Sigma Phi Epsilon hosted a speaker from the University of Massachusetts School of Management named Professor Tony Lachowitz. He gave a presentation on how to strive for excellence or in his words, "how to be great." He spoke about everything from succeeding in college to obtaining your first job, and was a pleasure to have here.

John Felo, class of 1997, married Dr. Lauren Bodek in Penndel, PA on November 15^th.  Congratulations to John and his new wife, we wish you the best!

Details for these events are coming soon but look forward to big things this Alumni and Homecoming Weekend! Here is a quick preview:

Friday: CampusLive+SigEp Present Rocktober featuring We The Living and Guests!

Saturday: Homecoming Tailgate Party with AEPhi begining at 12:30pm for the 3:30pm Kickoff!

The Massachusetts Daily Collegian, New England Largest College Daily Since 1890, has taken notice of the various events and news that SigEps bring to campus.  There have been five instances within the first month of school that SigEp has been featured in the paper and the following links will bring you to the stories and pictures:

Tuesday September 9, 2008: Hofstetter to Perform at Bowker Tonight

Wednesday September 10, 2008: Campout for Cancer

 Thursday September 11, 2008: Hofstetter Plays Stockbridge Hall

Monday September 22, 2008:  SigEp Sponsors Fundraiser      Collegian Photo

Thursday October 2, 2008: Rebuilding From the Ground Up

For the 6th straight year members of MA Alpha camped out on the campus lawn in front of the Student Union. Unfortunately, the weather did not always cooperate but that did not discourage the brothers from toughing it out.  As brother Pat McGuinness stated "We dont mind it out in the rain, its for a great charity and a we even have fun doing it.  It was cold and wet but we can do it."  With this type of effort SigEp was able to raise almost $500 for the American Cancer Society.

In the second large philanthropy of the Year, SigEp again garnered much attention and great success.  The 3v3 Basketball tournament for YouthAIDS was Sponsored by CampusLive, G-Force Athletics, Rockstar Energy Drink and also featured DJ Biggz.  18 teams vied for the grand prize which consisted of $100 cash, Free sneakers, and Free Rockstar.  The winners, the Goons, came out victorious after the 3 hour tournament comenced.  Through the team registrations and generous donations by the crowd SigEp was able to raise $900 for the YouthAIDS organization.

The Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity is holding a 3v3 Basketball Tournament to benefit the YouthAIDS charity. For a $5 per person donation to YouthAIDS, a team of students can enter the basketball tournament, which will be held in the Southwest Horseshoe. Teams will compete for various prizes from sponsors, including a cash prize for the top team! You'll also get a free t-shirt with your $5 donation to YouthAIDS. In addition to the games, the Rockstar Energy Drink RV will be in attendance along with DJ Biggz who will be on hand playing all the latest Hip Hop and Top 40 Hits.

Registration begins on Monday, September 15 and you can register up until the games begin on Saturday, September 20 at 1pm. Sign up early and bring all your friends!

Date/Time: September 20, 2008 at 1pm

Place: Southwest Horseshoe Basketball Courts

Cost: $5 per person

Sigma Phi Epsilon will be bringing in hit comedian Steve Hofstetter to Umass on Setpember 9th as a part of his fall tour. Hofstetter discusses race, politics, body image, and religion all with the sarcastic wit that landed him on his own show on Sirius Satellite Radio. A huge hit on the college circuit (Hofstetter performs at over 100 schools every year), the 28-year-old Hofstetter has also been featured by Bob & Tom, CNN, and the New York Times. Hofstetter has also been on Showtime's "White Boyz in the Hood," VH1's "Countdown," ESPN's "Quite Frankly" and more. Sigma Phi Epsilon will be bringing him to campus to perform, along with two special guests, during the first week of school as a campus wide event held at Bowker Auditorium in Stockbridge Hall. 

Tickets: $5 and can be purchased in advance from any fraternity member or at the door

Date/Time: Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 8pm

Place: Bowker Auditorium in Stockbridge Hall

The Brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon will be camping out on the campus lawn in front of the Student Center for the week of September 8-12th, to raise money for the American Cancer Society. This year marks the 6th anniversary of this campus campout for cancer, which has now become a widely known campus event. All brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon have reserved a place on the UMass Amherst  Library Lawn outside of the Student Union to pitch tents, roll out futons, and bundle up in blankets to bear the elements as means to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

The exciting proposed renovations have finally been approved!  Over the past few weeks coordination meetings between the buider, architect, President Mike Harris, and NHC Housing Director Chris McCaw, have taken place in order to complete the project on time.  The renovations will provide a new kitchen facility, new dining room, handicap access and numerous cosmetic improvements.  "I believe the kitchen and dining facility will be great for our brotherhood and help us to continue to dominate on campus," says President Mike Harris.  All work is scheduled to be completed by the first day of school in Septempber.

Four months and $14,000 later the MA Alpha chapter is please to announce the opening of the new study room. A $10,000 grant from the Educational foundation paved the way for the study room which was just opened on March 28th. The study room is outfitted with six desks and an eight person conference table. Also included in the room is a projector, wireless network printer and wireless internet access. The room is a major step in continuing to put academics first in the daily lives of the MA alpha brothers. Even when losing their 50" flat screen television and lounge area, the brothers are excited to be able to have a quiet space to work in.