Author: Michael Hoskins (Page 2 of 3)

Enduring a Pandemic

April 19, 2022 / Michael Hoskins

The COVID-19 pandemic presented a situation none of us in modern times had experienced before, including everyone connected to the college fraternity experience. Our Zeta Pi Chapter of Sigma Pi at Oakland University was no exception.

While quarantines and health mandates presented unforeseen challenges and changed the very nature of the fraternity experience for over a year, the pandemic period also gave Sigma Pi chapter an opportunity to shine, strengthen brotherly bonds and find new ways to navigate these pandemic speed bumps.

One notable moment in history for our Chapter is that, despite the pandemic woes, we moved into a new fraternity house in June 2021. That new location is on Franklin Boulevard in Pontiac.

“A big takeaway for me is that even in the worst of circumstances, there is always better coming your way,” said Brother Tyler Reynolds, who served as Sage from April 2021 to April 2022. “The biggest lesson I personally learned during the pandemic was that no matter what, we’ve always got that connection as brothers.”

Although Brotherhood and relationships declined during the beginning of COVID-19 with restrictions, they were able to shift to reopening and growing stronger in late 2020 and 2021 as everything began returning to some type of normalcy.

“Brotherhood and the relationships had declined in the beginning,” Brother Reynolds said. “However, as things opened up more the thing we all wanted to focus on as a chapter was bringing the brotherhood back strong as ever. It really showed in our commitments to the weekly brotherhoods we hosted as soon as we could and moving towards planning a ‘normal’ academic year.”

Since the Summer months are typically off-times for those attending OU, our Chapter doesn’t really have a summer rush; instead, any potential brothers who are met and recruited during that time are funneled into the upcoming Fall rush cycle. Due to COVID-19’s beginnings in March 2020, that late spring initiation was pospoted until everything began opening up that summer.

That led to losing half of the pledge class because of the wait, some due to pledges transferring to other schools prior to being initiated, according to Brother Reynolds.

“This was disheartening but was certainly the least of our worries given the pandemic,” he said.

When the Fall 2020 academic year began, it was a surreal moment as most colleges were still in a virtual learning mode due to the pandemic. Some schools eventually started later with hybrid models and pandemic restrictions in place.

As a result, the Zeta Pi Chapter found it more difficult to recruit a typically larger Fall pledge class. While our Chapter always strives toward “quality over quantity,” that was even more true during that semester.

“It proved challenging as we moved back to truly in-person rushing, which led to the chapter having a recruitment workshop,” Brother Reynolds said, noting that Brother Christian Younger led that workshop and has served as the chapter’s Recruitment Director for the past 2.5 years leading into and during COVID-19.

Virtual chapter meetings made it much harder to get things done, Reynolds said: from lack of cameras being turned on, to people just flat out not paying attention. He also said when everything closed and Michigan’s stay-at-home order was in place, the Brother’s phones were the only way to stay in contact with each other safely.

“It was difficult to keep the brothers informed and planning things,” he said. “I was able to personally overcome this through the Discord channel we created and just repeating information over and over again there.”

When in-person events became more possible, our Chapter held meetups and events at parks, beaches, and outdoor areas where it was in line with CDC guidelines at the time. Most of the time during the pandemic, OU had strict policies regarding chapter meetings and meetups, so hosting those events inside is what Brother Reynolds says proved the hardest for the brothers to plan for everyone.

Even looking at our Zeta Pi Chapter’s signature Pig Roast event in the first week of the Fall semester each year, you can see the work and grit that the Active members put into putting on a successful event. The Sept. 2020 event took place at the fraternity house at the time in Rochester, with a smaller intimate setting outside; while the Sept. 2021 event was held in its traditional location on campus, in between the Oakland Center and Bear (aka Beer) Lake. Even with pandemic restrictions and limitations in play, the Chapter welcomed people to the event — a small slice of “normalcy” in uncertain and surreal times.

Throughout it all, Brother Reynolds said enduring these pandemic challenges made our local Chapter stronger.

When the pandemic began, our Chapter had a floating number of nearly three dozen members. They feared it might drop if Brothers left OU and they hadn’t recruited and initiated new Brothers because of the pandemic. But that didn’t happen. As it turned out, the Chapter’s membership in Spring 2022 sat at 35 Active plus 4 pledges soon to be initiated as part of the Beta Omega pledge class — nearly unchanged from the start of COVID-19.

“I took over and had campus reopening, in person events coming and only half of a chapter that had been to an on campus event, so leading them into this year was a challenge but we had a very successful year,” Brother Reynolds said. “We survived a pandemic. Our numbers hardly dropped. That is something not a lot of fraternities, Greek organizations, businesses and even universities can say. We stayed together and persevered through the tough times and are finally seeing it pay off with improved relations with other Greek organizations, a new house, and growth in the Chapter, and that is something we all can be proud of.”

With a half dozen men graduating in Spring 2022 and many of them having E-board and leadership roles, Brother Reynolds noted that our Chapter remains strong in numbers and quality.

