Q1 2024 ePulse

Dear Sigma Epsilon Alumni,

Good evening gentlemen. I’ll start by introducing myself. I’m Mike O’Connor TEP 75, Fall ‘04, RUCAS class of 2008. During my undergraduate career, I served as Beer Chair, Scribe, Vice Chancellor and Chancellor. After graduating with a degree in physics, I wanted to continue to give back to the fraternity that gave me so many memories over my undergrad years. I’ve served on the board in many capacities over the years, but for the last 10, as the secretary of the Association. We have a dedicated web presence that I have set up for us at https://seaatep.org where you can find our calendar of events, as well as a growing archive of past issues of the SEAA E-Pulse. It’s been a great ride. I’ve seen many great men serve as Chairman of the Board and I can only hope to serve as effective as them. 

I’d like to thank Rob Spiegel (TEP 76) for his dedication over the past three years. He has guided this board out of some rough times and set us on a course for success. We have a great Board this year with men that are truly committed to seeing the continued growth and support of the undergraduate chapter. 

In consultation with Rob, on my transition into the position of Chairman, we felt it would be beneficial to establish a calendar of events. With clearly organized and pre-established dates, we are able to appropriately advertise the events and increase engagement. It turns out, more of you chuckle-fucks will actually attend when you are given ample notice. Having said that, I’d like to highlight the first few we have coming up, in case you aren’t checking the calendar.

First up, we have the annual Alumni v. Undergrad softball game. This year, I’m excited to announce that the game will be held in the Camden Athletic Complex baseball field, the former site of Campbell's Field with the epic backdrop of the Ben Franklin Bridge in center field. The scheduled date is 4-20 (nice) and the field will be available to us starting at 3:30pm. Please come out and join us for an leisurely slow pitch game.

On May 11th, we will welcome the 2024 undergraduates to the Alumni Association at the Senior Welcome Event at the Chapter House (228 Cooper St.). This cocktail-hour style event is open to all alumni and the families of the newly graduated brothers. Food and beverages will be provided.

Additional events for 2024 are the Third Annual Charity Golf Outing, Turkey Bowl, Ramble, and the Annual Meeting. Dates and details will be released in future issues. If you, or a brother you know, are not receiving emails from the Alumni Association, and want to stay up to date on these and other events, please subscribe to the E-Pulse HERE.

In closing, I want to thank the 2024 Board for volunteering to serve for the love of service. This organization can not function without your dedication and hard work. I appreciate all that you do. As we look to the rest of the calendar year, I want to wish the Undergrad Chapter luck in their academics and recruitment efforts. The candidates that you are recruiting today are the ones that you will call brothers for years to come. Please enjoy the rest of the content in the newsletter. Tony Triner (TEP 75) does a fantastic job curating the articles and there’s some great content down there.

Fraternally,
Mike O’Connor
Chairman
Sigma Epsilon Alumni Association

Sponsored By John Calzaretto

Happy Spring from the brothers of Sigma Epsilon! I hope everyone had a cozy winter. As things have been getting colder and everyone’s general activity levels seem to plummet, we are doing our darndest to remain active and uphold the pillars of brotherhood that are so dear to us all.

Kicking things off with philanthropy, we are, once again, continuing what is now a tradition of sandwich-making and distributing events in partnership with the sisters of Sigma Delta Tau. We are planning more events such as fundraisers for the Women’s Breast Cancer Association as well as some trash-cleaning activities. Make sure to keep an eye on our Instagram (@tep-RUC) for updates.

Rush concluded successfully, with a decent amount of potential new members in the books. We had a week full of fun activities that kept both interests and brothers occupied. Typical events such as game night/BBQ night and bowling made their return once again, with a few new additions to the script. Once again, a big thank you to Pete Toso from Little Slice of New York for supporting with us by having a rush event at the store and remaining after-hours. The rush theme this semester was the 76ers so if any 6ers fans are reading this make sure to get in touch with Matthew Coppola (TEP 112) through our Instagram page for your very own TEP X 76ers exclusive rush shirt!

The end of the fall semester saw no brothers graduating, luckily for us given how quaint our little group has become these days. Though a few brothers are looking at graduation by the end of this semester, the amount of new members joining keeps our boat afloat for the time being. Our beloved Fraternity house has seen some better days, nothing new, but we always strive to make the best of what we have. We are currently in communication with the Sigma Epsilon Alumni Association, hoping to cooperate on some issues that need repair and renovation.

Some local politics took place over the semester, big congratulations to our new Chancellor Brandon Velez (TEP 111), and Vice Chancellor Matthew Coppola (TEP 112). Unfortunately, due to some personal circumstances, our previous Chancellor Ahmad Rehawi (TEP 109) had to take a step away. We all thank him, deeply, for the time and energy which he dedicated to improving our brotherhood, and wish him all the best in his future endeavors. 

