Alumni Corner

Read about Jonathan’s lessons from the brotherhood.

Learn how Dino lifts up our brothers.

Read about Danny’s desire to give back to Sigma Phi Delta.

Read how Mike balances priorities.

Learn why John is thankful for his Illinois Delta experience. 

Here’s a fun fact for you…next week, on March 8-9, a total solar eclipse will occur. Space truly is a wonder, and Brother Arnold Nowinski ’96 has helped to make space discoveries more easily attainable. We featured Nowinski in the November 2006 edition of the Delta Dispatch.

“Arnold Nowinski (Delta, Spring 1996) works for a small start-up company named Space Exploration Technologies in El Segundo, just south of Los Angeles in sunny California. Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) is determined to lower the cost of space access by a factor of 10 through advancements in reliability, cost, and time to launch. SpaceX is a private, commercial company, started a few years ago by one of the founders of PayPal (Elon Musk). The eventual goal of SpaceX is to enable the routine, manned exploration of space.

SpaceX currently produces the Falcon 1 rocket (next launch in Dec ’06), which is capable of lifting 570kg to low-earth orbit and began work on a larger version (Falcon 9) which will lift nearly 25000kg to orbit. Currently, SpaceX launches Falcon I in the Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific and is planning to launch future missions at Vandenberg Air Force Base. In addition, SpaceX was recently chosen by NASA to provide capability to re-supply the International Space Station.

Arnold works as the Flight Termination Systems Chief Program Engineer at SpaceX. He is responsible for the design, testing, manufacturing, cost and schedule of the flight termination system aboard both SpaceX vehicles. The flight termination system allows SpaceX to safely terminate flight in the event of vehicle failure.

The system provides safety to launch site assets, lives, and property “Working at SpaceX is a challenge everyday”, says Arnold. “There is a lot of work to be done and every individual carries a lot of responsibility in this small company”. Arnold also mentions that the time spent at Delta Chapter learning interpersonal relationships has aided him greatly when interfacing with government organizations on range and vehicle safety issues. “It’s a great set-up here, I get to pursue a dream of working in the space profession and live near the beach!”

SpaceX is currently hiring talented engineers to contribute to the dream of manned spaceflight. Visit www.spacex.com to learn more about SpaceX. If you have any questions or interests in joining the SpaceX team (or want to visit Hermosa Beach!), Arnold can be reached at Arnold@SpaceX.com.

Thank you to Scott Steele ’90 for participating in this Q&A…

Why did you join SPD as an undergraduate?
SPD offered me a brotherhood of friends who I could count on for social interaction and support. The fact that it was an engineering fraternity was icing on the cake and provided a common bond as well.

What is the funniest memory from your SPD days?
The pranks that were played during walkout and the DOP tapes (especially Dave Forder as David Letterman)

What is the single fondest memory you have shared/will share with your children and grandchildren?
The camaraderie of the house and the long-lasting friends that I still have from there.

How do you stay connected with your brothers as an alumnus?
Mostly I stay connected through Facebook these days, but also through phone calls and emails.

What about your membership in SPD makes you the most proud?
The thing that makes me most proud of my membership in SPD is that our fraternity stands for honor, loyalty, concern for others, improvement of the engineering profession, and improvement of self.

How would your life be different today if you had never joined SPD?
I would not be nearly as successful nor would I have as many or as good of friends as I’ve had because I joined SPD.

If you could go back and relive one moment from your SPD years, what would it be and why?
I would relive the end of hell week, when we finally became full members of the fraternity. That ranks up there as one of the most exciting and happy moments in my life.

What is your advice for future generations of brothers?
Enjoy college and enjoy the fraternity. It’s ok to get into a little trouble, but stay out of big trouble. Support your friends and your brothers. It all goes by fast, and if you do it right, you will look back at it as one of the best times in your life.

Where has life taken you since graduation? What’s new in your life today?
My life has taken me to many interesting places and I’ve worked with a ton of talented and passionate people. I have a wonderful wife who I met during my freshman year of college, and 3 great kids. I am truly blessed.

Why do you financially support the chapter in your alumni years/how do you contribute as an alumnus?
I feel that Sigma Phi Delta gave so much to me and helped me become the person I am today. So I feel that it’s important to give back and give young men the opportunity to experience the benefits of Sigma Phi Delta membership as well.

Who do you stay connected with in your alumni years? Are there any brothers you’ve lost touch with who you’d like to reconnect with?
I stay in contact with Randy Hein and Dave Forder, though not as often as I’d like since we’re all busy. I recently reconnected with Andy Cich and I hope to meet him in Vegas soon. Beyond that, I’d love to chat with everyone who I knew in the house if I could.

