Q1 2026 ePulse

Hello Gentlemen, 

Welcome to the first release of the E-Pulse for the 2026 year! There is a lot in store for the Sigma Epsilon Alumni Association, so I am grateful to have you all here. 

I would, first, like to formally introduce myself because I am more than likely a new name to most brothers. My name is Brian G. Dengler, I pledged TEP 109 (Fall 2021) and graduated RSBC Class of 2023. After graduating, I began attending board meetings as an alumnus. I noticed that there was a disconnect in generations among the board. The youngest member was 28 pledge classes my senior. I figured a younger perspective could be beneficial, so I joined the board in 2024 and took the position of Secretary. Additionally, I joined a few brothers to become Rutgers "alumni advisors" which allowed us to be representatives to the school and the national office. The point of that was to help mediate issues that may arise among the chapter as well as provide leadership and guidance as the younger generation works to rebuild the chapter. 

Since then, the board has changed quite a bit: 
Chairman: Brian G. Dengler (TEP 109)
Vice-Chairman: Mike O’Connor (TEP 75)
President: Tony Triner (TEP 75)
Comptroller: Tyler Collison (TEP 79)
Secretary: Moe Copeland (TEP 77)

Along with our standing committees: 
Real Estate Chair: Rob Spiegel (TEP 76)
Scholarship Chair: KC Chann Jr. (TEP 81)
Nominations and Elections Chair: Miguel Martinez (TEP 94)
Rules and Standards Chair: Bob Gordon (TEP 77)

I am confident in this transition to Chairman, thanks to the mentorship from Mike, Rob, and Tony. Their helping hand, along with the competency of the board, as a whole, gives me confidence that we are going to have a successful year. 

A big goal of mine that has been a recurring topic in the Gavel over the past several years is to increase the attendance among younger alumni. It has become evident that there is a large disconnect in classes 90+ with attending events. The 63rd Ramble, last November, was a prime example of that. In effort to fix this, as the first step, I advertise staying connected : 

A second step is working alongside the chapter. Last month, Pete DeStefano (TEP 78) and Rob Spiegel (TEP 76) organized a leadership retreat to help mentor the chapter, before the semester started back up. The first part of the event was held in the Business & Science Building, on campus. Here we did several workshops and discussions, ending it off with a commercial pitch on why our letters are worth joining. Following this, they attempted an escape room (FAIL) and got some pizza. Overall, it was a beneficial event for the undergrads to bond in a more organized fashion and also to let them know that the SEAA wants to help. The hope is that events like this, not only help them as a chapter, but also show them that when they graduate to stay connected. That connection will continue to build that bridge for many more generations. 

That all being said, I greatly appreciate everyone for your support and dedication to our fraternity. This brotherhood is built on the connections that we have made and continue to make. Hope to see you all at the Muller Classic in April and the Senior Welcome Event in May! As always, if you have any questions regarding events or want to attend a board meeting don't hesitate to email seaa.tep@gmail.com . TEP DOES!

Fraternally, 

Brian G. Dengler, TEP 109
SEAA Chairman

Undergraduate Update

Ben Warren, TEP 114

This fall semester, the Sigma Epsilon chapter stayed active both on-campus and in the community, keeping service, brotherhood, and involvement at the center of everything we did. We hosted a bake sale to raise money for the MPS Society in support of a student’s brother who passed away from MPS, We partnered with Sigma Delta Tau on a car wash for breast cancer awareness. Brothers took part in Deepher Dude to help raise awareness for cystic fibrosis, made local donations, and held multiple sandwich‑making events to help feed the homeless. Alongside our service efforts, we focused on strengthening brotherhood and staying connected with alumni. Brothers attended Muskrat Ramble and played in the annual Turkey Bowl football game which gave us time to reconnect and build on chapter traditions. Overall, the fall reflected a balanced mix of giving back, staying connected, and continuing to build the culture of Sigma Epsilon.

