Jason Zhang Wins Severino Center Problem Pitch Competition

Last month, Brother Jason Zhang won the Problem Pitch Competition hosted by the Severino Center!

His winning pitch tackled a critical bottleneck in the future of nuclear infrastructure: the lack of efficient spent nuclear fuel transportation. By addressing this deficit, Jason’s solution has the potential to create global impact across clean energy, heavy industry, and long-term sustainability efforts.

Congratulations, Jason!

Congratulations to the Fall Class of 2025!

(Left to right) Ethan Brenner, Theodore Rojas, Maxwell Bast

Congratulations to the newest brothers of Lambda Chi Alpha who were initiated this past weekend! We’re extremely proud of how much they’ve grown and are very excited to see what they bring to the fraternity!

Jake Conti and Jason Zhang Receive the Founders Award of Excellence

Congratulations to brothers Jake Conti and Jason Zhang on receiving the Founder’s Award for Excellence, the highest honor bestowed at Rensselaer’s annual Honors Convocation. This award recognizes students who exemplify creativity, discovery, leadership, and the values of pride and responsibility, and is presented to only about one percent of RPI students each year.

In addition to this remarkable achievement, both brothers were also honored with the 4.0 Award for their outstanding academic excellence. Lambda Chi Alpha is proud to be represented by such exceptional brothers whose dedication and excellence inspire us all.

EHZ Celebrates First Annual Brotherhood Appreciation Day

This past Saturday, the chapter held its first annual Brotherhood Appreciation Day at the chapter house. The event was led by our Board of Directors (BOD) President Geoff Seber and our High Beta Matt Emerson. Geoff explains his vision for the event below:

“At the end of the day, it’s all about taking the time to recognize the effort and impact the work all our brothers do.

Our fraternity is a highly productive, hardworking, passionate, and sophisticated brotherhood that takes a significant amount of personal and volunteer time to move our Chapter one step forward toward being the best we can be. Without any assumption of recognition or praise, each of our brothers take the time to be a part of something very special, and that is Lambda Chi Alpha at RPI.

​​EHZ Brotherhood Appreciation Day is to celebrate ALL of that work throughout our semester. We celebrate the broader brotherhood for all of the hard work, we celebrate the special individuals who take that extra time to be in leadership roles, and we recognize those very special brothers who always go above and beyond!”

As part of the festivities, brothers enjoyed barbecue while accolades were given to last year’s High Zeta and brothers who went above and beyond to help in facets of the house ranging from rush, to philanthropy, to even organizing our initiation with the NYU chapter this past semester. The first Brother of the Semester award was given to James McClean ‘26 for Fall 2023:

“James has really gone above and beyond, especially as a young member of the house. From developing a relationship with local non-profit Capital Roots to organizing our intramural sports, to even running our Bowls on Sunset event, he has taken up leadership and service without it being asked of him. He was recently elected to the High Theta position, where he looks to even further expand our relationship with Hope-Seven and the great work that has been done this past year. Congratulations James!” - Carl Steffens, 2023 High Alpha

Perhaps the most significant moment was the recognition of High Pi Roger Grice’s constant and dedicated service. Roger has been with the chapter for nearly thirty years, serving as an invaluable advisor and a wealth of knowledge. We are immensely grateful for Roger, without whom our stalwart traditions and chapter excellence would never be possible. Thank you, Roger!

The Brotherhood Appreciation Day was a great way to kick off the semester with enthusiasm. It will certainly be a continued EHZ tradition for years down the road.

See some highlights from the event including a reflection from Roger, words from Geoff and Carl, and the recognition of James as brother of the semester.

Celebrating Brotherhood and Tradition: A Recap of the 2023 Fraternity Alumni Weekend

The bond of brotherhood is something that never truly fades. Rather, it grows stronger with time, nurtured by shared experiences, challenges, and memories. The strength of our bond was truly evident during this year's Alumni Weekend, held from October 12th to the 14th. The event brought together alumni from different eras of our chapter’s history, providing them with an opportunity to reconnect, reminisce, and reflect on the journey of our beloved fraternity.

With a packed schedule of events, engaging activities, and heartfelt reunions, the weekend provided a perfect opportunity for alumni to relive their college days and for active brothers to connect with those who have gone before them.

Alumni Talk: A Glimpse into Our Rich History

Starting the weekend off with a bang, Walt Gibbs, a member of the class of 1989, gave the yearly alumni talk to the active brothers. Walt took us on a journey through time, tracing the history of our chapter from its inception to the present day. His talk was rich with stories and accompanied by historical photographs, providing our current active brothers with a visual insight into the evolution of our chapter and the resilience it has shown in the face of adversity over the decades. During his presentation, Walt also highlighted the remarkable contributions of specific individuals who left an indelible mark on our chapter, such as Remo D'Ortenzio and Dave Krashes.

