Once a Phi Kap, always a Phi Kap
530 AM
Alumni President Report Dear Phi Kap Brothers: One of the strongest aspects of our fraternity chapter is its longevity. Alpha Mu has been a strong force in the lives of its members and the MIT community for well over 100 years. We have been fortunate to continue to recruit strong groups of members each fall, and I think you will see from the articles in this issue that the undergraduate chapter continues to be a dynamic, vibrant organization that will continue well into the future. The strength of any organization depends on individual members doing their parts. In this issue, you will find a supplement celebrating the life of one of the pillars of our community, William “Bill” Denhard, class of 1942. Bill was the president of our alumni organization for many years, and we are all saddened to learn of his passing recently at the age of 101. To many of us, Bill was a mentor, a friend, and an example of how life should be
pursued. Bill was “Mr. Phi Kap” to many of us, having served our chapter for over 70 years before he retired from active participation to director emeritus status in 2006. In thinking of the time that I knew Bill, I was reminded of a proverb: “A wise man, even when he holds his tongue, says more than a fool when he speaks.” Bill was a truly wise man. Bill led our undergraduate and alumni chapters through decades, but he never told people what to do. He advised, he guided, he explained, and he led by example. We are all better off for having known him, and he will be greatly missed. Fraternally,
Keith T. Kallberg ’68 President
Alpha Report Springtime in Boston once again! After a busy fall semester and a rejuvenating IAP, the brothers have come back to 530 Beacon St. ready to tackle the spring semester. With a newly initiated class and many events planned, the brothers were excited to make the most of their time before the summer came around. This spring was especially special as this would be the first spring semester that we have had brothers in the house since 2019. Over the last few months, brothers have been enjoying an eventful spring semester. From bonding at retreat to exploring Puerto Rico on spring break, to hosting for campus preview weekend (CPW), there has not been a bland moment for the brothers. Our spring retreat at YMCA Camp Hi-Rock was just as we remembered with the brothers coming together for our annual spring meeting and enjoying the view as we walked on the frozen lake. Just a month later, the brothers shifted scenery as many of the actives went to Puerto Rico for spring break. We were able to enjoy the warm weather and calming beaches while also visiting the homes of many
of the brothers that are from Puerto Rico. Soon after, we were back on campus preparing for campus preview weekend. As only the seniors have seen CPW from both the prefrosh and student perspective, a lot of work had to be done. Our Rho, Gabriel Caamano ’23, and his Associate Rhos, Javier Mulero ’25, and Xavier Mercado ’25, successfully organized and spearheaded our events for campus preview weekend that came with almost 15 prefrosh staying at 530 Beacon St. With the spring came many moments of brotherhood bonding, especially with Lineage Cup and Marathon Monday falling a few days from each other. This Lineage Cup planned by Evan Hosteler ’23 was especially amazing as it was the first one seen by any active class other than the seniors. Not only did all the actives and the alumni compete in many of the classic house events, but the actives were able to spend quality time talking to the alumni and learn more about the house that we wouldn’t have known otherwise. After a long day full of events and memories, the members of the Ricky D lineage were the ones to lift the trophy and add to a long list of lineage cup winners. However, the (continued on page 5)
Alpha Mu Chapter of Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity at MIT • Spring 2022
Undergraduate Officers
Phi Kaps Class of ’24 Celebrate Ring Delivery
Spring 2022 Alpha
Shawn Monel ’23 Beta Guilherme Campos ’23 Tau Armando Moncada ’24 Gamma Sergio Arenas ’23 Iota Blake Shepherd ’23 Rho Gabriel Caamaño ’23 Theta Yasha Shapiro ’23 Delta Evan Hostetler ’22 Omicron Javier Mulero ’25 Upsilon Evan Hostetler ’22 Phis Kanay Okolo ’24 Kevin Acevedo ’25 Psis
Armando Moncada ’24, Harley Yoder ’24, and Grady Thomas ’24 celebrating their newly delivered brass rats together at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel.
