Generosity of 134 Alumni seen as KSTUAA closes the books on FY25

The last year, the generosity of our Alumni (and some friends) donated $50,000 to create an annual $2000 Scholarship in Brother Dave Ledman's name. We also saw the completion of the Trophy/Conference Room inside the Chapter house thanks to participation in the Super Bowl Squares and Cossa Challenge contests and some sizable donations by several alumni!

While KSTUAA chose not to print and mail a newsletter this year often one of our largest annual expenses, we did organize and invest in several in person events including the Hall of Fame Induction at Homecoming, the Open House during Miami Alumni Weekend and the Fricker Cup in Cincinnati. In addition the KSTUAA Chapter Advisory Council also organized or third annual Senior Recognition & Welcome to Alumnus Status Event (See photos and info below.)  

Over half of this year's donations came from alumni initiated in the eighties with the next largest group being the 90s with almost 25%.     

• 1967-69: 7 alumni donated
• 1970-79: 15 alumni donated
• 1980-89: 72 alumni donated, 7 for the first time
• 1990-99: 32 alumni donated, 3 for the first time
• 2000-2009: 2 alumni donated
• 2010-2017: 1 alumnus donated for the first time
• 2022: 5 alumni donated, 1 for the first time!

The donations above reflect donations made not only to KSTUAA (501-c-7) they also include donations made to the Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund (a tax-deductible 501-c-3 entity) mostly during Stephen Alonzo Jackson Weekend of Giving. 

KSTUAA finished the year having collecting almost $21,700 in donations, event/contest fees  and member dues etc. and spending almost $39,500 with the biggest expenditure being the remodeling of the Trophy/Conference room (about $34,000!) KSTUAA had been raising money for this project in recent years and had some reserve going back to the donation made by Denison's Alumni in 2012! About $4,500 was spent on events and $500 from our Memorial Fund in tribute to members that have joined the Celestial. There were multiple in-kind gifts made that were not recorded in the KSTUAA as a deposit. Where possible, we attempted to recognize those in the list of donors.  

KSTUAA maintains a positive reserve sufficient to fund next year's events and an anticipated mailing in support of our 60th Anniversary in the Spring of 2027!  Specific details can be provided by request of the KSTUAA Treasurer, Jim Lewis or you can contact Board Members.       

Thank you to all the Alumni who donated during 2025 Fiscal Year!!! 
(June 1, 2024-May 31, 2025 - 58th year)

** indicates an Alumnus that has also given in previous years
Light Green indicates dues or donation to KSTUAA or KSTUAA Project.
Grey indicates donation to the Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund etc.  

Founders Club >$5,000

Jim Lewis '74 ** KSTUAA Board, Treasurer, Housing Company Board, HOF 2022

Chris Broome '89 ** CAC, HOF 2024

 

Chrysoloras Club $2,500-$4,999

Jeffrey Davis '81

Michael White '84 ** 

Wes Bren '85 ** KSTUAA Board, CAC, HOF 2017, DGM

Michael Schoedinger '86 ** HOF 2000

Emerald Club $1,000-$2,499 

Chuck Hess '67 ** HOF 2024

Randall Shoker '80 **

Lou Antonelli '81 **

Edward Bash '81 **

Scott Gregory '81

James Hughes '81

Timothy Solt '81 **

Joseph Williams '81

Patrick O'Brien '82 **

Mark Rowland '83 ** KSTUAA Board, Vice President

Chris Elder '85 ** KSTUAA Board

Mark Loisel '87 **

Erik Seeney '89 **

Clay Hunt '90 ** KSTUAA Board, President

Alexander Mason '91 **

Patrick Surdy '91 **  

Jonathan Wills '91 **

 

Ruby Club $500-$999 

Alan Higgins '67 ** HOF 2022

Tom Wenning '67 ** HOF 2012

David Ciochetty '78 ** HOF 2022

Dave Brinkman '81 ** CAC,  HOF 2017, ADGM

Scott Hamilton '81 **

Brad Mikes '82 ** KSTUAA Board, HOF 2023

Jay Puccio '82 ** CAC

David Mirolli '83 **

Charles Wonderlic '83 ** HOF 2017

John Henry '85 **

Dave Bouve '86 **

Mike McNally '86 ** KSTUAA Board

Matthew Smith '87 ** Housing Company Board (President)

Erik Christman '90 **

Dr. Robb Warren '92 **

David Torborg '93 **

Thomas Grusecki '08 ** 

 

