Sweet Happenings from Your Sweetheart – Issue Three

February 1, 2011 · Michelle Rodio

Eta Iota Ready for Another Recruitment!

Tuesday, January 25th kicked off a new year of recruitment for Eta Iota at Embry-Riddle's Activities Fair. The brothers have their sights on some excellent potentials after Meet the Greeks on January 28th — especially after that night's BBQ and basketball game tailgate! This week has open house (pizza and cornhole), go-karts/batting cages/mini-golf, bowling, and a Friday afternoon Spaghetti Dinner where brothers will share what Sigma Chi truly means to them. By week's end, Eta Iota looks forward to bidding some great guys who could one day call themselves Brothers.

Keep the Emails Coming and Get Ready for 40th!

I can't even begin to express how much I've enjoyed speaking with many of you, getting to know you, and how excited I am to meet you and your family at Birthday! The active chapter is just as excited — from upper classmen to newly initiated brothers, everyone is psyched to meet the alumni who helped shape Eta Iota into what it is today. Some undergrads recently did a food tasting at the Hilton with James Ahrens, and the reports were good — so if you haven't yet, get on Eta Iota's website and book your tickets for 40th! And as always, keep the emails coming — let me know what you'd like to see in future issues, or just say hi.

Meet the Tribune — Timmy Englehardt

Timmy studies Meteorology with a Media concentration at ERAU and hopes to become a broadcast meteorologist. He was in the Gamma Nu pledge class, nicknamed "Kraymah" (he reminded people of the Seinfeld character, before shaving off his long curly hair as the 778th initiate of Eta Iota). Hailing from Bradford, Massachusetts, he's a huge Patriots/Red Sox/Celtics fan, enjoys the beach and hanging out with brothers, and loves The Late Show with David Letterman (a fellow Sigma Chi!). Since being initiated, he's been elected Tribune and Chairman of the Finance Committee, and is involved in the Orientation Team with Consul Taylor Quackenbush.

Meet the House Manager — Josh Chancey

"Chancey" served as Gamma Nu Pledge Class President and was the 781st initiate, nicknamed "Monthly Gift." Born a twin, he lives in Lakeland, Florida. He currently serves as House Manager, Athletic Chair, and Greek Standards Board alternate chair, likes any and all sports, and enjoys flying and bowling. He's studying Air Traffic Management and will commission as a U.S. Army officer upon graduation.

Meet the Newly Appointed Annotator — Tony Romano

Tony, from Plymouth, Massachusetts, was in the Gamma Lambda pledge class (Fall 2009), the 745th initiate, nicknamed "Finger Food." In fall 2010 he served as Athletic Chair and Kustos; he now serves as Peterson Chair and was recently appointed Annotator when Jim Baldyga (previous Annotator) was elected Magister. An Aeronautical Science major, he enjoys soccer, golf, tennis, pool basketball, rugby, and Xbox, and hopes to fly for FedEx or UPS after graduation.

"When I became a Sigma Chi it was great, because they were the people I enjoyed being with and I was very proud of the association. It was kind of an instant confidence builder for me... So it was a really good social experience and for me it was also a social maturation. It was a great benefit." — David Letterman

Meet the Kustos — Marc Gonzalez

Marc became the 771st initiate at Eta Iota in spring 2010 (Gamma Mu), nicknamed "Opossum" (Captain America during his pledge period). Born and raised in Liberty, New York (the Catskills), he serves as Kustos and studies Aeronautical Science with a business minor at Embry-Riddle. He enjoys hunting, fishing, off-roading, and the outdoors, and is a Giants fan. Marc is also a legacy — his uncle, Juan Gonzalez, was an active brother in the mid-'70s.

Where Are They Now?

Gary Towers was initiated April 28, 1979, graduating ERAU in 1981 with a B.S. in Aeronautical Science. In spring 1981 he served as Eta Iota's Consul and hosted the 10th Birthday. Gary has flown for United Airlines since 1985 and is currently a Boeing 777 Captain based at Chicago O'Hare. He lives in the northwest Chicago suburbs with his wife of 17 years and their two children, and looks forward to seeing Sigs of the past and present at the upcoming 40th.

Brent von Stein (Fall 2000 pledge class, Beta Rho, "Sparky," 627th initiate) graduated with a B.S. in Aeronautical Science and became a pilot for SkyWest Airlines based in his hometown of San Luis Obispo, California, later completing his MBA at Cal Poly in 2009. While at ERAU, Brent won the heart of Eta Iota's 2002-2003 Sweetheart, Maggie Hays — now married, they're expecting their first child, due this July! In their free time, they love using Brent's SkyWest travel benefits; their most recent trip was Tokyo, and Hawaii has become their favorite getaway.

Legacy Sigs

Did you know Eta Iota has two sets of father/son initiates and one uncle/nephew pair? Donald and Hayden Haddox (1976 and 2004); Dave and Jay Fraser (1977 and 2010); and Marc Gonzalez with his uncle Juan (see above). Don Haddox and I have been talking about finding out just how many Eta Iota alumni are proud grandfathers, fathers, uncles, brothers, or cousins of fellow Sigs — so let us know if you have family members in Sigma Chi or Eta Iota! We'd love to share your stories.

Chapter Advisor Update

Brian Lojko, Eta Iota's Chapter Advisor, wanted everyone to know how great the active chapter is doing: the undergrads have made tremendous strides on their financial processes, clearing all debts from last semester and recovering well over half of their accounts receivable, plus over half of this semester's dues and rent paid in full. They're now working with alumni advisors to further improve their budgeting and tracking tools. Sweetheart Michelle Rodio and Scholarship Chairman Trevor Simms are also working hard on an academic improvement program including study sessions, awards, and scholarships — strong academics are job #1.

Norman Shield Award & Shirts

Just a reminder — you can still donate to the Norman Shield Award (described in the Jan. 1st and Jan. 16th issues); send cash/checks to me or Quaestor Chuck Kwon. The actives are putting in tremendous effort on grades, finances, and chapter involvement, and I can already see the improvement in morale. Sigma Chi shirt orders are still open too — all proceeds benefit the Children's Miracle Network, orders due by March 1st for pickup at 40th.

Thank you for all the support for this newsletter — without the interest of past and present brothers, these publications wouldn't be possible. Get ready for the next issue — I already have great alumni stories and, after this week's recruitment, plenty more pictures to share!