Sweet Happenings from Your Sweetheart – Issue Two

January 16, 2011 · Michelle Rodio

Thank you for all the wonderful emails about the last issue! Spring semester began Wednesday, January 12th, with brothers sharing winter break stories — trips to Thailand and Singapore, a Bahamas cruise, and visits home across the country. Now everyone's gearing up for recruitment, hosting this year's Province workshop, Derby Days, and the 40th Birthday.

The Norman Shield Award

A reminder from the January 1st issue: at 40th Birthday, I'll be presenting the first-ever Norman Shield Award to the brother who best lives up to Sigma Chi's values — judged by me and a chapter vote, based on accountability, respect, and dedication to recruitment, philanthropy, grades, and financial responsibilities. Donations can be sent to me or Quaestor Chuck Kwon.

Meet the Recruitment Chair — Christian "Glee" Schirra

The 768th initiate (Gamma Mu, Spring 2010), 19, from Ellington, CT, Christian has wanted a commercial aviation career since his first flight at 16 months old. Studying Aeronautical Science, he holds his private, instrument, and commercial licenses (~150 hours logged) and is working on his CFI, aiming to captain a 747 or A380 across the Pacific someday. He's involved in SGA, is a Resident Advisor, played on the ERAU soccer team, and is a member of the Catholic Student Union and ALPA ACE.

Meet the Scholarship Chair — Trevor Simms

"Facial" (Gamma Mu, the 770th initiate) hails from Roslyn, New York, majoring in Air Traffic Management with four minors (Meteorology, Psychology, Homeland Security, Human Factors). He's held Secretary, Treasurer, and Fundraising Chair for his pledge class, and enjoys volleyball, soccer, golf, and the beach.

Meet an Active Brother — Andres Villalobos

The 764th initiate ("Houdini," Gamma Lambda), Andres is from Guatemala City, studying Aeronautical Science with a Business minor, graduating May 2012. He served as Assistant Magister in Spring 2010 and Magister in Fall 2010, leading the Gamma Nu pledge class. He enjoys volleyball, the beach, and flying — and is dating Eta Iota's 2009-2010 Sweetheart, Bridget Cox.

Meet a Newly Initiated Brother — Rick Lapp

"Night Vision" (Gamma Nu, Fall 2010) was the 774th initiate, from White Plains, New York, majoring in Business. A former high school pitcher on track for Division I baseball, a heart condition ended those dreams — he's found Sigma Chi fills that void, calling it the family he lost through baseball. He's the IFC representative and plans to transfer to Marist College next fall to pursue finance.

Where Are They Now?

Michael Wyble (Spring 1974, 163rd initiate, "Mike") lives in Caledonia, NY, and has worked for American Airlines for 22 years, nearing retirement. He and his wife Becky have five children, including son Jordan, who was initiated into Sigma Chi at Clarkson University on March 6, 2010 — Eta Iota's own founding anniversary date.

Terry Owens, Founding Consul of Eta Iota (7th initiate, Alpha Class), led the transition from local social fraternity Sigma Chi Delta to the Eta Iota Chapter of Sigma Chi in under a year. He graduated in 1971, moved to California in 1974, and has been a banker for over 30 years, the last 22 with U.S. Bank in Newport Beach. His little brother Dave Wilkinson, also of the Alpha Class, lives just two miles away in South Orange County — the two reconnected by chance at a grocery store about a decade ago and both stay active in the local Sigma Chi Alumni Chapter. Terry credits Sigma Chi with bringing him countless friends and business connections over the years.

Remembering When... A Blast from the Past

A look back: the undergrads' 4-on-4 Flag Football Championship team (Nick Nelson, Jim Lambertson, Derek Pizzo, Russ Fortin, Joe McCaffrey), and a photo from Eta Iota's 35th Birthday celebration — getting everyone excited for the 40th!

Sigma Chi Shirts

New and returning designs available: "Sigma Chi Brother" ($14, renamed from "Alumnus" so sons and nephews can wear it too), unisex Philanthropy ($18), "I Love my ΣΧ" ($20), "Sigma Chi's are my kind of Guys" ($17, runs small), and a new "Winged Sigs of Eta Iota" design ($20). All proceeds benefit the Children's Miracle Network — orders due by March 1st for pickup at Birthday, or shipped if you can't make it.

Keep the emails coming — sweetheart@etaiota.org! And if you'd like to be featured in "Where are they now?" or share photos for "Remembering when...," send them my way.