Diamond Club $250-$499 

Robert Fete '68 **

Dave Vuicich '72 **

Robert Pollock '78 **

Kevin Libert '79 ** 

Timothy Corman '80 **

Keith Zurawski '81 **

William Wagner '82 **

Ed Bennett '85 **

Rick Sippola '85 ** HOF 2000, HOF Nom Com Chair

Robert Miller '86 **

Jeffrey Meek '87 **

Jon Stevens '87 **

Jason Rammes '88 **

David Batch '89 **

Timothy Storer '90 **

Steven Herron '91 ** 

Oliver Rutherford '91 **  

Andrew Zuchowski '94 ** KSTUAA Board, AA (OU)

  

Star and Crescent Club $100-$249 

Bob Coons '67 ** HOF 2023

Doug Buse '68 ** CAC

John (Tim) Willis '68 **

Donald "Lee" Gore '72 **

Edward "Ted" Newill '72 **

Craig Stichtenoth '72 **

Mark Hollern '78 ** 

Mark Morgan '79 **

Dave Brooks '80 **

William Broderick '80 **

Jay Cavender '80 ** CAC, AAA-GS

Christopher Connolly '81 **

John Hargreaves '81

Arthur Hall '82

Mark Gates '83

Christopher Scocos '84 **

Geoffrey Aurini '85 **

Scott Richardson '86 **

Larry Rosinski '86 **

Mark Heppner '87 **

John Schoger '87 **

Craig Izzo '88 ** CAC

Jeff Slovak '88 **

Matthew Weaver '88 **

Jeffrey Bieber '89 **

Guy Bradley '89 **

Chad Hague '89 **

Aaron Ort '89 **

Patrick Reedy '89 ** KSTUAA Board

Preston Belding '90 **

Kenneth Marquardt '90 **

Robert Merkle '90 **

Blake West '91 **

Colin Donovan '92 **

Erik Marx '92 **

Shawn Isham '92 ** KSTUAA Board

Mike Short '92 **

Thomas Clarke '92 **

Christopher Veneklasen '92 **

Troy Dankworth '94 **

Matt Dixon '94 ** AAA (OU)

Joseph Pesci '98

Matthew Henning '03 **

Zachary Patton '15

 

Caduceus Club $26-99

John Jahoda '73 **

Mark Cross '74 **

Scott Leonard '77 **

Dyke Mort '80 **

Troy Davis '85 **

Ed Kessler '87 **

Mark Loisel '87 **

Joseph Turner '87 **

Nathan Varnum '87 **

Frazer Donaldson '88 **

Bill Beringer '89 **

Barrett East '89 **

Brady Fening '89 **

Chris Ferritto '91 **

Gregory Poulos '91 **

Charles Perry '93 **

Michael Kuhnell '98

Roland Weissman '98

Emmett Jones '22 ** KSTUAA Board

Fernando Romero '22 **

Quinn Sippola '22 **

Nathan Zobrist '22

 

Member $25

Fred Becker '74 **

Peter Kanistros '83 **

Brad Flinders '86 **

Ed Kendall '89 **

Brad Storts '89 ** 

Daniel Wehrman '90 **

Brian Olah '91 **

Abdul Avdiu '22 **

Other Donations

Jim Cary '77 **

Chad Gibson '92 **

CAC organizes the third annual Senior Recognition & Welcome to Alumnus Status Event  

Third annual Senior Recognition & Welcome to Alumnus Status Event was held at Third Eye Brewing in Hamilton Ohio on Sunday April 6.  The event is designed to celebrate graduating seniors, encourage them to become life-long active alumni and to demonstrate that reality with alumni from the region.  

About 20 seniors participated and 15 alumni including Clay Hunt, President of KSTUAA, Chapter Advisory Council Members: Chris Broome, Jay Cavender, Jay Puccio and Wes Bren, Theta Upsilon Housing Company Board Member Mike Behrens and other alumni from the region including several of which went to Oxford afterwards to speak in a Career panel session with the Chapter (Jeff Meek, Mike Behrens, Kurt Jacobsma and Brady Fening.)  

The event which included a beer tasting was led by Will Stout IC '22 who is the Distribution Manager for Third Eye and who served as AAA-GP this past semester.  Several other AAAs were present include Jay Cavender and Daryll Rardon and DGM Wes Bren. 
 

Great opportunities to Connect in 2025!

Save the dates!

Miami Alumni Weekend 2025 
June 6-8 (Register now-details below)

Fricker Cup MMXXV in Columbus, Ohio
September 5-6

Homecoming 2025 & HOF Induction
September 27
(special notice for pledge classes of 1985 and 1988 you have Brothers being inducted into the Hall of Fame. Make plans to be there!)

Next up: June 7 Alumni Open House during Miami University Alumni Weekend 2025

All Miami alumni are invited to celebrate Alumni Weekend 2025, June 6-8 and Theta-Upsilon Chapter Undergraduates and Alumni are encouraged to stop by the Chapter House around noon for our KSTUAA Annual Open House. Take a tour of the facility, see the composites we've installed and how the Grand Ole Shoe Box is fairing.

