Tag: chapter history

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.

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.