As one of MIT's longest-standing traditions, the Brass Rat serves to unify each graduating class as they approach the midpoint of their time at the Institute. Since 1999, Ring Delivery is an event where students attend a formal, black-tie event in Boston to celebrate the important milestone with their class and receive their coveted Brass Rats. This year marks the return of the typical ring delivery timing in the spring of sophomore year; Ring Delivery for the ’24s was held at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel. Our Phi Kaps were excited to attend this event as a class and celebrate this important milestone in style. The ’24s got suited up at Skullhouse beforehand and departed together to celebrate the evening at the venue with the rest of their class. They returned afterward with lots of excitement, having received one of the most recognizable rings in the world. Many future bottles are to be opened with those Brass Rats!
Left to right: Armando Moncada ’24, Grady Thomas ’24, Jorge Tomaylla ’24, and Harley Yoder ’24, celebrating their ring delivery together.
Azariah Seblu ’24 and Armando Moncada ’24 showing off their brass rats in front of the ring committee ice sculpture.
Jorge Tomaylla ’24 Alejandro Tañon ’25 Pis Blake Shepherd ’23 Kanay Okolo ’24
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Brother Spotlight: Alec Nguyen ’22 Boston Marathon April 18, 2022, 10:00 am ET, while the city of Boston was gearing up for the festivities of Patriot’s Day, better known to MIT students as Marathon Monday, I was preparing to run the race of my life in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. After about a year of dedicated marathon training, I managed to qualify for the Boston Marathon by running the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati on October 31, 2021. While Boston wasn’t my first marathon, I knew that it would be a great deal more difficult than my first. Many people told me the course was tough, but I had developed what I believed was a great race plan according to all the advice that had been given me. Like most people, I planned to go out conservatively as the first six miles of the race were mainly downhill, and to pick it up around mile 15 or 16, right before the hills in the city of Newton. Unfortunately, once the gun went off, I was carried away by the rush of adrenaline and the mass number of runners racing down the streets of Hopkinton that I ended up running over 10 seconds per mile faster than my intended pace. I passed the half-marathon point at around one hour and 18 minutes which was about a minute faster than what I was aiming for. And while I felt comfortable with the pace I was running, I began to experience some tightness in my hamstrings, especially on any uphill segments. This ended up coming to bite me later as I struggled to go up the three massive hills in Newton at around mile 20 and had to drastically decrease my pace just to keep my muscles from cramping.
Alec Nguyen ’22 standing at the finish line area in Copley Square pre-marathon running.
As we came into the last five miles of the race, I could feel my quads and hamstrings tightening up even more and occasionally twitching as though they were ready to fully cramp up. My worries became reality as both of my hamstrings cramped up completely around mile 25 and I had to stop running to stretch them out for a couple of minutes. At this point, the only thought circulating in my mind was whether I was going to have to walk the last 1.2 miles of the race. Luckily, I was able to start
Alec Nguyen ’22 sitting with his pledge mate and roommate Jorge Perez ’22 post-marathon.
Spring 2022
running again at a drastically slower pace and finished the race with a time of two hours, 45 minutes, and 52 seconds, which is about six minutes and 20 seconds per mile on average. While I did not set a new personal record and had blown up in the last few miles of the race, I was extremely happy to have finished the race and accomplish something I had been dreaming about since I moved to Boston four years ago. To be honest, words really can’t fully describe all the emotions I experienced after crossing the finish line on Boylston Street besides one recurring thought which was: “Please don’t cramp, please don’t cramp.” Besides the results of my race, I was blown away by the unfathomable amount of support that all the brothers and my friends showered me with. Many of my friends were gathered on Newbury Street where the course cuts from Commonwealth Avenue through Newbury Street and onto Boylston Street. In fact, prior to coming out, several brothers had painted letters on their upper bodies that, when assembled, spelled out “Go Alec Go!” These brothers, along with a number of other brothers and alumni, who were in the area for Lineage Cup, also gathered along Newbury Street with their shirts off shouting, “Go Alec Go!” I didn’t even realize the support squad was assembled along Newbury Street until l saw the group of shirtless brothers piggybacked on top of one another cheering at the top of their lungs. To be completely honest, I was in so much pain at the time that the only reaction that came to mind was to look down and laugh to myself at just how absurd and beautiful it all was. After the race, some of the brothers and my friends met up with me at the finish line area to help me hobble back to the house where we celebrated with an ongoing barbeque and some champagne.