You'll find Alumni & KSTUAA Board members uptown as early as Friday night as the KSTUAA Board holds its annual meeting and board elections Saturday afternoon.

Alumni Weekend is a great time to reconnect with friends and classmates and even bring young ones you want to introduce to one of the most beautiful campuses in the country. With students away, parking is available and cheap housing options exist with the university.

There are multiple events available at no charge for Alumni but that you must register for like the Toasted Rolls at Lewis Place Saturday morning from 8 - 9:30 a.m. and the State of the University Address with President Crawford Saturday at 11 a.m. in the Armstrong Student Center, Wilks Theater. There are special events and gatherings for Alumni graduating 5, 10, 25, 50 anniversaries (2020, 2015, 2000, 1975).

There is no fee to register for Miami Alumni Weekend (they request an option donation) and there are some events available through registration which have costs like the Bourbon Tasting hosted by the Class of 2000.

The KSTUAA Open House is free to all alumni and guest. We’d appreciate knowing who is coming so we buy enough and not too much of everything for the open house. Guests, spouses and families are welcome.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Miami Registration deadline, Friday, May 19

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More details including the complete schedule

Housing options can be found here

Some events available through registration on the Miami Alumni page:

Class of 1975 Campus Tour

Friday 3 - 4 p.m.

Buses will load from Bishop Circle and will return to Bishop Circle

Event is complimentary but registration is requested

Class of 1975 Golden Anniversary Celebration

Friday 6 - 9 p.m.| Armstrong Student Center, Fritz Pavilion - 3rd Floor

Fee & Registration required

Bourbon Tasting hosted by the Class of 2000

Friday 7 - 8:30 p.m. | Marcum Conference Center

Fee & Registration required

Class of 2020 Mixer

Friday 7 - 8:30 p.m. | RedZone

Fee & Registration required

Annual Toasted Roll 5K Run and 1-Mile Walk

Saturday 7:30 a.m. | Route Details TBD

Fee & Registration required

Toasted Rolls at Lewis Place, Open House

Saturday 8 - 9:30 a.m. | Lewis Place

Event is complimentary but registration is requested

Kids Slant Walk Cinnamon Dash

Saturday 9:30 a.m. | Slant Walk Gates to Thobes Fountain

Event is complimentary but registration is requested

State of the University Address with President Crawford

Saturday 11 a.m. | Armstrong Student Center, Wilks Theater

Event is complimentary but registration is requested

Generations Reception in Shade Family Room

Saturday 2 p.m. | Shade Family Room

Event is complimentary but registration is requested

34th Performing Arts Wine Tasting with Jack Keegan

Saturday 2 - 5 p.m. | Oxford Community Arts Center

Fee & Registration required

Miami Merger Gathering at Upham Arch

Saturday 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. | Upham Arch

Event is complimentary but registration is requested

MiamiFest Uptown!

Saturday 7 p.m. Start (Headline Entertainment at 8 p.m.) p.m. | Uptown Park

Event is complimentary but registration is requested

Fricker Cup MMXXV - Columbus Ohio
Details and registration links will be posted on the Fricker Cup page   

Hall of Fame Induction
Details about Saturday's induction will follow later this summer.
Alumni are encouraged to make plans for housing now. 
More info about the 2025 inductees... 

Two nominees announced for induction into 2025 Hall of Fame

Please join us in extending congratulations to Brother John Henry, 1985 initiate and Brother Craig Izzo, 1988 initiate as the 2025 inductees into the Theta-Upsilon Hall of Fame! 

Their induction will be held in Oxford during the Homecoming Weekend this September 27, 2025. Friends and Brothers are encouraged to come and join in the celebration!

With this announcement, nominations of other deserving alumni can be made by filling out this HOF Nomination form. 

For a listing and bios of the members of the Theta-Upsilon Hall of Fame, please see the HOF page on this site. 

John Henry

John’s career is marked by leadership roles in high-impact organizations. He spent nearly a decade as a Senior Director and partner at Alvarez & Marsal (A&M), one of the top global firms specializing in Bankruptcy & Turnaround. During his tenure, he served on the Executive Committee of the Corporate Performance Improvement practice, led the Chicago market, and managed a team of over 50 professionals. His time at A&M also provided him the privilege of working with several fraternity brothers as clients.

Before A&M, John held executive roles at Aon Corporation, a Fortune 200 insurance brokerage firm. At the Chicago headquarters, he was involved in international business operations, a role that took him to more than 40 countries and 38 states. Along the way, he often found opportunities to connect with brothers, sharing meals or drinks during his travels.