“Our chapter will be very young, with roughly half the chapter being first or second-year members, something I have not seen in my time in the chapter,” he said. “Today, we are as tight as ever but still focusing on bringing involvement back up to our high standard. That is something that should be the focus of the chapter going into the next school year and beyond.”

Zeta-Pi Welcomes Father-Son Legacies Within Chapter

February 1, 2022 / Michael Hoskins

By Michael W. Hoskins

In a historic milestone moment for Zeta-Pi at Oakland University, we’ve initiated the first intra-chapter, father-son legacies into our local Sigma Pi bonds of brotherhood.

The first legacy pair came in November 2019, while the second legacy set followed in late 2021. These men are brothers simultaneously at a moment when our chapter has about 400 men initiated locally, since our Chapter’s founding over three decades ago.

Brothers Waite

On Nov. 23, 2019, Zeta-Pi welcomed into its ranks the 11-member Beta Tau pledge class, the largest group in several years that brought our Undergraduate roster to more than three dozen men.

One of those new initiates was Brother Drew Waite, who happens to be the son of Brother Jeff Waite from the Lambda pledge class in Fall 1991 The elder Waite served as Pledge Educator and 2^nd Counselor during his undergraduate years and has remained a respected leader and mentor in his years as an alumnus – both for our Chapter, and at the Executive Office level in serving on the Ritual Committee during the last biennium.

“Very surreal,” Jeff said about seeing his son initiated as a brother. “We have shared so many different unique bonds in our life, but this latest one is the deepest and most emotional for me.”

Drew says that brotherly bond that he observed within Sigma Pi was the main reason he joined, despite not convinced for a long time that a fraternity was going to be a fit for him. But after his dad started introducing him to both Alum and Active members, his perspective started changing.

“The connection you grow with your brothers doesn’t stop after you graduate, it really is a life-long bond,” Drew said. “My dad has been talking about Sigma Pi and the benefits of being a brother, ever since I can remember. But seeing first-hand the number of people who have had the same experience as he did, and all the good things they had to say about it, was awesome.”

Both Waites point to the special father-son relationship they’ve had through the years, including growing up in the same communities and attending the same schools a generation apart. Now, they say Sigma Pi has offered another bond to share.

“Now that I have joined Sigma Pi, that connection has grown even tighter and I’m proud to call him (and everyone else) my brother,” Drew says.

Brothers Tosolt

A second set of legacy men entered our Chapter’s history in early December 2021. Ethan Tosolt joined the Chapter that his father Jeffrey had joined back in 1987, as part of the early Beta pledge class.

Beta Psi Pledge Class. Ethan Tosolt far left bottom corner.

The younger Tosolt joined as part of the 14-member Beta Psi pledge class.

Other Brotherly Bloodlines

While these were our first father-son legacies within Zeta-Pi, there have been other bloodlines shared within that fraternal brotherhood before now. Two notable examples stand out:

Hakim Men: Past Grand Sage George Hakim (Gamma-Alpha, Detroit-Mercy ’78) welcomed his son Douglas into Zeta-Pi Chapter back in 2009. Doug’s had many different fraternity leadership roles through the years and joined Grand Council in 1994, and he was the sitting Grand Sage at the time of his son’s initiation as part of the Alpha Omega pledge class. He even assisted in the ritual aspect of the ceremony.
Farrug Bros: at the Chapter’s beginnings, Michael was a Charter pledge class member in ’86, while his actual brother Joe transferred from Central Michigan University in the Beta Pledge Class and became the sole brother initiated without a Founding Father originated line.
Hudas Men: Brent Hudas joined the Zeta Pi Chapter with the Beta Kappa class in 2014, initiating into the same fraternity that his dad Greg did in 1984 at Wayne State University.
Alam Bros: Most recently, Josh came in with the Beta Omicron pledge class in 2017 before Jacob joined with the Beta Tau pledge class in November 2019.

We’ve also seen instances where our own Brothers have seen their children find Sigma Pi chapters at other schools, whether those fraternal experiences materialized into life-changing moments and positive experiences or not. It goes to the bigger point: even with a father-and-son story, it’s not always a happy end result when it comes to legacies.

Brother Michael Grant (Tau) emphasizes there are no guarantees. Because chapters can go from a Sage’s Cup to losing their charter very quickly, it becomes even more significant when a can stand the test of time and also welcome descendants from their own Brotherhood lines. He also points out that some fraternity chapters choose to not recruit or initiate legacies as a matter of principle, or that some sons may not have positive experiences like their fathers once had within the fraternity.

“It’s a big deal, and it really is an incredible thing for all the stars to align,” Brother Grant says. “This is a very memorable story – not just tugging on the heart strings of a father and a son, which is very moving, but about our Chapter. Together this shows Zeta-Pi has massive staying power.”

