Q2 2024 ePulse

Chairman's Gavel

Mike O'Connor, TEP 75

Brothers,

As we move towards summer, the graduation season is also upon us. It is my pleasure to welcome the newest alumni to the Sigma Epsilon Alumni Association:
- Nick Adinofi (TEP 107)
- Nate Boyle (TEP 108)
- Gustavo Espinosa (TEP 112)
- Joseph Medina (TEP 111)
- Brian Jones (TEP 110)
On May 11th, the SEAA held our 3rd annual event at the chapter house on Cooper street to celebrate this year's graduates. The goal of the event every year is to foster involvement through lifelong engagement. Board member Kenneth "KC" Chann (TEP 81) took the organizational lead again this year and succeeded in having an excellent turnout, delicious catered food, and cold beverages. Thank you to honorary brother Joe Avalon for providing his exceptional bartending skills, and thank you to all alumni old and new, who made it to this event.  This event was made free for all attendees thanks to the Rutgers University Alumni Association (RUAA) grant program, which aims to keep alumni engaged in university activities and programs. We intend to continue holding this event for years to come and I encourage you to join us next year.

With the arrival of the nice weather, comes outdoor events. We have 3 sporting (or sporting adjacent) events this year.

Muller Classic - Alumni v Undergrad Softball Game
Charity Golf Outing
Turkey Bowl - Alumni v Undergrad Flag Football

Austin Waller (TEP 81) will cover the Muller Classic softball game later in the ePulse and the Turkey Bowl is still in the early stages of planning, but I'm pleased to announce the 3rd Annual SEAA Charity Golf Outing. It will take place on September 6th at Rancocas Golf Club in Willingboro NJ. The event is open to all alumni and their guests. The format will be a team scramble and will feature light snack at registration, 18 holes of golf (cart included), followed by dinner, raffles and awards. Alcoholic beverages will be available before, during, and after golf. Prizes will also be awarded to the winning team, closest to the pin on select par 3's, longest drive, and a putting contest. The cost for a foursome is $500 ($125 pp) and is all inclusive. Registration is now open HERE. If you don't play golf, or are unable to attend and would still like to participate, please consider a hole sponsorship for your company, sponsoring one of the event day contests, or a donation. All profits go to Northern Children's Services - "Supporting the healthy development of children and youth, while stabilizing their family to build stronger communities."

Thanks and have a wonderful summer.

Fraternally,
Mike O'Connor
SEAA Chairman



Undergraduate Update

Rudy Hroub, TEP 110

Happy Summer from the brothers of Sigma Epsilon! Things are getting warm, all your introverted friends suddenly start planning outdoor activities and everything seems just a little brighter, but before we get too lost in the summer heat, let’s have a quick spring semester recap.

Kicking things off with philanthropy, as usual we continue our tradition of sandwich making & distributing event. This time in collaboration with our sister sorority, Cathedral Kitchen and the Ronald McDonald house. We worked together to make and distribute over 1000 sandwiches to the homeless population of Camden and Philadelphia. Furthermore, we also participated in a trash cleanup event at Johnson’s Park, as well as the waterfront.

Moving onto rush, rush concluded successfully, with a decent amount of potential new members in the books. In an attempt to get ahead of the ball, we held a tabling event for RUC’s Admitted Students’ Day which went very well, we contacted many potential interests and handed out rush TEP business cards for the fall. We had a week full of fun activities that kept both interests and brothers occupied. Typical events such as game night, BBQ 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 cooperating with us and allowing us to have a rush event at the store and remain after hours. The rush theme this semester was still the 76ers so if any Sixers fans are reading this make sure to get in touch with Matthew Coppola (TEP 112)  through our Instagram page for your very own tepX76ers exclusive rush shirt! 

The end of the spring semester saw the departure of 5 of our brothers. A big thank you to: Gustavo Espinosa (TEP 112), Joseph Medina (TEP 111), Brian Jones (TEP 110), Nick Adinolfi (TEP 107) and Nate Boyle (TEP 108). We thank them for their service and wish them the best in their future endeavors, wherever they may lead. We also would like to remind them that graduation is not the end of their fraternal journey, while we may have lost 5 brothers here at the chapter, the SEAA has gained 5 new members and we hope it marks the beginning of a new and exciting journey for them all.

