Sigma Chi Alumni Chapter of Fresno

Archives for March 2021

400th Donor Brick Purchased on July 7, 2021

Significant Sig and Order of Constantine Tony Flores (56-S) started the Donor Brick program in 2017 to raise money for the Fresno Sigma Chi Endowment, and the goal was to sell 400. He got the idea from the patio area at the Smittcamp Alumni House at Fresno State, and by April 1, 2021 300 bricks were purchased. As the Covid vaccines became available during the spring of 2021, everyone became more optimistic about their future. After “laying low” for a year, on May 30, Tony sent emails to our alumni reminding them of the brick program and what it would accomplish. This triggered something no one expected. Brothers from various eras began to contact their closest brothers and encouraged them to buy bricks, and they created a landslide. It took four years for brothers to purchase 300 bricks, but only 37 days to sell the final 100. On July 7, 2021 the last brick was purchased. The weight of the fifteen month pandemic countered by the lift of the vaccine, appears to have brought out the best in our alumni.


Tony Flores

The purpose of the Fresno Sigma Chi Endowment is to provide scholarships to brothers living in our Chapter House and for the 2021/2022 school year, $38,000 in scholarships are available. Today many brothers must work full-time in order to meet their financial obligations while attending Fresno State. The Donor Brick goal has now been reached, and $100,000 has been raised providing $4,000 scholarships in perpetuity. The following brothers have bricks in their names:

Sigma Tau: Stan Alloway, Jim Chamberlain, Jim Mayer, Al Appling, Richard Beers, John Caire Jr, Ken Carter, Roy Davis Jr, Jose Elgorriaga, Bud Fisher, JimHarkness, Clarence Harris, Ray Harris, Max Hayden, John Holland, Allan Hunter, Bert Irola, Rodger Jensen, Oran McNeil(2), Pat Mon Pere, Allen Barr Olson, Harold Paul, Homer Potts, Phil Sanchez(2), Dick Schwartz, Glenn Sheets, Bob Sherrill, Lyle Smith, Traves Summers, Sy Tacchino, Sidney Wilson.

50s: Joe Bowerbank Sr., Tony Campbell, Bob Long, Jim Crookham, Frank Small, John Yankey, Joe Monachello, Jake Andresen, Marvin Meyers, Rich Bryant, Leo Wilson, Ron Wright, Denny Milligan, Roger Morey, Roland Beiden, Gene Andrade(2), Ev Brown, Bill Ceresa, Robert West, Bob Buckenberger, Bill Burrows, Victor Giraudo, Tony Flores(2), Charles Smith, Chuck Sant’Agata, Jay Tomlinson Jr, Gene Wilkinson, Elvin Bell, Harvey Casey, Don Giacomazzi, Charles Odle, Bill Sparks, Bryce Carey, Willy Kollmeyer, Bill McGuinness, Ron Ranagan, Norm Winslow, Robert Roginson, Bob Arnold, Ed Boswell, Ron Houston, Morris McKellips, Ted Pollard, Jack Shannon, Dante Simi, Chuck Smith, Ron Tukloff, Jerry Bode, Edwin Charlebois, Carl Peterson, Nigel Yandell, Jerry Evangelho, Jim Green DDS(2), Jimmie Johnson, Rich Rose.

