|
Sigma Chi - AU Chapter
Building a Legacy of Leadership
for Over 100 Years!
“Men join fraternities; leaders of men join Sigma Chi.”
~ John Wayne, Alpha Upsilon Chapter
| |
|
Brother,
Halloween is here and marks the start of the holiday season and end of 2025... how quickly time flies. The one constant is that Trojan Sigs, past, present and future stand stronger than ever by remaining the most sought-after fraternity on The Row. In this issue, you will:
- See how AU welcomed new pledges (all 39 of them)!
- Learn how to secure your exclusive copy of The Proud History of the Trojan Sigs
- Celebrate the incredible generosity of brothers and supporters who have already contributed to the Four Pillars Capital Campaign that will help shape bold new era for our legacy and our future
In Hoc,
Kerry McCluggage, '76
Jim Burk, '74
Chip Herman, '78
Matt Matteson, '81
Bob Vogelzang, '81
Kendall Young, '83
| | |
Alpha Upsilon Welcomes 39 New Brothers: The Standard of Excellence Continues
Alpha Upsilon has done it again. On October 10, 2025, 39 outstanding young men were initiated into the Alpha Upsilon Chapter of Sigma Chi, continuing the impressive record of recruiting values-driven leaders. Consul Spencer Biles shared what every alumnus hopes to hear, “They’re definitely one of the most respectful and well-mannered that I’ve seen in a long time… Men possessed of good morals. You can tell they were raised well.”
The fall pledge class, guided by Magister Jacob Aaron, includes brothers from Pasadena to Newport Beach and Manhattan to Mexico City, and all are now calling 907 W 28th Street their home. Their initiation ceremony was made especially meaningful with Sigma Chi fathers, brothers, and alums pinning the White Cross on their sons, siblings, and family members:
| | |
These moments underscored Sigma Chi’s powerful family legacy at Alpha Upsilon, where the bonds of brotherhood are lifelong. Still, as any Sig will tell you, family is not limited to bloodlines. It extends far beyond biology and reaches into generations of brothers who have been there for each other through life’s most meaningful milestones… graduations, weddings, births, and the passings of loved ones. These bonds only grow stronger with time.
With rush drawing more than 700 potential new members and total active chapter membership holding strong above 200, Alpha Upsilon continues to thrive under the University Park IFC, proving that strong leadership, shared values, and deep-rooted brotherhood fuel lasting success.
| | |
Mark Hojel, '91, AU, Lorenzo Hojel, AU, and Erika Hojel, Proud Mom
"Sigma Chi has a strong tradition in my family. My grandfather was a member at the University of Tulsa, my uncle was a Sig at Cornell University, and my father became a Trojan Sig in 1988. I'm honored to have the privilege of continuing and strengthening this Sigma Chi tradition." ~ Lorenzo Hojel, AU
"I am excited for Lorenzo to experience firsthand the lifelong bonds and friendships that are formed at AU through the values of Sigma Chi. Just as I did, I am confident that Lorenzo will grow tremendously from the Sigma Chi experience and, in turn, contribute meaningfully to the brotherhood and the experiences of his fellow brothers.” ~ Mark Hojel, '91, AU
| | Jeff, Bitetti, '83, AU//Chapter Eternal and Dante, Bitetti, AU | |
“It’s a privilege and an honor to be a legacy of my father in the Brotherhood of Sigma Chi. I am committed to honoring him and the Bitetti family name by making a positive impact on the community that surrounds us. I will strive to inspire others and pave the way for other Alpha Upsilon Sig legacy’s to follow.” ~ Dante Bitetti, AU
“The Bond of Sigma Chi is reciprocal. I can’t think of anything better that defines the strong meaning of lifetime Brotherhood, than to stand in for my closest Sigma Chi friend, Jeff Bitetti, who passed away just two weeks before his son’s (Dante) initiation, and place the White Cross on Dante’s chest. What an honor! My love for Jeff, Dante, and the Bitetti family lives forever in the White Cross of Sigma Chi.” ~ Dan Vogelzang, '78, AU
| | | |
Join the Four Pillars Capital Campaign Book Club!
