Sweet Happenings from Your Sweetheart – Issue Seven

April 27, 2011 · Michelle Rodio

Eta Iota Initiates Two More Brothers!

In the early morning of Saturday, April 16th, the chapter welcomed Mark Hannan and Patrick Gonsalves as the 790th and 791st Brothers at Eta Iota.

Mark "Boomer" Hannan (790th Initiate) is from Wickliffe, Ohio, where he played football and baseball through high school despite a back injury and a torn shoulder that required surgery. He's closing out his freshman year at Embry-Riddle majoring in Aerospace Engineering, dreams of running a company that manufactures military aircraft and weapons, and enjoys working out and pickup basketball. His Big Brother is Taylor Quackenbush.

Patrick "Vidah" Gonsalves (791st Initiate) is from Norton, Massachusetts, where he grew up close to family and played baseball, football, and basketball throughout school. He's majoring in Aerospace Engineering; his Big Brother is Tim Englehardt.

Greek Life Awards for Eta Iota

The ERAU Fraternity and Sorority Life Office honored Josh Chancey (initiated Fall 2010) as Greek Community New Member of the Year for 2011, and recognized Jim Baldyga for holding above a 3.75 GPA.

Sigma Chi Summer Dates/Events

Horizons (Josh Chancey attending): June 5-12, June 13-19, July 10-16, July 17-24 · Balfour Leadership Training Workshop: UNC Chapel Hill, July 28-30 · Grand Chapter: Dallas, TX, June 23-26.

Meet the J-Board Chair — Aaron Christopher Newman

From Grantsville, Maryland (a huge Pittsburgh Penguins fan), "Pvt Cowboy" was the 755th initiate (Gamma Lambda, Fall 2010), majoring in Aeronautical Science with a Business minor. He enjoys golfing, flying, swimming, and fishing, and has been on two hurricane-relief mission trips to Biloxi, Mississippi.

Meet an Active Brother — Marc Halikas

From Surf City, New Jersey, Marc was the 765th initiate (Gamma Lambda) and previously served as Chapter Historian. He studies Aeronautical Science with an Air Traffic Control minor, and enjoys the beach, surfing, and skimboarding.

Meet a By-Law Committee Member — Kyle Sellers

"Duck Bane" was the 783rd initiate (Gamma Nu, Fall 2010), coming to ERAU all the way from Indiana. He's majoring in Aerospace Engineering (considering a switch to Engineering Physics), enjoys Xbox and snowboarding, and is an Eagle Scout.

Where Are They Now? — Arash Sabet-Rasekh

Arash came to Embry-Riddle in fall 2006 to study Aerospace Engineering and pledged Sigma Chi in fall 2007 (Gamma Eta), holding Pro Consul, Quaestor, Tribune, and Chapter Editor over the years, plus a job as a school lab manager. He attended BLTW in '09 and '10 and won the fall 2010 Torrisi Scholarship. He graduated with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering (Mathematics and High Performance Vehicles minors) in fall 2010, and is now in ERAU's graduate program for a Master's in Mechanical Engineering while working full-time as a business/systems analyst for Embry-Riddle Worldwide.

Eta Iota Brothers Celebrate Their 40th Birthday!

Eta Iota's 40th Birthday was a true celebration. Thursday, March 31st brought a campus tour and reunion at the Ocean Deck Bar and Grill despite cold, rainy weather. Friday's festivities included golf, beach time, and a fantastic BBQ with live music. Saturday morning brought the annual House Corp meeting, which installed the new executive committee: President Brett Miller, Vice President Nick Weiss, Secretary Phil Holloway, Treasurer Seth Downs, and Trustees Bill Palmer and Mike Wyble (through 2012), Jeff Penn and Brad Vomacka (through 2013), and Ramano Sprueil and Derek Pizzo (through 2014).

Saturday night's luau feast at the Hilton included a heartfelt letter from Founding Consul Terry Owens, read by Brother Rob Tetrault:

To my fellow brothers of Eta Iota, I am so disappointed that I am unable to attend our 40th Birthday Party... From our first meeting as Sigma Chi Delta, myself and the rest of the founders set out to become a chapter of Sigma Chi in the shortest time possible. We were able to accomplish this in a little less than a year... One of my fondest memories was the reading of a telegram from John Wayne congratulating us on becoming the newest chapter of Sigma Chi, signed "The Duke." It is hard to believe it has been 40 years since that day and that there are now over 700 brothers of Eta Iota... Please share your experiences and love of Sigma Chi with others and help continue the traditions of Eta Iota for another 40 years. — In Hoc, Terry Owens, Founding Consul

Significant Sig Brother Hugh Mills gave the keynote, speaking on his military experiences and how Sigma Chi shaped his life. Ramano Sprueil awarded the annual Torrisi Scholarship (1st to Jim Baldyga, 2nd to Trevor Simms), and Founder's Awards went to Trevor Simms, Taylor Quackenbush, David Cruz, Jeramiah Poff, Rick Lapp, Josh Chancey, and Jonny Jacobs. The first-ever Norman Shield Award went to Jim Baldyga.

The weekend raised significant funds: a 50/50 raffle brought in $1,250 for the active chapter, and House Corp's donation drive (with Seth Downs tracking a $20,000 goal on a paper thermometer) ended the month at roughly $11,000 in direct donations plus pledges — pushing annual 1855 membership from 49 to 82 members, with 8 more pledged to join.

The celebration made the press too — James Ahrens' recap ran in eagleNEWS, the ERAU alumni news source, noting over 300 alumni, guests, and active members attended the 4-day celebration, plus remarks from guest speaker Hugh Mills '74 (shot down sixteen times over two Vietnam tours, three Silver Stars, four Distinguished Flying Crosses, three Bronze Stars with V) and closing with a chapter meeting spanning 40 years of brothers.

Brothers Celebrate Easter 2011 at the House

Brothers and Sweethearts gathered for an Easter feast — honey-baked ham, scalloped potatoes, mac and cheese, green bean casserole, and more — followed by a competitive Easter egg hunt (160 eggs!) coordinated with Bridget Cox (Sweetheart 2009 and 2010).

Well, it's come time to part for the summer — I'll be busy with my internship at Lockheed Martin, but will try to stay in touch. Thank you to all the brothers who serenaded me at Birthday; it's a memory I'll treasure for a lifetime. Farewell until fall!