Here you will find stories showcasing our chapter, current news, and updates about our Fraternity, our brothers and our many supporters.
The SigEp Journal, the official magazine of the Fraternity, is a biannual print publication and serves as the online source for features stories, chapter news, alumni & volunteer news, commentary and more. View the SigEp Journal Archive.
Alumni Are Invited to Help Make the Brother Mentor Challenge Capstone Experience as Success. SigEp at UConn is preparing to bring undergraduate leaders and alumni together in Boston January 8–10, 2027 for the Brother Mentor Challenge Capstone event. To make this a success, we need your help to build on our growing career development and alumni connections. This new experience will help brothers develop projects that make a lasting contribution to Connecticut Alpha while preparing for life after college.
What Is the Brother Mentor Challenge? The Brother Mentor Challenge is the culminating stage of SigEp’s Balanced Man Program. Each participant develops a project that benefits the chapter or its members. Past efforts have included an interview preparation workshop, a personal finance handbook, an emergency preparedness kit, and guides that preserve knowledge for future chapter leaders.
The Weekend at a Glance. As currently envisioned, the weekend will begin Friday with travel and an informal welcome gathering. Saturday will feature welcoming remarks, mentor breakout sessions, a proposed site visit, and a keynote dinner where brothers will introduce their project ideas. Sunday’s strategic brunch will focus on developing and implementing project work plans, followed by skills building workshops before departure. Venues, costs, and the final agenda are still being developed.
Mentoring Through the Spring. The Brother Mentor Challenge Capstone is the next step in our chapter’s SigEp for Life program. Brothers will work toward project milestones during the spring and submit chapter-ready deliverables by May 15, 2027. Selected alumni will mentor participants by helping develop their projects and transition to life after college. The anticipated commitment is approximately one hour per month from January through May, with an initial one-on-one conversation within two weeks after the Retreat.
How You Can Help. We need help with a variety of activities, including finding host venues, helping with event logistics and planning, alumni outreach, sponsorships, etc. If you are interested, please complete our brief Alumni Interest Survey.
This summer Mike Uzzillia, Connecticut ’27, took his passion for medicine across the globe, spending a month in Mombasa, Kenya organized through International Medical Aid. “Uzzi” volunteered at a local hospital and rotated through multiple departments to learn about healthcare in a new setting which serves the community. He also went on a once-in-a-lifetime safari through the Masai Mara. His journey embodies what it means to be a Balanced Man.
Mike is a senior currently studying Biological Sciences on a pre-medical track. He has always been curious about the functions of healthcare systems in other parts of the world. So, when he had found out about this trip through a family friend, he did not hesitate to take this opportunity.
M
ike spent his weeks doing rotations in Coast General Hospital, a public hospital in Mombasa. Each week he had the opportunity to shadow different doctors in various areas of the hospital, including internal medicine, emergency medicine, and surgery. “I was able to learn so much through talking with the doctors, hearing their patient interactions, as well as hearing the diagnosis of the different patients in each area of the hospital,” stated Uzzilia, who was able to make the most of his experience in the hospital and during his free time.
He spent his time outside the hospital exploring Mombasa and Nairobi, embracing their unique cultures and meeting some of the local population. Mike describes his most memorable experience of the trip as a weekend-long safari in the Masai Mara Reserve seeing elephants, giraffes, leopards, lions, and rhinos.
Mike’s immersive experience was not limited to the hospitals; he also spent time visiting different schools in the area and teaching them about hygiene. He described his time spent with the children as fulfilling, and felt that he was able to make a positive impact on their lives. “I was not only able to learn about medicine, but also learn about a new culture and explore a completely new country in the process, which was such an amazing experience,” said Uzzilia as he reflected on his time in Mombasa.
Mike was able to take away many valuable lessons from this trip. He was introduced to the differences in medicine across the globe, learned more about how to communicate with patients and about different diseases and diagnoses that he was not aware of prior to this trip. Mike’s experience brought him closer to an entirely new culture while helping him further his career in medicine.
Undeterred by an early season nor’easter, SigEp at UConn found shelter at the Bolton Congregational Church on September 26, 2026 for the 4th edition of its biennial alumni-undergraduate picnic. Many thanks to Jerry Dallas '70, Bob Flynn ’82, and Tom Birmingham ’86 for the quick pivot.