Sponsored by Scott Lakernick (TEP 27)

Muller Classic Softball Game

Austin "The Claw" Waller, TEP 81

The 2026 Muller Classic between the Undergrads and the Alumni will take place on Saturday, April 18th, 2026 at 1:00pm at the Rutgers-Camden Athletic Fields.  In recent years, since we've moved the Muller Classic back to Camden, the event has made a smashing return to full 9-on-9 games.  Johnny Moles always loved the annual softball game and would certainly be proud. Equipment and refreshments will be provided. Join us this Spring for what it sure to be another banger of a day on the diamond!

The Homegrown Series

Rob Spiegel, TEP 76

Real DIY from a small, wooded, rural-edge community where firewood is currency and town is always a half-hour away.

One Shot at Syrup

There’s something pretty satisfying about realizing that the trees in your own yard can make food. Not just firewood. Not just shade. Actual food. Maple syrup tends to get associated with places like Vermont or Canada, but you don’t have to go that far. If you’ve got the right trees and the patience to pay attention, it can happen right here, in the Garden State.

I tapped my maple trees last week, which is usually my sign that winter is starting to loosen its grip, although this year has been colder than normal and seems determined to hang in there. This is my third year trying my hand at maple syrup, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned so far, it’s that the timing matters more than anything else.

Maple sap runs during that narrow window when nights are still freezing but days climb above it. That freeze-thaw cycle is what gets the sap moving inside the tree. It’s completely dependent on weather you can’t control, which is part of what makes it both frustrating and satisfying. When it works, it really works. When it doesn’t, you’re just checking buckets and watching the weather.

The first year I tried this, I mistimed it completely. I didn’t collect enough sap to even think about boiling. That’s the thing with maple syrup, you really only get one shot each year. Miss the window and there’s no trying again until next winter. Last year went better. The weather cooperated, the trees ran, and I ended up with about four gallons of sap. That sounds impressive until you learn the math. It takes roughly forty gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup. Four gallons of sap doesn’t go very far, but it was enough to make one small jar of real maple syrup.

My daughter, Olivia, has been on the tapping team from the start. After last year’s small success, we realized that if we wanted to make a little more syrup, we’d need more trees. Looking around the neighborhood, it made sense to bring a few more people into it. Some of her friends have great maples in their yard, so the project grew into a small, informal co-op.

I only have two maple trees worth tapping, but our neighbor has more, and they’re much bigger. This year we tapped three trees at their place. Two of those were large enough to justify double taps, which should give us a better shot at more sap this season.

Going into the season, the goal was simple and intentionally small: each of us ending up with a full mason jar of finished syrup. Hitting that mark means a lot of waiting and a lot of watching the weather. As long as the nights stay cold and the days warm up, the sap should keep running. A full mason jar sounds modest until you do the math, one quart of syrup takes roughly ten gallons of sap.

Eventually, waiting turns into work. When it’s time to boil, we do it outside over a fire. Part of that is practical, maple sap is roughly 98 percent water, and boiling it down means driving off a lot of moisture as steam. It’s better for the house to keep most of that outdoors. The other part is that it just feels right. Cold weather, a hot fire, and sap slowly cooking down. It’s slow, hands-on, best enjoyed with a cold beer, and one of the closer ways to connect with your food.

Once it’s reduced and most of the steam has cooked off, we bring it inside to finish. That’s the careful part, watching the temperature with a candy thermometer and checking the sugar content with a refractometer until it’s right where it should be. It’s slower and more deliberate, but it’s also where sap officially becomes syrup. This is when you finally get that first taste of your hard work.

This whole process has become less about the syrup and more about paying attention to the weather, the trees, and the rhythm of the season. The real satisfaction comes from standing outside in the cold, feeding the fire, and watching sap turn into something you can eat. That little jar from last year lasted me well into late summer. I rationed it carefully and used it sparingly, sharing it only with a few people whom I knew would appreciate it. It felt earned in a way that only really makes sense when you’re the one who put in the time and waited it out. I want Olivia to see where food actually comes from, not just how it shows up on a plate. Carrying buckets, checking taps, and watching sap boil are simple things, but they connect her to the land and the seasons in a way I think really matters.

There’s plenty more to come in the Homegrown Series as spring shows up, gardens going in, turkeys on the move, trout coming back to the streams, and whatever other projects the season decides to hand me. I heard turkeys calling in the woods today, so it feels like it’s already starting.

