| President's Message |
My Brothers,
It is with a deep sense of satisfaction that I can report to you that the Psi Psi Chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity successfully returned to Syracuse University on February 17, 2007. It has been a long, hard struggle on many fronts to convince the numerous entities involved that we had the determination, perseverance and conviction to regain our charter as a fully functioning chapter of Sigma Chi. Having been found worthy, 48 undergraduate students and 4 alumni, were initiated into our order. It is appropriate to recognize some of the people who instrumental in our return to SU.
- Had it not been for Bill Beach, who diligently led the House Corporation for many decades and maintained our traditional home at 737 Comstock Ave., this effort would have never been attempted.
- John Bersani and Hank Suominen were at the core of the alumni base who from the beginning believed we could successfully negotiate with Syracuse University and Sigma Chi HQ to make this day come true for all of us.
- Mike Church, Sigma Chi HQ Director of Expansion led the efforts in Evanston, IL and guided us through the maze of Sigma Chi HQ rules, regulations and reports to successful approval by the fraternity's Executive Committee, and New Chapter Development Committee.
- A special thanks and recognition to the Sigma Chi Chi Colony's Alumni Advisor Board (AAB) led by Chapter Advisor Huck Cunningham. Their extraordinary and selfless efforts in mentoring the undergraduates, combined with their enthusiasm and expenditure of their own time and resources are greatly appreciated by all of us. Huck Cunningham and his AAB brothers, most of which are not from Syracuse or the Psi Psi chapter, have unselfishly made things happen on the ground in Syracuse and rightly deserve our lifelong gratitude.
- This list would not be complete unless we recognized the support by former Dean of Greek Life and Experiential Learning, Dr. Roy Baker. His support was essential, and we are indebted to him for his guidance, advice and friendship.
- The alumni in the Syracuse area who formed the Central New York Alumni Association of Sigma Chi led by Brad Short deserve tremendous credit, as having an active alumni chapter was crucial in demonstating to Sigma Chi HQ that we had the local alumni involvement to sustain a returning undergraduate chapter.
- The alumni donors to our Capital Campaign, many of which could not actively participate in activities with the undergraduates, but believed that returning the chapter to SU was the right thing to do made the difference in convincing Sigma Chi HQ that we were serious in our efforts to return the chapter to its rightful place on campus. Please believe me, that without that strong showing of financial support, we would still be on the list of chapters to be installed in the future, instead of a chapter with a new charter.
- Finally, I can not forget the young men who "walked the walk" - the undergraduate brothers who completed every task we asked of them. Most important, was to be "men of good character" on campus and accept and live the ideals of our fratenity of Friendship, Justice and Learning. I believe these men epitomize the concepts outlined in the Jordan Standard, live their lives by the Sigma Chi Creed, and interact with each other according to the Spirit of Sigma Chi. It is with a deep sense of humility that we pass the torch of reputation at Syracuse University to a new generation. Our honor is in their keeping.
Much has been accomplished, and to everyone involved, please accept my sincere thanks. We still have two more tasks to complete. Next will be the overhaul of our home at 737 Comstock Ave. led by Hank Suominen and Bill Beach. The last event will be the celebration of a strong, vibrant and worthy chapter at Homecoming 2008! See you there!
In hoc,
Butch Gilbert
Alumni Coordinator
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| Postal Address: |
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Central New York Alumni Association of Sigma Chi
c/o Mike Yates, Treasurer
42 Hannum St.
Skaneateles, NY 13152
Tel (315) 345-8623
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Psi Psi Chapter Reinstatement Committee
Central New York Alumni Association of Sigma Chi
Undergraduate Liaison Committee
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