John’s passion for service shines through in his dedication to various charitable causes beyond Kappa Sigma although his work often intersects with his fraternity ties, making his efforts even more meaningful.

Brother Dave Buckley IC '87 introduced one charity close to John’s heart, The Cradle, an adoption agency in Evanston, IL.  John first met his two children here and has been an advocate and active speaker for open adoption, helping families navigate this impactful process. 

John is also deeply committed to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), now known as Breakthrough T1D. Having lived with type 1 diabetes for over 54 years, John has worked to raise funds and awareness for research into potential cures and innovative treatments. His involvement with the JDRF Gala Fundraising committee, inspired by Hall of Fame member Patrick Reedy, contributed to raising over $4.5M annually during his active years. Though he doesn't expect a cure in his lifetime, John’s efforts aim to ensure future generations can overcome this disease.

Another charity John was active in supporting was St. Michaels Episcopal Church in the early 2000s. Brother Dave Buckley who had been newly appointed Head of the Vestry at St. Michaels asked John’s to serve in his former role as Treasurer assuring John that this would "be an easy job.” 

John navigated a tough $400K shortfall in the budget amidst the .com bubble burst and donors reducing their giving. But with perseverance and dedication Brother Henry navigated the Church's financial situation although John said reducing church staff did take an emotional toll on him.

John’s expertise with financial hardship and bankruptcy was also pivotal for Theta-Upsilon and in particular the Theta Upsilon Housing Company who owned two run down properties without any tenants/income since the chapter lost its Charter in spring of 2016. KSTUAA voted to call on Chapter's alumni to preserve the ownership of the houses for a future return and organized several web presentations that summer. John responded and alongside Rick Sippola with the legal help of Dave Buckley created AEKDB LLC in September of 2016. AEKDB LLC created a means to financially prop up the Housing Company until a commercial loan could be secured to start renovating the Stone House and Crossroads church was secured as a tenant for the Shoe Box. Without John Henry's leadership and the financial commitments of several other Brothers in AEKDB LLC,  the Theta Upsilon Housing Company would have been forced to sell the properties.

More recently Brother Henry served briefly as the Alumnus Advisor to the Upsilon-Upsilon colony at Illinois State, where his son had pledged and helped them secure a chapter house. Unfortunately, his tenure was cut short by a hazing incident that led to the colony being removed from campus. 

John's story begins in Middletown, OH, where he grew up as the middle child of a middle-class family. He says his journey out of mediocrity was shaped by his enduring friendships and experiences as a lifelong member of the Theta-Upsilon Chapter of Kappa Sigma. Brotherhood has been a constant in John’s life, influencing both his professional relationships and his charitable endeavors. 

He cherishes his memories of good times and laughs while on campus and from the 30+ years afterwards with alumni brothers.  John remembers that he had two paddle questions - one was to name all of the positions he had in the house (he served as GMC and as multiple chairs) and to name just 10 of his 20 nicknames.

Craig Izzo

Craig's career reflects a commitment to excellence and leadership across diverse industries. Since 2008, he has served as a corporate Vice President at Scotts Miracle-Gro. In his role as Vice President of Global Procurement, Craig oversaw a team of 54 associates and managed annual purchases exceeding $1 billion. His responsibilities spanned supplier selection, relationship management, category sourcing strategies, and commodity hedging—all critical components of the company’s supply chain management.

Craig’s journey at Scotts Miracle-Gro included the previous role of VP Finance at the $2.5 billion consumer products powerhouse. His leadership has consistently contributed to operational efficiency and strategic growth. 

Before joining Scotts, Craig honed his financial expertise at Ernst and Young as a senior manager in mergers and acquisitions, Intel Corporation as a Senior Financial Analyst, and KPMG as a Senior Auditor.

Craig’s academic credentials further underscore his dedication to professional growth. After graduating from Miami University, he earned an MBA in Finance from Indiana University, solidifying his foundation for a successful career in corporate leadership.

Craig's connection to the Theta-Upsilon Chapter of Kappa Sigma runs deep, both as an undergraduate and alumnus. He served as both the Assistant House Steward and as House Steward living in the house for 2 years. 

As an alumnus he assisted in the initiation of the pledge class in 2015 that had to be performed by alumni due to the members injunction because of hazing allegations and a pending Membership Review.  

With this background of the loss of the Charter in view, and his experience with his sons being involved in Theta-Chi, Craig has played a key role as a founding member of the Chapter Advisory Council, a standing subcommittee of KSTUAA started in June 2019 to provide Theta-Upsilon Alumni input and support to the colony and eventual Chapter.  

