Delta Delta Celebrates 150 Years of Brotherhood
Sigs of all generations returned to celebrate 150 years of brotherhood.
Brother Bockel’s and Keagy’s reflections captured the spirit of our chapter’s 150th anniversary celebration held on June 12 -15. With 350 brothers in attendance, it was indeed an epic occasion that those who attended will remember fondly for many years to come.
“Words cannot adequately express how grateful I am for the celebration that you and your team created. When I walked into the house, it seemed as if I was transported back in time. A warm, satisfying and humble spirit seemed to overtake me. Several of my classmates of 1969 expressed similar experiences.
The house, the events, the history, the brothers sharing themselves in the dining room with the current undergraduate brothers in charge, the book, the dinner and cocktails, the paddle, etc… all so well coordinated. I could feel that heartful input that it all required by so many. The time, coordination and effort were more than impressive. Again, without adequate words to convey my thoughts and thanks.” With warm brotherly love. In Hoc, Jim “Bo” Bockel ‘69
Bob Keagy ’79 remarked, “The afterglow from the 150th Anniversary Celebration is still with me! I knew it would be a magical event and weekend, and it was. Your team’s thoughtful organization, planning and execution were appreciated. It was so much fun to see the older and younger guys. To find out how their lives have unfolded and relive what for most are the fondest of memories.”
Thursday 150th Celebration Activities
Welcoming Reception
The weekend kicked off Thursday afternoon with a Welcome Reception held at the chapter house. Over 200 Sigs were in attendance to meet up with their pledge brothers and to have a chance to hear what new Purdue head football coach Barry Odom had to say about the upcoming season. Coach Odom texted Jeff McKean after he returned home and passed on his appreciation for having the chance to speak to so many Boilermaker fans.
Following Coach Odom’s talk, the brothers broke into groups and headed to dinner with their pledge classes at various restaurants around town.
Friday 150th Celebration Activities
Chapter Meeting and Chapter Update
Friday morning started with a continental breakfast and a ritualistic chapter meeting held in our secret chapter room. The highlight was hearing the “Charge” and having each brother take his turn in the Good of the Order as he reflected on his Sigma Chi experience.
The chapter meeting was followed by an opportunity for the alumni to get an update on the chapter’s status from former Consul Mitchel Rittman ’26, Chapter Advisor Nate Gustus ’05 and House Corp President Tom Hall ’81. Sigma Chi Foundation President Mike Greenberg also outlined the Bell Chapter endowment program available to Delta Delta that provides funding for Sigma Chi’s leadership and scholarship programs.
Delta Delta History Presentation
Phil Steele ’77 and Ralph Bline ’74, then amazed the large group of brothers as they regaled them in some of Delta Delta’s most interesting historical stories. Taken from the book, “150 Years of Brotherhood, Sigma Chi Fraternity at Purdue University” the stories, facts and dates recounted our chapter’s storied history. Joe Garnett ‘87 commented, “What a great job on the Delta Delta history session and book! I’m glad I left the pickleball to catch your presentation. I bet you and Ralph could’ve shared many more hours of material.” Indeed they could have, but you’ll have to buy the book to get “the rest of the stories”.
Pickleball Anyone?
Did we fail to mention pickleball? Thanks to Joe Garnett ‘87, a round robin pickleball tournament was organized at the courts behind the Co-Rec. From what we heard, no one got hurt.
NIL Panel Discussion
One of the highlights of the 150th celebration was the panel discussion on NIL/Transfer Portal/Revenue Sharing (NPRS) put together to provide their perspective on the state of college athletics and particularly how it is impacting Purdue sports. Led by moderator Mark Herrmann ’81, Director of Leadership and Alumni Engagement for the John Purdue Club, the panel was comprised of Ken Halpin, Purdue Deputy Athletics Director / Chief Operating Officer; Elliott Bloom, Director of Men’s Basketball Administration and Operations; Jared Thomas, former Executive Director of UConn collective Bleeding Blue; and Richard DuPont, agent and NFLPA Certified contract advisor for Excel Sports Management.
The conversation covered the complete range of issues now impacting the direction of all college athletic programs. Purdue has committed to aggressively recruiting future and current athletes in order to remain competitive.
State of college sports discussion with Mark Herrmann ’81 (center) moderating.
Significant Sig Presentation
The Class of ’58 took the occasion at the 150th celebration to present George Valaoras ’58 with his Significant Sig award. George was recognized for his long career leading several major manufacturing businesses. Past Grand Consul Keith Krach ’79 presented the award and Bernie Sergesketter ’58 made his class’s congratulatory remarks. Also in attendance from the Class of ’58 were Harry Thompson, John Sand and Bob Puzey. George’s two sons, Tom and Nick, and son-in-law Josh Kirschner (all Sigs) were also present to honor George’s accomplishments.
Cocktails with the President and Mayor
Purdue President Mung Chiang
The celebration’s signature event kicked off with a cocktail hour held in the south ballroom of the Purdue Union. After a great deal of mingling amongst old friends, West Lafayette Mayor Erin Easter and Lafayette City Council member Eileen Hession Weiss, both welcomed the Sigs to their respective cities with Mayor Easter presenting a proclamation to Jeff McKean. Keith Krach ’79, former chairman of Purdue’s Board of Trustees, introduced Purdue President Mung Chiang, who took the podium to officially greet the crowd. He congratulated the Delta Delta Sigs on their leadership role at Purdue from the chapter’s inception in 1875 to the many contributions our alumni continue to make. President Chiang’s enthusiastic remarks were a great start to the evening.