The exclusive Four Pillars Capital Campaign Book Club is reserved for our most dedicated alums who contribute $25K or more to help build the new Alpha Upsilon Chapter House! As a member, you'll receive your own copy of "The Proud History of the Trojan Sigs: Alpha Upsilon Chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity" by renowned author, Jeff Burnside, '79. But that’s not all... your generous gift will leave a lasting mark on our chapter’s proud history, helping make the Alpha Upsilon "Legacy of Leadership" a reality for generations of Sigs to come. Make history with us, and become a member today!
| | |
Building Our Legacy:
The Four Pillars Capital Campaign
Brothers, the end of 2025 is fast approaching, and now is the time to think about making your year-end gift. With 60% of funds and pledges raised to build a new chapter house, your contribution will not only make a powerful difference in helping us get to the next phase in the campaign, it will also allow you to benefit from a 2025 tax-deductible charitable contribution. One gift, with two lasting impacts…
You can honor the past and strengthen our future by securing the legacy of AU alums and future Trojan Sigs. The house will be built to the highest contemporary standards so that our investment will serve the Chapter for many years to come and secure our place as the most prestigious and sought-after fraternity at USC. All donor names will be engraved on the Donor Wall, will be invited to the official ribbon cutting and other ceremonies to celebrate being a part of the over 100-year history of the Alpha Upsilon chapter of Sigma Chi.
Brothers, this is where you step up. This is where you secure your place in Trojan Sig history as one of the men who helped usher the new Alpha Upsilon Chapter House into its next, proud era. Click here to join the leaders who are building a legacy, brick by brick... www.uscsigmachi.org/naming-rights
| | A HUGE AND GRATEFUL THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE DONATED! | | |
Four Pillars Society $1M+
David Pyle, '80 (Executive Board &
Founder's Room)*
1889 Society $250K+
Kerry McCluggage, '76
Jordan Standard Society $100K+
The Ginger and Tony Allen Family Foundation
Tony '59 and Ginger Allen, Scott Allen, '82,
and Steve, '83 and Tracy Friedmann
Jim Connelly and Family, '77
Rick John, '80
Keith, '79 and Metta Krach
Matt Matteson, '81
Jon Muller, '84
Norman Shield Society $75K+
Scott Burnham, '79
Rick Myers, '79
Cardinal & Gold Society $50K+
Anonymous (Fitness Center)*
Pledge Class of 1978 (Volleyball Court)*
Mike Femino and Family, '92 (Study Lounge)*
John Geisbush, '78
Chip Herman, '78
Bill Holl, 79
Dr. Paul Olivera, '78 (Foyer &Library)*
Tom Ralphs, '75
Dan Smith, '85
Joe Wirht, '81
907 Society $25K+
Jeff Armour, '77
Jim Burk, '74
Jeff Gill, '78
Andy Gilmour, '76
Andy Jessup, Jr. '88
Craig Johnson, '91
Sean Kell, '91
Kent Lucas, '78
Brad McCroskey, '77
Jim Morouse, '83
Hon. Victor Person, '68
Mike Severson, '84
Dennis Slattery, '67
Joe Tavarez, '78
Garrett Van Konynenburg, '23
Nelson Wheeler, '77
Brett White, ZK, '81
Dana Woudenberg, '68
Kendall Young, '83
$10K+
Gerald Anderson, '87
Gene Erbstoesser, '67
Dr. G Wayne Gertmenian, '62
Kirk Jensen, '78
Andrew Jessup, Alpha Chapter, '55, "In
honor of my son and our Brother,
Timothy (Tim) Dutton Jessup, AU '91,
Chapter Eternal, '05"
Rich Miailovich, '62 (Miailovich Family Foundation)
Jim Mitchell, '72
Blake Patten, '01
Crane Patten, '73
Dan Plunkett, '79
William Rakow, '68
John Scudder, '68
Rick Sullivan, '80
Dan Vogelzang, '78
Billy Walk, '02
$5K+
Chuck Fry, '81
Larry Hall, '76
Lacy Marlette, '68
Keith Moreland, '82
Doug May, '81