Craig has been actively engaged for the past 6 years, providing valuable contributions in reestablishing Theta-Upsilon as a vibrant fraternity within the Miami Greek community. Craig helped draft the annual member review process called "Star & Crescent Conversations" which provide CAC members an opportunity to engage on "Fraternity culture" topics with all the members in 1-on-1 discussions (no small time commitment with 90-120 members to talk to!).  As an active CAC member he has helped provide alumni leadership at Homecomings, and has encouraged donations to projects helping improve the facilities. 

Craig’s commitment to supporting others extends beyond Kappa Sigma.  Craig actively contributed to his local community through years of coaching youth athletic teams. From baseball to soccer, his dedication to mentoring and developing young athletes highlights his focus on fostering growth and opportunity.

He exemplifies the spirit of brotherhood on a personal level too. For example, Craig took a personal role in helping the son of another alumnus transition to life at Miami University, introducing him to his own sons who were attending Miami at the time. 

Craig Izzo's story is one of leadership, service, and commitment to the fraternity and his life serves as a testament to the values of fraternity, friendship, and excellence.

Alumni Rally to Donate $50,000 on SAJ Weekend of Giving 2025

Posting updated March 16

Alumni Rally to Create Another Named Scholarship with record-breaking generosity in the SAJ Campaign!  

The 2025 Stephen Alonzo Jackson Weekend of Giving was the most exciting one to date for Theta-Upsilon as more than 260 gifts poured in during the weekend resulting in $51,002 raised, twice the amount to establish a named scholarship in honor of Brother Dave Ledman IC '81 who joined the Chapter Celestial in December 2024.  

KSTUAA Board voted to nominate him as our "Beloved Brother" candidate for the 2025 Stephen Alonzo Jackson Weekend of Giving campaign, Feb 28 - March 2. In the program when $25,000 is raised a new $1000 annual Scholarship is created.  In the event a chapter raises $50,000 during the weekend, the annual scholarship amount will double to $2,000. All amounts raised shy or in excess of $25K or  $50K will be directed to the existing Chapter Scholarship Fund to benefit specifically Theta-Upsilon undergraduates. Donations can be made starting at midnight February 28 until Sunday March2 at midnight. 

As a result of our efforts Theta-Upsilon  rated #2 in contributions in the country, #5 in total number of donations and First in Ohio generating 57% of the state's $88,750 in donations.  Ohio was 4th in the nation in the number of donations behind, Texas, California and Louisiana.

100% of the Undergraduate members and pledges donated $10.24 to the effort.  Chapters receive 5 bonus points for for FACE for being at 100% in an effort intended to promote life-time of donations. 

More than $5000 was donated by Brother Ledman's family colleagues and friends. 

KSTUAA thanks the brothers that participated in $4000 in Challenge Matches!  

Three Alumni created Challenge Matches to encourage donations from ALL our Theta-Upsilon Alumni. These matches were all met generating over $8000 in donations! 

• 2:1 Match for Alumni from the 70s:  Brother Jim Lewis IC '74 will match every donation two to one from fellow 1970s Theta-Upsilon Alumni up to $2000. HAS BEEN MET 3/1 THANK YOU!!
  
  
• 1:1 Match for Alumni from 1988-1991:  Brother Chris Broome IC '89 will match every donation from Theta-Upsilon Alumni initiated from 1988-1991 up to $1000 total. HAS BEEN MET 3/1 THANK YOU!!

• 10 First Time Donors Challenge:  Brother Wes Bren IC '85 will donate $500 when there are 10 first time donors to the Theta-Upsilon Chapter. HAS BEEN MET 3/1 THANK YOU!!

• Five Donations 1996-2015:  Brother Wes Bren IC '85 will donate $500 when Five Theta-Upsilon Alumni initiated from 1996 to 2015 have made donations this year. HAS BEEN MET 3/1 THANK YOU!!

KSTUAA has added the names of all donors to the donor page on our website and updated this post below. A list of donors can be seen in real time on the Campaign site itself. To visit the Theta-Upsilon Campaign page visit this link:  donate.sajgiving.com/amb/DaveLedman 

Thank you to the Alumni that donated! 

Donations came in from 90+ alumni representing EVERY decade that Theta-Upsilon has existed! (Alumni participated from 54% of the years where we had initiation classes.)  

