THE EMERALD OF SIGMA PI | VOLUME CVIII, NUMBER 2 | SPRING 2025 International Grand Council Charter Sustained Success at Iota-Tau ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 58th Biennial Convocation Announcement SoCal LEAP Fund Accomplishments News IN THIS ISSUE FEATURES 01 News from Sigma Pi 02 From the Grand Sage 03 Interfraternal News 03 Calendar of Events 04 "A Decade Of Dedication" 08 Convocation Announcement 10 "Leaping Forward" 14 The Foundations 18 Member Success 20 Reports 24 Growth 26 Volunteers 28 Adytum on High 32 Sigma Pi Pride 33 Photo Finish CONTRIBUTORS EDITOR/CREATIVE DIRECTOR 04 Chris Carter (Middle Tennessee '08) A Decade Of Dedication ASSISTANT EDITOR lota-Tau Chapter's Rise and Legacy at St. John's University Summer Clarkson BUSINESS MANAGER Jen Wyatt CONTRIBUTORS Jacob Camilleri (Saginaw Valley State '14) E.M CEO Jonathan M. Frost (UMSL '99) Christian Miele (Towson '00) 4 SIGMA PI Alexander Pettigrew (Indiana of Pennsylvania '15) Jake Reed (Arkansas '19) Paul Wydra (UMSL '96) 08 10 Convocation Announcement Leaping Forward Alumni Strengthen SoCal Brotherhood ABOUT SIGMA PI ABOUT THE EMERALD UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION Sigma Pi Fraternity was founded at Vincennes VOLUME CVIII, NUMBER 2 - Spring 2025 To update your contact information, University, Vincennes, Ind. on February 26, please visit: (ISSN 1074-5289, USPS 011-013) 1897. The Executive Office is located in the sigmapi.org/updateinfo greater Nashville, Tennessee area. Sigma Pi The Emerald has been published since 1911 by: or send an email to: has chartered more than 230 chapters in North Sigma Pi Fraternity records@sigmapi.org America and has initiated over 120,000 members 479 Sam Ridley Pkwy since 1897. Suite 105, PMB 334 CONTACT INFORMATION Smyrna, TN 37167 The founders of Sigma Pi Fraternity are: II sigmapi.org and additional mailing offices. emerald@sigmapi.org Rolin Rosco James (1879-1953) William Raper Kennedy (1877-1944) SUBMISSION DEADLINES 615.921.2300 James Thompson Kingsbury (1877-1950) Fall June 1 O @sigmapi George Martin Patterson (1877-1960) Spring December 1 NETWORKING GROUP FRATERNITY COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION sigmapi.org/linkedin Copyright C 2025 Sigma Pi Fraternity; Sigma Pi, and the crest are trademarks of Sigma Pi, all rights reserved. Spring 2025 sigmapi.org Contents NEWS FROM SIGMA PI FROM THE CEO SIGMA PI LAUNCHES PROCLAMATION PROGRAM Jonathan M. Frost (UMSL '99) Chief Executive Officer Over the past few years, Sigma Pi has strengthened its support model to better serve student members through enhanced consultation and educational opportunities. These efforts are driving growth-chapters are expanding, new member retention is improving, and we are seeing encouraging trends in health and safety awareness Brothers Thomas Kurt Tellez (Fullerton, CA '79), David Thomas Meis (Fullerton, CA '81) (center) and education. Most importantly, were honored with Proclamations on November 25, 2024 for their committment to the Success of the resilience of our student officers Epsilon-Nu's fishing derby fundraiser is remarkable, exemplifying what On October 31, 2024, Sigma Pi Grand Sage Christian J. Miele it means to be a Sigma Pi man. Fraternity announced the launch (Towson '00), who has championed While Sigma Pi is continuing to of a Grand Council Proclamation the program's development, progress on these service offerings, Program, an initiative designed expressed his enthusiasm for this there is a need for alumni support. to recognize and celebrate the Today's students are eager to learn initiative, saying, "The Grand from those who came before them- outstanding contributions of Sigma Council Proclamation Program to gain leadership insights, financial Pi members. Through this program, provides a tangible way to honor management skills, and the tools which was conceived by PGS those members who have gone to strengthen their chapters. Larry Rovira (Fullerton '80), above and beyond to advance the THIS IS A CALL TO ACTION FOR the Grand Council will issue formal mission of Sigma Pi Fraternity. It OUR ALUMNI. Whether through time, proclamations to Sigma Pi brothers is our hope that this program will talent, or treasure, alumni engagement who demonstrate exceptional inspire future generations of brothers is key to shaping the future of Sigma Pi. dedication to service, leadership, and to live our organization's values." the upholding of Fraternity values. As John Donne wisely said, "No Any Sigma Pi member may nominate man is an island unto himself." It is To date, proclamations have been a worthy brother for a proclamation. our collective strength that will carry presented to four brothers: Sigma Pi forward, ensuring that future Each proclamation will serve as an Thomas K. Tellez (Fullerton, generations of young men can find enduring testament to the significant CA '79), David T. Meis their purpose through our Fraternity. (Fullerton, CA '81), Jay J. Ross contributions of Sigma Pi members. III (UCLA '90), and Matthew Visit sigmapi.org/proclamations Joseph A. Sumrow (UCLA '88). for more information. THE EMERALD 1 Calendar of Events DID YOU KNOW? GRAND COUNCIL SIGMA PI STORE FROM THE GRAND SAGE A MESSAGE FROM GS CHRISTIAN J. MIELE (TOWSON '00) Sigma Pi offers a streamlined Vendor Hub that enhances Brothers, the shopping experience for our members by consolidating In February, I had the pleasure of hosting Sigma Pi offerings from licensed vendors Fraternity's first-ever national live stream celebration throughout the Sigma Pi network of Founders' Day, alongside Past Grand Sage Joseph into a single virtual storefront. V. Palazzolo (Monmouth '00). I am thrilled to report The Sigma Pi Store serves that over 500 undergraduate and alumni members as a centralized destination, tuned in to the official Sigma Pi YouTube channel for Christian J. Miele making it effortless for members this very special event, which featured a presentation Towson '00 to discover and acquire the that explored our Fraternity's origins and early Grand Sage merchandise they desire, further