60s: Eric Brandon, Tom Downing, Tom Gist, George Koolery, Jim Calandra, Les Sherry, Ron LaRocca, Clyde Luomala, Dan O’Brien, Tom Oliver, Bob Rich Jr, George Waltimire, John Waterhouse, Gary Renner, Jim Wright, Larry Dorsey, Brian Ehmke, Warren Williams, Colin Kelly, Dirk VanGelder, Jerry Waters, Skip Acker, Ron Alloway, Richard Ballow, Don Beauregard, Henry Brock, Bob Costa, John Lauck, Jim Underhill, Bill Matesso, Bud Olson, Jerry Traxler, Marv Broderson, Ken Farley, Jerry Fogle, Tom Gillespie, Paul Myers, Mike Patton, Larry Peasley, Les Schuler, Jerry Sparling, Brian Stout, Pat Stuckey, Ted Tukloff, Jerry Zulfa, Bob Dinkel, Terry Harper, Joe Pressutti, Clark Londquist, Tim Summers, Scotty Williams, Mike Hayes, Steve Grimm, Rob Crossland(2), Charlie Johnson, Bob Painter, Art Renney, Bill Crossland, Dan Hammack, Steve Heinrichs, Steve Crawford, Ed Musolff, Tommy Eichman, Jim Turner, Ted Harcksen, Art Wahlberg, Van Woolley, Gene Sousa, John Ballinger, Bill Colgate, Rick Nelson, Dave Dungy, Larry Harris, Jim Vaux, Tim Vaux, Mick Gilles, Dan Kelley, James Silveria, Rich Barsanti, Dave Jensen, Roger Peterson, Michael Alaga, Jeff Ehmke, John Garcia, Dick Harris, Mike Elliott, Rocky Taylor, John Crossland, John Marinovich, Jim Efird, Lindsay Brehm, Jim Norquist, Dave Reuland, Dennis Schmal, Mark Scott (2), Larry Calvino, Steve Pallios, Wes Viets.

70s: Jim Hutton, Don Vineyard, Bill Robinson, Bob Soligian, Dr. Michael Lynch, Kenny Duncan, Jon Gallinetti, Chris Visser, Russ Efird, Tom Licouris, Mark Sanchez, Richard Wright, Mike Chin, Marv Helon, Larry Johnson, Amos Bagdasarian, Dwayne Murray, Kirk Stewart, Kevin Crandell, Kyle Stephenson, Wade Hedrick, Gerald Chooljian, Glenn Scott, David Arakelian, Bruce Ekmanian, Dave Price III, Bruce Quan, Jim Sandrini, John Tubbesing, Bill Arnold, Bill Smittcamp, Steve Vucovich, Tony Guerriero, Richard Klopfstein, Serge Tomassian, Kirk Wethey, Kevin Wren, Jim Sandrini, Larry Spikes, Mark Worthington, Ron Radoicich, Norm Bishop, Bruce Berger, Brad Fischer(2), Steve Coleman, Bill Van Skike, George Neves, Dick Arakelian, Mike Crowley, Steve Bachand, Tom Kusaka, George Matoian.

80s: Dan Marinsik, Glenn Davis, Steve Smith, John Hughes, Kevin Andrade, Michael Alfheim, Dan Klopfstein, Eric Rehn, Marc Jason, Mike Price, Kevin Kamimoto, Bill Miller, Matt Rowan, Ted Uyesaka, Mike Bowlden, John Ansolabehere, Kip Haverman, Randy Roby, Mark Fimbres, Craig Maddux, Jeff Little, Randy Garabedian, Ty Carroll, Andrew Sattley, Walter Mueller, Michael Smith, Russell Davenport, Stuart Patteson, Kirk Jacinto, Jeffrey Gaines, T.A. Heckel(2), David Atkinson, Chris Morse, John Peters, Barry Foley, Joe Robertson, Bob Whalen, Devin Wilson, Rich Mechikoff, Grant Petersen, Marc Graham, Doug Sampson, Justin Kempton, Todd Wilson, Gary Mooshagian, Mike Green, Brady McGuinness, Matthew Simonian, Greg Anderson, Roger Dibble, Jim Tjerrild, Steve Hobbs, Lance McAuley, Ron Ewing, Sergio Ilic, Scott Morse, John Sordi, Brian Lockhart, Chris Kollmeyer, Graham Harrison, Matt Kollmeyer, T.J. Leonard.

