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Sigma Chi - AU Chapter
Building a Legacy of Leadership
for Over 100 Years!
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Brothers,
With the holiday season upon us, we have so much to be grateful for and to celebrate as we look forward to an incredible year ahead for the Alpha Upsilon Chapter.
In this edition of the Trojan Sig Foundation newsletter, we’re proud to highlight how Trojan football reflects the enduring values of Sigma Chi. You’ll also enjoy fun and interesting Sigma Chi facts, an inspiring spotlight on our featured November alum, and an update on the exciting advancements of the Four Pillars Capital Campaign.
Thank you, as always, for your unwavering support and dedication to our brotherhood.
In Hoc,
Kerry McCluggage, AU '76
President, Trojan Sig Foundation
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Brothers Beyond the Gridiron
The cover photo and feature story in the Fall 2024 issue of The Magazine of Sigma Chi features seven Alpha Upsilon Sigs – all on the active roster of the USC Trojans football squad! (from the article)
“Inside the hallowed grounds of Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the USC gridiron lies a unique bond that extends beyond touchdowns: Seven players, united not only by their football prowess, but also by the fraternal bonds of brotherhood they share as members of Sigma Chi…”
USC football and Sigma Chi share a legacy that extends all the way back to November 1888, when the very first Trojan football was played. Click here to read the full article: https://bit.ly/48TD25C
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Did You Know...?
The Alpha Upsilon Chapter has a long, and interesting history. Each month we'll share some fun and compelling facts about the Trojan Sig legacy and why it continues to be the most sought-after and highest-rated fraternity at USC.
- In 1921, Alpha Upsilon secured what could be called its first semi-permanent chapter house by leasing a former sorority at 504 West 31st Street. It was called the “Ivy Covered Lodge” located on what is now a FedEx parking lot where 31st Street intersects with the Santa Monica Freeway at Flower Street - read more about AU's fascinating history here: https://bit.ly/4hRgfeZ
- Brother John Romain, '68 "tricked" Elvis Presley to visit the AU Chapter house with with a masterful plan to receive a made up award called the Alpha Upsilon Youth Leadership Award. Click here to read the entertaining story: https://bit.ly/4fTOzV2
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As the first fraternity at USC, the AU Chapter has an impressive legacy of leadership with 40 Significant Sigs to date, going back as far as 1905. Check out our proud history of excellence here: https://bit.ly/4fOH3uq
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Elvis Presley receiving his "Award" | The Mastermind, John Romain, AU '68 | |
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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 legacy, helping make the "Legacy of Leadership" a reality for generations of Sigs to come. Make history with us, and become a member today!
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From Country Roots to Global Impact: Alumni Spotlight on Gene Erbstoesser, '70
Growing up in Bakersfield, California, Gene Erbstoesser would often say, “You can take the kid out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the kid.” It's fitting that this small-town AU Sig went on to work in some of the world’s most bustling cities: Los Angeles, New York, and London, over an impressive 40-year legal career.
Gene entered USC in 1966 on a full scholarship, pledging Alpha Upsilon in the spring of 1967. He quickly stepped into leadership roles as Annotator, Rush Chair, and House Manager - and still found the time to be a USC Squire and Knight. Majoring in U.S. history, Gene decided law school was his best path forward and earned his Juris Doctorate from Hastings College of Law in 1974.
In 1978, after marrying Maria Campo (a USC Theta), Gene joined Arthur Young & Co.’s legal team in New York City. Ten years later, he returned to Los Angeles to establish the first West Coast legal department among the Big Eight accounting firms. After a merger with Ernst & Whinney, Gene’s career took him to London, where he ultimately served as Deputy General Counsel of EY Global.
Gene’s nearly five-decade dedication to USC and Sigma Chi is equally extraordinary. He kept his Trojan season tickets no matter where he lived, helped re-establish the USC Alumni Club in NYC, and has been a Cardinal & Gold member for over 40 years. As for Sigma Chi, Gene’s commitment has been unequivocal. He received the Exemplar Sig medal (awarded by chapter vote to, “the man who most exemplifies the spirit of Sigma Chi”). Upon graduation, Gene served as Chapter Advisor to chapters at UCLA, Cal State Long Beach, and USC, and he was recognized as IFC Advisor of the Year at both Long Beach and USC.