Woods

Brian Dengler, TEP 109

My New Year’s resolution for 2024 was to go backpacking or camping at least once a month for the entire year. So far it’s been pretty decent. I've definitely had some good and bad times in the woods. That's all a part of the fun though, to teach yourself to adapt while still having a good time. For April’s trip, my buddies and I went to Round Valley Recreation Area in Lebanon, NJ.

Located in the heart of New Jersey, Round Valley State Park is a lesser known destination perfect for anyone seeking a break from work and disconnecting from their devices. The park spans roughly 4,000 acres with its most prominent feature being the Round Valley Reservoir, which holds quite the history that still is evident to this day. Back in the 1960s, New Jersey faced an increased demand for a reliable water supply. To solve this problem, the reservoir was built. In order to create one of the largest bodies of water in New Jersey, the state had to relocate a small farming town. This community, known as Round Valley, had to be evacuated and dismantled, with its buildings, farms, and roads left to be submerged under the rising waters. As the reservoir filled, the remnants of the village were gradually engulfed by water, creating a "sunken city" beneath the lake’s surface. Today, these structures lie silent and forgotten, buried beneath layers of silt and water. Every year pieces of the old homes rise to the surface adding to the history of what used to be. This is a dangerous body of water to swim in and often people have gotten stuck on old remnants of the town. To this day, missing people still lie beneath its surface only to float to the top when the haunted city permits. 

The park features several trails, but the most notable one, which we chose, is the Cushetunk Trail. This trail loops around the reservoir, offering overlooks, dense woods and a moderately difficult hike. It spans approximately 13-18 miles based on the paths you take. We booked site 83W that was located at the end of the map and right on the water. The farthest but arguably one of the best campsites that Round Valley has to offer. The sites are accessible only by foot or boat, so you have to carry all your gear in. Suited with all my gear and a 6 pack, my bag weighed in at 43 pounds. Luckily after sitting around the fire having some beers, the pack was undeniably lighter the next day. The reservoir has been sitting high recently due to construction, so we weren't able to swim due to muck all along the coastline. We chose to spend the rest of our day grilling some food, making a decent fire, and relaxing. Overall this was a pretty fun trip. Great weather, great camp site, and a challenging trek. Rating : 7.6/10. Definitely worth checking out if you're a fan of the outdoors.  



The Undergraduate Chapter Needs Your Immediate Support!

Rob Spiegel, TEP 76

Our undergraduate chapter is in critical need of alumni support. Due to the Chapter having fewer than 10 active brothers, they are now on probation with the National office. Currently, with only six active members, they are struggling to recruit in the challenging post-COVID campus environment, exacerbated by the presence of two competing fraternities.

TEP stands as the premier fraternity on campus, offering unparalleled advantages: we own our house, have over 60 years of history, and boast the largest local alumni base. Despite these strengths, our Chapter is in jeopardy, and we urgently need your help to secure its future.

There are three ways you, as an alumnus, can make a significant impact and help highlight our fraternity’s unique benefits to the campus and prospective members:

1. **Register on Greek Tracks**  

   Your registration on Greek Tracks (https://portal.tep.org/) is vital. Greek Tracks is TEPs centralized platform for Brothers to register, connect, and showcase their professional skills. By registering, you help demonstrate the strength and reach of our alumni network, which is a powerful tool in attracting new members. A robust alumni network can offer mentorship, career opportunities, and professional connections to current undergraduates, making TEP an even more attractive option. Your participation not only helps in showcasing our network's power but also allows you to stay connected with fraternity activities and contribute to our collective success. Please take a few moments to register and help us leverage the full potential of our brotherhood.

2. **Support the Summer House Project**  

   We are in need donations of time, materials, or funds for our summer house project. Our fraternity house is one of our greatest assets, and its condition significantly impacts our recruitment efforts. The goal of this project is to revitalize the house, making it an affordable, high-quality, and appealing housing option for new recruits. Specific needs include upgrades in the bathrooms, kitchen, laundry room, and refreshing the esthetics with drywall repair and fresh paint.  By contributing to this project, you directly enhance the living experience for current and future brothers, making our house a key feature in our recruitment strategy. Please refer to the Real Estate article for more details on how you can contribute and make a tangible difference in our chapter's future.

