IN MEMORIAM

We are saddened to report the passing of Brother Robert C. (Bob) (“Papa Nu”) Baessler, ΔΔ928, to the Chapter Eternal on June 30, 2022. A link to his obituary follows.

You may recall that Bob crafted the framed leather rendering of our creed that hung above the dining room fireplace for 40+ years. The framed creed will return to its place of honor when the chapter/colony returns in 2028. He was one of two Vietnam vets in the chapter during his undergraduate years.  The other was William Hildebrant, ΔΔ931. Read the full obituary here.

 

KITCHEN PORCH ROOF REPLACED

In mid-November, the old slate roof over the kitchen porch was replaced because of leakage that threatened the underlying rafters and lighting. This roof is believed to have been original 1925 construction. The total cost was $1,250, about $1,000 lower than the closest competing bid.

Before

After

The contractor, Champion Roofing of Altoona, also provided an estimate for replacing the entire remaining house roof of $65,448. This compares to an estimate of $70,000 provided by a general contractor several years ago.  We expect the main roof to require replacement before re-colonization.

 

AND SPEAKING OF RE-COLONIZATION…..

The re-colonization fund now stands at $28,952 with $1,675 of that amount having been donated this fiscal year. If you haven’t donated, please consider doing so.

Brother Nelson, ΔΔ916, is tentatively scheduled to discuss re-colonization plans with the General Fraternity (aka “National”) in early December. Results will be summarized in the spring newsletter.

 

MAJOR PLUMBING REPAIR

We’ve had continuing problems with clogs and leaks from the kitchen toilet drain. As a result, the kitchen bathroom is currently out of commission. The repair work will be completed in two phases.

The immediate plan for the kitchen bathroom is to replace/update a drainage piping joint in the storage room from a T-shape to a Y-shape. The current setup allows clogs from the toilet to more easily form since it does not flow freely. This would require the water to be shut off to the house for a 4 hours, and will occur over Thanksgiving break when there is much less occupancy. 

The second phase of the project is updating drain piping on the mechanical room ceiling that is beginning to fail. This would require water/flushing to be shut off for 6 hours plus, since this is the main line out of the house. The plumber is unable to schedule this until early next year.

All repairs are being coordinated with our tenant.

 

REMINDER – REGISTER AT OUR WEB SITE

As reported on our Facebook Group page, the Property Association’s Annual Report and the report of our annual alumni meeting have been posted under News and Events.  You must be logged in as a registered user to view the Annual Report. If you have not registered with our alumni site yet, you can do so by filling out the form at this link or at the button the upper right hand corner of the website titled “Register”.

Sigma Nu is a living-learning society that advances leadership skills, cultivates innovation, and promotes social responsibility by engaging the Sigma Nu community and its resources through projects, events, and mentorship.  

While brothers were able to learn and develop through our traditions and amongst each other, it is evident that member involvement and connections are far more important now than ever. Brothers of all ages can pay it forward to each other by choosing to mentor the younger generations.  

Mentoring: 

• Provides members with experiences and knowledge so they can explore their potential outside of their core coursework. 
• Prepares members to be future leaders through innovation, collaboration and networking. 
• Assists with finding internships and first jobs as well as a network to assist in mid-career support 
• Enables younger members to gain unique, meaningful, practical, resume-enhancing experience 
• Develops leadership skills by starting a new organization that can have a meaningful impact to the Sigma Nu community and college life across the nation 
• Establishes a network of relationships with alumni, faculty, and the administration that will support brothers throughout their career 
• Builds life-long relationships gained through a living learning organization that goes beyond the years spent at Penn State
• Enhances personal and professional development through a structured mentoring program that includes students, alumni, and faculty 

Sigma Nu aims to create an environment that promotes mentorship at various levels throughout the Penn State community to assist brothers in their personal, academic, and professional development, bringing together members of all ages.  

We want to wish all our current Delta Delta Chapter undergraduates as well as all of our alumni members a Happy Thanksgiving. The holiday season is always a time of reflection, celebration, memories and most importantly, gratitude. 

Whether it be through donations or time spent volunteering, we are thankful for your support in more ways than one. As Sigma Nu brothers, we share a passion for the brotherhood that contributed to our personal development, our relationships, and our lives as students and far beyond to our roles as husbands, fathers, professionals, volunteers, neighbors, and friends. 

We can’t overestimate the true meaning of adding your name to the ranks of our alumni donors. We want to share our continued gratitude to those brothers listed on the honor roll HERE who have graciously given back to Sigma Nu this holiday season.