Meet and Greet: A Walk Down Memory Lane

Friday night saw the chapter room opened to returning alumni, providing them with a glimpse into the current state of the house. Alumni took house tours, gaining insight into the daily lives of active brothers. Later in the evening, brothers and alumni engaged in meaningful conversations over bowls of chili, chips, and snacks, with alumni sharing stories from their time as undergraduates and discussing the current state of Greek life on campus.

BBQ: Reliving Memories Over Burgers and Hot Dogs

Saturday saw the chapter house open once again for alumni to revisit. The gathering was accompanied by a delicious BBQ spread, featuring burgers, hot dogs, and chips, as alumni and brothers sat on the newly renovated patio, reminiscing about old times. Alumni were encouraged to explore the chapter house, revisiting familiar rooms that held cherished memories. Laughter and heartfelt conversations flowed freely, reaffirming the deep bonds of brotherhood.

Golf: A Friendly Competition on the Greens

Simultaneously on Saturday, our second annual Reunion Weekend Golf Tournament teed off at the Van Patten Country Club, thanks to Guy Licata's efforts in organizing this event. With a shotgun start at 12 pm, 41 golfers gathered for a day of friendly competition. Despite concerns about the weather, the skies held, and everyone had a fantastic time. The winning group, consisting of active brothers Matthew Emerson, Clayton Wrinn, Nicholas Fadden, and Evan Owens, achieved an impressive score of 61.

Dinner and Awards: Honoring Achievements and Sharing A Vision

Following the golf and BBQ, the alumni weekend continued with the annual Housing Corporation and Educational Foundation meetings. A delicious buffet dinner was served at the Van Patten Country Club House, featuring Chicken Marsala, Penne ala Vodka, and Prime Rib. The evening's program included a state-of-the-active chapter address by High Alpha Carl Steffens, the presentation of the prestigious Remo D'Ortenzio Award to Jamie Burkhardt, and a keynote speech by Ray Lutsky to conclude the evening.

Conclusion: A Weekend to Remember

This year’s Alumni Reunion Weekend was a resounding success, but it wouldn't have been possible without the enthusiastic participation of our alumni. Special thanks go to Dave Drew, Walt Gibbs, and Guy Licata for their invaluable contributions to planning this remarkable weekend. We hope this year's event will serve as a stepping stone towards even bigger and brighter reunions in the future. We encourage our alumni to share their fond memories and stories with friends, in the hopes of bringing more of our brothers back home to our beloved fraternity house. We cherished the opportunity to host you all over the weekend and sincerely appreciate your continued support and love for our active chapter. Thank you, and here's to many more Alumni Reunion Weekends to come!

Article by Matt Regan
Edited by Dale Roe

Greek Life at RPI Shows Signs of Revival in Spring 2023

After enduring several years of COVID-19 restrictions and administrative challenges, Greek Life at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is making a remarkable comeback. The road hasn't been easy, with hurdles including changes in recruitment policies and the impact of the Arch program. However, the arrival of a new administration led by President Marty Schmidt and recent developments signal a positive trajectory for the fraternity and sorority system.

Navigating Past Challenges

Before the pandemic, RPI's Greek Life faced a significant setback when the Greek Life Task Force mandated that first-year students couldn't join fraternities and sororities until their second semester. This not only hurt recruitment efforts but also limited the duration of students' membership in these organizations.

Changes in IFC membership with relation to major school policy changes.

The Arch program brought further challenges by requiring students to attend summer classes post-sophomore year, reside exclusively in campus housing, and spend a semester away from campus during their junior year. This had major financial implications, with chapters losing a semester of rent for those with houses, and created leadership turnover among juniors.

COVID-19 added yet another layer of complexity, as students became more isolated, distancing themselves from fraternities, sororities, clubs, and student government. This isolation led to a decline in recruitment numbers. Additionally, RPI's decision to close fraternity and sorority houses to student living had a significant impact on involvement, engagement, and finances.

Growth and Progress within the Greek Community

With the pandemic subsiding and a new administration under President Marty Schmidt, there is a noticeable shift in attitudes toward Greek Life, and progress is evident:

New Faces: The addition of key personnel is a notable development. Ethan Stubbs, the newly appointed Associate Dean for Fraternity and Sorority Commons, is actively working on reforms to bolster chapter leadership and education. Furthermore, Mel Daley has taken on the role of Assistant Dean for Fraternity and Sorority Commons. Notably, Nate Crowell, a member of Epsilon-Eta, contributed as a part-time intern in their office during the past semester.