Prince Of Persia: The Lost Crown. Review

by Austin Waller, TEP 81

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Playstation 5, Playstation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Windows/PC

Developed by: UbiSoft

 Late in 2023, UbiSoft announced a revival of the long-dormant Prince of Persia series.  Instead of continuing with the popular 3D action-platformer format that defined the series in the 2000s, UbiSoft opted to bring the series into the Metroidvania genre with a 2D side-scroller.  For the uninitiated, a Metroidvania is an open-ended action/adventure game that takes place in one, large, interconnected map, and is based around ability and item-dependent progression; taking inspiration from the Metroid and Castlevania series.  Rather than hitting a stumbling block while bringing Prince of Persia into a new genre, as often happens with a long-running series, Ubisoft crafted an amazing love-letter to the genre that stands as one of the best Metroidvanias ever developed and an amazing comeback for the series.  Taking control of Sargon, a Persian "immortal" warrior, the player delves into the Middle Eastern fantasy world to uncover the mystery of his comrade's betrayal.  

The gameplay of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (Prince of Persia: TLC) is based around a deep combat system.  Even early on, combat options are varied, allowing for ground and air-based attacks and combos, deep parrying, and dodge mechanics, all crammed within silky smooth controls that keep the player feeling engaged and in-control throughout.  Crunchy combos and special moves are fun to perform, as taking down hordes of enemies and bosses adds to the satisfying gameplay loop.  Building combos while avoiding damage allows Sargon to build "Athra" (this game's version of magic) and opens special move options that further add to the character's lethal combat options.  This risk-reward system is simple and fun to engage with, adding a consistent tension to the gameplay.  Difficulty is highly customizable, making Prince of Persia: TLC eminently approachable for gamers of all skill levels.  Bosses are gigantic, room-filling beasts that serve as combat highlights, and will test the players' skill even on the lowest difficulty settings.  Overall, it has some of the best combat ever included in a Metroidvania-style game.

Much of how a Metroidvania is going to be judged is going to be dependent on level design, and in this regard, Prince of Persia: TLC is again near the top of the genre.  Mount Qaf, the setting of the game, is one of the largest maps ever developed for a side-scrolling adventure.  Sargon will traverse nearly a dozen unique areas in his adventure, all packed with unique design elements and themes to really make each section of the map stand out. Taking cues from Castlevania: Symphony of The Night and Hollow Knight, two classics of the genre, the path forward for Sargon can often be varied... as numerous options will often be available in terms of choosing which area to conquer next and advance the main story.  Never, at any point, does level design resort to lazy, dungeon-crawling tropes; as every room on Mount Qaf received a high degree of care in terms of consistently providing the player with interesting layouts and fun platforming challenges.  Traps to avoid, bonuses, item pickups, upgrades, and side quests dot the entirety of the map, filling the huge game world with tons of content for the player to explore.  Some highlights include a battle at sea frozen in time and a pirates' hideout where the player will have to dodge booby-traps and explosives at every turn.  It is impressive to the degree that UbiSoft scaled-up the size of this adventure, bringing it right alongside modern AAA action titles with much larger budgets. 

Graphically and in terms of the soundtrack: they do their job.  UbiSoft opted for a highly stylized art style which will not blow anyone away, but will serve to help the game age well as more emphasis is placed upon expressive characters and enemies, rather than pushing the limits of the hardware.  The soundtrack is atmospheric and certainly fits the bill for a rollicking adventure through Persia but didn't really stand out to me all that much, so it's a rather neutral aspect of the game, rather than something that *elevates* the experience a la Super Metroid or any of the Castlevania games.  

The story is again, something that does its job.  Games in this genre are all about gameplay, nearly never choosing to focus more on plot devices.  The plot didn't grab me all that much, but there is a ton of lore and backstory to discover for those players that find themselves enthralled with the story aspects of the game.  Another neutral aspect for me where the game was not necessarily elevated but presented enough to be satisfactory.   

Overall, this is one of the best Metroidvania experiences ever released and an early contender for Game of The Year, 2024.  Where things matter most in these types of games; combat, level design, and challenge, Prince Of Persia: TLC excels.  It elevates what combat can achieve in Metroidvania games, the scale within which games like this can thrive, and features one of the best game worlds ever created for a side-scroller.  While not quite on the level of a game like Hollow Knight (from which Prince Of Persia takes a ton of inspiration), Prince Of Persia: TLC stands head and shoulders above the dozens of cookie-cutter Metroidvanias that litter the e-shops of your favorite gaming device.  

