Sammy Stories Written by
Dave P. Kleppel
Made Again in New York City
(Washington University, '82), Supreme Prior
Labor Day 2023 wasn’t a typical 3-day
Alumni ranging in age from the mid-20s to
A footnote about the Mu Omicron re-activation.
holiday weekend for Sigma Alpha Mu. Friday
the late-70s came to be part of the initiation
The 15 founders of the chapter in 1949 include
September 1 Sigma Alpha Mu’s Mu Omicron
team. NYU alumni were joined by brothers
some of our most successful brothers. We lost
chapter at New York University, originally
from Brooklyn College, SUNY Buffalo, SUNY
the last of them in 2021. Their ranks included
founded in December 1949, returned to the
Stonybrook, the University of Michigan, the
attorneys, educators, physicians, an oil company
active chapter roll. Once again SAM is back
University of Minnesota, Washington University
vice-chairman and an inventor of the artificial
where we belong in NYC!
and several other schools. After the initiation
sweetener Nutrasweet©. One other, a holocaust
the students and alumni joined for a celebratory
escapee, became a physician and a contributor
That day Washington Square Park was filled with
dinner at a great Italian restaurant on Houston
on the team that won the Nobel Prize in medicine
students enjoying the sunny afternoon before
Street.
for the discovery of the anti-rejection antigen that
classes started on Tuesday. Inside the Student
makes just about all transplant surgeries performed
Center a group of young men awaited their SAM
September 1 wasn’t just the return of a historic
today possible. I share this knowledge with you
initiation ceremony. While the start of every
chapter in the city of SAM’s birth. That day
as I did with the newly-initiated members of Mu
new chapter or the return of a dormant chapter
the distinctions of age and chapters faded as
Omicron because I knew many of these men as
is always a special event, that afternoon would
Sammys from multiple generations and schools
“uncles” starting in my early childhood. You see,
prove to be exceptional.
joined to support each other and socialize as
one of the 15 Mu Omicron founders was my father.
brothers. Later, as we all went in our different
I want to express my sincere gratitude to our entire
Having been selected by NYU’s IFC and
directions a genuine excitement had been
membership for giving me the honor and privilege
University Administration as the #1 expansion
instilled in all of us. New friendships began that
of serving in this role so that I could be the SAM
choice, Growth Consultant AJ Davis started
night and have continued growing. Alumni
official who led the reactivation of the Mu Omicron
early and recruited a diverse nucleus of student
remain engaged, advising and supporting
chapter. It will be amongst the most meaningful
leaders consisting of both US and international
the chapter. Alumni from different chapters
and cherished SAM experiences I will have in my
students. They wanted a fraternity experience
who met that evening have been socializing,
life.
free from stereotypical behaviors and focused on
networking and making inquiries about how
fostering academic achievement, brotherhood,
they can help other dormant NYC-area chapters
social excellence and service to the community.
return.
Fast and firm,
And they were so eager to begin they went through candidate education before the start of
Mu Omicron’s initiation reminds all of us that the
school so that they could conduct fall rush as an
value of Sigma Alpha Mu continues for members
active chapter.
and for the Fraternity as we cross generational,
the
Octagonian
chapter and geographic boundaries throughout A magnificent day, a special group of young
our lives. More of these opportunities are
men and the city where SAM was born (where a
available to be realized. By going to our website
large concentration of SAM alumni from many
(sam.org) and signing up for a My SAM id
chapters work and live) generated quite a bit of
members gain access to SAM’s online resources
excitement. With the SAM Tri-State Alumni Club
where they can find their own chapter brothers,
also publicizing the event locally the alumni
brothers from other chapters who live nearby
turnout was fantastic!
and remain engaged in SAM.
The OCTAGONIAN ISSN 0744-6972 MATTHEW RAY, Editor Vol. CVIII No. 1 Spring 2024 ANDREW J. HUSTON, Executive Director
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The OCTAGONIAN, 8701 Founders Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268. All manuscripts and matter for publication should be addressed to Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity, 8701 Founders Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268. Return of manuscripts and photographs promised, if requested.
The OCTAGONIAN is published biannually in the summer and Winter/spring by Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity, Inc. Copyright 2024 by ΣΑΜ. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. postage paid at Indianapolis, IN, and additional mailing offices.
Dave P. Kleppel Supreme Prior
Articles published and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent the editorial views of The OCTAGONIAN or of the international officers and various entities of Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity.