Q2 2026 ePulse

Welcome back Gentlemen,

First, thank you to all of the brothers who have welcomed me and assisted me in this transition to the Chairman position. Thinking back on the Bridge Builder, I am grateful that so many of you have built that bridge for the [fair(ish) haired] youth that might pass this way. 

As we close out our second quarter of 2026, I would like to provide a quick recap. In April, we held our annual Muller Classic and, just recently, in May we held our Senior Welcome Event. It is imperative that we continue to have events like these so that we can see the generations come together to create and maintain strong connections. That being said I would like to acknowledge all of the alumni who participated in events and behind the scenes. This brotherhood relies heavily on all of your support and we wouldn't be around today without it, so thank you. 

There are some events to look forward to in the coming year :

• Annual Fall Golf Outing : The highly anticipated annual golf outing is currently in the works. Please keep your eyes peeled for registration as our brothers finalize the event.
• Turkey Bowl : A classic Thanksgiving tradition will bring generations together to decide if the undergraduates can outwit a bunch of old men. I recommend dusting off the playbook now!
• The 64th Ramble : The planning for our largest social event of the year has begun! Look forward to a new venue this year with efforts to maximize attendance while keeping the tradition alive. Registration will be live later this year, with more information shared soon. 

I would like to again urge all members young and old to stay involved. Through our newsletter, Facebook, and Instagram you can find when and where events will be. It doesn’t hurt to ask your pledge brothers if they’d want to attend as well! Your participation is crucial to the preservation of our brotherhood as we continue to build up on the traditions set long ago.

Fraternally, 

Brian G Dengler, TEP 109
SEAA Chairman

The gentleman of Tau Epsilon Phi - Sigma Epsilon Chapter stayed busy this past Spring with a fruitful rush and big philanthropy Semester. We started our rush off with our signature Pizza Night Event hosted at Little Slice of N.Y. Pizzeria, where potential new members had a chance to introduce themselves and meet the brothers. We then had our Bonfire/Grill Night where we further bonded with the potential new members. Rush week was capped off with our invite only Alumni event, where potential new members were able to network with our fantastic alumni association and help bridge their present to their future with these relationships. Overall rush was a success, crossing 5 gentleman into our halls of brotherhood, each eager to leave a lasting legacy. Philanthropy was a big part of the semester for the Sigma Epsilon Chapter brotherhood, we had two notable events; first our week long tabling and tie-dye event for Autism Speaks where we raised over $500. Our last philanthropy event was far more personal, we helped one of our brothers raise funds to cover the funeral expenses of his late veteran step-father. Not only were we happy to support our brother but we were also thrilled to help the family of a veteran. Our semester was capped off by the Muller Classic, a friendly baseball game between the Chapter and the SEAA. I am happy to report that the undergrads crushed the alumni in a competitive 17-14 ball game, the Riversharks would’ve been proud.

Sponsored by Spiegel Properties

Muller Classic Softball Game

Austin "The Claw" Waller, TEP 81

The 2026 Muller Classic was held at the Rutgers-Camden Athletic Fields on Saturday, April 18th, 2026.  The Alumni defeated the Undergrads by a final score of 17-14.  After last year's rain-shortened washout affair, the Gods of Camden smiled upon us with a beautiful day for softball.  The Alumni jumped out to a big lead that they held for nearly the entire game.  The Undergrads did most of their scoring in the final inning, after the Alumni generously gifted them a fourth out, for some reason.  Austin "Awall" Waller (TEP 81), offensive behemoth of the Alumni squad, stormed off the field in protest of the granting of the fourth out because he was hangry and was expecting there to be hot dogs.  Michael O'Connor (TEP 75) expressed concern about using an authentic charcoal grill on Rutgers' artificial turf.  These concerns were legitimate, and after the game the Alumni granted the Undergrads a bounty of unopened hot dogs for their efforts.  These are some of the the notable occurrences of the 2026 Muller Classic.  Well... it's also notable that we, once again, fielded a full compliment of players for the game!  The event has truly made a remarkable comeback since returning to Camden, and we await many more glorious spring afternoons out on the field.  Some of the younger fellows need to brush up on the rules of baseball/softball and acquire baseball gloves like proper Americans, but we still had fun.  Looking forward to next year!

I am a pretty smart guy, not as smart as my wife, but I didn’t have to work hard to get good grades in high school.

My undergraduate, Rutgers, degree is in physics, and I got a major shock on my first physics exam. I was in a class of 45 physics and engineering students. I got the second highest grade in the class, a 65. The professor curved grades so that 10 was passing. Jerry Countess, a future TEP chancellor, got a 100 on the exam and he got another 10 points for the extra credit problem.

That is when I realized there were a lot of people who were a lot smarter than me. I reasoned that I could not control the amount of intelligence God gave me, but I could control how hard I worked. I could control my determination. I could control how hard I pushed myself.

After careers in the Navy, IT consulting, as a Chief Financial Officer and trial attorney, I taught in the Rutgers School of Business for twenty-two years. One of the things that I taught my first-year students was YOU invent your future self. At 18 you can invent yourself as anything, if you work hard enough.

As a lawyer, I had a chance to work with a lot of doctors. I respect doctors, but they are not ten times smarter than other people. Yes, they have better than average smarts, but they got to be doctors because they work ten times harder than others with the same intelligence.

I have reinvented myself several times. I am now writing novels under the pen name Jack English, and I am chipping away at my 22nd novel. My website is jackenglishstories.com. In several of my novels, I talk about being a frat boy.

The lesson is that whatever you want to do, whatever you want to be, you can do it; if you have enough grit and determination.

Sponsored by Scott Lakernick (TEP 27)

2026 Senior Graduation Party

KC Chann Jr. (TEP 81)

What a celebration! On behalf of Sigma Epsilon Alumni Association, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make the 2026 Graduation Party a truly memorable event. From our graduating seniors and their proud families to our loyal alumni and generous volunteers—you made it all possible.

Held at the TEP Mansion in Camden, NJ, this year’s party was more than just a send-off—it was a reminder of what makes Sig-Ep TEP so special: lifelong brotherhood, shared tradition, and the power of community. We celebrated not just the achievements of our 2026 graduates, but also the strong foundation of support that continues to carry our fraternity forward.

Highlights from the Event:

🎓 Recognizing our graduates: Jamyang (JT) Tenpa Lama (TEP 115), Brandon Velez (TEP 107), Cory Yhap (TEP 107)

🎤 Inspiring speeches from alumni and undergraduate leaders

📸 Great food, photos, and moments of laughter and reflection

Special Thanks to:

• Our alumni donors who helped fund the event
• The planning committee and volunteers who made everything run smoothly
• The graduates’ friends and families who shared in this celebration and continue to support our brotherhood

As we welcome the Class of 2026 into the next chapter of their Sigma Epsilon Alumni Association journey, we’re reminded that the end of college is just the beginning of a lifelong connection. We are proud of each and every graduate, and we look forward to seeing them return as alumni—mentoring, giving back, and keeping our traditions alive.

Thank you once again for making the 2026 Graduation Party a celebration worthy of our brotherhood. Here's to the future—and to many more memories together.

P.S. Want to stay informed? Follow us on Instagram account tep_seaa or Facebook group Sigma Epsilon Alumni Association for the latest news and updates. We look forward to seeing you soon!

As a follow on to our event, please help us welcome the brothers who have crossed the bridge it from the fair-haired youth to building our bridge phase of their journey:

Name: Cory Ryan Yhap
Hometown: Franklin Township, NJ
Pledge Class: 107
Degree: Bachelors of Fine Arts in Vocal Performance
Post Graduation Plans: to continue his theater journey as well as singing and song writing

Name: Brandon Velez
Hometown: Atco, NJ
Pledge Class: 111
Degree: Bachelors of Science in Nursing
Post Graduation Plans: to secure a job somewhere, make money, and travel the world

Name: Jamyang Tenpa Lama (JT)
Hometown: Kathmandu, Nepal
Currently Residing: Cherry Hill, NJ
Pledge Class: 115
Degree: Bachelors of Science in Finance & Bachelors of Arts in Computer Science
Post Graduation Plans: to work in finance, business development, or consulting

We welcome them as they move across the chasm to being an alumnus and look forward to continuing to support their success.

