Members of our chapter traveled to Tampa, Florida in July to attend SigEp’s 59th Grand Chapter Conclave where the chapter received its fourth consecutive Buchanan Outstanding Chapter Award. Click here for a video montage. The “Buc Cup,” as it is known, honors the top chapters in the country, who exemplify sustained excellence across all areas of chapter operations. 

Thanks to the support of the Alumni and Volunteer Corporation, 22 undergraduates, 16 alumni, and 3 of our chapter volunteers attended, this was the largest chapter contingent to attend a Conclave in almost forty years.

Chapter President Alex Reilly, Connecticut ‘26, and Vice President of Communications Patrick Murray, Connecticut ‘27, attended Conclave as recipients of scholarships awarded by the NUTS! McAuliffe Society. NUTS! Scholars are selected from undergraduates across the country who have demonstrated active participation and strong commitment to SigEp.  NUTS! Scholars are recognized as promising future leaders of our Fraternity. 

“Our recent scholars have consisted of brothers who I’ve tried to model my SigEp experience after. Being recognized on the same level as them was a surreal moment, and one that I’m proud to be a part of,” Murray shared.  

Founded at the 1997 Grand Chapter Conclave in Phoenix, NUTS! Is a group of passionate SigEp volunteers and donors committed to supporting the undergraduate experience through events like Ruck Leadership Institute and Conclave. The society is named after Brigadier General Anthony Clement “NUTS” McAuliffe, a senior Army officer who commanded the 101st Airborne Division during World War II and was a member of SigEp’s West Virginia Beta chapter. General McAuliffe is known for his famous response “Nuts!” to the German ultimatum demanding surrender during the Battle of the Bulge.  

Undergraduate Noah Arce, Connecticut ‘27, served as the chapter’s delegate to the Grand Chapter legislative sessions and as one of the ten legislative committee chairmen. One of the two resolutions committees was under his purview, which advanced legislation creating a standing mental health task force and implementing revisions to the Grand Chapter Bylaws. As a committee chair, Arce presented his committee’s recommendations before the full 200-member legislature.  

Connecticut Alpha faculty fellow and UConn faculty member Leanne Adams joined the chapter at Conclave as well. In her role, Adams has mentored and helped brothers, and they were grateful to have her join the Conclave chorus.   

“Having Professor Adams at Conclave was incredibly meaningful for our chapter,” vice president of finance JT Gotskowski ‘27 said. “We are beyond grateful for her continued involvement and proud to share this experience with her.”  

“The experience was truly transformative,” Adams offered. “The conversations, the shared stories, and sense of purpose that filled every moment left a lasting impression on me,” she added.

Kevin Curtis, Connecticut ‘92, received the Larkin Bailey/Babe Fly Loyalty Cup during the Saturday night Alumni Awards Dinner. This award is presented to a brother for attending his 15th Conclave, representing loyalty to the Fraternity, long after they graduate.  Brother Curtis joins an exclusive club of several of our other alumni brothers who have attended 15 or more Conclaves.

Reprising his role for the 15th consecutive Conclave, Bill Gunn, Connecticut ‘88, led the Conclave Chorus as National Song Chairman. Continuing a long-standing tradition dating back to the 1980’s, the composition of the Chorus has been dominated by Connecticut Alpha brothers and now including Professor Adams.

On Conclave’s opening night, a team of alumni and undergraduates from across the country presented a special performance of the Ritual. This marked the first performance of the ceremony at the national level since the 2023 Grand Chapter approved updates to it.   

Connecticut Alpha played a significant role in this year’s Ritual. Alumni & Volunteer Corporation President Van Augur, Connecticut‘20, coauthored the script,  AVC Directors Bob Flynn, Connecticut ’82, and Steve Chaneles, Connecticut ‘83, served as narrators, and recent graduate Matt Ucci, Connecticut ‘25, performed the role of Chaplain. This year’s performance included insightful commentary on the Ritual’s history and symbolism.

Brother Chaneles also gave a compelling interactive presentation regarding personal finance basics in the undergraduate programming track. His program resonated with undergrads of various backgrounds and served as a foundation for building financial success as early as possible.  Alumni & Volunteer Corporation Vice President Dr. Jonathan Wharton, Stevens Renaissance, brought his etiquette workshop on the road to Conclave, engaging undergraduates in a discussion of manners for interviewing, networking and dating and offering tips and tricks for making an impression in college, the workplace, and beyond.

Looking ahead, Connecticut Alpha will continue exceeding expectations in its quest for its first ever gold Buchanan Cup at the 2027 Conclave in Phoenix. This elite recognition is awarded to chapters that are being awarded their fifth consecutive Buchanan Cup. To help make this possible, the AVC is raising funds and support for career development programming that enhances recruitment, supports the Balanced Man Program, and drives volunteer and alumni engagement.