Rich Miailovich, '62 (Miailovich Family Foundation)
Bob Vogelzang, '81
$1K+
Kory Arntson, '91
Hunt Barnett, '80
W. Brockermeyer, '93 (Brockermeyer Family Fund)
Tod Byers, '81
James Carreon, '89
Mike Cobo, '78
James Carreon, '89
John Cervenka, '82
Robert Davis, '76
Doug Hadnot, '68
Joe Hillings, '59
Gordon Jennings, '69
Kevin Jones, '08
Stephen Kiefer, '78
William Kiefer, '81
Greg Martin '86
Jeff Morton, '71
Scott Mullins, '93
Fred O'Banion, '69
Robert Olive, '69
Jeff Olson, '81
Tom Pecht, '74
Bill Rakow, '68
Blake Rosendin, '10
Max Rosendin, '07
Raymond Rosendin, '51
Ronald Rus, '72
Jimmy Slusher, '08
Stephen L. Smith, '70
Thomas Smith, '68
John Sorgenfrei, '76
Tony Tootell, '01
Craig Waite, '81
William Waller, '17
Bruce Watson, '81 In memory of Jack Watson, '53
Aaron Webster
Jim York, '70
Up to $1K
Anonymous
Dan Bozo, '80
Blake Brewer, 09
Richard Cottrell, '83
Dylan Dann, '11
Peter Doder, '81
Matt Douglas, '19
Daniel Durfey, '59
Robert Eres, '02
Shane Foley, '91
Robert Hendershot, '74
Mark Hochgesang, '68
Marc Kazarian, '78
John Miller, '69
Mark Muller, '81
Michael O'Toole, '82
Gary Potter, '63
Spiro Psaltis, '81
Robert Renouard, '85
Parker Reuter, '15
Maxxwell Sellers, '21
Jeffrey Schwartz, '88
Jim Scofield, '71
Robert Skoro, '77
Bruce Smith, '76
Scott Spearman, '90
Jim Sprinkel, '74
Ed Stanton, '90
Jeff Swan, '81
Brian Ulf, '80
Derek Westervelt, '78
Mark Whiting, '07
*Naming Rights
| | |
HELP BUILD OUR LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP
Naming opportunities are going fast. Don't miss out on being a part AU history!
All donors will be recognized as noted below. In Hoc!
| | |
NAMING OPPORTUNITIES
Chapter House - $3M
Pillar #1 Friendship - $1M
Pillar #2 Justice - $1M
Pillar #3 Learning - $1M
Pillar #4 Leadership - $1M
Executive Board Room and Founder’s Room - $1M+* (David Pyle, '80)
Chapter Room - $200K+
Dining Room & Kitchen -$150K+
Leadership Training Room - $75K+
Study Lounge- $50K+* (Mike Femino, '93 and Family)
Foyer & Library - $50K+* ( Dr. Paul Olivera, III, '78)
Fitness Center - $50K+* (Anonymous)
Basketball Court - $50K+
Volleyball Court - $50K+* (Pledge Class of '79)
Courtyard - $25k+
GIVING SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP
Four Pillars Society - $1M+
Craig Nason Jr. Society - $500K+
1889 Society - $250K+
Jordan Standard Society - $100K+
Norman Shield Society - $75K+
Cardinal & Gold Society - $50k+
907 Society - $25K+
To secure Naming Rights for a given room or space in our new Alpha Upsilon Sigma Chi Chapter house, contact TSF President, Kerry McCluggage, '76 kerry@craftsmanfilms.com or Executive Director, Four Pillars Capital Campaign, Lisa Dulyea ldulyea@outlook.com. Naming Rights will be granted on a first come, first served basis.
The Trojan Sig Foundation is 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and all gifts are tax deductible and can include one-time gifts, matching funds or pledges of up to three years. Non-cash assets (like equity stocks or bonds), in-kind gifts, and more are appreciated as well. If you'd like to donate using our secure online portal, follow this link https://www.uscsigmachi.org/donate-to-four-pillars or scan the QR code below. If you prefer to send in a check, or make a pledge via U.S. mail, please fill out the Donor Form on our website https://www.uscsigmachi.org/
*Naming Rights Assigned
| | All gifts to the Trojan Sig Foundation's (a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization) Four Pillars Capital Campaign are tax- deductible and can include one-time gifts, matching funds or pledges of up to three years. Non-cash assets (like equity stocks or bonds), in-kind gifts, and more are appreciated as well. | | | | |