Sponsored by Brian Weldon (TEP 22)

Woods

Brian Dengler, TEP 109

S3E1

Welcome back to the third season of me talking about the outdoors. For the United States’ 250th Anniversary, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection sent out a newsletter with ways to celebrate. Consisting of some variation of 250 miles across New Jersey trails, hiking 25 different trails, or staying at 25 different campsites. This was the perfect excuse for me to be more active outside of my revolving 3 trails, so I was ready to get started. That was up until this most recent winter vortex. Eight plus inches of snow, followed up with freezing rain, and below freezing temperatures, as the cherry on top. I think one could assume that if your street isn't properly plowed then most likely any of NJ’s 4,500 miles of public trails would be a slog and a half. To that, the NJDEP has been consistently cancelling events and issuing safety warnings for parks all over. Luckily, I was able to go on a relaxing one night trip right before the storm.

For January, my only overnight trip was at Belleplain State Forest in Cape May County, NJ. Stretching just over 21,000 acres, you can explore the 40 miles of trails along marshes and swamps in the sprawling oak-hickory forest. Unfortunately, the weekend I went was filled with freezing rain and flurries of snow, but that didn't stop my friends and I from getting some miles in. We took the East Creek Trail. Starting at the Meisle Camping Area by Lake Nummy, we hiked through the park around East Creek Pond and back. Much of the trail was the same repetitive Pine Barrens scenery, but occasionally you’d pop out to a quiet lake view. Coming in at around seven miles with barely double digit elevation, it was better than nothing. 

We were spoiled with our accommodations on this trip. When we saw the forecast of precipitation, we didn't want to be huddled in tents all day, so we opted for one of their lean-tos. For those not aware, a lean-to is generally a structure consisting of three sides and an inclined roof leaving the front open. These structures are commonly found along the Appalachian Trail and offer a nice communal place for hikers to rest. At Meisle Campground however, this structure had a front on it so it was fully closed to the elements. To our surprise it also had propane heating! So ultimately, we were staying in a heated shed. No complaints from me but if you added a bathroom, it would be glamping. 

For 2026, I made several goals for myself but one of my more important ones was to try to and stay at every New Jersey park. Specifically parks and not campgrounds because in Wharton State Forest alone there are ten locations. That being said, Belleplain State Forest is 1/19 for the 2026 year so far and I hope to be successful in this. Just hoping that the Earth thaws soon so I can sleep on dirt and not snow. Hopefully way before the next edition of the E-Pulse, because then I wouldn't have much to write about. To end it off, this was a campground that I definitely can see myself going back to in the future. I would recommend it to anyone with their reservation offerings for RVs, campsites, lean-tos, and cabins.

If you have visited here or have any recommendations for a trip, don't hesitate to let me know. Until next time!

Building the Future: Sigma Epsilon Alumni Association Giving in 2026

As we step into 2026, the Sigma Epsilon Alumni Association is energized by the incredible support we received last year and excited about the opportunities ahead. Thanks to the generosity and dedication of our alumni, we made tremendous progress in 2025—strengthening our brotherhood, supporting our undergraduate members, and preserving the legacy of Sig Ep TEP. Now, it’s time to build on that momentum and make 2026 even more impactful.

Our Mission for 2026

This year, we are focused on expanding our efforts in key areas:

Chapter House & Infrastructure: Maintaining and improving our facilities to provide a safe and inspiring space for our members.

Scholarships & Leadership Development: Increasing financial aid opportunities and leadership programs to help brothers excel in academics, career growth, and personal development.

Alumni Engagement & Networking: Creating more opportunities for alumni to connect, mentor, and give back to the brotherhood.

Why Your Support Matters

Every contribution—whether financial, professional mentorship, or time—strengthens the foundation of our fraternity. Your generosity ensures that Sig Ep TEP continues to thrive, providing undergraduates with the same transformative experiences that shaped so many of our lives.

If you’re looking for ways to give back in 2026, consider:

Making a Donation – Every gift, large or small, makes a difference.
Attending Alumni Events – Reconnect with old friends and network with new ones.
Becoming a Mentor – Share your wisdom and experience with the next generation of Sig Ep TEP leaders.