I had bigger plans for spring.

Every year I picture myself getting ahead of things. Gardens cleaned up early. Raised beds rebuilt. Equipment serviced before I actually need it. Then spring shows up all at once and reminds me that life doesn’t really work that way.

Most of my free time lately has been consumed by softball season. Practices, games, field prep, scheduling, and everything else that somehow comes along with youth sports. By the time I get home most nights, there’s usually just enough daylight left to look around the yard and realize how many other projects are waiting.

The good news is that spring keeps moving whether you’re ready for it or not.

The gardens are planted, mostly thanks to my mother-in-law stepping in while I was tied up elsewhere. The corn is in too. I’ve tried growing corn in the past without much success. Looking back, I don’t think I planted enough of it for proper pollination. This year I planted a much bigger section than normal, outside my usual gardening area, hoping that gives it a better shot. Assuming the deer decide to cooperate, of course.

Unfortunately, we also lost four chickens to a coyote this spring. That’s part of living close to the woods. You do what you can to protect animals, but nature always gets a vote.

That loss is also why we ended up with six chicks in the garage. They’re at that awkward stage where they’re too big for the brooder setup but still too small to join the main flock. Once they get their full feathers, they’ll move out to my middle coop until they’re big enough to mix in with the older birds. Timing matters with chickens too. If you combine flocks too early, the older hens can be brutal.

The pool is finally open for the season, although it immediately fought back by burning out the pump. Thankfully, our fraternity brother Mike Craig (TEP 87) from Discount Pools & Supply came through with a replacement pump and I was able to get it swapped out before Memorial Day.

The truck has been in the shop too, which forced me back into daily driving my 1989 Jeep Wrangler. Naturally, the Jeep immediately developed problems of its own. The clutch master cylinder needs to be replaced and it’s sipping hydraulic fluid. At one point I nearly dropped the transmission after discovering the cross member had rotted out worse than I realized. Thankfully, the same neighbor from the maple syrup co-op came over and helped me weld it back together well enough to survive a little longer. Definitely more of a temporary fix than a permanent solution.

Unfortunately, with all the chaos this spring, I didn’t get out turkey hunting or trout fishing like I hoped. I’m still hearing turkeys calling in the woods most mornings. That reminds me they’re still out there waiting for me to find the time. Trout are stocked in the lakes too, even if I haven’t made it down to them yet. And when I finally do get around to fishing, I learned my boat’s trolling motor isn’t holding a charge anymore either.

There has been some good news on the outdoor front, though. My neighbor Bud is donating a 3D deer target to the backyard archery range, and Olivia should have a lot of fun with that and the bow I bought her last year. Little reminders that even when spring gets away from you, there are still plenty of reasons to get back outside.

That’s probably the real lesson this time of year. Not every season is about perfectly finishing projects or checking boxes. Sometimes it’s just about keeping up, adapting, fixing what breaks, and trying to stay connected to the things that matter while life gets loud.

There’s still plenty left to do around here. Raised beds need rebuilding. The corn may or may not survive the deer. The chicks still need to graduate to the outdoor coop, and I’d love to get the boat in the water soon. But for now, the gardens are growing, the pool is open, and summer feels like it’s getting closer.

Sponsored by Brian Weldon (TEP 22)

We wanted to provide a quick follow up regarding the property insurance discussed in the last E-Pulse.

We are happy to report that replacement coverage has been secured and the property is fully insured moving forward. The inspection process was completed and ultimately proved to be uneventful. No major concerns or deficiencies were identified during the review. In fact, the inspector commented that our property was one of the best maintained houses he had seen in Camden, which, considering the market, we will happily take as a compliment. More importantly, we felt it reflected the work and investment that has gone into the property over the years.

As expected, insurance for fraternity housing continues to operate in a specialized market, and the new premium came in significantly higher than what we had historically paid. Unfortunately, this appears to be the direction the broader insurance market is moving, especially for older properties and fraternity housing.

While this increase is manageable, it will need to be incorporated into future budget cycles. This likely means gradual rent increases over time so that the Association can continue responsibly funding operations, maintenance, reserves, and insurance costs associated with the property.