Skullhouse spirit squad on Marathon Monday after Alec’s successful race finish. Left to right, standing behind Alec Nguyen ’22: Alex Martinez ’22, Angel Gomez ’23, Enrique Montas ’22, Guilherme Campos ’23, and Brendt Stephens ’22.
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Sexual Assault Awareness Month at Skullhouse Jeeve Mahadeo ’23 ran for and won a position on the Interfraternity Council (IFC) Executive Board for the 2022 calendar year. They are the IFC’s Sexual Health and Relationship Education (SHARE) committee chair. As a result of their work, Skullhouse has now taken a more direct and active role in ending sexual violence within the IFC community and the members of 530 Beacon have been actively engaging in sexual assault prevention work and promoting good sexual health. Within Skullhouse, Jeeve has given workshops to the chapter members on a variety of topics. Before rush last semester, Jeeve called for bias training and facilitated an important discussion on power and identities to ensure we, as a house, are as inclusive as possible when engaging with potential new members. Jeeve has also given talks on racism and mental health within the house to ensure these issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are always at the forefront. Jeeve hopes that these conversations continue within Skullhouse, and they are proud of all the progress Skullhouse is making in a positive direction. But Jeeve isn’t the only one putting out effort. After Jeeve’s inclusion of culture talks in their pledge program for the 2024s, Sergio Arenas ’23 decided to continue it in his pledge program for the 2025s, and Blake Shepherd ’23 has already decided to continue it in his upcoming pledge program for the 2026s. The Iota position has now become a staple in continuing good DEI initiatives with the ultimate goal of ending sexual violence within our community. Culture talks are a chance for a facilitated discussion, led by a
Jeeve Mahadeo ’23 and Francisco Colon ’25 in front of the Sexual Assault Awareness Month display on campus in Lobby 10.
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PLEASURE (Peers Leading Education about Sexuality and Speaking Up for Relationship Empowerment) educator, namely Jeeve, with the pledges to engage in a conversation around a topic close to sexual assault prevention. These talks include conversations on power, privilege, gender-based violence, gender identity, resources on MIT’s campus and surroundings, race and ethnicity, identities, sexual health, contraception, substance use, and even bystander intervention. These conversations have been extremely fruitful and the members who engaged in these have expressed their love for these Left to right: Jose Betances ’25, Javier Mulero ’25, discussions. It goes without saying Brendt Stephens ’22, Jeeve Mahadeo ’23, Alex Martinez ’22, that the members of Skullhouse Thomas Bigler ’25, and Alejandro Tañon ’25 celebrating are dedicated to promoting healthy Denim Day on the Skullhouse front stoop. cultural practices to prevent sexual violence. Through Jeeve’s work with IFC SHARE, the assault wear denim to end victim-blaming and house participated in Sexual Assault Aware- harmful narratives around sexual violence. ness Month (SAAM) initiatives hosted by Vio- This year, Skullhouse joined that movement lence Prevention & Response (VPR) and the and participated in denim day on April 27 to IFC. April is SAAM and it is an opportunity to show our support for survivors. Additionally, Jeeve also organized a raise awareness about the issue of sexual violence in society. In 1998, the Italian Supreme SAAM day of awareness and they, along Court overturned a rape conviction citing the with other IFC exec and SHARE committee survivor’s wearing of jeans as consent. They members, spent April 29 tabling in Lobby 10 argued that since she was wearing jeans, she in MIT and distributing t-shirts for SAAM. As must have taken them off for her rapist, imply- leaders in this issue, it was no surprise that ing consent. The next day, all women serving in Skullhouse had the highest participation and the Italian parliament wore jeans in solidarity engagement at the table, receiving the