3. **Become an Alumni Advisor**  

   Due to current school restrictions, only officially designated advisors can participate in recruitment and new member education. This restriction has forced the Chapter to halt their successful Alumni Dinner recruitment event, a key event that often persuaded prospective members. We currently have four advisors, including myself, but we need more to effectively support our Chapter. By becoming an Alumni Advisor, you can play a crucial role in our recruitment efforts and help us leverage our professional, experienced, and diverse alumni network. Your involvement as an advisor allows you to directly influence and guide our chapter’s activities, ensuring we adhere to our values and traditions while fostering growth. Please contact me at [Robert.spiegel10@gmail.com] and the undergraduate Chancellor at [tepsigepchancellor@gmail.com] if you are willing to take on this essential role.

TEP is the best fraternity on campus, but without immediate and decisive action from our alumni, we risk losing our standing and our Chapter. Your support is not just appreciated—it is essential. Together, we can overcome this challenge and ensure that TEP continues to thrive for generations to come.

Thank you for your urgent attention and support.

Muller Classic Softball Game

Austin Waller, TEP 81

On Saturday, April 27th, 2024, the annual Muller Classic softball game between the alumni and the undergrads took place on the Rutgers Community Park baseball field in beautiful downtown Camden, New Jersey.  As attendees to the event trickled in over the course of the afternoon, the undergrads and alumni played a Sandlot-style softball game, with the undergrads presumably outscoring the alumni in the final inning for what was the only score taken in the game.  We don't really know who took score or what the score was but we commend this person for their math.  But enough about how we didn't care to take score this time around... attendance to the event was the best seen for the Muller Classic since before the COVID pandemic, which bodes well for the event taking place in Camden on the Rutgers fields going forward.  For the first time in many years, both the undergrads and alumni were able to field a full team by the time everyone had arrived, and both sides participated in a rousing afternoon of pickup softball.  Undergrad Matt Coppola (TEP 112) slugged multiple extra base hits and Tyler Zavorski (TEP 83) provided a strong display of softball competence on the Alumni side.  The game featured more collisions and injuries than anyone should reasonably expect in a pickup game of softball, so we can be sure that everyone was really putting their heart and soul into it.  I, myself, after swearing that I would not continue my annual tradition of diving for fly balls on a field covered in ground-up rubber tires, betrayed my own sense of self-preservation and fucked up my leg per annual tradition.  And I'm glad to see my gusto was matched on all sides and by all participants.  Tyler Collison (TEP 79) remarked that the event was "good".  Several players hit the Victor for postgame food and drinks to wrap up the day.  

It really tickles me jimmies to be able to write about the Muller Classic in glowing terms again, and we can hope this is the start of the annual softball game becoming the big annual event it has been at times in the past.  Thanks to all participants! 



Tsang's Stash

Austin Tsang, 81

Start Time 4:57 pm

End Time 6:05 pm

Participants: Jesse Williams (TEP 79) and Austin Tsang (TEP 81)

Today we’re reviewing the Crowned Heads Las Calaveras 2023 in the Robusto vitola which means it’s 5 inches long with a 50 ring gauge. Friendly reminder, the first smaller number is the length of cigar in inches, and the second, larger number is the ring gauge. As always, research was done after we smoked the cigar. 

The Las Calaveras uses Nicaraguan tobacco for the binder and filler and US Connecticut Broadleaf for the wrapper. It boasts a medium/full bodied smoke and it’s MSRP is $12.95 each. There is a total of 4 vitolas and 3,000 cigars released per vitola, so 12,000 of these Limited Edition cigars released for 2023. There has been a yearly release of Las Calaveras since 2014 – it looks like most of the releases contain Nicaraguan binder and fillers and the wrapper varies year to year. 