The house remains the Association’s largest asset and financial investment. Protecting it properly remains a top priority, and we remain focused on keeping the house properly protected while managing the impact of these rising operating costs on the active chapter.

We appreciate the continued engagement and support from the brotherhood as we continue managing and improving the property.

Woods

Brian Dengler, TEP 109

S3E2

Since my last writing, I was only able to schedule one overnight trip with my friends. Being able to coordinate three schedules with availability only on the weekends, weather permitting, isn't an easy task. So yes, we got one more state park off our list, camping at Brendan T Byrne State Forest. This was in March on a below freezing day due to the cold fronts being pushed down from New England. Overall, it was a successful trip hiking 14.5 miles along the Mount Misery Trail through the white marshes. Although I sound like a broken record at this point, hopefully next edition I will have more of my NJ camping checklist covered.

Just because I was only able to do one trip with my group for our challenge, that doesn't mean I wasn't able to get out and camp. I did several solo overnights in Wharton, Round Valley, and Stokes. Nothing too noteworthy; however, when I stayed at Stokes State Forest they were doing a controlled burn in the area so it smelled very strongly of smoke. I have since signed up to receive emails when burns will take place so I can avoid needing a KN95 mask while I sleep. 

More importantly, I went on more than enough hikes because I only need a few hours up to a day. Some I went solo, some I went with groups, but it felt nice to go out especially to try and complete New Jersey State Parks 250 challenge. In the first picture, I did the Mount Tammany Sunfish Pond Loop in reverse. Definitely worth it. In the second picture, I hiked part of the Batona Trail in reverse in preparation to hike it this fall. At around the 45 mileage marker lies the Lebanon Fire Tower. I have been on a hunt for open fire towers recently so it's nice having one closer to home that has a relatively nice view from the top. Along with these two trips, I was able to go to Hawk Mountain, Mount Minsi, and a handful of loops all around the Pine Barrens.I can't wait to see what trips I can share in the next edition, but until then, thank you everyone for taking the time to read.

Sponsored by Discount Pools and Supplies

Rutgers STEM Alumni Career Panel

Rob Spiegel, TEP 76

I recently had the opportunity to return to Rutgers-Camden for a STEM Alumni Career Panel hosted by the Career Center. It was great to be back on campus and to see a strong turnout from Rutgers alumni, including a solid number of computer science alumni. There were actually more alumni than students in the room, which made for a great networking environment and gave the students a wide range of perspectives to hear from.

The event was well organized, and Chris from the Career Center, who serves as a director there, was extremely welcoming and accommodating. The food was great too, which never hurts.

One of the best parts of the day was getting to speak directly with current computer science students about career paths, professional development, and life after Rutgers. I was able to connect with several alumni, make some new LinkedIn connections, and even had a few of our active brothers stop by to say hi.

I, also, had the chance to catch up with one of my old professors, which was really nice. It was great sharing what I have been up to and hearing about all the new changes in the department and the curriculum.

Of course, I was not only there because I love Rutgers-Camden (which I know we all do). I was there recruiting for work. I am currently leading the build out of a cyber operations mission for the New Jersey Air National Guard, and we are looking for talented people interested in cyber security, technology, and service. I have been getting out to campuses across New Jersey to talk with students about these opportunities, but no matter how many schools I visit, nothing feels quite like coming home to Rutgers-Camden.

Overall, it was a great experience and a good reminder of how strong the Rutgers and Sigma Epsilon networks remain. I would encourage all alumni to look for similar opportunities to reengage with our alma mater, reconnect with the university community, and help support the next generation of Rutgers students as they prepare for their own careers.

Sponsored by Creedon Chiropractic Center

There are many options available these days when it comes to cutting and lighting a cigar. Here is a breakdown of the top 2 options of each and how to properly use them.

Cutters

Straight cutter

Commonly referred to as a guillotine cutter, this is the most traditional way to prepare a cigar. The key is to cut just the “cap” (rounded clued top leaf covering the head of the cigar) and avoid cutting too deep which can cause the cigar wrapper to unravel while smoking. Some versions of this type of cutter offer a closed back which allows the user to rest the head of the cigar against it when cutting so as not to cut too far into the cigar. 