Importantly, it’s always about a Chapter initiating a new member for the right reason. That’s why Brother Drew Waite – while historically significant for us locally – is part of a bigger story. One that includes this Beta Tau pledge class of 11 new brothers: Jacob Alam, Zachary Fennell, Tristan Hoff, Yousif Kiryakoza, Justin Knox, Rob Martin, Tyler Mutz, Marco Pacifico, Adam Reich, Steven Turchi, and Drew Waite.

You might describe this as an ever-evolving story about the continuation of Zeta-Pi.

Chapter Director Rob Pankau III (Alpha Iota, Past Grand Herald) made this observation when snapping a photo of the new brothers following their recent initiation ceremony. While capturing the new initiates posing on an upper balcony with the Sigma Pi banner, he also noted that Brother Frankie Valenti (Beta Nu) is only one in that picture not a part of the newly initiated group of guys.

Beta Tau pledge class (above) and Brother Frankie Valenti (below)

“I find it very serendipitous that he was the lone active in this photo as he is our single senior that is graduating this semester,” Brother Pankau observed. “This photo is the epitome of the perpetuation of our brotherhood.”

We are thrilled to have every new Sigma Pi complete their initial journey into the Brotherhood, regardless of where they hail from. We believe, and as always look forward to continuing to embrace the fellowship of kindred minds no matter where our road leads us into the future.

Remembering Founding Brother Jim Lambouris

March 14, 2021 / Michael Hoskins

As a founding father of the Sigma Pi chapter at Oakland University, Brother Jim Lambouris helped pave the way for all the men who would follow.

He played a pivotal part in shaping our Zeta-Pi Chapter’s foundation in the 1980s, with his commitment to friends, family, community and brotherhood shining through to all who knew him and carrying on throughout his life.

Sadly, we said goodbye to Brother Lambouris on Nov. 25, 2020, as he began his journey to the Adytum On High at age 57. He lives on through his daughters and grandchildren, as well as countless other family members, friends, brothers, and online gamers he’s influenced in so many ways.

“Commitment is the word that comes to mind, because when Jim was in, he was all in,” said Brother Rob Waters, a charter pledge class member and close friend of Jim’s starting in those early days of college fraternity life. “It was true for the fraternity, for his daughters, for his family, and for everything in his life.”

Founding a fraternity chapter

One of 19 original founding fathers of what was initially known as Omega Nu Pi (aka “Oakland’s New Pioneers”), and among the first 28 recognized members of this Sigma Pi colony, Jim became a founding e-board member at the time of the chapter’s chartering on March 15, 1986.

It all began with a group of guys gathering in 5 Van Waggoner, the original dorm where several founding members lived at the time in 1985. Jim ended up connecting with that group, and it was through those initial connections that he’d bring Brother Waters into that same orbit.

Both grew up in Waterford and had gone to high school together, though they weren’t friends during those years as Jim was two grade levels ahead. It wasn’t until OU and Sigma Pi, as they became chartering brothers and close friends.

“He was the reason I joined,” Rob said. “And he was the best man at my wedding in 1989. I didn’t know a damn thing about Jim before Sigma Pi, and that’s somewhat remarkable in that we had gone to high school together. Here’s someone who invites me to a fraternity event, and now he’s my only friend that I know in the room. And as it turns out, he’s the person I got to know the best.”

The two spent a lot of time together during the college years, often engaged in late-night conversations, canoe and ski trips, partying, and car trips to EKU, Eastern Michigan and MSU events.

Other brothers also recall how Jim was well-liked and approachable, and always a center of the social scene. He’s also remembered for how reliable he was for those who mattered in his life, no matter the cost.

Brothers also point out Jim never had a bad word to say, and he’d usually have a grin or smirk on his face — even if he didn’t like something, but would barely let that unhappiness be known.

“Jim was always there when you needed him,” Founding Brother Bryan Mahlmeister said. “Whenever you needed him somewhere or to do something… you could count on him. For those of us starting the fraternity, there was such a drive to make this happen. Everyone worked together and supported each other, and Jim played right into that. We all valued his energy.”

Jim attended OU from 1984 to 1988, remaining active with the fraternity during his undergraduate years.

Brother Ross Parpart, who joined in 1988 as part of the Delta pledge class, had a message about Jim’s influence on the chapter — not only on his joining Sigma Pi, but shaping the lives of so many other men.

“Thank you for guiding young men as they embarked on their way to adulthood,” Ross wrote in a Facebook message. “I was one of those young men many years ago. There is no way you could have know how many you helped, guided, and transformed.”

Though some of the guys drifted apart after college, as many brothers do, several note they eventually reconnected as friends and kept in touch — whether it be online fantasy football, casual brotherhood meetups, friends catching up at the Tel-Twelve Mall foodcourt during the workdays, or at Rob’s signature Tiki Nights each July 3 on Wolverine Lake.

Pioneer in the online gaming community

Looking back, Rob recalls it wasn’t until years later he’d realize that Jim was actually a “closet introvert.” He was just as happy being in front of a computer as being out in person with a group. That would carry on throughout his life, especially as Jim was an avid gamer and became an influential part of the virtual gaming universe.