Onto the smoke - Pre-light smell is incredible, we get notes of sweet milk chocolate that gets the saliva flowing. We both punched the cigars and used a 5 torch lighter to keep this review uniform. The prelight draw is nice and open, and even tastes like milk chocolate. The construction is uniform in color with no blemishes but there are a few soft spots throughout the cigar so it makes us question if it’s underfilled and if it will affect the overall smoke. 

Post-light draw is still open with good smoke output and we’re getting wood and white pepper on the palate. Sadly, the sweet milk chocolate flavor has completely disappeared. With how light the pepper is on the palate, we’re thinking this is going to smoke medium, maybe even medium/full.

The ash looked ready to drop at about the inch mark on both cigars so we tapped it off, and it came off in a clean chunk. The burn line on mine has gone a little crooked which is funny as JW poorly lit his and started with a crooked burn line, but has since corrected itself. 

Halfway through and the cigar flavor has not changed; we both feel like this is sitting more towards a mild/medium closer to medium smoke. Surprisingly the soft spots on the initial feel of the cigar has not truly affected the smoke, but it make me think that is why my burn line went crooked. The objection to that thought is that JW’s cigar has maintained the straight burn line. 

We’re at the end of the cigar around the 1 hour mark and there is no change in flavor, smoke output, or construction. The entire cigar is pretty much one-note and really doesn’t stand out to us. Age may help  this cigar, but as of right now, neither of us are feeling like we need to keep this in the humidor.

Rating
Construction
8
Burn 8
Flavor 5
Strength 5
Overall 6.5

Final Thoughts – Decent golf cigar where the flavor doesn’t change and putting it down to swing and come back to it won’t affect the smoke. There are other cigars at the same price point or even cheaper that we would reach for before this one.

2024 SEAA Senior Welcome Event – Thank You!

Kenneth Chann, Jr., TEP 81

On behalf of the Sigma Epsilon Alumni Association, I extend our heartfelt thanks to everybody who attended the 2024 SEAA Senior Welcome graduation party on May 11, 2024. Your presence made the celebration truly memorable and added to the joy of honoring our newest graduates.

As alumni, your continued support and involvement are invaluable to our fraternity. Events like these remind us of the strong bonds and lasting friendships that Sig-Ep TEP fosters. It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces and to share in the excitement of this significant milestone with you.

We hope you enjoyed the festivities as much as we did. Your participation not only celebrated the achievements of our graduates but also strengthened the connection between past and present members of our fraternity.

A special thanks goes to Rob Spiegel (TEP 76) who dropped off our VIP photo backdrop, coolers, crates of plasticware, and cocktail tables the evening before the event and helped break down after the event. Rob also donated custom TEP gift cards that were used in the undergrads gifts and will be useful at future events. The undergrads were a huge help in setting up our photo backdrop and preparing the house the night before! Another special thanks goes to Austin Waller (TEP 81) for helping to set up food and bar the day of the event! Finally, we would like to thank Sheldon Blackman (TEP 24) for donating monetarily to our 2024 sponsorship endeavors!

Thank you once again for your presence and for contributing to the success of this special event. We look forward to seeing you at future gatherings and continuing to build upon the rich legacy of Sigma Epsilon Alumni Association.



FINAL FANTASY VII: REBIRTH - PLAYSTATION 5 - SINGLE PLAYER JAPANESE ROLE-PLAYING GAME

Austin Waller, TEP 81

Summary: The second part of the ongoing Final Fantasy VII Remake project is one of the best role-playing games (RPGs) released in the last few years with plenty to offer newcomers to the series and fans who played the original game on the Playstation back in the 90s.  

Story: Don't want to discuss much of *that* here, as almost anything I mention regarding the plot could be considered a spoiler.  However, to discuss some broad strokes;

1. Great cast of characters, who play off each other well and are voice-acted by some of the best in the business.  Cloud is as troubled as ever, Aerith is as charming as ever, Sephiroth is still the most menacing and memorable villain in video game history.

2. The overall plot does tension really well, ratcheting up the stakes and the intrigue through to the late-game climax.

3. Appropriately wears the title of a "remake", expanding on some plot points and characters that were glossed over in the original release.