1967

Robert Coons

Thomas Wenning

1968

Robert Fete

John Willis

1972

Dave Vuicich (70s 2:1 Match)

Ted Newill (70s 2:1 Match)

Craig Stichtenoth (70s 2:1 Match)

Donald Gore (70s 2:1 Match)

1973

John Jahoda (70s 2:1 Match)

1974

Jim Lewis (70s 2:1 Match)

1977

James Cary (70s 2:1 Match)

1978

Robert Pollock (70s 2:1 Match)

David Ciochetty (70s 2:1 Match)

Mark Hollern (70s 2:1 Match)

1979

Mark Morgan (70s 2:1 Match)

Kevin Libert (70s 2:1 Match)

1980

Bill Broderick

Dave Brooks

Tim Corman

Dave Mort

Jay Cavender

Randall Shoker

1981

Christopher Connolly

Jeffrey Davis

Scott Gregory

Scott Hamilton

John Hargreaves

James Hughes

Timothy Solt

Joe Williams

Keith Zurawski

Lou Antonelli

Edward Bash

David Brinkmani

1982

William Wagner

Patrick O'Brien

Brad Mikes

Jay Puccio

1983

Mark Rowland

Mark Gates

Dave Mirolli

1984

Mike White

1985

Geoff Aurini

Ed Bennett

Wes Bren

Chris Elder

John Henry

Chris Scocos

Rick Sippola

1986

Mike McNally

Rob Miller

Scott Richardson

Mike Schoedinger

Dave Bouve

1987

Mark J. Heppner

Mark Loisel

Jeff Meek

John Schoger

Matthew Smith

Jon Stevens

Joseph Turner

1988

Jason Rammes (88-91 Match)

Matt Weaver (88-91 Match)

Jeff Slovak (88-91 Match)

1989

Guy Bradley (88-91 Match)

Patrick Reedy (88-91 Match)

Aaron Ort (88-91 Match)

Chris Broome (88-91 Match)

Jeff Bieber (88-91 Match)

Bill Beringer (88-91 Match)

Barrett East (88-91 Match)

Chad Hague (88-91 Match)

1990

Erik Christman  (88-91 Match)

 Preston Belding (88-91 Match)

Timothy Storer  (88-91 Match)

Clay Hunt  (88-91 Match)

1991

Jonathan Wills (88-91 Match)

1992

Erik Marx 

1994

Andrew Zuchowski

Matt Dixon

1998

Michael Kuhnell (96-15 Challenge)

Joseph Pesci (96-15 Challenge)

Roland Weissman (96-15 Challenge)

2003

Matthew Henning (96-15 Challenge)

2008

Thomas Grusecki Jr. (96-15 Challenge)

2015

Zach Patton (96-15 Challenge)

2022

Fernando Romero 

Nathan Zobrist

Quinn Sippola

Emmett Jones

Brother Dave Ledman

Brother Ledman was a leader, mentor, and lifelong supporter of the Theta-Upsilon Chapter. His impact on the Chapter was profound, serving as Grand Master, Grand Master of Ceremonies, and Grand Scribe during his undergraduate years. As an Alumnus, he continued his dedication to Kappa Sigma, serving on the Theta-Upsilon Housing Corporation board, where he played an important role in paying off the Chapter’s Withrow Avenue property loans.

Beyond his leadership, Dave embodied the Brotherhood, camaraderie, and spirit of Kappa Sigma. His love for golf led him to organize the annual Salt Fork Golf Trip, a tradition he started in 1992 that brought together generations of Brothers for competition, laughter, and unforgettable memories. His legendary sense of humor and dry wit made him the life of any gathering, whether on the golf course or among his closest friends.

Dave graduated from Miami University in 1984 with a degree in Economics before earning his law degree from The Ohio State University in 1987. He built a highly successful law practice, demonstrating the same dedication and sharp intellect that made him a standout leader in Kappa Sigma. 

 

 

The 2025 Fricker Report has been published and its BIG!

We got a little carried away! But the good news is we have published profiles of 44 Alumni in this 42 page full color online issue!  No one said you need to read it ALL, but we bet you'll find something on interest in it! https://bit.ly/FrickerReport2025

Chapter publishes a new Kappa Signal!

The February 2025 issue features an updates and photos on Rush, the Teddy Bear toss charitable event and profiles the EC and the Scholarship award winners.  Click here to see it.   

Super Bowl Squares to Drive Winning Renovation for Chapter House!

Win up to $1000 and help support Chapter Excellence! 

The 2025 edition of the KSTUAA Super Bowl Squares offers a prize pot worth $1000! 

Just $20 per square. Secure your Super Bowl Square today!!!

Helping our Chapter  
The KSTUAA portion (half of proceeds) will help fund the work to complete the brand new Conference/Trophy Room in the Shoe Box. See the write up in the January 12 post and the latest photo here of work in progress.

Thanks to the generosity of alumni over the last year we have raised of $27,500 for this project, but more is need to pay for the project which is expected to cost about $34,000 in total.  (The Commercial grade table, chairs, display cabinets, monito and sound bar/video camera have cost almost $23,000. Additional materials, lighting, security and labor to date have raised the total to $30,000. Additional work will require another $4000)

The room will be/is operational in time for Rush 2025 and the boys are very excited!  