150th Anniversary Celebration Banquet
“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, Eric Church, Executive Director, Sigma Chi Fraternity
Friday evening’s formal celebration banquet was attended by over 330 Sigs, with its most senior attendees being five brothers from the Class of 1958. It was an evening filled with history, nostalgia and remarkable stories of brotherhood. To read the full account of the banquet, go to https://thesighouse.com/2025/07/22/brothers-celebrate-love-for-dear-old-sigma-chi/.
Saturday 150th Celebration Activities
White Rose Ceremony
The Class of ’68 held a White Rose Ceremony in the Library for their pledge brother Mike Schellhase who recently entered Chapter Eternal. Tom Leslie ’68 and Robert Kaley ’68 recounted Brother Schellhase’s close involvement with his PBs and contributions to others.
Undergrad Leadership Discussion
Undergraduate leadership discussion led by several alumni.
One of the most interesting discussions that took place over the weekend was the undergrad leadership discussion with Brian Craig ‘98, Norm Bafunno ‘83, Todd Kaminski ‘82, James Cole ‘98 and Steve Smith ‘97. The undergrads present had a chance to question the alums and get their input on preparing for their careers, suggestions on selecting a career path, and the importance of being active in Delta Delta leadership roles.
150th Celebration Group Photos
Most of Saturday morning was focused on taking a number of group photos of all the brothers who had siblings who were Delta Delta Sigs, individual class photos, and the large group photo of all in attendance at the historic event. To review the many photos taken at the 150th celebration go to 150th Celebration Photos.
Lunch with Matt Painter
Head Purdue Basketball Matt Painter entertained the Sigs as they enjoyed lunch under the big tent on the Purdue Golf Couse. It was fun to interact and get the “inside scoop” on Boiler basketball as this year’s team looks to be a contender for a national championship. Legendary coach Gene Keady was also on hand to greet the Sigs and take photos.
34rd Annual Golf Outing
Over 240 golfers headed for the Purdue golf courses following lunch. With so many golfers the competition for top honors was great, while most of the golfers just enjoyed a great day of golf on a couple of beautiful golf courses.
Non-golfers had a chance to attend a bourbon tasting hosted by Brush Creek Distillery at the new Boiler Prime Steakhouse, and take a guided tour of Purdue’s athletic facilities that included the football training complex and Mackey Arena.
Cookout Under the Tent
The three-day celebration concluded with a cookout under the tents on the from lawn of the Sig house. It was an ideal setting to enjoy an evening recounting all that transpired over the past three days and to reflect one last time on the friendships and memories that had begun at 202 Littleton.
Brothers Recognized for Dedication to Delta Delta
Tom Hall ’81 and Jeff McKean ’86 were both presented Delta Delta’s Ben Taylor Award. The Ben Taylor Award is given to alumni who have shown exceptional dedication and commitment to the chapter over a number of years. Phil Steele ’77 spoke of each brother’s contributions to the over 250 brothers at the cookout.
Tom Hall ’81 (L) receives the Ben Taylor Award from Phil Steele ’77.
Tom Hall ’81 has served as House Corporation president for the past nine years. Years that have been particularly challenging for Delta Delta as the chapter navigated the Covid pandemic; the multiple disciplinary actions incurred by the chapter; the resultant national membership review; and the revitalization program that followed. Throughout the many ups and downs associated with these challenges, Tom has been the steady hand that addressed the concerns and worked closely with the undergrads to reestablish the standards expected of all Sigma Chis.
Jeff McKean ’86 (L) receives his Ben Taylor Award.
Jeff McKean ’86 has been actively involved in creating and organizing some of Delta Delta’s largest events as well as being a strong advocate for the undergraduates during Jeff’s years on the House Corporation. In 1991 Jeff proposed and organized the first Delta Delta golf outing. This event has been held annually (except for 2 years during Covid) for 34 years. It is believed to be the longest running alumni event by any fraternity at Purdue. Jeff, who never met a challenge he wasn’t willing to take on, took on the huge task of organizing Delta Delta’s 125th Anniversary celebration in 2000. Over 400 brothers returned to take part. When Jeff was asked to lead the planning for the 150th Anniversary Celebration this year, he stepped forward to put on perhaps Delta Delta’s biggest and most memorable event with 360 brothers returning. Jeff’s willingness to commit the time and energy to orchestrate these events is based on his love of our Fraternity and willingness to “pay it forward” for future generations of Delta Delta Sigs.
Evening Concludes
As the brothers congregated in small groups to say their goodbyes, and perhaps share one more beer, the tenor of the evening went from loud exuberance to quiet reflection. Many noting how quickly the years have passed and how they had shared in each other’s lives from their earliest memories at 202 Littleton to those that had taken place over the past 20, 40 and 60 years. Memories that will last a lifetime and perhaps be passed on to future generations of Sigma Chis.
Sunday Service Adds Special Touch
A Catholic Mass was held at St. Mary’s Cathedral Sunday morning and officiated by Father Joe Noonan ‘85 and Deacon James Rush ’80. Father Noonan’s message of how a person plays different roles in their lives hit a responsive chord with the 30 Sigs attending the service.
A number of brothers attended a Catholic service conducted by Deacon James Rush ’80 (L) and Father Joe Noonan ’85.
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