Why would you encourage other brothers to engage with SPD in their alumni years?
The fraternity cannot survive without the time, money, and passion of alumni. If we all contribute, the fraternity will be strong now and into the future.

What is the best thing about your alumni experience?
Being able to stay connected with friends and brothers from the fraternity.

Reconnect with Scott at wlss19@motorola.com.

Why did you join?
Visited one spring. Sat in the Chapter Room watching Wizard of Oz and drinking beer. I heard such incredible insight from guys (I found out later were Scotty Rox, JoJo, HAB III, Dan DeYong, the Brandau Bro., and Chuck Worner), that I was compelled to join.

Tell us about your favorite memory of the fraternity
Couldn’t whittle it to one – Late night campus runs; impromptu tix to Ramones; road trips, lifting weights on soda crates for a bench and elevator gears for weights – all with a curl bar; all-nighters I know I couldn’t survive now (quit smoking cigarettes in favor of cigars); the Homecoming decks and floats; staying over the summer with Chip, Jeff, Chuck, Rich, and Carlos (think that was two separate summers, but definitely remember the “roof” and nude sunbathing on the roof for my 21st bday bar-hopping preps; the “Christmas Pix” (um, anybody have those?); the late-night omelets with at least 8 eggs (for 2) and whatever the leftovers were; the post-party runs for Haystacks; different stuff like the music preferences and generally getting along with each roommate; and how a walk to Florida Avenue Residences didn’t seem so far!

What kind of influence has the fraternity had on your life since graduation?
Confidence. A well-roundedness I don’t see in other folks. One semester as Co-Commissar and you can do anything!

With whom do you still stay in contact? Who would you most like to find?
I remain in contact with few guys from my Pledge Class. Most from +/- 1 yr. I’d like to make it back to an event and see the brothers from the era defined as graduating 1980 – 1990.

Tell us about your family: Have you married? Do you have children?
While I was stationed in Japan for 8 years, I found my match (long way to go, neh?). I married Ritsuko Jan, 1995. Got married on a Thursday near Manito IL because I had to be back on my ship in Japan to get underway on Monday. I was thankful the friends that gathered either gave up or taped Seinfeld that day.

What other activities or organizations were you involved with during your college days?
Naval ROTC was about it.

Did you live in the house? If so, who were your roommates? Tell us about a memorable time with them.
1980 – 1984. 1980 fall: Scott Morrison. We had the fire escape room. You never knew who would drop in or climb up. His stereo was this old tube transister deal where you had to wait for it to heat up. 1980 fall II: Keith Brandau and Tim Copeland. Playing albums on Tim’s cranking stereo. Keith really liked an REO Speedwagon album I played over and over – probably rated a black ball. Rest of the years are a blur. Steve Mason: Keeping milk cold on the window ledge and his reel-to-reel playing Tubes and Bob James All Around Town. Kevin Thompson: He practiced drumming every chance he could. I’m sure I’ll think of more and better stories later.

What do you do for a living?
Naval Officer getting ready to retire with 20. Currently doing logistics in-transit visibility and logistics automation for U.S. Pacific Command.

What affiliations do you currently have and/or public service do you participate in?
Does the Navy count?

What hobbies do you enjoy?
Owning my first house – don’t think the author of this question has… Oh ya, Running. For my mid-life crisis indulgence, I’m enjoying PlayStation II.

What are your goals for the next few years?
Find a new career – possibly staying in Hawaii. Otherwise, next to a coast. I’ve found I prefer warm weather.

Thank you to Tom Parkinson for participating in this Q&A…

What is your hometown and major?
Evanston, IL and Chemical Engineering

Why did you choose to attend Illinois?
Because it’s an excellent engineering school, it’s in-state and I was impressed when I visited.

Why did you join Sigma Phi Delta?
I liked the spirit of brotherhood and cooperation, and I felt like this was a more serious house and the men here have high aspirations. I felt like it would be a good experience for me and a valuable connection.

What are your hopes for the future of Sigma Phi Delta?
My hope is for us to continue to increase our membership and attract talented individuals, both at Illinois and at other schools through expansion.

What are your future career aspirations?
The plan right now is to be some sort of chemical engineer.

What other activities are you involved with at Illinois?
I’m in the Marching Illini, which is terrific because it’s such a long and rich tradition and everyone I talk to loves the band.

Thank you to Tom Dagenais ’99 for participating in this Q&A

Why did you join SPD as an undergraduate?
My older brother was in SPD, but I didn’t want that to cloud my judgment so I didn’t pledge as a first semester freshman. After meeting some of the guys and observing the house from afar for a semester I decided that this was a group of engineers that I wanted to be a part of.