 

The Kappa Sigma Super Bowl Squares Game Format:
The Kappa Sigma Super Bowl Squares is our simple take on a perennial favorite where alumni can pick squares with two numbers that reflect all the possible combinations of the last digit in any score. Pick the square that matches the AFL and NFC teams scores during a quarter end and you are a winner!!! 20% of the prize will be awarded to the winner in each of the first three quarters and 40% of the prize money will be award to the alumnus matching the final score!

Instructions:
Send us the game squares you want e.g. A1, C7, F5, I2, J10 and email to KSTUAA@gmail.com. (Squares are awarded based on the first to reach us, based on email sent times with dues paying Alumni getting priority on ties) Duplicate choices will be assigned nearest open spot by KSTUAA.

The Tables showing available squares will be updated each day: CLICK HERE to see the Table of Available Squares (May need to "right click to download" if it doesn't display)

Make payment with PayPal here. $20 per square for anyone that has paid KSTUAA Dues (so if you haven't paid dues add the $25 KSTUAA Alumni dues) If you already have paid Dues... THANK YOU and its just $20 a square.) You can also use Venmo (@KSTUAA) or personal check. 

Aren't sure if you'd paid your Dues? Check the Donor's page for the list of current donors  and confirm your status (Alumni that have paid KSTUAA dues are highlighted in a light green color). 

Remember extra donations go to pay for this great project. Please be generous!

Grab a beer and see who else shows up when Bracket Master Mikes will pick the column and row numbers Live on Zoom Saturday, February 8 at 1:00 PM ET the day before the big game! 

Then enjoy Super Bowl LIX and win up to $1000 happily knowing you are helping our Chapter!

We will post this years winner here. 

Good Luck and AEKDB

A record Eight Theta-Upsilon members receive scholarship awards from the Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund in December!

Thanks to the generosity of our alumni over the last several years during Stephen Alonzo Jackson Weekend and those alumni that have become Jackson Men our Theta-Upsilon account in the endowment fund has grown to over $80,435.17 which produces one $500+ scholarship for ever $12,500 (six this year) and we have two additional named scholarships for $1000 each.

 

Our members fill in an applications and the process is managed by the Endowment funds with the awards being announced December 10 (Founders Day.) 

Eight very deserving undergraduates from our Theta-Upsilon Chapter received monetary scholarship wards from the Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund this fall.

• Brother Andrew Rossi IC '2, Grand Procurator, Past Scholarship Chair - Winner of the $1000 Clifford Browne II Named Scholarship
• Brother Luke Hastings IC '22, Past Grand Scribe, Past Alumni Relations Chair - Winner of the $1000 Brian P. McDowell Named Scholarship
• Brother Ben Bayler IC '23, 
• Brother Mark Colavita IC '22,
• Brother Ryan Kellogg IC '24, Grand Treasurer
• Brother Patrick Miller IC '22, Past Grand Master, Past AGC Chair
• Brother Zachary Sharpe IC '24,
• Brother Michael Skidmore IC '24,

Alumni are reminded that during Stephen Alonzo Jackson Weekend of Giving 100% of donations go to the designated chapter.  Our alumni have been amazing!  Please check out some of the details. 

If you would like to help get the word out to make sure this year's campaign is another success, contact Wes at KSTUAA@gmail. 

KSTUAA votes to honor Dave Ledman in SAJ Weekend of Giving 2025

The KSTUAA Board voted to submit the name of Dave Ledman '81 who joined the Chapter celestial in December to the Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund as our "Beloved Brother" candidate for the 2025 Stephen Alonzo Jackson Weekend of Giving, Feb 28-March 2. 

The program introduced last year enables chapters to apply all the donations from the weekend to create an annual $1000 scholarship in the brothers name. To create an annual $1000 Scholarship, $25,000 must be raised. Last year 16 new annual scholarships were created through this program in its first year. Theta-Upsilon created two similar $1000 annual scholarships in the name of Brother Browne and McDowell last year but not through the "Beloved Brother" Program.     

Brother Ledman served the Chapter as Grand Master, Grand Master of Ceremonies and Grand Scribe. As an alumnus, Dave also served on the Theta Upsilon Housing Company board for multiple years and was one of the officers that guided the process of paying off the loans for the Withrow Avenue properties.  

Dave was an avid golfer and organized an annual golf trip to Salt Fork State Park for fraternity brothers in the Cleveland area starting in 1992. His brothers fondly remember the beautiful locale which featured ridiculous difficulties and the phrase "get forked" when you have been invariably ambushed by one of its many pitfalls.