 Final Score: 9.5/10

Sponsored by Spiegel Properties

This year’s ramble committee is seeking feedback from everyone to make the most of Ramble. If you have the time, please click the link below to complete a short survey. We appreciate all feedback.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe4XG_EyK5OPt8LU9Ij15Vcd4w1XDC8c6gY3IJfRpvQ9DEstQ/viewform?usp=sharing

My little brother, Kenny Yu (TEP 77), was recently included on a list published by Becker’s Hospital Review. The list is “75 hospital and health system chief pharmacy officers to know | 2024”. I am proud of him and wanted to share his professional success. Its alphabetical, so he is down at the bottom if you want to read about him.

https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/lists/75-hospital-and-health-system-chief-pharmacy-officers-to-know-2024.html

If you have news you want to share with us all, then contact us. We can share family updates, professional achievements, cool trips you took or anything. There is a brother out there reading that wants to know more about you. 

As proud members of Sigma Epsilon Alumni Association, we share a bond that transcends time and distance. Our fraternity has not only provided us with lifelong friendships but has also equipped us with invaluable skills and experiences that have shaped our lives. Now, it's time for us to come together and give back to the fraternity that has given us so much.

Our fraternity's legacy is not just about the memories we cherish but also about the impact we leave on the generations to come. With this in mind, we are launching our 2024 fundraising campaign to support our fraternity alumni association. By contributing to this cause, you'll be investing in the future success of our fraternity and the young men who will carry on its traditions.

Your donation will enable us to provide essential resources and opportunities to current fraternity members. From leadership development programs and academic scholarships to networking events and community service projects, your support will directly enrich the fraternity experience for today's students. By fostering a supportive and empowering environment, we can help shape these young men into future leaders who will make a positive difference in their communities and beyond.

Moreover, your contribution will help strengthen our fraternity's infrastructure and ensure its longevity for years to come. By investing in facilities maintenance, alumni outreach efforts, and administrative support, we can uphold the integrity of our fraternity and preserve its legacy for future generations.

Beyond the tangible benefits, your donation represents a commitment to upholding the values and traditions of our fraternity. It's a testament to the enduring bond that unites us as brothers and the shared responsibility to support one another. Together, we can demonstrate the power of collective action and make a meaningful impact on the lives of current and future fraternity members.

Whether you choose to contribute financially or volunteer your time and expertise, your involvement is invaluable to the success of our fundraising efforts. Every donation, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to our goal and strengthens the foundation of our fraternity.

Join us in empowering future generations of Sigma Epsilon Alumni Association. Together, we can ensure that our fraternity continues to thrive and inspire young men for years to come. Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to our shared values.

General 2024 Donations can be sent via Venmo, @SEAA_TEP, or Check mailed to:

SEAA
PO BOX 554
COLLINGSWOOD, NJ  08108-0554

Sponsored by Chascsa Agency

Cigar: OSOK/Rojas Los Tejanos Mareva Maduro (5.125 x 42) almost Corona-esque.

Start Time: 5:27pm
End Time: Jesse 6:15pm & Austin 6:25pm

Today we’re reviewing the Los Tejanos Maduro in their “Mareva” vitola (5.125 x 42) which pretty much coincides with a Corona vitola (5.5 x 42). Friendly reminder that the first smaller number is the length of cigar in inches, and the second, larger number is the ring gauge. This cigar was the product of two different cigar companies working together to create something incredible. Edgar Hoill from EH Cigars and Noel Rojas from Rojas Cigars blended tobacco from Mexico and Nicaragua respectively. This cigar comes in 3 different vitolas: Mareva (5.125 x 42) $7.50/cigar, Toro (6 x 50) $9.97/cigar, and Lancero (7 x 38) $12/cigar and all 3 come in boxes of 15. The Los Tejanos is made using a Mexican San Andres wrapper over a Corojo binder and Nicaraguan tobacco for the filler and was released in August of 2020.

We both used a Xikar straight cutter and a double flame torch to light. Pre-light draw has great open draw with notes of chocolate and a hint of pepper. The construction is veiny and firm with no soft spots or blemishes. There is a little extra tobacco on the bottom of the wrapper which looks like there may have been an attempt at a closed foot, but as the cigar dried and aged, it tightened up and opened the foot.

Upon lighting there was no noticeable change in draw, still nice and open with great smoke output. There is an immediate kick of straight pepper right on the palette which reminded us of the Viaje pepper cigars but no other discernable flavors yet. The retro-hale is definitely strong, it brings tears to the eyes every time. Both Jesse and I agree that this cigar has started off as a full-bodied smoke and we are looking forward to seeing if it maintains the strength throughout. 

About 20 minutes in, we’re about 1/3 of our way through the cigar. My cigar has been burning a little crooked, but as we are inside and not subject to the elements. I attribute it to poor lighting on my part. Maybe I didn’t thoroughly light the extra tobacco at the foot of the cigar or messed up during the toasting, but this was easily touched up with the torch. Jesse’s has maintained a sharp, straight burn line. Both cigars have maintained a strong ash, we’re tapping it off in about 1-inch chunks as we don’t trust the ash cling on smaller ring gauged cigars. 