What is the funniest memory from your SPD days?
There are so many… I remember a group of us sitting in the chapter room using the house phone to prank call guys who were upstairs in their rooms. After we called someone they would eventually realized what was going on and most came down to join the group. By the end of the night we had about 20 guys in the chapter room calling the last couple guys. We did things like make them believe they were being called from a TV show with a live studio audience cheering in the background.

How do you stay connected with your brothers as an alumnus?
Mostly through Delta Alumni meetings and the social events that surround them, such as catching a game on TV or heading out for a round of golf.

Have you visited U of I since graduation? Why or why not?
Yes, plenty of times. I go back almost every Fall for Homecoming and every Spring for Alumni Work Weekend at the Chapter House. Both weekends are incredibly fun. Every time I go back I can’t believe how much campus has changed – mostly for the better.

What about your membership in SPD makes you the most proud?
We’ve had some remarkable philanthropic events over the years, but mostly I’m just proud to be part of a group of engineers that isn’t afraid to get out and meet people.

How would your life be different today if you had never joined SPD?
I would have had a significantly different college experience, and some of those upper level ECE courses would have been nearly impossible without the support of our SPD study groups. The biggest impact however would have been to my career. I found a job in the electric utility industry through a fellow SPD graduate. I’ve switched companies a few times and earned several promotions but I wouldn’t have the great job that I have now if I wasn’t a member of Sigma Phi Delta.

If you could go back and relive one moment from your SPD years, what would it be and why?
I’m not sure I could pick just one – there were a lot of fun times, from parties to intramural sports to the occasionally hilarious chapter meeting to the simple day-to-day interactions with brothers in the house.

Where has life taken you since graduation? What’s new in your life today?
The fall after graduation I met Taylor, who I eventually married. We moved up to Madison, WI in 2004 and have lived in or near Madison ever since. We both attended the University of Wisconsin for graduate school. She earned her PhD in micro-biology and I earned my MBA at night while working full time. I currently work at an electric transmission utility managing a group of engineers and she teaches Micro-Biology at the local technical college. Back in November we had our first child, a daughter named Genevieve, who has been keeping us busy ever since.

Who do you stay connected with in your alumni years? Are there any brothers you’ve lost touch with whom you’d like to reconnect?
I stay in touch with a group of guys who all graduated around the same time as myself. We’ll meet up in Vegas on occasion, and seven of us went to the Homecoming Game this past fall. I’ve also made new friends by volunteering on the Delta Alumni board as well as on the National Board of Trustees.

Why would you encourage other brothers to engage with SPD in their alumni years?
I’ve had a very fun and rewarding experience volunteering for various positions at both the local alumni and national level. Knowing that I can help keep the SPD experience alive for others is great, but what really makes it worthwhile is working with some extremely fun and interesting people.
 
What is the best thing about your alumni experience?
I’d have to say that the annual spring Alumni Work Weekend is one of my favorite things. It’s a productive weekend at the chapter house but is definitely more fun than the name suggests. As a relatively new homeowner I relish the opportunity to work alongside some guys who really know what they’re doing and like to laugh along the way. I can work on a project at the chapter house and then have the confidence to tackle a similar project at home. The fact that we take the time to socialize at a campus watering hole gives us all a chance to catch up with one another and simply unwind, which really makes the weekend.

Brothers can connect with Tom at tjdag99@yahoo.com.

Why did you join?
When I visited the Fraternity everyone was friendly, making me feel very comfortable. It was also apparent that there was a balance between academics and having a social life.

Tell us about your favorite memory of the fraternity
There are so many, but one weekend Rick Woods, John Oldenburg, Bud Robey and I went on a roadtrip to WIU and then to Galesburg. There was too much fun packed into one weekend.

What kind of influence has the fraternity had on your life since graduation?
It has helped me in continuing to be an active member of the organizations where I have been employed, rather than just an employee who does the bare minimum. It is apparent to me that many people do not learn about these things, an experience that the fraternity helped inculcate in me further than I had developed up to that point.

With whom do you still stay in contact? Who would you most like to find?
I try to stay in contact with Eric Anderson, Dave Forder and Scott Steele, although most of this is now limited to cards and such.

Tell us about your family: Have you married? Do you have children?
I married Lynda Timm in July of 1993. We met in Texas while I was living there. We had a son (Zachary) in April, 2000.

What other activities or organizations were you involved with during your college days?
I focused all of my attention and energy on the fraternity, and was not really involved in other organizations.

