KSTUAA seeks to triple the number of Alumni Docents available!

Brothers Kyle Zevchik and Alumnus Matthew Garvic met in person when Kyle was
attending the Great Lakes District Conclave in Pittsburgh.

The "Alumni Docent" program is one of the crown jewels of the Theta-Upsilon experience! 

We are not aware of a single fraternity in all of North America that systematically matches a pledged/new member with an alumnus from a similar major, in a profession of interest or locality so that the undergraduate can start their professional networking!

As the Chapter has grown and is expected to continue to grow, KSTUAA seeks to triple the number of alumni available as Docents. (Click to sign-up: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZB37YGQ)

The program was introduced by the KSTUAA Chapter Advisory Council (CAC) during the Colony phase in the fall 2021 and remains popular with alumni and undergraduate members. What make this possible is two surveys online surveys/forms the CAC creates: one that every new pledge fills out that provides information about his major, career interests, hometown, hobbies and other information and second one for alumni indicating heir previous major, current and previous occupations, companies and interests.

A member of the CAC then matches each undergraduate with an alumnus that most closely matches the interest or background. Once the matches are complete the CAC provides each other's contact information and some initial profile information to make it easy to start a conversation. The undergraduate member is asked to initiate contact and schedule an initial phone conversation. 

The alumnus will share whatever insights they can and if possible help the undergraduate network with other professionals in the area of interest.

Alumni, please sign up now: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZB37YGQ 

Please see the FAQ below for answers to common questions. 

Thank you to the following alumni that have already signed up!

IC 1967 Founding
Bob Coons
Tom Wenning

IC 1967
Chris Collins

IC 1969

Gary Olmon

IC 1971
Rick Kennedy

IC 1972
Craig Stichtenoth
Dave Vuicich

IC 1973
John Jahoda

IC 1974
James Lewis

IC 1975
John Wilson

IC 1978
David Ciochetty

IC 1979
Jeff Van Treese

IC 1980
John Cassanos
Dave Mort
Jay Cavender

IC 1981
David Brinkman

IC 1982
Brad Mikes
Terry Maggard
Jay Puccio

IC 1983
Carter Ledbetter
Mark Rowland
Charlie Wonderlic
Mark Gates
Peter Kanistros

IC 1984
David Chambers

IC 1985
Ed Bennett
Wes Bren
Troy Davis
Chris Elder
John Henry
Rick Sippola

IC 1986
Matthew Garvic
Mike McNally
Rob Miller
Scott Richardson
Larry Rosinski
Mike Schoedinger
Jeff Brown
Dave Bouve
Doug Baker

IC 1987
Mark J. Heppner
Ed Kessler
Mark Loisel
Jeff Meek
Jim Rimmel
Thomas Sarty
Steven Siple
Matthew Smith
Nathan Varnum
Lane Williams
David P. Buckley, Jr.

IC 1988
Jeff Anderson
Joseph Bial
Frazer Donaldson
Mark Eckman
Craig Izzo
John McCarley
Eric Peiffer
Matt Weaver

IC 1989
Jeff Aluotto
David Batch
Jeff Bieber
Chris Broome
Barrett East
Chad Hague
Patrick Reedy

IC 1990
Greg Adler
Preston Belding
Erik Christman
Jim Eglseder

IC 1991
Michael Darkoch
Brian Eckman
Chris Ferritto
Tyge Fourtner
Patrick Surdy
Tim Moerschel
Brian Olah

IC 1992
Tom Clarke
Colin Donovan
Christian Essman
Chad Gibson
Chris Veneklasen
Robb Warren
Shawn Isham
Chuck Smolky
Steve Wolgemuth

IC 1994
Michael Duffy
Jeffrey Kotalik

IC 1995
Jason Kimmel
Brad Vornholt

IC 1996
Chris O'Brien

IC 2000
Nick Griffith

IC 2011
George Charles
Greg McCarthy

FAQ

Is this an “Alumni Big Brother” Program?

Not exactly, but there are some similarities. We purposefully don’t want to confuse the two programs. The focus of this program is on “career-interest networking.” While we hope this promotes friendly fraternal bonds that last a lifetime, the focus is connecting undergraduates with alumni from the same major or career interest to help them as they investigate and start their professional careers.

How much time are you expecting from Alumni?

Just a phone call to start. You’ll get introduced, learn a little bit about each other and if you have some connections or ideas about what might be helpful to him and his professional objectives share those. We’d love to see the alumni reach out once a year to check in, but that isn’t mandatory. Maybe you will have some additional ideas or contacts that would be helpful. We are sure he will appreciate you helping him with introductions to other people in the field of interest.

Can I introduce the undergraduate to non-Kappa Sigs in his field of interest?

Yes!!!!!!!!!!! That is exactly what this is about! Networking! It starts with a Theta-Upsilon Alumnus that is willing to get to know the undergraduate a little bit, understand his interests and goals and then being a helpful brother and providing ideas and warm introductions to contacts you have. Maybe that is another Kappa Sig, but more likely it will be someone in your list of 100s of contacts you’ve made over time. It will be up to the undergraduate to pursue the connections from there. The Docent program gives our members an helpful start.

How do we get connected and will I get some information about the member beforehand?

When there is a match, a member of the CAC will send you a profile of the member (pledged member in most cases.)  It will include a photo and information like hometown and interests. We will be providing your information to him too so you will both have a head start on the conversation. We will ask the member to reach out to you and schedule a time to speak.

I am retired, do you really want me?

Yes. We want you if you ever held a job! You will have perspective about the industry and about being successful that will benefit the undergraduate. It’s okay if your professional network is not as active. The conversation is great practice and there are other benefits of the undergraduate getting to meet and speak with an alumnus.

I am just starting my career, do you really want me?

Yes. Undergraduates will benefit from interacting with alumni just starting out!  That is probably one of their primary concerns.. “How do I get hired without having a lot of experience?” If you are employed, you already made that leap! 

What if he changes majors or his interests really aren’t in my wheelhouse?

We will be attempting to match undergraduate interests to alumni that have or are working in the field of interest. Failing that we will try to match undergraduates based on majors. In some, circumstances there wont be a good match, for example some majors and professions are new. In those cases, we are likely to match based on hometown if we can. The success of this program will not be about finding an exact match but rather that fact that we pair an inexperienced undergraduate member with an alumnus that has professional experience! You likely know people that the undergraduate might benefit from meeting. It might be a friend of a friend that brings the real valuable connection that helps the member.

What does the alumnus get out of this?

We hope that you will find the opportunity to meet a new generation of Kappa Sigs enriches your own Kappa Sigma experience and adds credence to the idea that our fellowship is not for a college term only but for life. We hope that the interaction might prompt in person connections when you visit Oxford whether for Homecoming, our 5-year anniversaries or one of those trips just-passing-through. This investment in the next generation will continue our legacy and make the Chapter stronger.

I signed up before but haven't been matched?

This is normal. We will assign undergraduates based on whatever comes through as interests.  That can be random. We are glad you signed up and will reach out to you as soon as we have someone interested in your profession, industry or major.   

What should I do if my information changes/needs updated?

Please just fill out a form with your new information and check the "Update My information Box" https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZB37YGQ