90s: Marc Forth, Will Richardson, Matt Machado, Sam Mann, Lee Cendaña, Casey Knowles, Jimmy Parsley, Derek Mahoney, David Folly, Chris Norton, Joel Levy, Chris Heinrich, Nathan Labiak(2), Jeff Hibbard, Sherif Awad, Mitchell Youree, Dennis Ford, Dave Marinovich, Nick Salvetti, Jason Karr, Andrew Clark, Joe Bowerbank Jr, John Bowerbank, Rob Bell, Ken Eynaud, Billy Purewal, Preet Purewal, David Esposito, Brandon Cohrs, Joe McCann, Michael Burke, Dustin Marzolf, Dick Arakelian.

00s: Anthony DeLuca, Ty Maroudas, Chris Rusca, Justin Johnson, Zack Moro, Rodney Rusca, Peter Flores, Matt Helon, Brian Stenklyft, Travis Bader, Frank Puccio, Brian O’Rourke, Kevin Wethey, Michael Luckey,  Sean Gallaher, Chad Calhoun, Nick Hooper, Sean Akin.

10s: Dusty Lacefield, Evan Selander, Bryce Martinho , Trent Braswell, Scott Moore, Tyler Davies, Austin Radke, Christian DeFendis, Blake McGuinness, Nathanial A. Wilson, Jack Wilson, Giordano Primavera, Jordan Ayerza.

20s: Logan Mann, David Mistretta.

Other: Mama Lou, Iggy, Victor Bulldog, Anonymous, Chapter Eternal Brothers, Sigma Taus, In hoc signo vinces, Carol McNeil, Marci Radoicich Miller, Bud Richter Stanford (47-S), Harry Saint John Dixon (2), Gavin Gladding UCSB (94-S), Marci Radoicich Miller, Pledge Class-1980.

March Zoom Meeting -Veterans Celebrated

Our featured guests for the monthly alumni Zoom meeting on March 18 were the Fresno State Veterans Education Program Team. Members of the team included Katie Bewarder -KKG-Fresno State, Dan Bernard, Tyler Velasco – US Army, Tyler’s father Rick Velasco – US Army and fellow Sigma Chi Dr. Scott Moore (14-S) who is Dean of Continuing/Global Education at Fresno State.

During the meeting, brother Moore shared screen with us producing a photo of him at the 2016 commencement celebrating with several Sig brothers. From left to right are Trevor Patrick (10-F), Dan Towey (11-F), Kevin Ngo (09-S), Mark Anderson (12-F), Jared Bertoni (13-S), Bryce Sousa (15-S), Austin Encinias (08-F), Niko Kazanjian (14-F),  Katchen Anderson (sweetheart), Anthony Komlosy (12-S) and Garrett Austin (15-F).

A paragraph was taken from the Fresno State website describes the program: “Established in 2012, the Veterans Education Program provides opportunity and access to resources at Fresno State and connects veterans to support organizations in the Central Valley. We facilitate a sense of belonging for veterans on campus by providing a lounge, study area, dedicated smart classroom, and academic skill sets required for successful careers.”

Their presentation was a catalyst for a very moving discussion among our Sig veterans participating in the meeting, and this made it one of the best gatherings we have had during the pandemic.

Brothers in attendance were brothers Rob Bell (95-F), Brandon Cohrs (98-F), Tom Downing (62-F) Past Consul, Brad Fischer (78-S), Will Herring (76-F) Abilene TX, Dusty Lacefield (12-F) Chapter Advisor, Bill Matesso (63-F), Scott Moore (14-S), Dan Mueller (65-S) Los Gatos, Rick Nelson (65-S), Dan O’Brien (61-F) Sun City West AZ, Mike Patton (63-S), Frank Puccio (01-S), Dave Reuland (69-F), Bill Robinson (70-F), Larry Spikes (75-F) Hanford, Tim Vaux (66-F) and Norm Winslow (57-S). 

Two New Significant Sigs for Sigma Chi Alumni Chapter of Fresno

From the Sigma Chi International website: As one of the Fraternity’s highest honors, The Significant Sig Award recognizes those alumni members whose exemplary achievements in their fields of endeavor have brought great honor and prestige to the name of Sigma Chi.