Looking Ahead

With your support, 2026 will be a year of growth, impact, and deeper connections within our fraternity. Together, we will continue to uphold the values that define Sigma Epsilon Alumni Association and ensure its success for years to come.

Stay tuned for updates on our initiatives, events, and ways to get involved. Let’s make 2026 a year to remember!

Sponsored by Discount Pools and Supplies

We want to provide a brief update regarding the property’s insurance coverage in the spirit of transparency.

Our previous insurance carrier was recently acquired by another company. As part of that acquisition, the new carrier reviewed the policies that they inherited, including ours, and ultimately determined that our property no longer fits within their underwriting guidelines. As a result, we received a non-renewal notice.

To be clear:
There was no claim
No incident
No violation
No change in operations at the house

This appears to be a business decision that was tied to the new company’s underwriting standards. In short, they likely did not anticipate insuring a fraternity property when they acquired the portfolio.

Insurance for fraternity housing operates within a specialized market, and not all carriers participate in it. We are working closely with our broker, who specializes in fraternity properties, to secure appropriate replacement coverage.

The house remains the Association’s largest asset and financial investment. We take that responsibility seriously and are committed to protecting it with proper coverage while remaining fiscally-responsible stewards of our alumni resource.

At this time, there is nothing alarming to report.  Simply a change in carrier following a corporate acquisition. We will provide further updates once coverage is finalized.

As always, we welcome questions and remain committed to transparency with the brotherhood.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Review

Austin "The Claw" Waller, TEP 81

What a piece of fucking dog-shit!  This game, although new, has a long history.  First revealed in 2017, as part of the initial Nintendo Switch presentation. The game's development was restarted in 2019 at Retro Studios because what was coming together was not up to Nintendo's standards.  Well, I guess everyone at Retro must've been too busy getting fucked to make a good game because this mortifying waste of time ruined my week and nearly destroyed my life with it's insane display of laziness and craptitude.  Here's my review.  

I suppose; I can get the few good remarks out of the way before I rip Metroid Prime 4 a new asshole.  The graphics are good, but I'm no graphics whore.  Do you here that, Nintendo?  I AM NOT YOUR FUCKING WHORE!!!  Other than that, there are a few decent boss fights and some of the music tracks are good enough to stand with previous themes across the series.  The game-play and control are still the same but you'd think there would be a little evolution over 18 years since the 3rd game in the series.  Alas, there is none. 

And that is because this game is LAZY as fuck.  Let's started with the biggest slap in the face.  The level design and map design have been downgraded from consistently some of the best in the genre to straight-up brain-dead.  I can not think of a single instance where there was more than one direction to go.  For a Metroid game, this is beyond unacceptable.  Room after room where you just trudge down a hallway, maybe deal with some light puzzle-solving, and blast the same enemies over and over and over.  Same enemies?  Yes, because the incredible variety of enemies in the previous three games in the Prime series have been scrapped completely.  You will blast away at the same three enemy types for the entirety of the "adventure".  And should you actually be stupid enough to not know where to go next?  No worries.  Your annoying dork of a companion character won't let you play five minutes of this mess without chiming in your ear about what he thinks your next move should be.  The only time he ever shuts, the fuck, up is the ONE instance where you actually want him to tell you where to meet a main character, as he just tells you he's in the desert somewhere. 

Oh yea.  The desert.  The worst open world hub area ever shoe-horned into a game design, ever.  Completely devoid of any meaningful content.  Just an empty expanse with a few upgrades strewn about for you to attain.  They force in some Zelda-esque shrines for you to complete, but they are completely forgettable.  No, the desert just serves as a way for the level design to be further destroyed by baffling choices.  The intersecting, maze-like design is gone.  There is no real exploration.  Ever main area just sits off to the side of the desert hub, completely unconnected and unrelated to the other main areas of the game.  So, you are forced to motorbike across the desert for 5-10 minutes at a time.  Why?  Let's get to that. 