Representation in IFC: Epsilon-Eta brothers Peter Crisileo and Nick Khoo have been elected to the positions of IFC President and IFC Vice President of Finance respectively, and are actively working to represent the greek community at RPI.

Number of active members in RPI Fraternities in Fall 2023

Membership Growth: Fraternity membership is on the rise, with the IFC president reporting a 10% increase from the previous year, bringing the total fraternity membership to around 500. This positive trend has been aided by Ethan Stubbs' efforts to enhance recruitment structures and planning across chapters. However, it's important to note that the Greek community remains relatively small, with an average of about 20 members per chapter. There is also significant variation in chapter sizes, with the top 5 chapters accounting for over 50% of the community.

Legislative Changes: In a significant development, RPI has relaxed its regulations concerning alcohol use. The consequences for fraternities caught with alcohol have shifted from a mandatory minimum two-year suspension to a "suggested" two-year suspension.

Improved Relations with Public Safety: The Department of Public Safety (DPS) has introduced a program designating liaisons within each chapter. This initiative has significantly enhanced communication and collaboration between chapters and the DPS, ultimately rebuilding trust within the Greek community with the hope of reducing anti-Administration sentiment.

Community Showcasing: To celebrate the vitality of Greek Life, both the IFC and Panhellenic Council (Panhel) jointly organized "Fraternity and Sorority Spirit Week" towards the end of the semester. This event provided a platform to highlight individual chapters and the Greek system as a whole.

Diverse Representation: The Greek community at RPI is actively pursuing inclusivity. The establishment of the Multicultural Sorority & Fraternity Council (MSFC) supports culturally based organizations on campus.

Advocacy for Autonomy: The IFC has been proactive in advocating for the creation of their own Judicial Board. This entity aims to assist in disciplinary hearings and potentially grant the Greek community more autonomy from the school.

Challenges Facing the Greek Community

While positive strides have been made, significant obstacles persist in the efforts to rebuild Greek Life at RPI:

“These kids are the least interested in Greek Life I’ve ever seen at any campus..”

— An international Tau Kappa Epsilon recruiter

Student Demographics: One of the primary roadblocks faced by the Greek System at RPI is the demographic of students the institution typically attracts. The average RPI student is primarily focused on their academic pursuits, with limited enthusiasm for community involvement or social activities. As an international TKE recruiter noted, RPI students are often regarded as among the least interested in Greek Life when compared to other campuses. It's not a question of capability; many of these students have the potential to be leaders and socialize, but they simply do not prioritize it. This lack of initial interest in fraternity participation presents ongoing recruitment challenges, impacting many chapters.

Apathy Toward IFC: Another enduring issue is the lack of active engagement from chapters with the Interfraternity Council (IFC). Many chapters demonstrate hesitance to fully support IFC events and initiatives. This reluctance can be attributed to the prevalent mindset of prioritizing individual chapter interests over contributing to the broader Greek community. This perspective, often characterized as a "zero-sum" mindset, obstructs the sense of unity necessary for the collective advancement of the community.

Communication Within Chapters: Diverse chapter sizes and leadership capabilities have given rise to ineffective communication about new initiatives. Consequently, trust issues persist among members, as many feel disconnected from the larger goals and intentions of individuals like Ethan Stubbs. This communication gap perpetuates a sense of skepticism among the average member toward both the Greek community and the Administration.

The Judicial Process: Despite some recent legislative improvements, RPI's policies continue to be notably stringent and rigorously enforced. This is exemplified by instances in the past semester where three chapters faced interim suspensions due to disciplinary infractions. The Judicial Process remains shrouded in opacity, leaving the community with questions about the extent and manner of punishments for various infractions.

Hope for the future

Greek Life at RPI is slowly but surely emerging from the challenges posed by the pandemic and institutional policies. While the state of Greek Life on campus remains far from perfect, with the support of a new administration, dedicated leadership, and ongoing efforts to enhance community relationships, there is an air of optimism as Greek Life aims to regain its former strength.

EHZ Brother is Selected to Represent Undergrads

This fall, brother Seth Levine has been selected from hundreds of applicants to represent Lambda Chi undergraduate students internationally as a member of the Student Advisory Committee!

The Student Advisory Committee consists of sixteen undergraduate members. It was formed to help the Lambda Chi Alpha's board of directors and professional staff members stay in touch with current undergraduate concerns and challenges, and to allow undergraduates to communicate with and advise Lambda Chi Alpha's highest levels of international authority.