What is your nickname, if applicable, and how did you get it?
My nickname was Captain Jack, which Mark Fier gave to me when I first arrived on campus. I believe that this was because I had just returned from basic training and was enrolled by then in ROTC.

Did you live in the house? If so, who were your roommates? Tell us about a memorable time with them.
A) I lived with Ray Prill, Mark Weidinger, Jeff Norton, Tim Staber, and Bryan Matzl. If I have forgotten others, then I apologize for not remembering them.
What do you do for a living?
A) I am a college professor at Illinois State University. I teach and research Labor Relations and Human Resource Management topics. I am also an officer in the Army Reserve, and have been in the Army Reserve for more than 22 years, having been deployed twice.

What affiliations do you currently have and/or public service do you participate in?
I am a member of the Labor and Employment Relations Association, the Society for Human Resource Management, the Association on Employment Practices and Principles, the Academy of Management, and the Bloomington-Normal Human Resource Council.

What hobbies do you enjoy?
Hiking, fishing, playing with my son.
 
What are your goals for the next few years?
To eventually retire from the Army Reserve and spend more time with my family.

Thank you to Rick Woods ’86 for participating in this Q&A.

Why did you join SPD as an undergraduate?
I came from a small town high school and had the feeling that I would be overwhelmed by a big university, so I wanted to join a smaller organization in order to have an easier transition to college life. I received a post card from SPD recruiting so I checked it out and had a good time during my overnight visit. The brothers were good guys and the fact that it was an engineering fraternity made it an easy decision for me.

What is the funniest memory from your SPD days?
There are a ton of funny memories. A bunch of the guys knew how to sneak into the stadium at night to climb the light standards. And back in the 80’s there was a 25 foot totem pole that stood in the north end zone at Memorial Stadium. So one weekend night a bunch of us snuck into the stadium, dismantled the fasteners supporting the pole and carried the pole back to the house. We had to run past the “6-pack” dorms with this 25 foot pole – although a few people stared at us with surprised looks, nobody followed us nor reported us. When we got it back to the house, we took a bunch of photos with the totem pole and then dumped it off in the Phi Mu lawn. We woke up the next day and saw an article in the newspaper about the pole going missing; apparently some other people got their hands on it after we dropped it off. It was eventually discovered a few months later in a farmer’s pasture near St. Joseph.

What is the single fondest memory you have shared/will share with your children and grandchildren?
Probably the mere fact that it helped me get through a very tough engineering program and was the springboard for my success. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the fraternity and my fraternity brothers.

Have you visited U of I since graduation?
I’m the treasurer of the alumni association, so I make it back to Champaign a few times a year for meetings.

What about your membership in SPD makes you the most proud?
By pledging a fraternity and becoming an active, we become members for life. Not only do we develop lifelong friendships with the brothers, but we also have a connection with the fraternity and the house, which helps to maintain our connection with the university.

Share a story of any recent reunions with SPD brothers or plans for upcoming reunions:
I get to meet with the guys a few times a year at the fraternity house and in the Chicago area for alumni board meetings. I’m also currently organizing the fall pledge class of ‘82 30 year reunion scheduled for Homecoming this fall. I’ve reached out to my pledge class and other classes that were in the house with us about this reunion. I have reserved hotel room and will be buying game tickets, so let me know if you are interested.

Do you have any interesting stories from a spring break trip with brothers?
During senior year, Randy Saint ’86, John Oldenberg ’86 and I took a road trip down to Ft. Lauderdale for Spring Break. The weather was crappy and I cracked my head and burst and eardrum during a wrestling match with “Johnny-O”, so I had to make a painful trip to the ER. To top it off, my car broke down on the way back. It was a bittersweet trip.

What was your fraternity nickname and how did you get it? What are some nicknames other brothers in the house had?
Everyone called me “Woody” or “Woodman”. Some of the nicknames that were memorable to me were Bill “Chunks” Vogel ’89 , Tony “Wow Woo” Wilson ’85, Larry “Bud” Melvin ’89, “Captain” Jack Howard ’88, Mark “Marques” Fier ’85, Eric “Biff” Messerschmidt ’86, Vic “Guido” Poco ’85, “Gamma” Ray Prill ’85, Mark “Weeds” Weidinger ’85 and Rich “Slick” Lenzen ’85.

Where has life taken you since graduation? What’s new in your life today?
I’ve held many jobs and job titles since graduation. I obtained a ceramic engineering degree and spent a few years working in manufacturing, but I later made a couple of fortunate lateral moves into marketing and product development management. I’m now working as a marketing director. It’s the best of both worlds because I get to combine my engineering knowledge and my business knowledge — no two days are the same and it’s always challenging. I’ve been married to Jeanna 17 years and have two daughters, Emma in high school and Alicia in middle school.