greatwith that survivor, and now every last Wednes- est number of shirts, and even having one of day of April, supporters of survivors of sexual its members, Francisco Colon ’25, volunteer an hour at the table on an impromptu basis. And even with April coming to an end, Skullhouse still continues its dedication to fighting the issue of sexual violence within the IFC community. Jeeve is currently the architect of the Fraternity Sexual Assault Prevention Program, and they have been using Skullhouse members as a resource to build up the program and continue the necessary work to end sexual violence at MIT. Skullhouse is a safe space for survivors of sexual assault and has proven they are comFront row: Alec Nguyen ’22 and Angel Gomez ’23. Back row, (left to right): Sergio Arenas ’23, Brendt Stephens ’22, Shawn Monel ’23, Blake Shepherd mitted to preventing sexual ’23, Miguel Tullac ’23, Xavier Bell ’25, Armando Moncada ’25, and Kevin violence as an organization! Acevedo ’25, celebrating Denim Day on the Skullhouse front stoop.
mitpksalumni.org
Lineage Cup Returns to Skullhouse! After a two-year hiatus, our annual Lineage Cup event finally returned to the hallowed halls of Skullhouse. Attendance was excellent for our April 16, 2022 event. Over 30 alumni made an appearance at the house during the weekend, the most senior of which being Dan Daneshvar ’05, a Boston local and neuroscientist. Many Phi Kaps from the recent classes of 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017 made the pilgrimage back to the brownstone at 530 Beacon for the festivities. In total, over 65 brothers were able to enjoy a Saturday filled with athletics, strength challenges, games of skills, eating competitions, and above all, the excitement and pride in the strength of our bonds over all these years. The sense of community was infectious and seeing the new members in the class of ’25 interact with and get to know their great-greatgreat-great-grandbigs was truly special. The house came together into our three respective lineages to secure the ultimate prize of the daylong event, the Lineage Cup itself, complete with bragging rights for the victorious lineage
for the subsequent year. This year, despite valiant efforts by both the measured and strategic Westcott’s and the few but fierce No Names, the rabid Ricky D lineage secured the cup in a late-day comeback in the competition. Regardless of the final score, everyone left Lineage Cup 2022 feeling closer to the house and excited to keep our long-held traditions
alive. Skullhouse is a remarkable community, ever-evolving as new cohorts leave their marks during their journey through MIT, but nonetheless held together by the bond of shared experience. Lineage Cup is a marker of the strength of the Skullhouse community, and we are grateful for the continued interest and interaction from all our alumni.
A morning of athletics events was held in the Zesiger Sports and Fitness Center on campus, with the tug of war event taking place on Kresge Lawn.
Left to right: Isaac Garza ’17, Hugo Zul ’17, and Alonzo Lopez ’18, happy to be celebrating Lineage Cup back at Skullhouse this year.
Brothers gathered in the basement around the chalkboard eagerly awaiting a Lineage Cup scoring update.
brothers are looking into the summer and beyond as they plan for after this semester. After a long time, the brothers will be able to live in the house this summer and enjoy the dog days of summer from 530 Beacon St. As many brothers are enjoying Boston, others will be across the country from California to New York taking part in internships and research opportunities. Additionally, I want to bring attention to our seniors who are graduating in less than a month and then heading out on their senior road trip. As we have moved back
to the house and off a virtual platform, they have been our foundation, making sure no house tradition has been lost. Despite members graduating and the physical distance that comes with summer break, I have no doubt we will remain connected as a brotherhood. I look forward to sharing more updates in the future, but for now, I hope to see the success and brotherhood our active members continue to showcase.