Our chapter’s first two Significant Sigs were both recognized by Sigma Chi International in 1973. One is Phil Sanchez (52-T), the father of brother Mark Sanchez (70-F). The other is Sy Tacchino (52-T), the father of brother Jack Tacchino (66-S). Unfortunately both Phil and Sy have passed into the Chapter Eternal.

Local fraternity, Sigma Tau, was founded at Fresno State on November 10, 1921 and affiliated with Sigma Sigma Chi International on February 23, 1952. Over the sixty-nine years of being a Sigma Chi chapter, Epsilon Eta has been able to honor a total of only seventeen Significant Sigs including the two awarded this year, averaging one every 4.1 years. That appears to be a small number, but since the program was started in 1935, only 1,900 brothers have been recognized which averages one per chapter every 11.0 years.

Epsilon Eta at Fresno State, now within months of being on campus continuously for 100 years, has two new Significant Sigs.

 I have known brother Brad Fischer (78-S) for forty years, and I am proud to announce his recognition as a 2021 Significant Sig. Brad began paying dues to our alumni chapter in 1981 following his graduation from CSU-Fresno in 1980, and his contributions to our Active Chapter, Alumni Chapter, House Corporation and Endowment are well documented. Now his achievements in the banking industry can also be celebrated.

Brad has spent forty-three years in the banking industry and has become one of the most productive and respected bankers in our region. During those years he has proven his leadership in his industry, and his employers have rewarded him with advancement, honors and awards. The fact that he has served only two banks during his long career is a strong indication of his abilities, achievements and also his loyalty. Brad began his career at Bank of America where he met his wife, Linda, and is now Operations Area Manager for Premier Valley Bank.

 Joining Brad in the 2021 class of Significant Sigs is brother Darryl Horowitt (75-F). Darryl graduated from CSU-Long Beach in 1978 with a degree in history, and earned his law degree from Western State University, College of Law in Irvine, CA. He was admitted into practice in 1981 and worked in Orange County for a few years before joining a law firm in Fresno. He affiliated with our alumni chapter decades ago and has attended many events.

I am also proud to announce Darryl’s recognition as a 2021 Significant Sig. I met Darryl more than a quarter century ago when our company needed legal advice. He has several areas of expertise including construction.  Darryl is managing partner of Coleman and Horowitt, LLP in Fresno, and the firm has offices in six California cities. He has many honors and awards in the law industry including being named one of the Top 100 Litigators in California by the American Society of Legal Advocates, an invitation only association of top attorneys.

Let us be proud to welcome the two newest Significant Sigs, brothers Brad Fischer and Darryl Horowitt! – by Mike Patton (63-S)

Flash News Bulletin! Rosemary Waters Named Top Dog

 Fresno State announced on March 8 their selections for the 2021 Outstanding Alumni Awards. Rosemary Waters, spouse of Seven Lights Alumni, Jerry Waters (62-F), was named for the College of Science and Mathematics. Rosemary earned a B.A. in 1966 and a M.A. in 1972.

Although the university will not have an in-person event this year, they announced this year’s event will be held virtually and will air on ABC 30 on Sunday, April 18 at 7:00 p.m. The event will also be live-streamed.

Congratulations Rosemary and brother Waters!

Dusty Lacefield Reaches His 2020 Goal

For the last four years Dusty Lacefield (12-F) has been working in real estate in addition to other adventures, but to really excel in real estate he realized he needed to have his own brokers license. At the beginning of 2020, he set a goal to satisfy all of the requirements, and he completed them last fall. He is now transitioning as a Broker Associate at Century 21 C. Watson in Fresno which sells residential, commercial and agricultural properties, and it employs over sixty agents and brokers locally.

In Dusty’s words, “Real estate has truly become a passion of mine and I’ve enjoyed every step of this journey.” Next time you or a friend need a real estate professional, call Dusty on his cell phone at (559) 283-3778.

In addition to his real estate career, Dusty also works for Bennington Marine as a Regional Sales Manager for the western twenty states and western Canada. While balancing his two positions, Dusty still finds time to serve Fresno Sigma Chi as Chapter Advisor.