Sigma Chi
Centennial Chapter House
Washington State University
"The best new fraternity house in America"
Centennial Construction Camera live from Pullman!
Honors Dinner inducts 15 into Hall of Fame and presents awards to undergrad leaders
Seventy-five people attend first annual event at chapter house fueling brotherhood and leadership
"Incredible," is how inductee Bill Ukropina described the evening October 15, 2022 to honor undergraduate leaders and induct 15 alumni into the Beta Upsilon chapter of Sigma Chi Hall of Fame.
A formal dinner was held for 75 undergraduate brothers, alumni honorees and guests on the Bobby Thompson Courtyard at the Centennial Chapter House at Washington State University in Pullman.
"The Honors Dinner was a perfect event to recognize the alumni who have given back so much to our chapter," said Consul Dane, "and a great opportunity for undergrads both new and old to visit and build connections with tons of Beta Upsilon Sigs."
"Our goal was not only to induct 15 brothers into our new Hall of Fame," said inductee Jeff Burnside (1979) "but to also tell our undergraduate brothers that we are proud of them for keeping our chapter going strong after 103 years and to honor their award winners, scholarship recipients and elected officers."
A record seven scholarship winners were given framed certificates:
SEVEN LIGHTS ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
(funded by Scott Lennon, Brian Voortman and Garith Krause)
Dane Lucero
Andrew Takacs
Brandon Fullmer
George FitzGerald
THOMAS COWAN BELL SCHOLARSHIP
(funded each year by donors)
Corbin Trickett
Gary Dunn
Jackson Zuydhoek
CHAPTER AWARD WINNERS
Best New Member Trey Bjorg
White Cross Award Trent Myrick
Member of the Year Dane Lucero
Best GPA Fall Austin Samuels
Best GPS Spring Devlin Del Giudice
Tyler Hansell Community Service Award Dom Sicilia (presented by Kenzie Hansell in honor of his later father)
UNDERGRADUATE OFFICERS
Consul Dane Lucero
Pro Consul Brandon Fullmer
Queastor Jake Whorley
Rush Chairman Sean McNabb
Magister Damen Julian
Annotator Trey Bjorg
Alumni Relations Chair Brendan Dillon
House Manager George FitzGerald
Sweetheart Chairman Darren McNabb
Scholarship Chairman Andrew Takacs
Social Chairman Ben Siegel
Kustos Devlin Del Giudice
The Hall of Fame inductees now become the Selection Committee for the 2023 class of inductees. Nominations will be open soon. Selection is based on a brother's achievement in his professional career, personal life, service to Beta Upsilon or Sigma Chi in general and/or a single act or action. Costs surrounding the dinner and recognition of undergrads or alumni are funded solely by members of the Hall of Fame.
Wade Barringer, Nick Birklid and Kenzie Hansell were inducted as a unit because of their work to save our chapter years ago. See the story here.
There are also four brothers in Chapter Eternal who were inducted posthumously into the Hall of Fame. They are E.O. Holland, longtime president of Washington State University; Rod Simons, 10-time Emmy winning TV Sports Anchor; NFL Coach Harland Svare; and Dr. Jack Watkins, civic leader and philanthropist. Jack's daughter Diane and granddaughter Holly were in attendance on his behalf.
Sigma Chi at Washington State opens it's incredible new chapter house
with a Peterson Significant Chapter Award - our fraternity's highest honor
Nearly 400 alumni and undergraduate brothers, parents, Sweethearts and friends attended the ceremonial Grand Opening of "America's best new fraternity house" on September 11th, 2021 - after a year of the Covid-19 pandemic delayed the celebration for a year.
And immediately our Beta Upsilon chapter began the 2021 school year announcing it was awarded the Peterson Significant Chapter award, the Sigma Chi Fraternity's highest honor. It was the first time in more than 50 years that the chapter has been awarded a Peterson. 2021 Consul Dane Lucero praised 2020 Consul Patrick Summit for his leadership during the global pandemic that earned them the award.
WSU President Kirk Schulz spoke to the crowd and reminded the undergraduate Sigs how fortunate they should feel for being able to live in such a spectacular house (with a house bill no higher than many fraternities).
Jeff Pyatt and Bill Ukropina and the House Corporation Executive Committee unveiled the new Centennial Club. Donations will support:
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Reducing the mortgage debt
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Seeding a fund for major renovation or all new construction in 75-100 years (undergrads are also paying into this)
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Renovation of the Castleberry House
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Emergency fund
For details, click here.
PHOTOS FROM GRAND OPENING
The Grand Opening ceremony's honored guest was Jim Sweeney, Consul in 1953. Jim recounted for the crowd how Sigma Chi has played a key role in shaping his life. "Joining Sigma Chi," he said at the podium, "was the best decision I've ever made."
Also speaking was Grand Praetor Duane Ray who read the Sigma Chi Chapter Installation as House Corporation President Howie Neill, a 2020 Constantine Sig, handed Consul Lucero a ceremonial key to the new house.
Special Grand Opening programs were snapped up. But you van view the program here.
Also honored were three alumni who, in 2005, helped save the chapter from closing altogether after a tumultuous time when the old house had been torn down, the undergrads scrambled for a place to move the chapter, finances and rule violations were an issue - and the remaining members voted to turn in the charter. The three who saved Beta Upsilon were Consul Nick Birklid, Pro-Consul Kenzie Hansell and a young Chapter Advisor named Wade Barringer. Each was given a gem-encrusted Sigma Chi "Cooper" pin.
Read their story here.
Buy your book here: "One Saturday in November: 100-years of Sigma Chi at Washington State"
Beta Upsilon Sigs not present at the 2021 Grand Opening can now purchase a copy of the book "One Saturday in November: The 100-year history of Sigma Chi at Washington State University."
The new 100-page coffee table leather bound book was handed out at Grand Opening complimentary to all chapter alums and undergraduates living in the house.
There is a limited number of extra books ordered to meet demand. Cost is $100 for the book plus $10 for shipping. To buy your copy, send a $110 check made out to "Beta Upsilon Sigma Chi Club" and mail to Jeff Burnside, 11766 Hartford Way, Mukilteo, WA 98275. Sorry, we're not set up for online ordering. Books will go to the first checks received.
For details, go to special page here.
HEARTBREAKING: This and other never-before-seen 2003 photos of the demolition of the "old colonial" house taken and preserved by Carroll Hayden have now been published in our new book.