Other games in the series had a much greater scope as compared to the 2D entries.  20-25 hours was a common runtime for any of the other 3 Prime games.  This?  I rolled credits on this turd in roughly 11 hours.  And thus, it all comes into focus.  The pointless driving across the desert isn't there to be engaging.  It's there to stretch a microscopic game that would probably take 7-8 hours AT MOST a few more hours with mindless backtracking and pointless fetch quests that add nothing to the experience.  Truly a game for the very easily impressed.  

I can't talk about this any more.  It makes me sad.  Metroid Prime is one of my absolute favorite series.  For it to be reduced to this is a tragedy.  For them to charge $70 for it is a crime.  The utterly, brilliant Hollow Knight: Silksong was released just a few months earlier at $20.  It far exceeds this game in every way possible.  As a game, it's barely passable.  As a Metroid, it's a travesty.

Final Score: F for Fuck-Balls.  

Sponsored by Spiegel Properties

Tony Robbins has motivational speeches. Bad Bunny has motivational Super Bowl messages. But sometimes all we need are a few normal tips. Life tips. Specifically, tips that have helped me this past week in my life. Without further delay, here are those tips. 

1. “Sorry you need a membership card for that discount.”

Have you ever been shopping at a grocery or convenience store, where discounts are advertised but only permitted for those with the foresight to actually apply for a membership card? Sure it’s free, and you could do it right now, but who has the time? Here’s the tip, your new phone number is (area code) 867-5309. How am I supposed to remember that, you ask? Well luckily, there’s a great song by Tommy Tutone called Jenny that you can listen to on repeat, until it’s memorized. This tip has always worked for me. Someone with more time than me always seems to have had the foresight to sign up and create an account that can be shared with the public. Your name doesn’t have to be “Jenny” to take advantage of this one!

2: “I don’t have anything to talk about.”

Have you ever been with someone and had nothing to talk about? Maybe a new person you’re chatting up at the bar, maybe a first date, maybe your mom. Sometimes you just feel like you’ve run out of interesting things to talk about. The answer? ChatGPT. Before you get upset, I’m not suggesting that you ask ChatGPT to come up with something for you to talk about. That’s not even necessary. Like magic before your eyes, simply mentioning ChatGPT will instantly evoke extreme emotions and personal opinions. You’ll be able to find out how most people think by simply asking what they think of ChatGPT. Some will feel scared about things they’re not familiar with. Some will claim advanced understandings of environmental economics. Some will reveal they’ve been using it as a pseudo intimate relationship. Religion and Politics have nothing on ChatGPT!

3. Get some house socks.

Have you ever been walking around the house and realized you haven’t vacuumed in a while? Like there’s kitty litter, or food crumbs, or other random pieces of crud on your floor that bother your feet when you step on them? Sure, you could just vacuum, or eat over a table, but life gets busy and sometimes we have to prioritize other things. This is where house socks come in. Grab yourself a nice fuzzy pair of socks to wear when you’re walking around your home. You don’t need to be feeling that crud. Little spill on the floor and not near a paper towel? Just dab your big toe and it will dry out in no time. You don’t even really need to clean them often because you’re not going outside. Bonus benefit, you’ll never worry about cutting your toenails, because you won’t be looking at them! Those warm and fuzzies definitely made me warm and fuzzy this week. 

It’s real world advice like this which can make our lives just a bit easier both at home and out on the town. Laziness and poor social skills have finally met their match. Now if you don’t mind, I have a date with ChatGPT.

March 10, 2026, Time 8:00 PM

SEAA Board Meeting On-line

https://meet.jit.si/TEPSEAA

April 14, 2026, Time 8:00 PM

SEAA Board Meeting On-line

https://meet.jit.si/TEPSEAA

April 18, 2026, Time 1:00 PM

Muller Classic Alumni V. Chapter Softball Game

Rutgers-Camden Athletic Fields (see above)

May 12, 2026, Time 8:00

SEAA Board Meeting On-line

https://meet.jit.si/TEPSEAA

May 17, 2026, Time TBD

Senior Welcome Event

228 Cooper St., Camden, NJ

October 9, 2026, Time TBD

Annual SEAA Meeting including 2027 SEAA Board Elections

Location TBD, probably 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

Check out our Facebook Group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/seaa.58/

And our Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/tep_seaa/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D