A Life Loyal Sig and White Cross donor, Gene has been honored as a Significant Sig and member of the Order of Constantine. In 2001, together with fellow AU Sig Steve Smith, ‘ he chaired the 2001 AU Recolonization Dinner, then the largest such event in Sig history. Gene continues to serve as a mentor and role model for AU Actives and Alums alike, and is always the first to celebrate the accomplishments of those who demonstrate dedication to Sigma Chi values, excel in their endeavors, and make a positive impact in their communities.
Gene and Maria, who reside in Long Beach, have two wonderful daughters, Kristina and Tatiana and four grandchildren who keep them busy and proud. Gene has left an enduring legacy on two continents and with a community that spans the globe!
Not too bad for a kid from Bakersfield…
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Building Our Legacy:
Progress Update on The Four Pillars Capital Campaign
As you know, we have launched a Capital Campaign with a goal of
$14M to build a new AU Chapter house and establish a $500k endowed scholarship fund for deserving Sig undergraduates. The new house will provide state-of-the-art facilities, including a gym, study hall, library and more live-in capacity. While this is no easy feat, we are making great progress. Join the list of brothers who have already stepped up and contributed to preserving the AU chapter legacy for decades to come!
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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+
Mike Femino and Family, '92
(Study Lounge)*
John Geisbush, '78
Chip Herman, '78
William 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
Mike Severson, '84
Dennis Slattery, '67
Mike Smith, '85 (Courtyard)*
Joe Tavarez, '78
Garrett Van Konynenburg, '23
Nelson Wheeler, '77
Dana Woudenberg, '68
Kendall Young, '83
$10K+
Gerald Anderson, '87
Gene Erbstoesser, '67
Dr. G Wayne Gertmenian, '62
Kirk Jensen, '78
Dan Plunkett, '79
William Rakow, '68
John Scudder, '68
Rick Sullivan, '80
Dan Vogelzang, '78
Billy Walk, '02
$5K+
Lacy Marlette, '68
Doug May, '81
Rich Miailovich, '60 (Miailovich Family Foundation)
Bob Vogelzang, '81
$1K+
Kory Arntson, '91
Hunt Barnett, '80
James Carreon, '89
Mike Cobo, '78
Doug Hadnot, '68
Joe Hillings, '59
Kory Arntson, '91
Hunt Barnett, '80
James Carreon, '89
Mike Cobo, '78
Doug Hadnot, '68
Joe Hillings, '59
Kevin Jones, '08
Stephen Kiefer, '78
William Kiefer, '81
Greg Martin '86
Scott Mullins, '93
Fred O'Banion, '69
Jeff Olson, '81
Bill Rakow, '68
Jimmy Slusher, '08
Stephen L. Smith, '70
Thomas Smith, '68
John Sorgenfrei, '76
Tony Tootell, '01
William Waller, '17
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
Hon. Victor Person, '68
Gary Potter, '63
Spiro Psaltis, '81
Robert Renouard, '85
Parker Reuter, '15
Maxxwell Sellers, '21
Jeffrey Schwartz, '88
Robert Skoro, '77
Bruce Smith, '76
Scott Spearman, '90
Jim Sprinkel, '74
Brian Ulf, '80
Derek Westervelt, '78
Mark Whiting, '07
*Naming Rights
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A HUGE AND GRATEFUL THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE DONATED! | |
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BUILD YOUR OWN LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP
This is where you step up. This is where you make history. This is where your name gets added to the Alumni Donor Wall as one of the men who helped usher the new Alpha Upsilon Chapter House into its next, proud era.
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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+
Basketball Court - $50K+
Volleyball Court - $50K+
Courtyard - $25k+* (Smith Family Courtyard: A gift from Mike Smith, ‘85 in honor of his father Tom Smith, ‘56)
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.
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
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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. | | | | |