Seth will gain practical experience and knowledge about how a non-profit corporation operates. He will be involved in discussions that include identifying and drafting policies and objectives for the entire organization, reviewing and approving an annual budget of $6 million, and developing initiatives and programs that will enhance the experiences for all our members. Congtulations Seth!

Brother of the Month - September 2023

The brothers would like to extend a wholehearted congratulations to Dale Roe for winning September's Brother of the Month! As a senior living in the chapter house, Dale has been an involved leader and role model for the younger brothers. He was a big contributor in Fall recruitment and particularly excelled at developing closer connections with rushees. Most significantly, as you may have seen, Dale has begun updating our website for the first time in three years. Above all else, Dale always has a positive attitude and goes out of his way to help the chapter. Thank you Dale!

The Brother of the Month award is a new program in development this Fall designed to recognize outstanding individual effort and involvement. The recipient is decided by the High Zeta before the first house meeting of each month. Chapter Officers are not eligible to win. It is part of a larger program, Brother of the Semester, which goes to the brother with the most exemplary service to the chapter. The Brother of the Semester award includes a $250 scholarship provided by Epsilon-Eta’s Educational Foundation.

Brother Axel Batlle and Biomedical Engineering Team Pioneers Breakthrough in Skin Cancer Diagnosis

In a groundbreaking collaboration between SurgiVance Inc., a New York City-based startup, and a team of talented biomedical engineering students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a revolutionary method for rapidly diagnosing skin cancer at the point of care is on the horizon pending FDA clearance.

Brother Axel Batlle and his team played a pivotal role in developing a critical component of SurgiVance's innovative biospecimen processing platform. Their task was to create a secure and contained sample preparation method, and to accomplish this, they invented a multi-chamber device that promises to transform the landscape of skin cancer diagnosis.

The device involves a sequence of chambers for optimal sample preparation. A tissue sample is inserted into a staining confinement chamber, followed by the release of a stain onto the sample through a valve. Subsequently, a third chamber releases a washing solution, resulting in a properly stained and washed sample ready for analysis under a microscope. What sets this solution apart is not only its efficacy but also its cost-effectiveness and passive nature, relying solely on gravity for reagent exchange, eliminating the need for mechanically active components.

The team’s effort were nothing short of impressive, with the team winning the prestigious "Best Design" award at the capstone research team projects ceremony. Their contribution is not only acknowledged within the academic sphere but has significant real-world implications.

Daniel S. Gareau, M.C.R., Ph.D., founder of SurgiVance, expressed his appreciation for the students' efforts: "The Rensselaer students were immensely helpful to SurgiVance in developing a diagnostic surgical pathology solution. It is, effectively, a histopathology lab in a box. It has the potential to transform skin cancer diagnosis and really improve patient care."

The impact of Axel and his team's work goes beyond the accolades they received; it has the potential to revolutionize the field of skin cancer diagnosis and, ultimately, improve patient outcomes.

From the Brothers at Epsilon Eta, a huge congratulations to Axel and his entire team!

EHZ Chapter Takes Strides for Ovarian Cancer Research

Brothers finish 5k run to raise money for ovarian cancer research and to support their brother.

From Left to Right: Matt Regan, Jules Phillips, Joe Mergen, Evan Owens, Matt Emerson, Clayton Wrinn, Nick Khoo, & Krista Wozniak

Since its founding in 1937, the Epsilon Eta Zeta Chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha has demonstrated a strong commitment to philanthropy and community involvement. Our efforts were continued last month on Sunday September 10th, when 7 of our brothers accepted the challenge of running a 5k to raise money for ovarian cancer research.

The Teal Ribbon Run/Walk is hosted annually by Caring Together Inc., a non-profit organization in New York State’s Capital Region that donates to promising ovarian cancer research projects. This year, the event raised over $70,000, and the funds were donated to local research efforts led by Dr. Cheon at Albany Medical College and to the Foundation for Women’s Cancer.

For brother Evan Owens, this event carries more personal meaning. Evan explains, “This event has become a tradition in my family ever since ovarian cancer took my aunt’s life in 2003. Over the years we have run, walked, volunteered, and today my mom is the president of the board of directors. Since the cause is so important to me, it meant a lot to see brothers sacrifice their Sunday morning to run with me. It takes a special group of people to run a 5k at 9am on a Sunday to support a cause that doesn’t affect them personally, but thankfully that is exactly what we have here”.

Article by Evan Owens EHZ 1514