Graphics and Performance: It's a gigantic and beautiful game, and really puts the horsepower of the PS5 to use.  Each biome visited in your quest is appropriately differentiated and contains far more detail in the environments than you would normally see in a game of this size.  Final Fantasy used to stand as the pinnacle of graphical achievement in video games and they appear to be re-taking that mantle after years of other studios being able to use advancements in technology to catch up.  The characters' faces can sometimes look a little washed-out in bright environments, but that's the only gripe.  

Gameplay and Combat: The combat system and everything associated with it, per tradition, is going to be the main way the player interacts with the game.  The Materia (essentially equippable magic) and Equipment system present in the original is carried over.  There are tons of ways to customize your party and most characters are able to thrive in two or three roles in combat, e.g. using Tifa as both a close-range attacker and a healer.  The combat system itself is, personally, my favorite in any Japanese RPG.  They've finally found the perfect balance between real-time combat and turn-based mechanics.  Inputting commands to use magic and special attacks runs on a beefed-up cooldown mechanic, with great risk-reward between waiting out your enemy and defending, versus attacking with basic commands to build up your ATB meter faster.  Combat is both strategic and fast-paced, and the rhythm achieved when the player starts to grasp switching back-and-forth between which character you are controlling is unmatched.  To touch on gameplay outside of combat: there are too many types of side-quests and minigames to even start to mention in this review.  Final Fantasy XIII or Final Fantasy XVI, notorious in their singular focus on combat, this is not.  There are dozens of ways to cool off a bit from engaging in battles throughout the world of Gaia.  If you love the combat as much as I do, there are hundreds of optional battles to test your might beyond what is available in the main story.  There are three initial difficulty options, plus an unlocked Hard Mode, so there's an experience to be had for every skill level.

Sound and Music: The original Final Fantasy VII OST is what I consider to be the greatest soundtrack in the history of video game music.  Rebirth offers up a great upgrade in terms of orchestration and quality, with plenty of old tunes getting a facelift and many new tracks being introduced.  The older player might find themselves missing some of the charm of the old Playstation sound chip... but I doubt anyone who is new to the series wouldn't find the upgraded soundtrack (with its mind-being 400+ songs) to be superior.  Either way, it's very much among the greatest ever composed. 

Value: 10/10 stat right here.  Even though it is priced at $70, there are hundreds of hours of gameplay to enjoy in just the main quest alone.  All of it of very high quality.  If you want to hunt down every unlockable and achievement, you can easily pass 200 hours on just one save file. 

Overall: Well... I can't give it a score, yet.  Because this is only Part Two of a three-part series.  But if the first installment, Remake, and this are any indication, anyone and everyone who enjoys RPGs should be hotly anticipating the final chapter in this project.  Highly recommended (and recommend that players start with Remake, released in 2020, if they've not delved into the series at all).  

Real Estate Committee Update

McKinsey Alston, TEP 75 & Rob Spiegel, TEP 76

As part of our continued commitment to building on the legacy of TEP at Rutgers Camden, we have decided to extend our reinvestment in the house. Thank you, Brother Bill McGrath (TEP 81), for helping address a handful of electrical issues we have faced over the past year. Next on the list is addressing the foundation and downspouts in the front and back of the house. Our prior focus is to water seal the property to ensure we remain dry in the basement during Camden's hurricane season. This work will be underway over the next few weeks and will lead into our All Hands Needed—Summer Work Party. Listed below is how you can help us take our home to the next level! Will you come join us?

Working closely with the undergraduate chapter, we have identified three critical areas to address to make 228 Cooper St a more desirable housing option on campus. These focus areas are:

1. Bathroom plumbing issues
2. Kitchen functionality
3. Laundry facilities

To tackle these concerns, we are organizing an all-hands-on-deck summer work party on July 20-21. During this event, we will be installing pressure-assist toilets, a commercial washer and dryer set, and shelving in the kitchen. Additionally, we will enhance the house's aesthetic appeal with drywall repairs and fresh paint. Here’s how you can help make this possible:

1. **Volunteer Your Time**  
 Join us on either Saturday, July 20 or Sunday, July 21. Saturday will be our primary workday, but there will be some finishing tasks on Sunday as well. Work will start at 9 AM and continue throughout the day. You don’t need to be an experienced contractor, as we will group volunteers based on their skills and abilities. Your participation is crucial to the success of this project.