Beginning in the early 90s, Jim immersed himself in playing Multi-Users in Middle Earth (MUME), a popular multi-player text-based game based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s ‘Middle Earth’ that has been going since 1991. Out of more than than 700k characters ever created in MUME, Jim’s accolades include the “Ugurz” character that is only 1 of 12 to ever reach the maximum, most-difficult level.

MUME plans to honor Jim by retiring his characters and commemorating him within the game.

A devoted soccer dad

Of course, anyone who knew Jim can attest to the most important part of his life after college: his daughters Jordan, Taylor, and Erin. As a single father, they were his world and many have fond memories watching Jim’s love for them displayed everywhere.

“He was devoted to his daughters,” Brother Waters says, noting that Jordan and Taylor were incredibly involved in soccer through their young lives and Jim was heavily invested as a beloved soccer dad.

“He spent a king’s ransom on traveling soccer for his girls, easily a six figure dollar amount over a six or seven year period. They ran like the wind and both are smart and extremely talented,” Rob said.

Through everything in life, Rob recalls conversations the two shared demonstrating how deeply Jim was in protecting and caring for his daughters and making sure they had the best lives possible.

Taylor shared this with our Zeta-Pi Chapter, to include in this tribute to her father:

“You were the most invested, loving, and selfless father,” she wrote. “You put so much time and effort into Jordan, Erin, and I. Not only were you a great father, but just a great person, too. You were so kind, patient, and giving to others. You always went out of your way to help people, and never expected anything in return.”

Taylor continued, “You tried your best to be at every dance recital, soccer game, track meet, and was always my #1 supporter. You gave me the best advice about life: to try my best and to go out of my comfort zone. I am so happy that I will be able to cherish those memories forever.”

Trees of brotherhood, family, life

Reflecting more on the tree analogy, it’s tough to not sit in awe of Jim’s life: That separate trees can come together at different times and the roots can grow close together and intertwine, no matter how disparate or broken the branches may seem to be growing at different times.

Jim had moved to Arizona in recent years, to reconnect with his mom whom he’d had limited contact with since high school. Growing up Greek Orthodox, family was always a big, influential part of his life. Although he had lost touch with his mom when he was younger, he eventually reconciled with her and left Michigan to be near her and his new step-father there.

“That was a full circle for him, on a personal standpoint,” Brother Waters said. “It really demonstrates how true, how committed to family he was. It had a big impact on him.”

Rob uses that analogy when reflecting on his relationship with Jim, given their beginnings in high school and how that evolved over many years.

“You plant 2 trees next to each other, and even if they were compatible trees to begin with, it’s pretty rare that they’d grow in the same way and direction,” Rob said. “We aren’t the people now that we started out as, or who we’ll end up as. It’s almost a crapshoot people can evolve in the same direction.

“What I’ve always always found remarkable about the fraternity experience, is it throws you into a crucible with people you may not have that much in common with,” he added. “It is remarkable, because there is so much shared experience, so much shared commonality. Trees that don’t make much sense being in the same place end up growing together, changing the direction they’d grow if not for the other.”

We are sad to say goodbye to Brother Lambouris as a founding father and longtime member of our Zeta-Pi Chapter. We send our continued condolences and wishes to Jim’s family, but know he lives on in brotherhood.

Instead of flowers or donations (per the family’s request), our Sigma Pi chapter at Oakland University has planted a tree in Jim’s memory through an American Forests memorial partnership.

The online description says: “When you choose to have a memorial tree planted for James, you are doing more than simply putting a plant in the ground. You are making a long-term commitment to the environment and rooting the memories of James in our planet for countless years to come. A memorial tree is a unique tribute which provides global benefits like no other memorial gift could.”

You can read the online obituary for James Edward Lambouris as well as an online tribute and fundraiser posted by his family.

RIP, Brother.

Deep Thought: Cicadas and Sigma Pi

January 4, 2021 / Michael Hoskins

By Michael W. Hoskins

You never know the lessons that can spring up unexpectedly to tie together thoughts on insects, Greek philosophy and being a fraternity man and better human to those around us.

That happened recently for me when reading a book about the culture politics of disease and healthcare. One passage struck a chord, grabbing hold of my mind and rekindling memories of college courses, classical literature, and general life lessons that started with Sigma Pi decades before.

The book author illustrates an experience he had in 2004, walking on a college campus himself and hearing the orchestra of cicada song springing from every tree up above. He noted that to ancient Greek philosophers, these vocal insects represented spiritual ecstasy, rebirth, immortality. Plato, for example, invokes the images of cicadas in Phaedrus to symbolize both restraint and honor, narratively crafting a link between personal control and dignity. Essentially, Plato’s protagonist in the book, Socrates, talks about resisting the cicada song and not succumbing to laziness but instead practicing restraint. A disciplining of the passions, taming temptation and exercising self-control.