Brothers from all generations of the chapter gathered to reunite with old friends and make new ones. Founded in 1956, the chapter is celebrating its 70th birthday this year.
In the house were Jerry Dallas ’70, Peter Markle ‘70, Jim Olson ’71, Jim Szerejko ’71, John Hinman ‘72, and Henry Lienhard ‘72. This special group of brothers spans most of the chapter’s history and have been SigEps for almost 60 years.
Grand President David Calderon, Cal Poly-Pomona ’88, traveled across the country from Los Angeles to help the brothers also celebrate SigEp’s 125th birthday. Grand President Calderon met with the chapter’s recruitment team, executive board, and key volunteers and got a behind-the-scenes tour of campus courtesy of Chapter Counselor Andy Kelly, Arkansas ’00.
Alumni and Volunteer Corporation president Van Augur ’20 led off the formal program, emphasizing the rich, seventy-year tradition that today’s Connecticut Alpha SigEps have inherited and challenging them to maintain and continually improve that tradition for another seven decades.
Chapter president Noah Arce-Caliskan ’27 reported on the chapter’s strong position as the largest fraternity at UConn with 104 returning active brothers. That follows from the spring semester being named UConn’s Interfraternity Council Chapter of the Year and finishing first in GPA among all fraternities for the eleventh semester in a row! He also expressed the gratitude of the membership for the mentoring and financial support from chapter alumni and volunteers.
Tom Birmingham and Jake Daignalt ’25 teamed up to discuss the chapter’s emerging Brother Mentor SigEp for Life Capstone Experience, a weekend retreat with mentor breakout sessions and a keynote dinner centered around presentation of Brother Mentor projects. This capstone is expected to elevate the appeal of participating in the Brother Mentor Challenge - the final stage of the Balanced Man Program, recognize the achievement of the participants, and forge relationships with alumni to assist participants to prepare for life after college.
On behalf of SigEp’s National Board of Directors, Grand President Calderon presented Steven Chaneles ’83 with the Exemplary Service Award in recognition of Steve’s decades of volunteer service to the Fraternity. The award is given to those brothers who have devoted more than twenty years of service to SigEp and made a significant and lasting impact for the betterment of the Fraternity.
Steve Chaneles then introduced the two newest inductees to the Connecticut Alpha Alumni Hall of Fame: Jerry Dallas ’70 and Wade Medlar ’80. The Connecticut Alpha Alumni Hall of Fame honors chapter alumni who have distinguished themselves in a manner bringing credit and honor to themselves, CT Alpha, and SigEp. The award serves to spotlight the extraordinary impact honorees make in their professions or communities or the Fraternity.
Joining SigEp during the turmoil of the late 1960’s, Jerry’s involvement spans every generation of the chapter. He served first as chapter counselor and later as a continuing source of wisdom and guidance for the chapter and the Alumni and Volunteer Corporation. A mentor, a leader, a friend, and a much-loved brother, Jerry instilled a respect for and commitment to the Fraternity’s Cardinal Principles, was a key player in securing a chapter home, and established chapter traditions which continue, such as attending Conclave and strong alumni-undergraduate relations.
Wade served as the chapter’s first president when the chapter was rechartered in 1980. Recently retired after a 40+ year executive career, he rode the leadership skills he developed as chapter president to the top levels of business running companies in the Midwest and left his mark there as you did at Connecticut Alpha. As chapter president, he insisted on a commitment to SigEp’s Cardinal Principles that prevails today among our undergraduate brothers, and set a standard for the chapter presidents that followed him.
Keeping with tradition, the Sabbs Brothers band, featuring National Song Chairman Bill Gunn ‘88 and Vinny Piselli ’86, provided musical entertainment. The day wrapped with brothers, let by Brother Gunn, serenading our lady guests with the Sweetheart Song.
We look forward to meeting again in two years. Stay tuned for details in early 2028. Please submit nominations for the Connecticut Alpha Alumni Hall of Fame to speaconn@gmail.com.
On October 10, 2026, thirty-eight brothers of the Connecticut Alpha chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon ran in the Eversource Hartford Marathon, covering about 645 combined miles across the marathon, half marathon, relay, and 5K races. Together, we raised $3,463 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut, supporting one-to-one mentoring for children across the state.