2. **Donate Materials**  
We need a variety of materials for this renovation project, including but not limited to:

   - Drywall
   - Spackle
   - Paint
   - Brushes and rollers
   - Screws and nails
   - Commercial metal kitchen shelving
   - Glue and adhesive
   - Pressure-assist toilets
   - Commercial washer and dryer set
   - FRP wall sheets
   - Plumbing supplies (pipes, fittings, sealants)
   - Electrical supplies (outlets, wiring, light fixtures)
   - Cleaning supplies (detergents, disinfectants, mops, buckets)

   Please contact [robert.spiegel10@gmail.com] to coordinate material donations.

3. **Donate Money**  

   We recently invested $17,000 in a new roof for the house. Cash donations are greatly appreciated and will help us make these essential upgrades without depleting our cash reserves. Your financial support is vital to our efforts.

Together, we can make 228 Cooper St a top choice for campus housing. Your support, whether through time, materials, or money, will have a lasting impact on our fraternity. Thank you for your commitment and generosity.



Tep Felchstains Fantasy Football Annual Dinner

Jesse Williams, TEP 79

The Tep Felchstains fantasy football league held our annual post-season dinner on March 22nd. This league has existed since the 2008 season. As a group it is our longstanding tradition to meet as a league after every season to talk shit, brag, vote on new rules and, as we’ve aged, plan a good reason to meet up as a group and hangout. As per tradition the winner picks the dining location and will contribute a portion of the check. This years location was at pizzeria Bricco in Haddon Township. This is a local place to most members and was rated favorably by Dave Portnoy in his “one bite reviews,” if that sort of thing matters to you. To us the importance was BYOB and walking distance to numerous bars as the dinner is rarely the end of our night. We showed up to the establishment 8 deep. Austin Tsang (TEP 81 & league winner), Tony Triner (TEP 75), Jesse Williams (TEP 79), Michael Williams (TEP 75), Mike Craig (TEP 87), Michael XXXXX O'Cconnor (TEP 75), DJ DuRocher (TEP 82) and special shoutout to Rich Chin (TEP 72) coming very close to his first child’s birth and on his wife’s birthday. We all gathered at around 7:30 bringing more beer and wine than the establishment is use too, garnering many views from other patrons. Not to make this a pizza review but we ordered 6 pies and split them and in my view they were fantastic. The service was attentive for a large group and the restaurant definitely made us feel welcome. After our meal concluded, we casually walked down the road to a new bar also on Haddon ave called, appropriately for this occasion, Reunion Hall.

Care Package for our Brothers Abroad

Austin Tsang, TEP 81

Two of our Sig Ep brothers are deployed together overseas and we are putting a care package together for them. 

1st Lieutenant Nick Sarracino (TEP 95)
Captain Christophe Baillargeon (TEP 83)

We are asking for any of the following:
TEP flag 
Monetary donations
Baby wipes
Beef Jerky
Non-perishable canned items
Cigars
Suction cup shower dildos

Please feel free to contact Austin Tsang (732-213-1237) or Jesse Williams (856-904-5901) with any questions.

Podcast “Reading List”

Tony Triner, TEP 75

Serial - Season 4

The first season of Serial was a phenomena. It was launched by part of the team that worked on  This American Life, which is a NPR show and podcast about… life. in America. The first season (released in 2014) covered the murder of a Baltimore woman and the suspect who was frequently interviewed on the show from prison. The show has released 3 additional seasons. They are well produced investigations into the Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl incident, a Clevland Justice center and now Guantanamo Bay detention camp. I can understand if some of those topics are contentious but season four captured the spark from season one, without the high school murder. They have discussed life at the camp through, fellow journalists who covered the court, military member who served there, detainees, and family members of the victims of 9/11. 

It is not for the faint of heart. It can be hard listening to some of the content but it is a part of history and the team take great care in reporting it. If this does convince you to listen and you like it so much that you want to check out the back catalog, I can’t say that I found season three very memorable but… my memory is, well, getting more dull.

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.

The TEP Foundation Announces John Lindsay Chivalry Award

Jason Berler, President of the TEP Foundation, Inc.

