, I would like to take this opportunity thank all of our alumni volunteers who give unselfishly of their time and talent throughout the year.

Last, we need your help. If you able to help on a project or as a long term volunteer, please contact one of the AVC members. If you’re planning an event, and would like to invite others to attend, send an email to Woody Floyd who manages our distribution list and he will send out an invitation. We hope to increase alumni event programming over the coming year, and hope to see you at one of these events.

Justin Wiseman

A Message from the AVC President

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the national board of directors. After the ceremony we were free to do what we wished. A lot of the undergraduates went straight to bed, but some relaxed in the outdoor pool or enjoyed a few drinks at the hotel bar with other brothers of SigEp that they have never met. Even some of the legendary SigEp alumni were seen at the bar talking with undergraduates and with brothers that they may have not seen in years. Day two. Everyone’s alarm went off way too early, that is for sure. After a quick breakfast everyone

dispersed to different events that anyone could go to on their own time. These events consisted of fitness classes, time management, and everything else in between. I on the other hand attended legislative meetings all day. The national fraternity has always told us as undergrads that we actually run the national chapter. That was hard to understand at first because it didn’t really make sense. How could the individual chapters across the nation run one national fraternity? Well, the legislative meetings cleared everything up. In these meetings different bylaws were proposed, voted on and either passed or dismissed. Each chapter that was attending Conclave had one delegate to sit in these meetings. The delegate’s responsibilities were to vote and essentially make changes for the national chapter. This involved listening to all of the proposed changes to the current bylaws and the new bylaws that were being proposed. This process eventually took two days. The last thing that the delegates were responsible for was to elect the new national board of directors. Electing the new national board was one of the most exciting things that I experienced. Day two ended with the Buchanan Cup Award Presentation. This presentation is probably the most looked forward to for all of the participants

at the Conclave. The Buchanan Cup, or “Buc” Cup for short, is awarded to individual state chapters for their accomplishments over the previous two years. Applying for a Buc Cup is a long strenuous process. Most applications turn out to be 100 pages or more. To receive a Buc Cup means that your SigEp chapter is the best of the best. There is no set number of Buc Cups given out at Conclaves so every chapter that applies has a chance. The undergrads at LTU spent countless hours of their own time to put together their application and thought that they had a very good chance at being awarded. I was sitting in the fifth row, center stage for the event. It was amazing, everything from the opening to the awards and the closing. Unfortunately MI Theta did not receive a Buc. Cup at the 51st Conclave although there were multiple schools being described that I thought for sure was going to LTU. We will get it next time for sure! Day three (the last day of Conclave) was very similar to day two of Conclave but consisted of more specialized events and conferences. It was also the last day of the delegation meetings, which was a relief to all. The two major events on day three were the Ritual and the Closing Dinner. First, the Ritual is the lifeblood and a connection for all SigEp chapters across the country so it is always interesting to see how other chapters perform and at this Conclave everyone was treated with being able to see the original Ritual performed. It was interesting and informative to see how the fraternity has changed and grown from the original Ritual to the Ritual that we all use now. The closing dinner was spectacular. From the food to the speeches there was no let down what so ever. The most interesting part of the dinner was listening to the new Grand Chapter President Garry Keif speak. His goals for the fraternity over the next two years are very reasonable and promising. There are many good things to come in the next two years and I am sure that everyone is looking forward to it! We left the resort in the morning tired, worn out, and having no sun tan, but motivated and inspired to get back to our MI Theta brothers and share our experiences and new knowledge to help make our chapter better then ever.

PAGE 10: Brothers throughout the country walk to the Day’s events at Conclave.PAGE 11: Michigan Theta’s view at Dinner.

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SigEp emerges as the Greek Day WinnerBy MIKE NEWTON, ‘12

At Lawrence Tech, success during Greek Day is generally measured in three ways: Song and Skit, Tug of War, and overall Greek Day standing. This year, Sigma Phi Epsilon pulled off a clean sweep.For the Song and Skit competition, SigEp put a new spin on an old tale, taking Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” and adapting it to tell the story of LTU. Adam Ingraham, the then-President of MI Theta took the lead role as Alice and met all sorts of people from the One Stop Center Cheshire Cat to the Imaging students, to the Architects, and finally the Engineers. The skit ended with the entire chapter rushing the stage and breaking it down with a Rick Rack. Overall, the SigEp skit ran the rest of the competition, placing first overall.After Song and Skit on Friday, the real competition began early Saturday morning. In the morning, everyone woke up bright an early for a Pancake Breakfast put on by some of our brothers before making their way over to campus for the big day. SigEp got off to a hot start initially, winning many of the speed events early in the morning. During lunch time, Sigma Pi hosted its annual pig roast at the field house, and for about an hour, the Greeks all put their

