Quarterly Recognition – April 2025

If you know a volunteer or undergraduate who should be recognized in the Quarterly, fill out this simple form. The volunteer recognition is not limited to Chapter Advisors and Province Archons, and the undergraduate recognition is not limited to Sages.

Volunteer of the Quarter

Advisor Eric Yaron (Alabama ’10) Shares Theta-Omicron’s Success Story

Will Marsh (Pennington & Company), contributing writer

How did your college Sigma Pi years shape you as a person?

I think the most impactful personal growth came during our pledge education period. My 23 pledge brothers and I overcame tremendous adversity together, inextricably linking us for life. We learned how to swallow our pride, think critically, operate as a unit, function independently, and present ourselves professionally—at a time when most of us didn’t even know how to cook our own breakfast. I wouldn’t trade those experiences for the world and credit a lot of my professional success to the lessons learned during those few short months of the most fun you’ll never want to have again.

As a Chapter, what we lacked in large endowments or a long campus history, we made up for in raw determination to succeed. We were the first Chapter to successfully purchase a house on Jefferson Avenue when the Alabama chapter house “arms race” began; we overcame the total loss of almost an entire initiated pledge class (resulting from the cost of dues reaching exorbitant levels); and together, we established the first viable on-campus Chapter for out-of-state students at The University of Alabama. I think that’s a track record we can all be proud of.

Why did you decide to volunteer as a chapter advisor?

The Chapter had fallen on hard times during the pandemic, and one of the members’ parents reached out to our alumni network looking for someone to assist in righting the ship. At first, I really wasn’t interested and didn’t think I had the time between all my other personal and professional commitments to make a difference. The more I thought about it, the more I realized: just by asking for help, these brothers reminded me of the guys who first made our house great. They had vision far beyond that of your typical 18–22-year-old and deserved a chapter advisor capable of helping them to achieve that vision, so I picked up the phone. I’m glad I did.

How has the Chapter grown during your time as a volunteer?

Tremendously—but I have no interest in taking credit for that. I know a few things about turning around failing businesses, but if you don’t have a motivated workforce capable of putting out a quality product, it doesn’t make any difference how good a manager you are. Without young men like Jesse Mink, Ben Kaunfer, Kellen and Tiernan Brown, Charlie Jasso, Hayden Hickman, and every other rank and file member of the chapter who chose to do Fraternity life the right way, we would never have made it this far. THEY, not me, took this Chapter from fewer than 80 undergraduate members in spring 2023 to over 130 as of today, and having money in savings after years of losses. In the last 18 months, they’ve won more campus and national awards than our house did in 18 years. They’re an incredible group of young men and deserve all the recognition for what we’ve accomplished together.

Tell us about your career at Smurfit Westrock. How, if at all, has Sigma Pi influenced your professional life?

Until recently, I was the commercial finance point person for a ~$1 billion book of business (which is just a fancy way of saying I helped sell boxes). As a result of my professional success over the last few years, I was given the opportunity to move into a more strategic role on our consumer pricing team. Between this most recent move and the two promotions I received since I began volunteering, my time spent supporting Sigma Pi has been jet fuel for my career. My coworkers regularly comment on my high energy and critical thinking skills while under fire—traits developed in no small part by my time spent volunteering.

What is your message to alumni on the importance of supporting their chapters?

In helping your brothers, you help yourself. Young men are capable of tremendous things given the right support. I’m sure a lot of your groomsmen were in Sigma Pi, your group chats are full of Sigma Pi alumni, and maybe one of us even introduced you to the person you’ll end up spending the rest of your life with. Be the reason some other young man gets to share the experiences that made you the man you are today.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I just want to thank our on-site advisor, Pops, for his leadership over the last year; the other alumni who have helped me navigate the most challenging questions of command since I took over; and the national fraternity for honoring me with this interview.

To connect or learn more about Theta-Omicron’s journey, reach out to Eric at eric.yaron@gmail.com.

Chapter of the Quarter

Zeta-Eta Chapter Champions the Fight Against MS

For the brothers of Zeta-Eta Chapter at Santa Clara, service has always been more than a pillar—it’s a tradition. Since receiving their charter in 1985, the chapter has dedicated itself to a cause close to their hearts: fundraising for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. What began as a passionate effort has evolved into a hallmark of their chapter identity, raising over $205,000 in the last five years alone.

The chapter’s commitment is personal. Several current members have immediate family or close friends living with MS, bringing a profound sense of purpose to their mission. Their connection with the National MS Society has deepened in recent years, enabling them to directly support critical research and outreach programs through a dedicated fundraising portal.

Each year, Zeta-Eta Chapter selects an “MS Committee” that focuses solely on year-long fundraising efforts and planning events specific to their fundraising. This includes planning signature events such as the MS Gala, MS Volleyball Tournament, and the Orchid Ball Formal, all of which are designed to raise funds and awareness for the cause.

Fundraising is not just encouraged—it’s required. Every brother must raise a minimum of $350 by May in order to attend the formal. Each member has a personalized fundraising page, encouraging individual accountability and friendly competition. So far this year, the chapter has raised over $20,000, with sights set high on a $45,000 goal. Zeta-Eta Chapter currently ranks as the second-largest contributing group to the National MS Society in the country—an impressive feat they hope to top by year’s end.

The chapter’s biggest event is the MS Gala, held annually at the end of the winter quarter. This year’s Gala alone brought in over $9,500. The night featured both live and silent auctions with donated items by the brothers themselves—everything from weekend retreats to custom-built picnic tables. Several brothers even volunteered to shave their heads on stage in the name of fundraising. A newly introduced 50/50 raffle added extra excitement, splitting proceeds between the fundraiser and a lucky winner.

This past weekend Zeta-Eta Chapter held their 40th Annual MS Volleyball Tournament in Santa Cruz, California. The tournament is as fun as it is meaningful, with teams battling it out in a beachside bracket competition. 

With each event, each dollar, and each brother’s commitment, Zeta-Eta Chapter continues to set the standard for fraternity-driven philanthropy. As their legacy grows, one thing remains constant: their dedication to ending MS.