Chapter News California-Berkeley:
100 years of brotherhood commemorated By ROBERT FRAWLEY, California-Berkeley ’12
In November, the California-Berkeley Everyone at Chapter celebrated its centennial and Berkeley feels the the importance of SigEp’s brotherhood. impact of Brother California Alpha was founded in 1910 by a Tragos’ remarks, group of young men seeking a meaningful because over their fraternity experience. Little did they know 100 years, they that the first SigEp chapter in California have retained would connect the lives and stories of men their strong for over 100 years. brotherhood in the The three-day celebration kicked off at face of immense the famous Claremont Hotel in Berkeley. social and politiUndergraduates welcomed prominent cal challenges. California Alpha alumni such as Gifford Their recent win Dickel, ’41. Laughter and old jokes filled of the school’s the room as they reminisced about 2010 Outstanding college. Undergraduates were able to see New Member what SigEp means after graduation. Jas Development Hora, ’14, said, “Listening to the stories Program Award was the best part of the centennial and proves California shows that SigEp’s brotherhood does not Alpha SigEps are end after graduation but continues on continuing to make for life.” great strides as a Alumni were ushered in to watch chapter. a special performance of the Epsilon Brothers tailgated for the Cal-Oregon Ritual. Luke Madera, ’08, who served on football game, generously organized by the Ritual committee, said, “Doing the Frank Isola, ’68. Everyone enjoyed the original Ritual allows us all to connect undergraduates’ pulled pork sandwiches with our history. and the smorgasbord of For me, this is treats made by alumni what SigEp is all wives. about, connecting Alumni and Volunteer people from differCorporation members ent walks of life, shared stories with backgrounds, and alumni about their SigEp ages.” experiences. AVC member Among the Nick Stone, Wichita inspirational and State ’02, reiterated that, heartfelt speeches, “After graduation, I’ve guest speaker called Houston, Chicago, Brothers Frank Curcio, ’63, right, and Neal Gibsen, and former Grand and San Francisco home. ’66, catch up at the celebration. President William Regardless of where my G. Tragos, Washington in St. Louis ’56, career has taken me, the bonds of SigEp recollected that, “I saw alumni who brotherhood remain constant. Each chapreally love Cal Alpha and are ready to ter and AVC has its own personality, but help [the undergraduates] have the best the men and their perspective, shaped collegiate experience. These guys have by the ideals we value, remain uniform the self pride and self respect to not regardless of geography.” accept anything but Aristotle’s demand The weekend ended with a relaxing for excellence in all they do. Cal Alpha is brunch and a raffle of a signed photo headed towards its best days ever.” of Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry. The Warriors are spon14
SIGEP JOURNAL Spring 2011
Top: Brothers gather at the SigEp house in 1962 for a formal supper. Current undergraduates and young alumni show the same camaraderie forty years later.
soring Cal Alpha’s annual philanthropy, Pedal for Life, during which undergrads and alumni bike 500 miles down the California Coast to raise money for George Mark Children’s House, a home for terminally ill children. With the help of the chapter’s new and dedicated AVC board, the undergraduates will maintain and cultivate their strong brotherhood, not only for the current chapter but for future generations. Chapter President Aref Senno, ’13, said after the festivities, “SigEp is nothing without its brotherhood. We have to work hard to maintain that connection with not only alumni, but with any brother in our lives.”