alliances aside and had a great time eating lunch with one another. However, after lunch ended, everyone returned to their sides and to the battlefield. Things took a turn after lunch because the other organizations began to rally back in a big way. What had once seemed like it was going to be a blowout quickly became an intense race for first place. Around midway through the post lunch events, a torrent of heavy rain caused the games to be temporarily suspended, leaving everyone tense and eager to finish the remaining events. At long last, the rain subsided, and all the organizations came back out to finish what they had started. When all was said and done, SigEp and Sigma Pi, the two largest organizations on campus, were a close first and second. It all came down to the final tug of war match (the last event of the day) to determine the champion. In epic fashion, the SigEps emerged victorious after a long, hard fought battle, claiming the Greek Day trophy for the first time since 2007. The brothers don’t plan on stopping at just one victory, however. Practice has already begun for this year, and Sigma Phi Epsilon will accept nothing less than another victory in 2010!

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Winter Retreat 2010: New Location, Same funBy DAN BISHOPING, ‘13

Winter retreat is a special time for both MI Theta undergraduates and alumni. It gives everyone a much needed weekend away from the burdens of college and work, and includes events ranging from the annual Undergrad vs. Alumni football game to the Epsilon Rite of Passage. More than anything, though, it provides the undergraduates and the alumni a unique opportunity to get to know each other on a much more personal level than most other events.Winter Retreat saw a venue change from years past as Camp Kidwell in Bloomingdale, MI hosted this year’s retreat. Overall, the turnout was very good, with alumni coming in from Seattle, Germany, and everywhere in between. The weekend began on Friday night with the undergraduate members’ Epsilon Rite of Passage. This year’s EROP was particularly unique in that the Red Heart ceremony was performed as a precursor to the ritual by the undergraduates. This is the first time in many years that this ritual has been performed by MI Theta.The undergraduates finished the ritual early Saturday morning, with just enough time to get a couple hours of sleep in before breakfast. Meanwhile, the alumni were up bright and early to kick off the annual alumni poker tournament. During Breakfast the undergrads trickled in as they awoke from their short naps in order to eat and get acquainted with the alumni.As with any Winter Retreat, the annual undergrad vs. alumni football game was one of the highlights of the weekend. This year’s game was definitely a bruiser; both teams came out of the gate with no reservations. Early on both teams were able to get on the board, and from start to finish it was a tightly contested game. Touchdown was exchanged for touchdown as the game became more and more physical. At the final whistle the alumni emerged victorious. If any tempers had flared up throughout the battle, they were long gone the second the game ended, as opponents once again came together into one proud and unified chapter.All in all, everyone had a great time, and we the undergraduates all loved the opportunity to meet so many alumni. We look forward to seeing everyone back next year, hope that those who weren’t able to attend will be able to come out next time and share in the good times!

The group photo, 2010.

The alumni put up a fight as always during Football.

Chapter Presidents at Retreat.

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Gearing up for Volleyball BLAST 2010

By KEVIN McLARNEY, ‘11

March 27, 2010 marks the coming of the 23rd Annual Volleyball BLAST! Much has changed since the last time this tournament has been mentioned in a Theta Thoughts article. The 2009 event was a great benchmark for the chapter. Twenty-eight teams played in the two newly introduced brackets for competitive play and recreational play, a newly formed event planning committee was formed for this event, and Monster Energy Drink came out to sponsor the event!

This year’s event is shaping up well; Michigan Theta is continuing to benchmark some great things. The committee that was formed last year for the 2009 event has become a year round committee. The 2011 event packet will be handed out to teams at the 2010 event, encouraging teams to fundraise thorough the year. Another exciting change for the 2010 event is that the proceeds are going to “Reconstruction Efforts Aiding Children without Homes” or (R.E.A.C.H.) which was founded by Brother Donald Stevens ’92. Like the 2009 event, teams can visit vbb.michigantheta.org to register online. More information about R.E.A.C.H. can be found at www.reach4children.org.

A few words from Committee Members:Stephen Sciacchitano: “Joining the Volleyball Blast

committee has been more than just an obligation to me; It has been an amazing opportunity to develop the skills I wouldn’t have developed in a classroom or in a meeting. I have been given opportunities to work with companies and individuals toward helping a great cause in a way that may not make me any money, but that earns me the respect of many and the most invaluable experiences and acquaintances I’ll ever have. We do everything we do because we want to help those in need, support those who are helping right alongside us, and make it as much fun as possible for others to do the same. Joining SigEp was one of the best decisions I ever made. So what about joining a dedicated committee within that great fraternity that works diligently and professionally toward the simple goal of supporting a worthwhile organization? I’d say that ranks right up there with it.”