What started as an idea for a handful of runners became our chapter’s first organized effort at the Hartford Marathon. In the months leading up to race day, training gave us another reason to spend time together and hold each other accountable.
Junior Andrew Hernandez posted the chapter’s fastest full marathon time, finishing in 3 hours and 38 minutes. Fellow junior Avery Dube led our half marathon runners with a time of 1 hour and 39 minutes.
The effort extended beyond the runners. Twenty-three brothers each volunteered three hours at a water station, while others staffed our booth at the Finish Line Expo in Bushnell Park and photographed the day. More brothers came to cheer on the runners. The booth gave us a place to gather and introduce the chapter to the community. A raffle also raised additional funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Big Brothers Big Sisters has been SigEp’s national philanthropic partner since 2013. The Hartford Marathon created an opportunity for the chapter to build that relationship locally. Having benefited from the guidance of older brothers and alumni ourselves, we were proud to support an organization that gives young people a mentor they can count on.
Support from the SigEp Educational Foundation helped make participation more affordable, while nine sponsors contributed to the effort. We are grateful to them, our alumni, and everyone who donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut.
We hope to make the Hartford Marathon an annual Connecticut Alpha tradition, combining our commitment to Sound Mind, Sound Body with support for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut.
On September 2, 2026, the Connecticut Alpha Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon hosted its annual Balanced Man Scholarship Banquet at Willington Pizza House. The event brought together approximately 80 brothers, alumni, and distinguished guests to celebrate academic excellence, leadership, community involvement, and the values of the Balanced Man ideal.
The evening provided an opportunity to recognize nine outstanding Balanced Man Scholarship recipients who have demonstrated dedication inside and outside the classroom. We were honored to welcome several important contributors to our chapter’s success, AVC president Van Augur, Connecticut ‘20, Former AVC vice president Dr. Jonathan Wharton, Stevens Renaissance, Chapter Counselor Andy Kelly, Arkansas ‘00, and UConn faculty member and chapter Faculty Fellow Leanne Adams. Brother Augur spoke emphasizing the importance of brotherhood, personal development, and the lasting impact of Sigma Phi Epsilon membership.
Throughout the banquet, we celebrated the unique accomplishments of each scholarship recipient in the order of their recognition. Damien Moi was recognized for his academic achievements and dedication as an Eagle Scout, while Kaiden Sims demonstrated exceptional leadership through athletics and community service. Casper Adamus showcased his professional initiative through his work at RTX, where he helped improve a database system, saving the company over $1 million. Braden Drapeau was recognized for his leadership as captain of his varsity lacrosse and ice hockey teams, along with his dedication to community service.
Continuing the recognition, Samuel Berninger was celebrated for his academic achievements in the UConn School of Pharmacy and for signing a professional soccer contract with Hartford Athletic. Lou McKinney demonstrated outstanding leadership as a former student body president and through his volunteer work with special needs hockey programs. Patrick Foley was recognized for his commitment to academics, leadership as a varsity basketball captain, and volunteer work with organizations such as the Appalachia Service Project. Gavin Hinderleider stood out for his entrepreneurial accomplishments, including earning his real estate license at just 18 years old, running his own media company, and building a personal following of over 150,000 people.
The evening concluded with the presentation of the top Balanced Man Scholarship Award to Jackson Ray, a Finance and Actuarial Science student recognized for his achievements in academics, athletics, and community service. Through his involvement with Team IMPACT, Jackson helped organize fundraising and awareness initiatives that raised nearly $10,000 to support children facing serious illnesses. His dedication to leadership, service, and personal growth exemplifies the values that the Balanced Man Scholarship seeks to recognize.
Beyond celebrating these nine exceptional individuals, the banquet marked an important milestone for Connecticut Alpha's continued growth. Our chapter has increased the number of Balanced Man Scholars who have joined our brotherhood from just two in previous years to six this year. This accomplishment reflects our ongoing commitment to recruiting and developing men who embody the principles of Sound Mind and Sound Body.
Overall, the Balanced Man Scholarship Banquet was a tremendous success and a meaningful reminder of what Sigma Phi Epsilon represents. We are incredibly proud of all nine scholarship recipients and grateful to our brothers, alumni, volunteers, and faculty supporters who helped make this event possible. We look forward to continuing this tradition, strengthening our brotherhood, and recognizing outstanding young men for years to come.
