BRUIN BREWINGS
FROM THE CORPORATE BOARD
We have much for which to be proud. Triangle UCLA has a long and storied history with many accomplished alumni and enduring friendships. However, the recent years have been challenging for the Chapter.
A dip in active membership numbers prior to the COVID-19 crisis were only made worse during the reaction to the pandemic. The first subsequent pledge class in the Fall of 2021 of nine was encouraging. However, efforts to recruit adequately since then have been unsuccessful. While some great new brothers have come into the fold, the trajectory is inadequate. Without significant change, we are concerned about the future of the chapter.
The Corporate Board has been primarily focused on the house with a good relationship with the active Chapter
However, younger, more energetic alumni are needed as advisors/coaches to the chapter. This can insure a more consistent and stable performance of the chapter as it rebuilds Triangle National will provide orientation and training for those who serve.
Our goal is a renewal of the Triangle chapter at UCLA, with a more active and involved alumni base and stronger relationship with UCLA engineering/STEM community.
Thank you in advance for your support!
Triangle Fraternal Corporation Board: Tom Bachman ucla66, Peter Balingit ucla91, Tim Cyr ucla 67, Shon Encinas ucla83, Brian Ewing ucla93, Rick Keller ucla66, Mike McCartney ucla64, Ben Pagliuso ucla04, Harsha Rao ucla99
July 2023 | UCLA
Welcome to the relaunched edition of “Bruin Brewings” – the official newsletter for alumni of the UCLA Chapter of Triangle Fraternity.
Chapter Winter 2022
HOUSE RENOVATION
As you are no doubt aware, we have undertaken a renovation of 519 Landfair. Some of you have seen the changes at the Fall Open Houses. Having started in the Summer of 2020 we have updated all the public areas, all but 4 bedrooms, and the kitchen We have added central AC and a new internet and security systems. The House is over 70 years old, and we have encountered some unplanned structural issues including floor and ceiling joints in several areas, as well as structural integrity of the garage beam. The sustainability plan from early 2021 also includes previously neglected ongoing maintenance and major repairs. Most of this work was accomplished with the help of alumni donations and loans of over a quarter of a million dollars
Now the house is in decent shape but is not highly competitive with many other living options on campus – except at sub-market rental rates. Currently, most of the rooms are rented to boarders, not members, which provides financial stability. However, without sufficient members living-in, the chapter lacks the sense of community and brotherhood we may have enjoyed in our eras.
RENOVATION SUPPORTERS
$50,000 or more
Greater than $10,000
Patrick
$10,000 or less
Typical refurbished room Room 2 completed in the summer of 2020, with new vinyl floor, fan, and furnishings.
The back of one garage was gated/fenced to secure the dumpsters and bikes Upstairs area was sagging and steel posts were added in the middle of each garage and posts in wall reinforced.
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Unanticipated structural problem in corner of living room
Scott Bryan ucla65, Bill Rendahl ucla61, Donald Royer ucla63
Wyatt ucla87, Tom Bachman ucla66
Rick Keller ucla66, Aki Shinoda ucla63, Ben Pagliuso ‘04
Tim Cyr ucla67, Norm Estabrook ucla62, Don Olmsted ucla58
Steve Ratner ucla65, Gary Schelin ucla62, Nathan Hackett ucla88 John Beuerman ucla62
The Corporation Board will be reaching out to those who have neglected to pay their House Note over the years .
Tim Cyr ucla67
Ben Pagliuso ‘04 Engineering Manager MedDev start ups Member UCLA Corporation Board
Kevin Fong
“Coming from a small high school, I found a comfortable home in Triangle It provided a broad group of friends, role models and a comfortable social life. Met my future wife at an exchange. Making the academic transition as a freshman was big challenge, I am quite sure I would have flunked out without support of the Brothers. Some have remained lifelong friends and I still feel close to all, young and old.”
“When I arrived at UCLA I never thought of myself as a Fraternity Man. After being dragged to a rush event by what was to become my future Triangle pledge Brother, meeting the Brothers, and learning about the history and principals of Triangle, my mind was changed forever The friends I made at Triangle are still my best friends and coworkers to this day ”
“Being a member of Triangle helped me find my way through a challenging curriculum at a huge university Somewhat unexpectedly, Triangle continued to offer opportunities to develop my leadership, communication, and other interpersonal skills after graduation. And just as importantly, Triangle provides an arena where I've continued to establish new friendships.”
Bruins Brewings | July 2023 Page 3
Commercial HVAC Salesretired Member UCLA Corporation Board
‘84 Systems AdministrationOmnicrom Health Member Triangle National Council
Founders Day Dinner 2022
Enjoying the Chancellor’s Party at Rose Bowl 60’s Brothers Cyr, Bachman, Shinoda, Chapter Eternal: Dippel, Bryan
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CHAPTER REVIVAL PLAN
The Corporate Board is working with Triangle National on an action plan to stabilize and improve the Chapter. UCLA also has offered to participate. We had a face-to-face meeting with Tom Pennington, Executive Director of Triangle, the first week of June in Marina Del Rey. National will send a Chapter development coordinator for an extended stay to work with campus, the Chapter and alumni participants. They will also glean from social media a list of Engineering/STEM prospects. Their experience has shown that a welcome message with an offer to discuss the curriculum and career prospects creates a connection independent of rushing.
We will constitute an alumni group separate from the Corporate Board, although there can be some overlap. Three or more alumni are needed to serve as undergraduate coaches. At a minimum, a primary coach to work with the active president, a recruitment coach to work with the recruitment chair/committee and, a finance coach to work with the treasurer/finance committee. In addition, Alumni with connections that may help us to improve the property in the shortterm are also needed. Finally, we plan a “tour de Triangle” around southern California to communicate what’s going on and reconnect.
If you’re interested in reconnecting or volunteering contact Tom Bachman (TBachman@me.com) or Harsha Rao (Harsha.M.Rao@gmail.com)
CHAPTER ACTIVITIES SUSPENDED
Unfortunately, matters are further complicated as the Chapter activities are for the time being suspended, by National and Campus. This is a result of an alleged hazing infraction during the Winter initiation week. Pending a review by campus, National is ready to move ahead with rebuilding the chapter.
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