Brothers Celebrate Love For “Dear Old” Sigma Chi

“I would just like to take a moment to officially congratulate you on 150 years of the Delta Delta chapter! I thought your banquet was superbly executed and that is kudos to your thoughtful approach to making sure it was a memorable occasion for all. Further – I was impressed with the turnout of so many men who came from all over to celebrate the occasion, a testament to the love they have for dear old Sigma Chi. Well done, brothers! And congratulations!”   IHSV, Mike Church, Executive Director, Sigma Chi Fraternity
.

150^th Anniversary Celebration Banquet

Master of Ceremonies Jeff McKean’86

Jeff McKean ’86 started the formal banquet by officially welcoming the 330 brothers in attendance.  Father/Brother Joe Noonan ’85 then led the invocation with the Sigma Chi Grace.

Once dinner was completed, the evening’s program got underway with Jeff McKean ’86, serving as Master of Ceremonies, promising an evening filled with history, nostalgia and remarkable stories of brotherhood.  Jeff’s personal story of his family’s involvement with Sigma Chi touched everyone’s heart as he spoke about one day having his grandson live in the “big yellow” house.

Norm Bafunno ’83 engaged the crowd as spoke on the ever present “spirit of youth” that brings generations of Sigs together based on our common experience of being Delta Delta brothers.  Grand Consul Bob Wilson then took the stage and briefly highlighted the many contributions Delta Delta had made to Sigma Chi as Grand Consuls, national officers, Horizons and KTLW facilitators, and even as far back as 1899 when the Fraternity adopted the Sigma Chi flag designed by Henry H. Vinton,1885.  Brother Wilson’s passion for Sigma Chi and love for the Fraternity inspired everyone in the room.

Special Moments in Delta Delta History

As the lights dimmed three brothers (Phil Steele ’77, Harold Force ’73 and John Taylor ’75) took the stage to recount special moments surrounding Delta’s Delta’s founding; the character of its brothers; and the spirit that typified the nature of our days at 202 Littleton. Brother Krach commented, “These reflections on the history and tradition of Delta Delta touched every heart in the room. They brought our past to life and seamlessly tied it to the enduring ideals of the White Cross.”

Speakers Highlight Sigma Chi Experiences

Each of evening’s speakers, Keith Krach ’79, Pat Loehrer ’75, Bill Trachtman ’82 and Scott Hutton ’94, spoke of their own Sigma Chi experience and how impactful it had been.  Each with a slightly different perspective.  Keith on the value of the trust we formed between our Sig brothers; Pat in a hilarious manner equated our growth as Sigs throughout our lives to a long marriage; Scott spoke of the impact on one’s career and the support our brothers give each other; and Bill reflected on the poignant memories of sharing his own stories with his Delta Delta son, who, referring to the movie Field of Dreams, asked, “Is this heaven?”, in which Bill responded, “No, it’s 202 Littleton.”

Crest Presented by Class of ‘73

Heemir Patel ’27 received the Class of ’73 gift.

Twenty five years ago at the 125^th Anniversary Celebration, Nick Fritsch XX presented the chapter with the restored Sigma Chi crest damaged in the 1961 Blue Formal fire. That crest was lost during the renovation. At this year’s 150^th Celebration, the Class of ’73 presented the chapter with a beautiful bronze crest to be placed over the Great Hall fireplace.  In presenting this symbol of our Fraternity to chapter Pro Consul Heemir Patel ’27, Harold Force ’73 spoke of the importance of the lifelong friendships his pledge class had formed and their desire to contribute to the future success of our younger brothers.

Brothers Recognized

Jeff McKean returned to the podium and asked each of the Significant Sigs and Order of Constantine Sigs to stand and be recognized.  Twenty – five of Delta Delta’s 45 living Significant Sigs were present, and six of the seven living Order of Constantine Sigs attended.  Also recognized were 102 brothers in attendance who had been Sigs for over 50 years and received Sigma Chi’s “ΣΧ 50” pin.

A Fitting Ending to a Great Evening

The brothers sang the “Sweetheart of Sigma Chi” to Pam Faerber (the wife of George Faerber ’71 and who was the chapter’s 1971 Sweetheart) and concluded the evening with a rousing version of “My Name is Sigma Chi” fittingly written by Charles Eldridge ΔΔ 1885.