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Local
History
Creed
White Rose
Address:
Sigma Tau Gamma
Delta Upsilon Chapter
2014 Station Rd.
Erie, PA 16510
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Local History
 In
mid-September of 1988, a new interest group was formed at Penn State-Behrend.
Its ultimate goal was to become part of the fraternal organization, Sigma
Tau Gamma. One night at Vinnie's night club in Edinboro, a member of the
Behrend based Interest group, Christopher Dean, met a brother of Sigma
Tau Gamma from Edinboro University. Through this brother, Robert Grasinger,
another of the Behrend interest group, was able to contact Charlie Marr,
a Sig Tau advisor from Edinboro, and a member of the board of directors.
On October 11, 1988 the group had their first meeting with Charlie Marr.
Who at this time presented to the group what had to be done and what it
would mean to be a Sig Tau. On November 8 the interest group met again
with Marr and Ted Bonora, who was a Chapter Service Director. Two weeks
later, the group met with Marr and past president Joe Musselli. Over the
next couple of months, several more people joined the interest group.
Gradually, as the members became familiar with each other, the group became
a well-knit unit.
The momentum and anticipation continued to build, and
on January 21, 1989, the members of the interest group became pledges
of Sigma Tau Gamma. That night, a banquet was held at Carmen's Restaurant.
The group and their guests sat down for dinner, which was followed by
the official pledge ceremony. The ceremony was conducted by regional Vice-President
Tom Janicki, Charlie Marr, and State Director Jeff Russo. Inducted as
president of the new colony was Christopher Dean. The vice-presidents
inducted that night were: Joe Gomola, Education, Rob Grasinger, Executive,
R. Lee Snyder, Management, and Bob Richards as Membership. It was just
the beginning for the new colony, but a successful start towards a promising
future.
Sigma Tau Gamma Regionals were held February 17-18,
1989 in Johnstown. Pledges of the new colony actively participated, and
won the Man-Mile and participation awards. Those who attended came back
to Behrend with the "Fire in their eyes", just the spark needed
to get the ball rolling. As the pledges worked together, there existed
a growing sense of brotherhood and togetherness. On February 21, 1989,
the colony voted and approved its constitution. In the course of the next
two weeks, the colony was approved by Inter-Greek Council, and by Student
Government. In addition to conducting the administration of the fraternity
and working to become brothers, the colony also participated in fundraisers
and charity functions. In mid-April, for example, many members participated
in a Swim for Autism charity event.
Everything built up to April 8, 1989, the date that
the 27 Founding Fathers of the Behrend colony of Sigma Tau Gamma were
initiated as brothers. The ceremony was held at Ryan Reed's cabin. Conducting
the ceremony were: Tom Janicki, Charlie Marr, Jeff Russo, and Mike Nystrom,
a brother from Carnegie-Mellon. The initiation was followed by a party,
hosted by fellow Greek s from Behrend. Many new brothers partied "until
the birds chirped" the next morning.
New officers were elected for the upcoming term. Christopher
Dean and Lee Snyder were both reelected. Joe Tomassoni was elected Executive
V.P., Mike Tolmer was elected V.P. of Membership , and Eric Long was voted
in as the new V.P. of Education. They would lead the colony on its continued
achievement of excellence. The fall semester of 1989 saw the introduction
of what would be known as "the house". In addition, it also
saw the induction of a new pledge class. Seventeen pledges were eventually
initiated as new brothers. The semester saw Behrend's first Greek Week.
Sigma Tau Gamma finished first in tennis and in the chariot race, and
placed well in numerous other events. September 29 was a very special
day, as many brothers and pledges met Max McGowan, President of Sigma
Tau Gamma.
On November 5, 1989 the pledges of Alpha Class were
initiated and became brothers. This brought the active brotherhood to
35 members. Afterwards a large social gathering was held. State Director
Jeff Russo called it "the best party he had been to in 2 years".
The Behrend Colony of Sigma Tau Gamma had come a long way in a short time.
The brotherhood was as close as ever, and they continued to uphold the
principles of value, learning, leadership, excellence, benefit, and integrity.
Finally on April 7, 1990 the colony group was chartered.
In the spring of 1999 The Sigma Tau Gamma - Delta Upsilon
Chapter made the final payment on their fraternity house.
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OUR
CREED
"I believe that the true spirit of Fraternalism
is a personal devotion to one's ideals. It has its roots in definite,
tangible things. It grows out of a love of God and worth of one's fellow
man. It grows into qualities of mind and soul. It is not the attitude
toward a few selected ends, but rather the abiding spirit in which all
things are done, all difficulties met, all successes received, all obstacles
overcome.
"I believe that the true spirit of Fraternalism
is a breath that breathes itself into the life and being of those who
live it, becoming an unconscious part of them, ruling and molding their
thoughts and acts. We may call it the right attitude towards life, towards
the world, towards right and wrong, towards the beautiful and good, towards
duty and faith in God.
"I believe that the true spirit of Fraternalism
is a thing that grows. It is first associated almost exclusively with
a narrow circle of fellow students, but it broadens with a widening understanding
until it takes in all the important relationships of life. It enters the
domain of private life as thoroughly as in public life. It teaches the
fulfillment of obligations to school, state, and church.
"I believe that Sigma Tau Gamma endeavors to bind
men together in a fraternal brotherhood based upon these eternal and immutable
truths, which are set forth in the Principles and in the Code of Conduct
of our Fraternity.
"In this belief, I will endeavor to make my college
and my own chapter of Sigma Tau Gamma more honored and respected by all
men and will endeavor to conduct myself so that I will ever bring credit
and honor to our Fraternity."
Edward H. McCune
Founder and Past President |