Why would you encourage other brothers to engage with SPD in their alumni years?
Most of the guys in the fraternity while I was there went on to be very successful people, and I think being in the fraternity was a big part of that. So I’m looking for my fellow alumni to give back. We have some challenging times ahead — the house isn’t getting any younger, and it’s getting harder and more expensive to maintain. It’s up to our era to step up and provide leadership for the actives and financial assistance to the house so we can bring the Delta Chapter house back to what it was when we were there.

Another way that alumni can help is Alumni Work Weekend the last weekend of March. The weekend will consist of a social event Friday night, spending Saturday and Sunday working on various projects and renovations around the house, having a group dinner with the Actives on Saturday night and having our quarterly Alumni meeting on Sunday.

What is the best thing about your alumni experience?
The relationships I’ve formed with the alumni brothers. I also really enjoy interacting with the actives – it helps keep me young!

Brothers can connect with Rick at rwoods613@gmail.com

Thank you to Curt Taras ’94 for participating in this Q&A. He shares his thoughts on the importance of leadership, how an Illinois Civil Engineering Bachelor’s degree was more challenging to earn than a Master’s from Cal, and which SPD brother served as a mentor to him.

Why did you join SPD over other fraternities?
Engineering help

What song(s) best defines your college experience?
Nirvana’s Smells like Teen Spirit

How did SPD help make you into the man you are today?
It helped me pass engineering school

What is your most memorable moment about being an undergrad member of Delta Chapter?
House Parties and Street Dance

Tell us about a brother who was a mentor or went beyond the call of duty to help you.
My roommate and fellow USAF officer Colin Duffield

What’s your greatest personal challenge to date and how did you overcome it?
Earning a Civil Engineering Bachelor’s degree from Illinois was harder than earning a Master’s from the University of California

What role does leadership play in a man’s life?
Leadership means everything a good family, office, or military unit.

If you were walking onto the Illinois campus as a young freshman, what advice would you give to the younger you?
Study and pick friends who study too.

What’s new in your life today?
Chief of Permitting and Enforcement for the State of California Central Valley Flood Protection Board. Ran for U.S. Congress representing Sacramento in the 2012 primary election as an independent candidate promising to build infrastructure including High Speed Rail. New Graduates and upperclassmen should contact me for internships and jobs. Fellow alumni should contact me for visiting Tahoe, Yosemite, or Napa Valley.

Reconnect with Curt at Curt.Taras@water.ca.gov.

Burt Wagner walked onto the Illinois campus knowing that he already had a place to call home. Having rushed as a senior in high school, Burt was drawn to both the social and academic experience that Sigma Phi Delta offered. “I was kind of unsure about the context of being in a fraternity until I toured the house and got to know some of the brothers.”

Raised in a small family, he liked having a larger group of brothers with whom he immediately connected. He also credits Sigma Phi Delta with helping him academically during a time when he might otherwise have struggled.

“When I was a student, the attrition rate for engineering students was only 1:5,” Burt recalls. “Within the fraternity, it was 4:5, so most of the engineering students finished their degree. I’m sure I would have washed out of the engineering program without their help.”
Now a principal sales consultant with Oracle, Burt benefitted from the academic mentoring he received from older brothers. “It was a huge help to have someone who had been through the same experiences,” he says. “They’ve had the same classes and have seen the same professors.” The Delta chapter’s emphasis on developing study skills also helped him earn his degree and he has also enjoyed the networking opportunities he has had since graduation. “I’ve helped brothers get jobs at companies I’ve worked at and have gotten leads on jobs from other guys. You really benefit from this for your entire life.”

Delta also supported Burt emotionally following a car accident that claimed the life of a fellow initiate. “The amount of bonding and support I received from the house really helped during that time. It was amazing and is probably the thing that sealed my heart about it.”

Burt now has an opportunity to pass his lessons on to the next generation of Sigma Phi Delta brothers. After spending four years as a National Officer, he now volunteers with the newly installed chapter at the University of Maryland. “It feels good to be involved again and I’ll continue to do more with them as that chapter grows.”

Burt last visited the Illinois campus for homecoming in 2011 and enjoyed reconnecting with brothers and visiting the house. He says that even though they have been apart for many years, the friendships pick right up where they left off. And although some parts of the house have changed, he says that many of the common areas still look and feel like home.
Now living with his family in Alexandria, Va., Burt gets to visit with some of his brothers when they visit the D.C.-area. “It means a lot to me when they come out to Washington for business and that we get to see each other,” he says.

Brothers who wish to reconnect with Burt can contact him at bwagner3@gmail.com.