It is perhaps no surprise then that Dave was also a winner of the KSTUAA 2016 Fricker Cup (along with Brother Rick Sippola '85) held in Cleveland and appropriate that he become the first ever victim of the Eddie Fricker Switcheroo Card on the first hole! The odd-ball rule forced Dave to play Brother Scott Hamilton's ball that had been shanked and landed 25 feet left of the tee-box behind some shrubbery while Scott was free to play Dave's beautiful drive in the fairway! Such is the love shared by pledge brothers of the 1981 pledge class.  

After graduating from Miami in 1984, Dave went on to complete his law degree from The Ohio State University Law School in 1987. After working for a big litigator in Cleveland, Dave started his own firm handling a wide variety of cases all over Ohio while simultaneously taking on a diverse array of transactional work for countless clients.  

KSTUAA extended its sympathy on behalf of all Theta-Upsilon by sending flowers to his wife Aly. Additional details about Dave and services can be found on legacy's website.  

Work on Trophy/Conference Room Begins 

The KSTUAA Chapter Advisory Council finalized its selections this fall and contracted with the TUHC contractor to complete work on an important amenity to the Chapter House, a small Conference Room/Trophy room designed to promote Chapter Excellence.

In the old formulation of the Chapter House where the Stone House at 404 E. Withrow was recognized as a Fraternity House, there was a room with a trophy case and a large room at the back of the house that prompted KSTUAA to raise money to create a conference room in 2012.  However the loss of the Charter and later the Oxford property designation of the facilities as a "fraternity" when the Stone House was renovated into two apartments and Shoe Box was leased to Crossroads Church resulted in these common areas being lost.

The new Trophy/Conference room will be located in the Shoe Box in an old "triple" near the TV Lounge that Alumni helped furnish in 2022.   The room will support small meetings and studying, video conference meetings between the EC and advisors and alumni. It will also be used to to display the Charters from 1967 and 2022, the Hall of Fame Plaque, other awards and memorabilia etc. One of the trophy cases will hold more historical artifacts like the original Star & Crescent Fraternity pin, early documents and awards etc and the second display case will include current day chapter awards from Kappa Sigma and Miami. The room will feature a combination lock and security camera to discourage theft and vandalism.     

Alumni have been asked to make donations to help finish the project which will be about 90% done before 2025 Rush. and the KSTUAA Board designated funds raised in the 2025 Super Bowl squares and Cossa Challenge to fund this project and the work of the CAC. Donation of any amount are welcome and may be made as directed on the Dues, Donations & Funding page.

To date several alumni have been very generous and have donated or promised donations to help us close the gap on the funds needed to complete the project. (see list below) 

Images: (Top) Slide documenting the plan for the project. (Middle) the rendering of the Executive committee conference table, two display cases. The room will also display the Charters and other awards. (Bottom) Work in December including newly painted walls (same color green used in Charlottesville.) 

Thank you to the following alumni for their recent donations to fund this project:

• Chuck Hess '67 HOF 2024
• Alan Higgins '67 HOF 2022
• Tom Wenning '67 HOF 2012
• Jim Lewis '74  HOF 2022, KSTUAA Board, Treasurer, Housing Company Board
• David Ciochetty '78 HOF 2022
• Charles Wonderlic '83 HOF 2017
• Wes Bren '85 HOF 2017, KSTUAA Board, CAC, DGM
• Mark Heppner '87 
• Chris Broome '89 HOF 2024, CAC

New HOF Nominating Committee Begins Work for 2025 

The 2025 HOF Nominating Committee has begun work processing nominations submitted by December 15, 2024 for consideration for election for induction into our Hall of Fame. 31 Alumni have been inducted since it began in 2000. 

The while the criteria remains the same to focus on contributions to their profession, community or to the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and Theta-Upsilon Chapter as alumni (not as undergraduates) the process was updated in 2022 so that the HOF Nominating committee now collects nominations and creates comprehensive profiles for use by the inducted members of the Hall of Fame to vote on. 

Annual recognition will be scheduled for Homecoming weekends except during the 5 year reunions. A plaque displaying these inductees has been created will be displayed in the Chapter house as a reminder to undergraduate members that their oath to live by the ideals of the Star and Crescent extends beyond college.  

KSTUAA in an effort consistent with its first Great Aim: Inclusivity-Engage All of our Theta-Upsilon Alumni worked hard to recruit members from multiple decades resulting in this years committee representing six decades!  It is our aspiration that this will promote more nominations from all our alumni of those deserving recognition.  To date alumni from 1967-2002 have been inducted.      

Thank you those that volunteered to serve as HOF Nominating Committee members for 2025: 

• Rick Sippola ’85 Chairman,
• George Duffield ’67,
• Dave Vuicich ’72 
• Christian, Essman '92 
• Thomas Grusecki Jr. '08
• Gabe Johnson '22
• The Alumni Relations Chair: Evan Love '24