OCAA Awarded Most Outstanding Alumni Club
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or the second biennium in a row, and the seventh time overall, the Orange County Alumni Association was recognized with the Most Outstanding Alumni Club Award for 2018-2020 by Sigma Pi Fraternity. The OCAA goes above and beyond by hosting several events and activities throughout the year, including its annual scholarship golf tournament, where $15,000 was raised. Between alumni hosted cocktail hours, Zoom gatherings, sports outings, and various small social gatherings, Fullerton’s Sigma Pi alumni continue to generate interest in the brotherhood. “We developed a foundation and mindset early on,” says alumni president David DeFilippo (‘88), “where our alumni look forward to gathering with one another. Rather it’s Rob Norden (’80) hosting his annual 19781985 alumni social, or Rob Russell (’88) coordinating his “Thrilla Tee Times” golf for alums from 1986-1990 era, our alumni remain focused on the brotherhood network.” Even during a pandemic, the alumni remained engaged and hosted several Zoom calls. An example of unfathomed brotherhood and excellence was when the chapter alumni heard of Greg Kerr (’85) being diagnosed with a shortened lifespan. On a Saturday afternoon this past April, 86 Epsilon-Nu alumni, along with several Little Sisters, joined in on a Zoom call to share stories and tears with Greg during his final days. To add to this excellence, the brotherhood raised $25,000 in two weeks to help defray funeral costs. “Actions like this are one of the many reasons why our alumni continue to give back to Epsilon-Nu and Sigma
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Pi Fraternity,” said alumni vice-president and Past Grand Sage Larry Rovira (’80). “Our members actually believe in our creed, practice our values, and raise the bar for the next generation of Sigma Pi. We want to continue the joy of fraternal brotherhood, and as alumni, we need to set the example that the brotherhood does not end at graduation. It IS a life-long commitment to excellence.” The alumni club has also been successful with its fundraising over the years, as well. When the OCAA was tasked to raise funds to re-colonize, the board of directors raised $25,000 one year to offset the expansion costs. Then the following year raised another $25,000 to support scholarships and educational programming. Today, the chapter alumni continue to support the John J. Merino Scholarship, allocates campus bookstore scholarships to outstanding service towards the chapter (such as to the recruitment chairman for a great rush or to an undergraduate member elected to the student body leadership), and gives to various chapter events to offset costs. “The alumni are here to support the undergraduate chapter,” says Ed Gogin (’78), treasurer/secretary of the OCAA. “The stronger the chapter, the stronger the alumni participation; we love seeing them succeed!” The OCAA was chartered in 1984, shortly after EpsilonNu Chapter chartered at California State University, Fullerton, and won their first of three Grand Sage’s Cups. Sigma Pi Fraternity’s Most Outstanding Alumni Club Award is given to the chartered alumni club, demonstrating superior overall performance in the biennium. 19