Alpha Report
(continued from page 1) celebration didn’t end there, as only a few days later actives and alumni alike were at the house celebrating Marathon Monday. I would like to particularly highlight brother Alec Nguyen ’22 who participated in and completed the Boston Marathon. As we look to the end of the spring semester, brothers are wrapping up their classes, becoming closer with their brothers, and celebrating their successes. Many
Spring 2022
Ricky D Lineage actives and alumni celebrating their Lineage Cup victory.
Fraternally, Shawn Monel ’23
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Senior Spotlights: Class of 2022 Daven Howard
Andrew Kreisher
Course 6-3, Computer Science and Engineering
Course 6-3, Computer Science and Engineering
After graduating with a degree in computer science and engineering I will be working at Price.com as a software engineer. Since it is a remote position, I will be living in Cambridge with some other Skullhouse seniors next year. While I am much looking forward to graduation, I will deeply miss the random stairwell talks and late-night shenanigans while living in the house.
Following graduation in May, I am very excited to move to NYC to work with Google as a software engineer. I am going to deeply miss the house, particularly all of the brothers I've had the chance to experience MIT with but am glad that I will only be a short bus ride away when I'm feeling house-sick. What I am going to miss the most is the feeling of returning to the house after a long day to unwind with everyone over video games, deep talks, and long nights in the Annex.
Alejandro Martinez Course 2, Mechanical Engineering
Enrique Montas Course 6-3, Computer Science and Engineering
These past four years at MIT have been full of amazing memories and stories. As a brother of the house and a student in mechanical engineering, there has been no shortage of opportunities to better myself and contribute to my communities. I am excited to continue my time here as a graduate student pursuing a Master of Science within the mechanical engineering department. Although I no longer will be living in the house, I won't be far from my brothers as I will be living with three fellow pledge classmates in Cambridge. Even with my brothers close by, I will definitely miss roaming around the house in the late hours and making great conversation with whoever I saw. Skullhouse has been the highlight of my college experience and will have a special place in my heart.
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I’ll be graduating with a bachelor’s in computer science and engineering and a minor in math. I had a lot of fun over my four years at MIT and in Skulls, so much so, that I am pursuing a Master’s in engineering in computer science at MIT. I will be living with Alejandro, Daven, and Brendt in Cambridge. The four years went by quickly, and I’ll miss being a Skullhouse active. I have countless memories from the house, but I’ll miss house dinners. It's always fun having a table of bros not worried about work and getting into random conversations where everyone is adding something.
mitpksalumni.org
Senior Spotlights: Class of 2022 Anthony Nardomarino
Jorge Perez
Course 6-2, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Course 6-3, Computer Science and Engineering
After graduation, I’ll be continuing my role in the development of low-power environmental sensing technology in the support of the Skullhouse-founded startup Instinct Environmental alongside CEO Brother Datta ’21. And after spending a few months back home in Chicago to visit family and old friends, I’ll be heading to NYC for the foreseeable future. My favorite Skullhouse memory is pretty easy to recall. While every impromptu jam session at Skullhouse reminds me of why I love being at Skullhouse, the one that made me choose to come here in the first place is a memory I hold dear. After meeting Brother Terrasa ’21, Brother Montesino ’20, and Brother Lopez ’18 and telling stories of our musical backgrounds, we took part in one of the most natural and amazing jam sessions I’ve ever been a part of. Every time I pick up an instrument I think about that day, and how I had truly found a home at MIT.
After graduating in a few weeks with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and as a pre-medical student, I’ll be working in Puerto Rico as a medical scribe and also in developing more efficient technologies for the hospitals in Puerto Rico. After doing that for a year, I’ll then be going to medical school to pursue my MD and become a doctor. I’ll definitely miss all of the late-night hangouts and shenanigans with my fellow ’22 pledge mates, who have become like a family to me.