Greek philosophy aside, cicadas are remarkable on their own as they only live a short time to sing and mate before hatching eggs and going underground for another stretch of nearly two decades. They pretty much live in the moment, doing their duty while also living out their passions in short order. It only happens once every 17 years, at least for some of the more particular types of cicada, making 2021 the next time this 17-year brood is to return in full force.

Of course, I couldn’t help being fascinated that the book author here notes this all transpired in 2004 — coincidentally the same year that I moved to Indiana for my first daily newspaper job and covered that very same cicada emergence. In another twist, any Sigma Pi man knows our fraternity history that we began way back in 1897 at a small college in the southern-most corner of Indiana. The Hoosier State for the win, once again.

This all came full circle when reading that book passage, flashing back to my college days and all that’s come in the many years following that period of my life. Much has changed in the world. Personally, I am grateful to have grown up in a time before social media. When the Internet (see World Wide Web) was in its infancy and just starting to come into its own by the time I graduated as an Omega from Oakland University. Our lives weren’t chronicled online for everyone to see, but more importantly our collective brains hadn’t yet been rewired by this technology.

For all the good that technology and social media can bring, there are side effects that have taken years to recognize in culture and society.

These days, our attention spans are shorter. We don’t read anything the same way we once did. So much of our interaction happens with the click of a keyboard, text messaging or even online video. How much of this is evident when going out for an evening, and seeing those around us not fully engaged with each other but drawn into the technological screens at our fingertips? Or those who resort to Google and Internet searches for quick answers, rather than drawing from information they’ve learned and retained from long ago?

For too many people, the ability to think critically and engage in reasonable, rational conversation has been trampled by polarization, instant-gratification and confirmation bias.

Often, I feel too many of us fall into that trap of being entranced by the song of the cicada and not exercising necessary restraint or self-control in how we live our lives.

You can always trust Greek philosophers to bring it home, with Plato and Pythagoras and Socrates and Aristotle all expounding on themes that are very in line with cicadas and life itself – and are key parts of how we’re supposed to live as Sigma Pi men in this world.

I look back to the cicadas and my Sigma Pi teachings, as lessons in self-restraint and being a better person, when contemplating how quickly one must respond on social media or (gasp!) in-person discussion. The need to be right, to persuade others forcefully that they’re viewpoints aren’t correct, pervades our life to the extent that it often feels too exhausting or pointless to engage with others for a greater good.

You also may think back on the cicadas when reflecting fondly on those we’ve lost over the years, whether it be a Brother or family or friend. Sometimes, special people in our lives are suddenly gone unexpectedly, while others live full lives before they come to a close. Everything can change in an instant, and it comes back to balancing everything in how we carry ourselves through today and tomorrow.

All of this shapes how I interact with people. Sometimes, I succeed. More often, I fail.

Is this one of the four pillars of brotherhood that Pythagoras has written about, the Application of Divine Wisdom being brought into daily life? Who knows. I certainly don’t. I’m not that wise.

But I am trying. I’m a continuing work in progress, which is man and woman’s distinctive mark alone.

For that, I appreciate what I have learned and continue to learn from Sigma Pi.

And the cicadas, of course.

Brother Bryan Urben

December 11, 2018 / Michael Hoskins

Our Zeta Pi Chapter of Sigma Pi at Oakland University mourns the loss of Brother Bryan Michael Urben, 40.

July 31, 1978 – Dec. 9, 2018

[Alpha Beta Pledge Class, Winter 1998]

Bryan and Trish at Orchid Ball 2016

Bryan and his kids at Disney in 2018.

“He was one of the most sincere people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. His life always seemed full of the things that made him happy, at least if his smile was any gauge of it—he always wore one.” – Brother Rob Ray

“My fraternity brother Bryan, who was always willing to help out someone in need… Bryan was genuine, kind, intelligent and funny. Bryan left us way too early and will be forever missed. Bryan was everything you wanted in a brother and he was a role model to many.” – Brother Matt Karrandja

“He was one of the most solid people you could ever meet. Fraternity Brother, Father, husband, friendly to all he ever met. He always went out of his way to say hi, acknowledge you. The world lost a fantastic person.” – Brother John Zielke

“I am shell shocked to learn of the passing of a dear fraternity brother… Bryan, you were always smiling. I can remember when you rushed and I thought to myself that you just embodied our ideals. You translated that into a beautiful life with a beautiful family. I am absolutely gutted. Tonight, I will hold my loved ones even closer. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. I know that your strong legacy lives on. Rest in peace, my brother…until we meet again.” – Brother Scott Benoot

Rest in Peace, Brother.

After coordinating with Bryan’s wife, the Sigma Pi – Oakland Chapter and Alumni created a GoFundMe account , and donations go directly to Bryan’s family. Visitation services were held on Friday, Dec. 14 from 2-8pm, with rosary and a fraternal service at 7pm at A.J. Desmond and Sons Price Chapel, 3725 Rochester Rd., Troy (between Big Beaver and Wattles).

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Patrizia Urben for their childrens’ college.

