by Brandon E. Weghorst, Associate Executive Director of Communications

Members often use the metaphor of the phoenix, rising from the ashes, to describe chapters that make a comeback. And often, that chapter’s alumni play a large role in breathing new life into the process. The Charleston Alumni Association from South Carolina, for example, is playing an integral part in the recolonization at the College of Charleston. While the association’s members weren’t happy to see their chapter close, there’s a silver lining: They can help return South Carolina Upsilon to greatness.

“There are two roles for any good alumni association. One is to support the local chapter or the chapters that are closest to it, and we do that any way we can,” says Mark Richards (’88). “The second is to continue the bonds of brotherhood that we started back in college.”

The Charleston Alumni Association boasts members from multiple chapters, ones who have been transplanted to this historic city on the Carolina coast for work or pleasure. Association leaders believe that diversity enhances their experience by bringing together lots of viewpoints, ideas and experiences. Even more beneficial for the members will be the chance to work closely on mentoring the colony men as they achieve earning a charter.

“I’m most proud that not only are the alumni committed to bringing back the chapter but the bonds that we developed as brothers,” says Jim Hinkle (’91). “With individuals from this chapter as well as individuals from other chapters, we still maintain that feeling of brotherhood, we still maintain the theory of ‘The True Gentleman’ and the bonds that brought us together.”

Athan Fokas (’89), who serves as the president of the association, has a passion to continue his fraternal bond. “Most of us are business people, and we understand the obstacles in life,” he says. “We can help use our experience to better the undergrads’ future.” He says the group helps to mentor the colony men, especially as professionals. In fact, at least two alumni attend every chapter meeting, and the association has assisted some members on securing internships. But such a great partnership between alumnus and undergrad did not exist a few years ago.

In 2006, Province Epsilon-Alpha Archon Bruce Cauthen contacted Fokas about starting an alumni association in Charleston. Nearly 20 men attended the first meeting to discuss how the association would be formed and, only a few months later, the group held its first event — a holiday alumni oyster roast. In the last three years, the association continues to grow. That core group of 18 men turned into 57 men in 2007 and into 75 men today.

By January of 2008, the alumni association was ready to think about the rebirth of South Carolina Upsilon. By the fall, the first recruitment event took place, which solicited outstanding, young gentlemen on the College of Charleston campus. Association members poured their heart into the commitment that lies before them while trying to share that fraternal zeal they exhibited on campus years ago.

For alumni who worked hard as undergraduates, the flame of friendship never fades. In some cases, it makes them work even harder to see the recolonization through to fruition. “You have a duty as a brother to maintain our chapter and to fulfill the obligations you set when you became a brother,” Hinkle says.

Just like the colony rising from the ashes, the association, too, is resurrecting a beneficial part of their experience so the young men can enjoy it. The alumni restarted the Francis J. Morrisey Memorial Fund, named in honor of a brother who passed away in the late 1980s. The fund was forgotten by 1990, but the association brought it back and sponsored two colony men’s attendance at Leadership School last year with its funds. Their goal is to grow the endowment to $100,000, so they’ve named an annual golf tournament for the cause.

As they chart their way through the year, the association continues to establish events that will become staples to the school year. In addition to their holiday party and their golf tournament, they work with the colony members on two philanthropic projects – one for a home for boys aged 6-16 who come from bad family situations. There, the men volunteer and spend time serving as positive role models for the boys. In addition, they work with Habitat for Humanity on constructing homes for those who are less fortunate.

Other members see their role in the alumni association as a way to reconnect with brothers who they’ve not seen in years.

“I have female friends who were College of Charleston graduates from sororities,” says Doug Mackenzie (’95). “I used to make fun of them for going back and trying to relive those years. But now I feel that I’m with a group of guys who have direction, backing, motivation and the business sense to help these guys seek a better future after college.”

One of the biggest myths our alumni members try to dispel is that the fraternal experience ends at graduation. The truth is that membership is for life. Alumni life offers a whole new perspective on the Fraternity for many men. For alumni who relocate to other parts of the country and who don’t know many people, alumni associations are a perfect venue to keep the fraternal experience strong. And thanks to technology, alumni can reconnect with brothers easily or find out if there is an active alumni association in their area. When they reach out to associations, they may be pleasantly surprised at how quickly their network of friends can grow.

Dan Dalnekoff (Maryland-Baltimore County ’05) is a product of a province that has excellent interaction with its alumni associations. When he knew he would be relocating to South Carolina, he used the networking that Sigma Alpha Epsilon offers to find the Charleston Alumni Association. “I always knew, even as an active, that I would be involved as an alumnus,” he says.

Roland Gahafer (Kentucky ’83) also does not hail from the College of Charleston, yet he’s active and engaged in the association. He found the association as a way to reconnect with Sigma Alpha Epsilon. “Membership comes full circle,” he says. “I have a son who’s 17 years old. He wants to go to Clemson University and, obviously, I’d like him to have the experience of being a legacy and joining SAE. We all have the common bond and mutual experience no matter where we went to school.”