Alec Nguyen Course 10, Chemical Engineering
I will be working full-time as a consultant at the Los Angeles office of the Boston Consulting Group after graduating this spring with a degree in chemical engineering. I will miss all of the fun times I've shared in the house, but the memory I will never forget is the time I lived in Oregon with a couple of other brothers and our friends while classes were virtual.
Spring 2022
Brendt Stephens Course 2A, Mechanical Engineering
After graduation in course 2a, I'll be traveling to work in Madrid over the summer through MISTI. Starting in the fall, I'll be returning to Boston to live with other Skulls ’22s while I start fulltime as a research engineer at Vicarious Surgical. While I'll still be around, I'll miss the spontaneous hangouts with bros and chilling on the balcony during the nice weather days in Boston.
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Our Brothers Send Their News George Winterson ’56: Still healthy, still working full time, still a Phi Kap! James A. Champy ’63: I am no longer at CSC Index. William Denhard ’42: I miss all the activities of the past and dig up memories of the house in the days of my youth! Lots of fun and seeing PKS as my home then. I remember when dope first swept over the campus. I guess it’s endemic on all campuses now. A terrible shame. Once addicted they are lost; I’ve seen that happen to a professor’s son. Here in my “senior living” house, excitement is watching a waiter drop a tray. It’s great to hear the house is in good shape. I’m glad we made that big investment back about 1997. Your twenties are great.
Left to right: Diego Rivera ’25, Alejandro Tanon ’25, Jose Betances ’25, Brendt Stephens ’22, and Javier Mulero ’25 enjoying MIT’s spring break beneath a waterfall in Puerto Rico.
William Denhard '42 May 3, 2022 Albert Ehrenfried '58 February 28, 2022 Philip Mitchell '58 December 15, 2022
Pledge Project: VIP Lounge As the pledge project for this year, the ’25s decided to create a VIP area behind the class of 2020’s bar in the basement. Xavier Bell, as pledge Beta, spearheaded this effort with his class. Two benches flank the walls with a laser-etched astronaut skull insignia on the outward-facing panel. These benches have a table and small shelves in the corner between them. A larger coffee table is in front of them with a lasercut skull equipped with the standard rec and a sword. The ’25s also made an outline of the house with LED lights behind each window. They mounted it on the wall next to a High Street sign. The lounge is closed off by custom-made skull curtains.
Skullhouse Reopening for Summer 2022 Residents
Lewis Williams IV '76 March 30, 2022
Daven Howard ’22 and Anthony Nardomarino ’22 engaging in a friendly sparring match in the center stairwell during Independent Activities Period (IAP).
Class of 2025
530 AM
Chapter Eternal
We regret to announce the deaths of:
Brothers enjoying a rare, beautiful spring day with a barbeque on the front stoop.
Finally, after a long hiatus due to the pandemic, the house is back for the summer of 2022! From the last time we were open, there have been many changes in the house, from a big renovation over 2021 to the addition of new hand-made projects by our brothers such as the VIP-room remodeling made by the class of ’25, and we’re excited to share this space with people over the following months. There will be eight doubles, two triples, and three quads where people will be staying. With all of this said, we can’t wait for the summer barbecues, Fourth of July parties, and good times that we will be having this upcoming Skullhouse summer. Summer Alpha Angel Gomez ’23
Summer Gamma Jose Betances ’25
Summer Tau Johan Maysonet ’25
is published by Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity at MIT for its members and friends. News and photos are welcome and should be sent to alumnirecords@mitpksalumni.org or to Alumni Records Office, Alumni Association of Alpha Mu Chapter of Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Inc., P.O. Box 390528, Cambridge, MA 02139-0006. Visit us on the web at mitpksalumni.org. You can get an electronic copy of this 530 AM and earlier publications at mitpksalumni.org/publications/530-am-newsletters.