It is with an extremely heavy heart to announce the passing of Brother John Lindsay (October 8th, 1955 - March 24th, 2024). John was an alumnus of Rutgers Camden, Sigma Epsilon Chapter, Class '77. He started college after graduating High School early at the tender young age of 17. As an active Brother of Sigma Epsilon served as Bursar during his collegiate years. He proceeded to serve as a Trustee on the Board of Trustees for Foundation in the early 1980's alongside "TEP Greats" like Leo Gordon, Al Versacci, & Gerry Denmark. Professionally, John started his own company as a partner at Lauren & Lindsay Bowling Pins, LLC. a national distributor of bowling pins throughout the 90's/2000's. He went on to become a medical technician for the Cardinal Health System in North Carolina. In recent times was re-acclimated to Tau Epsilon Phi when contacted by our President to get involved at our UNCW group in 2017. In that role he served as Chapter Advisor frequently taking 3 hour each-way or 6 hour round trips to get to the group. He even donated $1,500 at one point to buy them a Billboard near campus for Rush. He cared about those undergraduates to n-th degree taking their Chancellor on his dime to the Fraternal Law Conference hosted in Cincinnati, OH. John then got involved with helping rebuild The TEP Foundation, Inc. providing business guidance starting in 2020. He frequently advised on every aspect of our Non-Profit leaving no stone unturned or idea unexplored. John even donated seed money to republish our historic book, "The History of Tau Epsilon Phi: 75 Years of Friendship." John also hosted an educational program for all TEP Undergraduates recently titled, "How to Be A Gentleman: A Modern Man's Guide." That program was a spill over from an educational program he originally hosted as Chapter Advisor at UNCW. John was proudly recognized in 2022 as a Trustee Emeritus on our Board of Trustees for his years of involvement and tangible results for his efforts. John is also credited as establishing The 1910 Foundation, Inc. a foundation for the Sigma-Epsilon, Rutgers Camden Chapter serving as Chairman of The Board. He will be sorely missed by our Board, Alumni, and myself. John was like an uncle, a best friend, and mentor all in one. When our President moved to his new apartment sent him a care package as a welcome. He was the ideal TEP exhibiting all the qualities of Friendship, Chivalry, and Service. He made himself available any time of day and treated all who he interacted with kindness, care, and respect. Truly a man who didn't talk about the precepts of Tau Epsilon Phi, HE LIVED THEM!

Today we are asking for your support toward a new Scholarship! Named in honor of the life and legacy of Brother John Lindsay, the soon-to-be announced “John T. Lindsay Chivalry Award” (2024) will continue to spread his light within Tau Epsilon Phi for eternity. The proceeds from your contribution will be strictly dedicated toward funding this endeavor. The TEP Foundation, Inc. would like to thank all who have reached out since his passing. John truly touched the hearts, minds, and souls of those he interacted which we could not be more thankful.

Tentative Award Criteria:

An undergraduate or alumni brother who embodies the life and legacy of John Lindsay, Sigma- Epsilon (’77). Chosen recipient must exhibit Tau Epsilon Phi's Founding Pillar of Chivalry. They must display tangible results for their efforts in the promotion, education, and demonstration of chivalry. Awarded bi-annual at Tau Epsilon Phi’s National Convention. 

https://www.thetepfoundation.org/donate

**As a 501(c)3 donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of law.

***Should you have individual questions regarding your own tax situation please consult a license Tax Professional.

Franky Catskills 5-minute Comedy Hour

Frank Bailey, TEP 40

I recently was pulled over by the New Jersey State Police. He came up to the drivers side and said “Papers”.

I replied, “Scissors! I win” and drove off

He must want a rematch, he’s been following me for miles now….

******

The auto correct on my new phone hasn’t got used to me yet.

It still thinks I like watching canal fishing videos 

******

There was a woman selling batteries down by the park.

She sells C cells by the see saw

******

I used to have a loving family, a nice home and car until I got involved with drugs

Now I have an island and a yacht 

*******

It’s strange to think that in a few years time , the number one cause of death amongst Olympic Gold winning female athletes will be prostate cancer…

*******

Speaking of Olympics , what do the Special Olympics and a handjob have in common? 