Mitch Dumond: I was initiated into the Volleyball BLAST committee for the 2009 tournament. I was the YouthAIDS contact. I spent most of my time talking at YouthAIDS and not hearing anything back. It was nice changing to R.E.A.C.H. knowing that a brother is making this big of a difference. It really makes me feel like I am making a much bigger impact on these kids life. When the earthquake hit I knew that there wasn’t a more crucial time to fundraise than now. Being able to talk directly to Don Stevens and seeing pictures of what he is doing in Haiti makes all the difference.

Trevor Taormina: As an incoming freshman I knew that I wanted to join something that was bigger than me. As I began to go through the stages of the fraternity I began to grow as a leader. My big brother, Kevin McLarney, saw my progress and encouraged me as much as he could. As a few weeks went by he asked me if I would come out to the Volleyball Blast meeting just to see what it was about, and I became involved. I started to do more and more things on this committee. Then Kevin asked me if I would take over the Volleyball Blast committee. I accepted his offer and have been working with him to learn what it is all about to run a successful committee. This has begun to change my life in a couple of ways. I am know learning how to approach others in everyday life and not be afraid of what the outcome is. I have learned that I must always be organized and know where everything goes because without organization something will go wrong. Learning what it takes to take over such a large event is not an easy process, but I am will to learn all that I can and do the best with what I have learned. All this would not have been possible if I did not have the help my big brother Kevin and the rest of my SigEp family.

S P R I N G 2 0 1 0 15

As many of you know, I am currently in my 6th semester of studying mechanical engineering. I have taken four Spanish classes at Lawrence Tech, qualifying for a Minor in Spanish. I am here on the recommendations of my Spanish teacher Monica Stevens and my academic advisor and Epsilon Challenge Mentor Dr. Robert Fletcher. The university I am attending is called by many names: ITESM, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Tec de Monterrey, Monterrey Institute of Technology, or just Tec. ITESM is known for being the best university in all of Latin America, with the Monterrey campus being its first created and leader amongst programs available. About 16,000 students are at the Monterrey campus in all different majors from International Business to Music to Engineering and Architecture. The campus is beautiful, the people are all very friendly and really cool, most students and administrators can speak English as a second language. Some told me this experience would be a four-month vacation. They were right in some ways, but trust me that being taught Fluid Mechanics in Spanish is by no means easy.

As for my involvement in the Chapter while I’m 2000 miles away in another country, I am helping out Sound Body, my Little Brothers, and doing some other planning. I am currently drawing up plans for my Fellow Project. It is my goal to have the gears turning on that before I return in May. I guess I can speak for a minute about Fellow. As I am currently a Brother Mentor, I have done a lot of reflection upon this Fraternity, my life’s work and hobbies and what they all mean to me. I want to work towards a goal not for myself, but to benefit everyone that it possibly can. I brought along my LRB, shirts with blocks and some shirts from the 2009 Conclave to show off. Describing an American fraternity to people, regardless of what language I speak in, has been interesting. Many Mexicans have a harder time understanding exactly what an American fraternity is, how it works, and why.

SigEp Goes AbroadBy IAN WILLIAMS, ‘11

Fall 2009 was a little different than the rest of my time spent at LTU because I was lucky enough to have the chance to live in Italy for four months. Need-less to say, I jumped at the opportunity because after all, how many times does one get to do something that unique in college? Although saying goodbye to friends, family, my girlfriend, and my brothers was tough to overcome, I will never regret the decision and would do it all over again. I lived in an apartment located in the city center of one of the most famous cities in the world, Florence. I attended classes under professors who regularly appear on the History Channel and National Geographic to talk about Italian Renaissance. While walking to and from school, I would pass some of the most famous pieces of art and architecture known to

the world. Buildings and statues that I grew up studying and admir-ing in pictures were the very same objects that seemed to gradually become part of normal everyday life. It’s sur-real to say that passing the doorstep of one of the largest cathedrals in the world became rou-tine. The regularity of the passing somehow

embedded a sense of ownership in me, and fending through groves of the abundant yet expected tourists began to annoy me. Fortunately, I was able to travel elsewhere in Europe. I saw main attractions in Amsterdam and varying cities in Austria and Germany. The differ-ences in culture between cities in such close proximity were distinct, each having perks and weaknesses. Un-doubtedly, the biggest perk I experienced in Germany was Oktoberfest. Saying Germany has amazing beer now seems an understatement. So here’s to the sword and the heart…

By COLLIN GRAW, ‘10

UPCOMING EVENTSMarch 26, 2010

Help out at Gleaners Food Bank March 27, 2010

23rd Annual Volleyball BLASTMarch 28, 2010

SigEp Parent DinnerApril 17, 2010

Greek Day @ LTUJune 5, 2010

18th Annual Steven D. Iaquinto Memorial Golf Classic

June 10-13, 2010SigEp at Michigan International Speedway

August 12 -15, 2010SigEp at Michigan International Speedway

Building Balanced Leaders for the World’s Communities