Dear Brothers, Alumni, and Friends,

As we reflect on the past academic year, the Virginia Xi Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon at Old Dominion University is proud to share our accomplishments and highlights. This year has been marked by a strong commitment to philanthropy, active participation in university events, a continued dedication to leadership development, successful recruitment, and memorable brotherhood activities.

Our philanthropic efforts began with decorating our own ceiling tile and raising funds through a partnership with a fundraiser, which combined enjoyment with charitable giving, making a significant impact towards Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. We also hosted Dunk a Sigep and Pie a Sigep events that not only fostered community spirit but also enhanced our chapter’s visibility and engagement. Additionally, our chapter organized several Trash Cleanups throughout the year, with two weekends where the Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Zeta Tau Alpha (Zeta) joined us. We are proud of our continued commitment to street cleanups, which reflect our dedication to environmental stewardship and community care. Our Popcorn Fundraiser with Double Good was a notable success, thanks to the enthusiastic support of our members and the community.

Our active involvement in university events demonstrated our chapter’s spirit and support for Old Dominion University. We made a memorable journey to Blacksburg, VA, to cheer on our Monarchs during the ODU vs. Virginia Tech football game, with special thanks to the Virginia Kappa Chapter for their generous hospitality and excellent tailgate. Homecoming with Alpha Xi Delta (Axid) was a nostalgic return to the early 2000s, where we admired the incredible art from both Greek organizations. Our window painting and Monarch crown were clearly outstanding. Additionally, the return of Greek Week in Spring ’24 saw us securing the Greek Week trophy alongside Kappa Delta (KD), Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike), and Kappa Alpha Psi, reflecting our skills in the games and participation.

Leadership development has been a cornerstone of our chapter’s continual growth. The Carlson Leadership Academy, attended by Robert Timmons, Ben Tomlinson, Johnny Roeseler, Jeremy Scherer, Tommy Roeseler, Connor Pegram, and Nate Dworchak, provided invaluable skills and insights for our new executive board and emerging leaders. Furthermore, Brandon Stokes (2023) and Robert Timmons (2024) participated in the prestigious RUCK Leadership Institute, gaining profound insights and skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. “Ruck was truly unique experience. For the past 25 years, the program has been impressing leadership skills on young scholars. I highly recommend all undergraduate SigEps who are interested in the leadership challenge to apply, as the skills, staff, and fellow ruck participants are phenomenal.” -Robert Timmons. 

Our recruitment efforts were remarkably successful, with the addition of 14 new members over the Fall ’23 and Spring ’24 terms. Noteworthy among these new members are Connor Pegram and Ben Tomlinson, who have already demonstrated exceptional contributions on the Executive Board. Ben Tomlinsion also received the high honor of “New Member of the Year” from the FSL awards night. We are excited about the diverse perspectives and innovative ideas these new members bring to our chapter.

We also enjoyed several memorable brotherhood events that reinforced our bonds and celebrated our achievements. The Semi-Formal at Cogans Pizza was an evening of music, dancing, and unforgettable experiences. Our Formal in Ocean City, Maryland, was a highlight of the year, and we extend our sincere gratitude to Jack Gattoni and the Formal Committee for their exceptional planning. The event concluded with an elegant dinner where we honored our graduating seniors: Ryan Twomey, Zach Bayliff, Jacob Michalick, David Taylor, Chris Shelton, Max Asquini, Brandon Stokes, Taylor Ramirez, John Bowman IV, Brooke Bear, and Cora Callahan.

The Chapter was recognized by Fraternity Sorority Life this year with individual awards to Jacob Michalick, Chrick Shelton, and Ryan Twomey for outstanding seniors, Connor Hejnal for Fraternity Man of the Year, Joe Richie for Outstanding Alumni, and Ben Tomlinson for New Member of the Year. The chapter won Best IFC Fraternity collectively. 

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of this year. As we look forward to the future, we remain committed to continuing our tradition of Virtue, Diligence and Brotherly Love. 

Fraternally,

Virginia Xi Chapter of Sigma Phi