Halfway through, the pepper has receded just a little bit, but is still fully flooding our palates so we’re not really getting any other flavors. The construction has remained on point thus far and my burn line has gotten better.

I believe this is my second round with this cigar, the first time was a while back so I don’t remember much about it aside from feeling like eh, I could take it or leave it. Makes me wonder if age has made this smoke so much better, or if it was a one-off that caused my indifference the first time I smoked it.

Towards the end and there is no change in flavor, smoke output, or construction. The entire cigar was one-note, but surprisingly, neither of us are mad about it. This would pair fantastically with a dark liquor like scotch or whiskey.

Rating
Construction 9
Burn 8.5
Flavor 5
Strength Full
Overall 7.5

Final Thoughts - The final rating is not a true testament to the quality of this cigar, the flavor was rated low because there was no flavor change aside from the pepper all the way through the cigar. This smoke is not for the faint of heart, which both Jesse and I loved, but we stress that this is not for a novice smoker. This would be a staple in both of our humidors.

BREAKING NEWS:

228 Cooper has a new roof that will keep out animals, bad weather, and any other unwanted guests. Thank you to the SEAA Board for finding a way to fund this large project and thank you to all current residents for your patience. More projects coming soon!

Any Member of the SEAA, regardless of status on the Board, can join the Real Estate Committee. If you have trade skills or an interest in supporting the success of 228 Cooper Street. Please contact us at SEAARealestate@gmail.com

Sponsored by Discount Pools and Supplies

The National Office releases a quarterly newsletter as well.

If you are interested in checking it out, the link is https://tep.org/the-plume/

There is even an update about the Sigma Epsilon Alumni Association written by Former Chairman Rob Spiegel (TEP 76). 

Against The Odds

 This podcast came as a recommendation of Rob Spiegel. Rob is my big-dreaming, adventure friend. He can tell you the long version, but Rob quit his job and walked the Appalachian trail. The season of this long running show that he recommended well aligned with him. Season 6 of this show is about Antarctica. There are 36 seasons of this show, and the theme (and title) is about amazing feats of humanity. There are seasons on the Johnstown Flood, adventures lost in Alaska, a rainforest, etc., Hurricane Katrina, Apollo 13 and more. Season 6 is a two parallel stories about teams battling with Antarctica. One of the teams was Ernest Shackleton’s second trip to Antarctica in the years 1914-1917. The other storyline is about a group of decedents of men in Shackleton’s first expedition to Antarctica walking to the South Pole in 2008 as a centennial of that expedition. The audio quality is great. The background sound effects aren’t overbearing and help hold my interest in a podcast that is just one person talking (not my favorite style). I never heard these stories, and they are gripping. The way these men survived that place is a testament to the human spirit. That cliche is really all I have to describe the two journeys. I would recommend it. I will be checking out the other seasons as well.

As always…If you liked my recommendations, let me know. If you didn’t, let me know. If you think my writing is bad, I know; so, keep that to yourself. If you have a show that you think I should listen to, email me at atriner@gmail.com. Hope to hear from you, any subject welcome.

March 6, 2024, 7:30-9:00 PM
Meeting of the SEAA Board of Trustees, online

April 20, 2024, 3:30 PM
Muller Classic Alumni v. Undergrad Softball Game
Camden Athletic Complex Baseball Field
401 Delaware Ave., Camden, NJ

May 11, 2024, Time TBD
Senior Welcome & Graduation Celebration
228 Cooper Street, Camden, NJ

October 4, 2024, Time TBD
Meeting of the SEAA Board of Trustees, In-Person
Annual Meeting of the Sigma Epsilon Alumni Association to follow, In-Person

November 17, 2024, Time TBD
Turkey Bowl Alumni v. Undergrad Flag Football Game
Place is TBD

November 23, 2024, Time TBD
62nd Muskrat Ramble
details to follow

As the Chairman's Gavel highlights the Board has a framework for the annual calendar of events. While specifics are limited here are some highlights:

• Meeting of the SEAA Board of Trustees, in-person will be in April and October of 2024
• Nominations for the 2025 Board of Trustees will occur at the Board meetings in August, September, & October of 2024
• 3rd Annual Golf Outing will be in September of 2024
  

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 alumni wants to hear your opinions on it. Did something  worth announcing happen in your life that you want to tell us all about? Do you  want to advertise your small business? In the same vein, if you have feedback  about the E-pulse, then we want to hear it. Just like with interesting content, an  enjoyable reading experience reinforces the purpose of this newsletter. We  want to engage with you all.  

Email us at SEAApresident@gmail.com.  

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