1. Place the head of the cigar into the allotted hole.
2. Gently close the blades so they are just touching the wrapper to allow you to see what you are cutting. 
3. Use a swift, confident motion to slice cleanly through the tobacco. Any hesitation at this step can crush the wrapper.

Punch cutter

The punch cutter is a compact, portable tool that uses a sharp circular blade to bore a clean hole through the cap of your cigar. It offers a concentrated draw and prevents loose tobacco from getting into your mouth. It is perfect for larger ring gauge cigars, or cigars with a flat head.

1. Place the blade directly in the middle of the cigar cap.
2. Apply gentle downward pressure while twisting the cutter back and forth to cut through the wrapper.
3. Pull the punch straight back, it will pull out a small plug of tobacco with it.
4. Press the release button to retract the blade and to eject the tobacco plug.

Lighting Methods

Butane torch

There are many butane torch lighters available on the market, they all advertise being wind resistant and can come with any number of flame jets. I have used single flame torches up through quad flame torches, it comes down to how much you are looking to spend when purchasing a lighter, and ease. The number of flames help determine the speed of the light, the size of the cigar it can handle, and how much butane it will consume. The torches have an adjustable wheel on the bottom that allow you to control the height of the flame – keep in mind that even though you might not be able to see the tip of the flame, it is still there and can burn you if mishandled.

Wooden match

This is the traditional method favored by “aficionados” to light their cigars. It preserves the natural flavor of the tobacco versus the claim that using butane affects the overall flavor of the cigar (similar argument for propane versus charcoal grilling). It is considered a soft flame which burns cooler than the torch and helps prevent scorching the tobacco when toasting and lighting the cigar. This method works best in a controlled environment such as lounges or an area where there is no wind.

Lighting a cigar

1. Toast the foot (This gently heats the tobacco leaves at the foot prior to taking a puff. This prepares the tobacco by creating an even burn preventing the wrapper from burning unevenly and eliminates the harsh, bitter flavors caused by scorching on the initial draw.)
   1. Cut the cigar head and hold it in your hand so that the foot is easily accessible.
   2. Hold the cigar at a 45-60 degree angle over the flame keeping the foot about 0.5 – 1 inch above the flame – the flame should not actually touch the tobacco, the ambient heat and the very tip of the flame is all that is needed.
   3. Slowly rotate (spin) the cigar in your fingers to evenly head the entire foot.
   4. Continue this until the foot is toasted and the edges begin to have an orange glow.
2. Once the foot of the cigar has been toasted, place the cigar in your mouth and bring the flame source to the foot keeping the flame roughly 0.5 – 1 inch away from the actual cigar.
3. Take slow controlled puffs from the cigar while rotating it to allow the foot to fully light.

June 9, 2026, Time 8:00 PM

SEAA Board Meeting On-line

https://meet.jit.si/TEPSEAA

July 14, 2026, Time 8:00 PM

SEAA Board Meeting On-line

https://meet.jit.si/TEPSEAA

August 11, 2026, Time 8:00 PM

SEAA Board Meeting On-line

https://meet.jit.si/TEPSEAA

October 9, 2026, Time TBD

Annual SEAA Meeting including 2027 SEAA Board Elections

Location TBD, Camden

November 15, 2026, Time TBD

Turkey Bowl

Details to follow

November 21, 2026, Time TBD

64th Muskrat Ramble

Details to follow

Keep an eye on our Facebook & Instagram for updates on events between now and the next E-pulse in November of 2025

The goal of this newsletter is to be a resource for all alumni; for not only the  business of SEAA but also, the social connection of our social fraternity. To that  end, more diverse content is better. Do you have a hobby that you want to write  about? I bet another alumnus wants to hear your opinions. Did something worth announcing happen in your life that you want to tell us all about? Do you want to advertise your business? In the same vein, if you have feedback about the E-Pulse, then we want to hear it. Broad-based content and an enjoyable reading experience reinforces the purpose of this newsletter, to keep us connected. We want to engage with you all.  

Email us at SEAApresident@gmail.com or atriner@gmail.com

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