Brother Kyle McCormick

August 27, 2018 / Michael Hoskins

Our Zeta Pi Chapter of Sigma Pi at Oakland University lost Brother Kyle Alexander McCormick, 21.

April 2, 1997 – August 23, 2018

(Beta Lambda Pledge Class, 2015)

“This young man was an amazing individual. He had the biggest heart. All he ever wanted to do was to help someone and help glorify God’s name. When you look and see what is wrong in this world, Kyle personified all that we should strive to be as a man, friend, son and man of God. To say he will be missed is an understatement.” — one of Brother McCormick’s former teachers.

Rest in Peace, Brother.

Memorial contributions can be made to the K2 Memorial Fund, as well as to help offset funeral and memorial costs. The Sigma Pi – Oakland Chapter created a GoFundMe account online, and donations go directly to Kyle’s family.

Starting a New Tradition with Oakland University Football

January 12, 2018 / Michael Hoskins

As far back as most of us remember, the universal question for many Oakland University students and brothers has been “Why doesn’t OU have a football team?” It was often the start of a joke, one that led to smirks, laughs and rolling eyes.

These days, that’s no longer the case.

The Oakland University Club Football team is quickly gaining ground and becoming one of the favored pastimes on campus, and the 2017 season was a milestone as it was the first time the football team played a game on campus.

Historic tidbit: Remember, OU was formed in 1957 but didn’t officially get a football team until October 2013 – it’s a part of the National Club Football Association’s Great Lakes Conference; though up until recently the team’s played home games across the street at the Auburn Hills Civic Center Park.

For the Oct. 28 game against Michigan State, our Zeta Pi Chapter of Sigma Pi was right there in the huddle (so to speak), helping to make this a serious sport with tradition attached to it.

About three quarters of the undergraduate chapter helped out — from working to establish a relationship with the team on a personal level, cooking and serving a pre-game dinner that may become a new tradition, and recruiting organ donors at the game in service of Sigma Pi’s national philanthropic cause.

Well done, Men!

How This Came To Be

Making this happen was a joint effort between the undergraduate chapter and two distinguished alumni –

Brother Rob Ray (of the Alpha Alpha Pledge Class in Fall ‘97), who has been a Rochester City Council member and in Nov. 2017 was named the city’s mayor(!)
Brother Rob Pankau III, of the Alpha Iota Pledge Class in ’02 whose served in various fraternity leadership roles locally and nationally, and took over as chapter director in July 2017.

With the football team’s game-playing presence emerging on campus, Brother Ray wanted to seize the opportunity before anyone else did.

A few of the players had mentioned that they’d love to start a tradition between the students on campus and the team, something like how Notre Dame once painted the team’s helmets before a game. Given that the OU team has missed out on this tradition since their inception in October 2013, most believe it would be a welcomed gesture and maybe allow the Sigma Pi Chapter to demonstrate leadership on the idea.

Both alum were able to assist in sponsoring a banner for the team, as well as sponsoring one of the players.

They then helped the Chapter sponsor one of the pre-game dinners on Fridays, allowing for everyone to meet each other on a personal level while bringing some needed pre-game food energy to the football team.

“That took some effort,” Brother Ray says, “but the Chapter eventually connected the dots and got it off the ground. I can vouch that it was greatly appreciated by the team and coaches; lots of praise came for the Chapter afterwards.”

Sigma Pi Goes Long To Welcome a New Tradition

Brother Collin Olson (Beta Kappa ’14) who’s served as Sage for the 2017-18 year, was one of those actively involved who took the field to help organize the pregame and during game activities, including participating in the coin toss. Notably, a Sigma Pi coin was used in the game-starting toss, thanks to Brother Olson!

Used in the OU home-game coin toss on Oct. 28 2017, donated by Brother Collin Olson.

About three-quarters of the Chapter were involved in some capacity.

Our Chapter served spaghetti, garlic bread and salad, because the coach was specific about getting the guys good nutrition and no desserts. Brother Dominic Patrus did the cooking. Even more awesome is how our Chapter put out an open invite for other orgs and alum to attend, to show school spirit in support of the football team.

This effort also allowed our Sigma Pi Chapter to represent itself locally and with our National philanthropy, Donate Life America, at the football club’s on-campus game. Brother Olson (who is also a board member for Donate Life Michigan) estimated that we recruited about 18 new organ donors by the end of the day, with Brothers Loren Appold, NIcholas Carr and Frank Valenti organizing the organ donation table while many other men stepping in to help with various aspects.

As to the future, Brother Olson says further plans include continuing our supportive efforts of the club as well as potentially rushing a few of their members — a tactic actually proposed to us by their head coach.

“I wouldn’t quite say it’s an official tradition to serve the football players yet, but there’s interest from the football team and we certainly intend to make it so,” Brother Olson said.

And hey, if the game’s final score — OU 32, MSU 12 — had anything to do with Sigma Pi’s involvement, here’s to keeping this tradition alive! Especially as the OU Football Club’s 2017 season marked back-to-back Great Lakes Conference Championship wins.

