Homecoming 2024 saw over 20 alumni back to celebrate Kappa Sigma at Miami! Alumni from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and 2022+ were back to celebrate Brotherhood and enjoy fellowship, BBQ and good times. Highlights included the Hall of Fame inductions of Brother Chris Broome IC' 89 and Chuck Hess 1967 founder. KSTUAA President, Clay Hunt IC '90 kicked off the program with some inspiring comments followed by the Chapter's Grand Master, Luke King IC '22 sharing an update for the Chapter. Rick Sippola IC ‘85 was the emcee of the HOF induction.
Nominations for 2025 HOF inductees can be made now through Dec 15. For more details about the HOF Program see the HOF webpage.
KSTUAA Communications and Event Chairman, Brad Mikes IC '82 collaborated with the Chapter’s Alumni Relations chair, Luke Hastings IC '22 to organize a great event for all in attendance.
The Theta Upsilon Housing Company board held its annual meeting at the Chapter. Board members including President Matthew Smith IC '86, Treasurer Jim Lewis IC '74, Rick Sippola and Dave Walker IC '88 met with the Chapter's Housing Chair discussing occupancy rates and other facility issues.
TUHC is seeking additional Alumni to join the Board. Anyone with experience in one or more of these areas would be a bonus:
- Real Estate
- Property Management
- Accounting & Tax
- Strategic Planning
- Raising capital
The KSTUAA Chapter Advisory Council met with the Executive Committee. Brothers David Brinkman IC '81, Jay Puccio IC '82, Craig Izzo IC '88, Chris Broome IC '89 and Fernando Romero IC '22 led a discussion based on the feedback gathered during the Star & Crescent Conversation (member 1-on-1 calls) and about other issues related to the Chapter's strong member growth. The Chapter stands at 98 members and is set to initiate 7 more this fall and this growth and size places new stresses for leadership, housing and brotherhood on our Chapter. The CAC is also looking for additional alumni within 2 hours of Oxford to join its team of eight to help our chapter excel. While the weather was gray and wet, it didn't stop the fellowship or Miami who wearing blue in honor of Western College prevailed over UMass Dom Dzioban kicked a career-long 47-yard field on the last play of regulation and then hit from 43 yards in overtime to give Miami (OH) a 23-20 win over Massachusetts. KSTUAA has targeted effort to make Homecoming a big event ever year. Start talking to alumni about attending next year!
KSTUAA Board Votes to adopt 3 Great Aims and Creates Two New Chairs/Committees
The KSTUAA Board met August 25 and voted to adopt what it is calling its Thee Great Aims. Essentially these three statement provide more detail and structure to guide our Alumni Association.
Aim One: Inclusivity: Engage All of our Theta-Upsilon AlumniWe seek to reach and connect with all of our alumni and celebrate them and their contributions.Our Objectives & Initiatives- Alumni database – we seek to have accurate info on 100% of our members
- Volunteers from all eras
- Hall of Fame & communications celebrating achievements across the spectrum e.g. Public Service
- Maintaining Composites and Library of contributions, history
Aim Two: Living Kappa Sigma “For Life…”We seek to provide and support opportunities for Alumni to reconnect, engage with other Alumni and Kappa Sigs undergraduate and outside of Theta-Upsilon.Our Objectives & Initiatives- Hosting in-person Events (Reunions, Open House, Homecoming, Charter Day, Happy Hours, Fricker Cup)
- Host virtual events (e.g. Cossa Challenge & contexts)
- Regular Communications (Social Media, eNewsletters etc.)
- Memorial Fund to honor
- Promote Volunteer opportunities
Aim Three: Build on our Good Legacy by Supporting our ChapterWe seek to support the undergraduates and the Theta-Upsilon Chapter and promote its growth as a model for Fraternity.)Our Objectives & Initiatives - Chapter Advisory Council and its Programs and involvement
- Professional Networking (Alumni Docent Program)
- Promote Financial Giving (e.g. SAJ/Endowment Fund & KSTUAA project donations & dues)
- Support the Theta Upsilon Housing Company & related initiatives
- Promote good relations with Miami, Kappa Sigma and Oxford community
In addition the KSTUAA Board voted to create two new chair positions/roles with in the Board:- The Archives Chair is responsible for collecting information, photos and memorabilia that reflect Theta-Upsilon’s history and find ways to display it physically at the chapter or digitally on-line. For example, the composite reprints and items like the original Star & Crescent pin for the trophy room. The Archives Chair will also maintain the Family Trees with information gathered by the Records team and share this electronically. He will publish stories of historical interest on the website and in the newsletter and ensure that the information about Chapter officers, awards and volunteers is accurate on the website. The Archives chair will work with other committees to secure donations to make this all happen.
