ΣφΕ NC Gamma

Fall 2016

Duke University

Sigma Phi Epsilon

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Joseph Vosburgh

President Topeka, KA Economics & Literature

Brothers, I’m excited to write to you as the President of the Sigma Phi Epsilon NC-Gamma Chapter. It is truly an honor to lead an organization that has had such a strong impact on my life. As I write, we are finishing up an exciting and eventful semester here at Duke. This year has been marked by an effort to sustainably improve the internal structure and practices of the Chapter. We’ve seen remarkable growth in our philanthropy, member development, and alumni programming – and we hope to continue that growth throughout the spring. Early in the semester, we teamed up with three other Chapters on campus to host a live-music event to raise funds for the Durham Crisis Response Center. The event was an enormous success, raising over $6000 for the DCRC. In October, we got a chance to spend time with some of you at Homecoming, both at our tailgate and post-game reception. I had a blast both seeing familiar faces and meeting new alumni. Finally, this semester NC-Gamma began to bring back elements of the Balanced Man Program in our Member Development activities. Coming into the year, we set the loft goal of preparing our young men to be some of the best at Duke and, ultimately, ready to take on the world. In an effort to achieve this, we’ve developed a number of events and programs to improve each brother’s personal wellness, career readiness, and political engagement. That being said, if you are on campus or in the area we invite you to stop by the Chapter and meet our active members. Whether you’d like to speak about industry experience or merely reminisce, we would love to have you. Reunion weekend is April 7-9th – if we don’t see you before then, please stop by – our door is always open.

HFF,

Joseph Vosburgh Duke University Class of 2017 President, Sigma Phi Epsilon NC Gamma Chapter

Clay Knobler

Recruiting

Los Angeles, CA English &

Public Policy

Sean Gilbert Membership Development

Charlotte, NC

Economics

Teddy Bartlett

Chaplain

Rochester, NY Psychology

Austin Liang

Finance

Los Angeles, CA Economics

Ben Kaeser

Communications New York, NY

Biology

Danny Stirt

Programming Gainesville, FL

Neuroscience

FAREWELL TO GRADUATES

Collin Allen

Robert Beier

Mike D’Amato

Marc Halseth

Nakul Karnik

Roy Peryea

Greg Petrilak

Christian Rogers

Spencer Ryals

Nick Sam Rooshil Shah

Andrew Toader

Stephen Wildish

Cam Wrigley

Class of 2016

Jordan Cohen Scottsdale, AZ Neuroscience

Dan Inmacolato Fairfax, VA Economics

Nisarg Dabhi East Quogue, NY

Mechanical Engineering

Matt Jonas Dallas, TX

Public Policy

Class of 2017

Brendan Kirk Hudson, WI Economics

Nicholas Donadio Upper Arlington,

OH Biology

Jeff Knaide Philadelphia,

PA Economics

Parker Gilbert London, England Public Policy

Jackson Korman Philadelphia, PA Public Policy

Hunter Mulvaney Davidsonville, MD

Mechanical Engineering

Brendan Ryu Pittsburgh, PA Neuroscience

Nick Sarantos Gainesville, FL Neuroscience

Jake Son San Diego, CA

Biology and BME

Daniel Stirt Gainesville, FL Neuroscience

Joseph Vosburgh Topeka, KA

Economics & Literature

Blake Talbert Morristown, NJ

Mechanical Engineering

Country For a Cause

igmas joined together with Alpha Phi, Sigma Nu, and Tri Delta to create the charity concert event, Country For a Cause. This event, which occurred on September 24, featured musical talent from local country band Southbound 85. Proceeds from the concert went toward the Durham Crisis Response Center (DCRC), Durham’s only provider of support services and shelter for victims of domestic and sexual violence. The Durham Crisis Response Center offers counseling and legal advocacy to victims of domestic and sexual violence and their families.

The organization also acts as a short-term emergency center for victims, provides a 24-hour confidential crisis line, and runs support groups. To spread awareness about these issues, the DCRC holds prevention workshops and provides training to schools, faith-based organizations, professionals, and the general

public. Throughout its history, the Durham Crisis Response Center has helped over 20,000 victims of domestic and sexual violence. This organization was formed in 2001 by the combination of Rape Crisis of Durham and the Orange-Durham Coalition for Battered Women. The DCRC is open 24 hours a day 365 days a year and does not charge clients for any of its services.

Music was performed by Southbound 85, a country band based in North Carolina. This was SouthBound 85’s debut at Duke. Country for a Cause offered students an avenue to listen to great music and enjoy the beautiful weather while contributing to an excellent cause. In total, over $6,000 was raised for DCRC. Country for a Cause was able to be so successful because of the hard work put in by SigEps and the other organizations involved.

Southbound 85 lead singer Jeff Leonard pictured with Aurelia Sands Belle, the executive director of DCRC.

The band in action with a guest performer!

SigEp Brothers and members of Delta Gamma visited the Ronald McDonald House earlier this year to cook dinner and hang out with kids. The Ronald McDonald House offers housing for families of ill children that are being treated at the Duke University Hospital. This “service mixer” was an excellent way for brothers to lend a hand in the community and help a great

organization.

The 2016 school year has been a great one so far for SigEp membership development. Pictured in the top left is a brother basketball game from wellness week, a new initiative this year. Wellness Week consisted of various activities intended to promote mental health awareness and teach stress management. The top right photo shows football team punter and SigEp senior Danny Stirt, who was the starting punter in five games this season and played in many others. Surrounding Danny are several brothers who attended the game, including SigEp football managers Jackson Korman and Steve Ai. The bottom left image depicts a group of brothers relaxing on our bench located on Central Campus. Also of note, over fall break many of our members were able to make it out to a cabin in Dobson, NC, a beautiful area 30 minutes from the Stone Mountain State Park. This “Mountain Weekend” was full of hikes, relaxation, and spending quality time with brothers.

Though the fall has been a great time for membership development, the spring is surely not to disappoint. The bottom right image is of last year’s Carolina Cup, a horse race SigEps attend each spring. This race, held in Camden, South Carolina, is a favorite among fraternity members, and we’re excited to be going back this year! Also planned for the spring is a spring break trip to Cancun, Mexico, as well as many mixers and philanthropy events.

We were thrilled to be able to spend time with former SigEp President Tom Stasi (class of 2009) earlier this year. Tom has been a great influence, offering helpful advice to many current brothers. Several

brothers got to meet Tom at a football tailgate, and others were able to get to know him over dinner.

The brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon really appreciate our alumni and all the guidance they offer. We want to continue to strengthen these ties, and are making this a priority for the Chapter. Thus far this

year we have held a couple of alumni events, including a homecoming football tailgate and an evening gathering at the West End Wine Bar and Billards. If you want to learn more about recent news at SigEp

or are planning on a visit to Duke, we encourage you to reach out.

Phi Class

Sigma Class

SigEp Spring 2016