Brother Collin Olson shaking hands with Grizz in October 2017.

Here’s to a new tradition between our Zeta Pi Chapter and the OU Football Club!

#ThisIsOU #GoGrizzlies

A Changing of the Guard in Chapter Directors

November 29, 2017 / Michael Hoskins

In the Summer of 2017, our Zeta Pi Chapter of Sigma Pi Fraternity saw a “changing of the guard” in Chapter Directors, as Bob Van Acker handed the role over to Rob Pankau III. This post is meant to share the story of our most recent alumni leader as well our chapter leadership’s history over the years.

By Michael W. Hoskins

You might describe Brother Bob Van Acker as a man who inspires change and jump-starts leadership within our Sigma Pi fraternity chapter. Not to mention that he’s the type of guy you just can’t help but want to sit and chat with over a drink.

Those attributes based on reliability, selflessness & friendship are what have made Bob such a pivotal person for our chapter — from the time he joined the fraternity in the mid 90s and ushered in a new era, to his time as sage and during his recent alumni service as chapter director.

Moral of the story: When Bob puts his mind to Sigma Pi, good things happen for our fraternity.

His start with the chapter came at a time when there were less than a dozen guys, and interestingly his roles as sage and chapter director more than a dozen years later led to a significant expansion in brothers each time his roles changed — the same number of guys, in fact.

“There is a tad bit of irony in that,” the 39-year-old says during an interview in mid-2017.

Initiated in 1996 as part of the nine-man Psi Pledge Class, Bob came in just as the chapter’s active membership was shrinking and only had 11 brothers at the time. Within a year of his initiation due to both his pledge class and the next Fall’s large Alpha Alpha class, the chapter expanded to about 30 guys.

Bob served as sage in 1999, before graduating and taking Omega status in Spring 2001 with a bachelor of arts in communications. After his graduation Bob remained actively involved in the alumni and undergraduate activities through the years and a recognized and popular face through all generations of alum and undergrad brothers, as well as many others regionally and on the National stage.

He became chapter director in April 2013, our 10th in a line of 11 to date as one brother (Bob’s successor, Rob Pankau III) served twice in that position. By examining both Sigma Pi national records and tapping into brothers’ memories, here’s a rundown — as much as it can be documented and truly known — of those who have served as Chapter Director for Zeta Pi since its founding in 1986:

Vince Chrisman (Founding Chapter Director in March 15, 1986)
John Pearson
Bryan Mahlmiester
John Zielke (until Feb 1995)
Jeff Fox (Feb. 95-June 96)
Chuck Surinck (June 96-Jan. 2009)
Pete Knoll (early 2009)
Brett Westen (Early 2009-Fall 2009)
Rob Pankau III (Fall 2009 – Nov. 2010)
Mike Long (Nov. 2010 – April 2013)
Bob Van Acker (April 2013 – July 2017)
Rob Pankau III (July 2017 – )

As to his achievements in the CD role, Bob says his role was to serve as a guiding force whenever possible and both encourage and advise the undergraduate chapter.

In the years before he took over, there was a wave of brothers serving briefly in that role. The chapter shrunk in size and also both gained and lost a house on campus, and Bob came in at a time where alumni leadership was clearly needed. But as his style, Bob doesn’t take credit for the growth and success in the ensuing years and said it was a mutual partnership with past CDs, other alumni and the undergraduate chapter.

“None of this is about me, it’s all on the chapter,” he says. “I was there as a guide, to provide a solid foundation and empower them to see that they have the power to do all of this themselves. They did all the work.”

At times, Bob says he felt like a bad guy in having to scold or offer disciplinary advice — especially when it came to suggesting that the undergraduate chapter suspend or strict men from the roster, due to conduct or not paying dues. But it comes with the territory, and he hopes the brothers eventually learn and understand.

Aside from his fraternity volunteerism, Bob has worked in the banking and mortgage loan imaging industry and has done all of this with pretty consistent work travels. He and his wife live in Troy, Michigan.

Now, Brother Rob Pankau III has taken over as Chapter Director as of mid-2017.

Rob graduated and took Omega status in 2005 with a BA in communications. And this isn’t his first time in this role, as he served briefly from Fall 2009 to Nov. 2010, just before joining the Grand Council Executive Committee as Grand Herald. He has also served as an educational consultant at the fraternity’s executive level, treasurer of the Sigma Pi Historical Society, and as Greater Detroit Province Archon working with various chapters and alumni clubs in the region. Rob lives in Oakland Twp with his wife (a Gamma Phi Beta alumnus) and family, and is employed at GM.

Here’s to both Bob and Rob, and all those who’ve gave back as chapter directors by helping empower and guide the undergraduates. Our chapter and experiences in Sigma Pi wouldn’t be the same without you gentlemen through the years.

NEWS: Brother Scott Andrews Joins Sigma Pi Executive Office Staff

September 17, 2016 / Michael Hoskins

Congrats to our esteemed Brother Scott Andrews, who’s recently joined the national Sigma Pi Executive Office staff!