- The Hall Of Fame Liaison has two primary objectives: 1. to engaged the HOF Nominating Committee and support its efforts to secure open and representative nominations, a fair election of an inductee, and help coordinate with the Chapter and the Events committee a respectful and quality induction ceremony and celebration and work with the Communications teams to publicize the activity and 2. to provide updates and service directly to the HOF inductees at least twice a year as a special group of alumni interested in Theta-Upsilon (for example a conference call with updates about the chapter and KSTUAA)
KSTUAA President, Clay Hunt will be appointing board members in to these roles and alumni interested in supporting the Archive purpose are encourage to reach out to Clay to be added to the committee. KSTUAA is also looking for additional alumni to assist in the planning of events and the communications program. Please let Brad Mikes know if you are interested.
- Alumni database – we seek to have accurate info on 100% of our members
- Volunteers from all eras
- Hall of Fame & communications celebrating achievements across the spectrum e.g. Public Service
- Maintaining Composites and Library of contributions, history
- Hosting in-person Events (Reunions, Open House, Homecoming, Charter Day, Happy Hours, Fricker Cup)
- Host virtual events (e.g. Cossa Challenge & contexts)
- Regular Communications (Social Media, eNewsletters etc.)
- Memorial Fund to honor
- Promote Volunteer opportunities
- Chapter Advisory Council and its Programs and involvement
- Professional Networking (Alumni Docent Program)
- Promote Financial Giving (e.g. SAJ/Endowment Fund & KSTUAA project donations & dues)
- Support the Theta Upsilon Housing Company & related initiatives
- Promote good relations with Miami, Kappa Sigma and Oxford community
- The Archives Chair is responsible for collecting information, photos and memorabilia that reflect Theta-Upsilon’s history and find ways to display it physically at the chapter or digitally on-line. For example, the composite reprints and items like the original Star & Crescent pin for the trophy room. The Archives Chair will also maintain the Family Trees with information gathered by the Records team and share this electronically. He will publish stories of historical interest on the website and in the newsletter and ensure that the information about Chapter officers, awards and volunteers is accurate on the website. The Archives chair will work with other committees to secure donations to make this all happen.
- The Hall Of Fame Liaison has two primary objectives: 1. to engaged the HOF Nominating Committee and support its efforts to secure open and representative nominations, a fair election of an inductee, and help coordinate with the Chapter and the Events committee a respectful and quality induction ceremony and celebration and work with the Communications teams to publicize the activity and 2. to provide updates and service directly to the HOF inductees at least twice a year as a special group of alumni interested in Theta-Upsilon (for example a conference call with updates about the chapter and KSTUAA)
Alumni rally again to create a $1000 per year named scholarship in Brian P. McDowell's name
Started in the spring of 2024, Alumni rallied to raise the $25,000 needed for a perpetual scholarship through the Kappa Sigma Endowment Fund. KSTUAA Board wants to thank the alumni and family members that made this possible. Here is a list of those that contributed:- Alexander Mason
- Blake West
- Brady Fening
- Christopher Veneklasen
- Christopher Broome
- Christopher Ferritto
- Colin Donovan
- David Batch
- David Torborg
- Erik Seeney
- Fricker Cup 2024 Hole Contest
- Gregory Poulos
- James Lewis
- Jason Rammes
- Jonathan Wills
- Kenneth Marquardt
- Kenneth Mc Dowell
- Mike Short
- Oliver Rutherford
- Patrick Surdy
- Preston Belding
- Robb Warren
- Steven Herron
- Thomas Clarke
- Timothy Storer
- Troy Dankworth
- Alexander Mason
- Blake West
- Brady Fening
- Christopher Veneklasen
- Christopher Broome
- Christopher Ferritto
- Colin Donovan
- David Batch
- David Torborg
- Erik Seeney
- Fricker Cup 2024 Hole Contest
- Gregory Poulos
- James Lewis
- Jason Rammes
- Jonathan Wills
- Kenneth Marquardt
- Kenneth Mc Dowell
- Mike Short
- Oliver Rutherford
- Patrick Surdy
- Preston Belding
- Robb Warren
- Steven Herron
- Thomas Clarke
- Timothy Storer
- Troy Dankworth