You appreciate the effort, but you can do it better.

********

If laziness was an Olympic sport, I would come in fourth. This way I would not be bothered with having to walk up to the podium.

*******

Word has it the Paris Olympics is already preparing for the Nigerians. They will be refunding all of their expenses and hotel and airfare for those that travel to France.

They just need their bank details including their PINs to complete the transaction 

********

Enjoy the summer Sig Ep TEP. Remember if getting a suntan was an Olympic sport - which it’s not - I’d get the ‘Bronze’!

Hiyooooo

Don’t forget to tip your bartenders and wait staff

Elevate Your Support: Explore Three Distinctive Sponsorship Tiers!

Kenneth Chann, Jr., TEP 81

We hope this message finds you well and eager to embrace the spirit of camaraderie and philanthropy that define our fraternity. As we prepare for our upcoming 62nd Annual Muskrat Ramble and Charity Golf Outing, we are thrilled to introduce three distinct sponsorship tiers, each offering unique benefits and opportunities to make a significant impact on our events and community.

1. Gold Sponsorship - $500: Elevate Your Presence and Impact With Gold Sponsorship, you have the opportunity to make a significant impact on our fraternity and choose the path that resonates most with you:

  • Sponsorship of Muskrat Ramble: Your name or company logo will take pride of place at this iconic event.  Making it possible for us to provide; signature cocktails, our event program and a photographer to capture the evening.
  • Sponsorship of Charity Golf Outing: Show your support for our philanthropic efforts on the golf course.  Your name or company logo will be featured at one of our prize holes. 
  • Ad in The Pulse for a Year: Gain consistent visibility within our fraternity through a dedicated ad space in our newsletter for the next year.  Or: Make a contribution to our "Super Basket of Cheer" for a unique way to participate in our Muskrat Ramble.

Gold Sponsors play a pivotal role in making our events exceptional while securing a lasting presence in our community.

2. Silver Sponsorship - $250: Shine Bright at the Muskrat Ramble Silver Sponsors focus their support on the Muskrat Ramble while enjoying additional options:

  • Sponsorship of Muskrat Ramble: Make a splash at this celebrated event.  Your name or company logo will take pride of place at this iconic event.  Making it possible for us to provide; signature cocktails, our event program and a photographer to capture the evening.
  • Ad in The Pulse for a Year: Maintain visibility within our alumni network with a dedicated ad space. Or: Make a contribution to our "Super Basket of Cheer" to add a fun twist to our Muskrat Ramble.

Silver Sponsors join us in celebrating the heart of our fraternity, the Muskrat Ramble.

3. Bronze Sponsorship - $100: Leave Your Mark in The Pulse or "Super Basket of Cheer" Bronze Sponsors can select from the following options:

  • Ad in The Pulse for a Year: Secure a lasting connection with our alumni network through a dedicated ad space.  
  • Or: Make a contribution to our "Super Basket of Cheer" for an innovative way to engage with our Muskrat Ramble.

Bronze Sponsors contribute to the vitality of our community and stay engaged with our fraternity's activities.

Your sponsorship choice, whether Gold, Silver, or Bronze, reflects your commitment to our fraternity and the lasting impact you wish to make. We deeply appreciate your support, which empowers us to create memorable events and uphold the values we hold dear.

To select your preferred sponsorship level and secure your place in our fraternity's legacy, please contact me with your pledge class. Payments can be sent via Venmo @SEAA_TEP, or Check mailed to:

SEAA
PO BOX 554
COLLINGSWOOD, NJ  08108-0554

Thank you for considering this opportunity to elevate your support and connect with our dynamic community. We look forward to celebrating with you at the 62nd Annual Muskrat Ramble and Charity Golf Outing.

Upcoming Events

June 5, 2024, 7:30-9:00 PM
Meeting of the SEAA Board of Trustees, online

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 mentioned in the Q1 ePulse the Board has a framework for the annual calendar of events. While specifics are limited here are some highlights:

  • Nominations for the 2025 Board of Trustees will occur at the Board meetings in August, September, & October of 2024

Call to Action

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 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