His job: regional director within the Member Services Department, meaning he’s tasked with supporting the needs of chapters, colonies and alumni clubs.

Scott started his new role in mid-August and he has 23 chapters and one colony (as of now), and his job gives him the chance to travel throughout the Midwest to his various schools — including the Detroit area chapters and his own Zeta-Pi Chapter!

This is exciting news, to have one of our own local guys elevated to the National level as a staff member. He joins the roster of our Zeta-Pi Brothers who’ve worked for national through the years, including Brother Rob Pankau who served as Grad Herald for three years.

Of course, this new role means Scott will be moving to Tennessee where our Sigma Pi HQ is based.

Though we’re sad to be losing him locally, he’ll still be in the Midwest and won’t be far off. Not to mention that part of his job will involve returning to Michigan every so often.

Based on Sigma Pi’s Executive Office Staff listings online, it appears Scott is one of 5 regional directors at the national level (and it’s pretty awesome to note that two of those guys are from Michigan — as Brother Scott Courter from U-D Mercy was also named as a regional director the same day as Scott).

In the official press release announcing this news, Sigma Pi Executive Director Jason Walker (Georgia ’96) offered this statement:

“After a long search, Scott Andrews and Scott Courter stood out as the best candidates to add to the Executive Office staff. Both bring great passion and drive for our organization and will work hard to help Sigma Pi further its quest for excellence with both our undergraduate and alumni members. We look forward to their contributions to the Fraternity.”

Scott also offered this statement in that same PR announcement:

“This opportunity to work for the Executive Office of Sigma Pi is not only an honor, but it has been a lifelong dream,” he said. “To build and strengthen our undergraduate chapters while assisting in the development of character, diversity and leadership in our membership has been a longtime passion. I am beyond thrilled to apply my energies to the Regional Director position of our amazing brotherhood for many years ahead.”

Anyone who’s been a part of our OU chapter during the past 20 years or so knows Scott — he’s a fixture for our Brothers. He initiated in March 1994 as part of the Rho pledge class.

His National ID: #66665.

During his years at Oakland, Scott studied political science and many of the Brothers who followed him in the Zeta-Pi Chapter have fond memories of him being a man of good conversation, quick-wit and a trivia-tuned mind. Many hold Scott in high regard as a “historian” of sorts, given his passion to connect the dots in our Chapter’s history and just sharing stories from throughout the years.

Professionally over the past 15 years, Scott worked primarily as a retail security supervisor at places like Somerset Mall in Troy. He notably obtained his EMT license, and works specifically with geriatric patients.

As to Sigma Pi, he’s been an alumni volunteer and advisor for many years — for our own local Zeta-Pi Chapter and beyond. Scott served as Chapter Director of the Gamma-Omega Chapter at Wayne State University for three years, and he also had previously been on the Advisory Board for our Zeta-Pi Chapter.

Personally, I have to say this: I’m so incredibly proud of Scott, who is my Big Brother.

He’s one of the first to introduce me to Sigma Pi back in my new undergraduate days in 97, and without him I probably wouldn’t have connected with or joined this Fraternity. I owe a lot to this man, and I consider him a good friend, and it’s straight from the heart that I congratulate him on this accomplishment.

All of us within the Zeta-Pi Chapter and beyond are lucky to have you working for Sigma Pi, Brother Andrews!

A Note from President Barack Obama!

April 9, 2016 / Michael Hoskins

In case you forgot, this is a big year for our Zeta-Pi Chapter of Sigma Pi as it’s our 30th anniversary at Oakland.

While it’s a milestone all on its own, this 30th anniversary was even more special when we got a very cool note from… President Barack Obama!

Yes, our Past Sage Mike Long recently received a note from the White House that honored our Zeta-Pi Chapter’s founding. And it came as we gathered in March for our 30th Anniversary celebration at Orchid Ball.

Dated March 22, 2016, the note reads:

I am pleased to send you greetings as you gather for your 30-year reunion.

Reunions allow us to share stories of our lives since graduation and to reflect on days that helped shape who we are today. As you reunite with former classmates, I hope you cherish your time continuing old traditions and reminiscing about moments from past days.

I wish you all the best for a rewarding reunion. May you reconnect with friends and create new memories together.

/s/ Barack Obama

Very cool!

Sure, this is a sort of “form letter” that goes out to many different people and groups. As it happens, you can request one of these personal notes from the Office of Presidential Correspondence.

What’s this executive office, you ask?

This is an official description from the White House website:

“The Office of Presidential Correspondence responds to the thousands of letters, e-mail, and phone calls that President Obama receives every day. At the front lines of communication with citizens, this office provides interns with a unique view of the thoughts, hopes, and concerns of the American people.”

Apparently, US citizens and groups can get all kinds of personal messages like this… but seriously, how many Greek orgs at Oakland can say they received a special anniversary note from the President of the United States?!

This is certainly something to keep in our Chapter’s historical archives!