Dennis O’Connell ‘82: Alumni decide between making this a good chapter or a great chapter

Dennis O’Connell ‘82 (doconnell.cc@gmail.com) says that he pledged to Sigma Chi for practical reasons: “Maryland was exceptionally large, and I wanted to be more than a number.” Ricky Levine and I were looking for on-campus housing, which was hard to find. We looked at several fraternities and picked Sigma Chi and the rest was history.  

“Sigma Chi had a dynasty for intramurals,” O’Connell says. “We won Greek overall for 19 years running when I was there, and went on to win 38 out of 40 years total. This really tied us together as a brotherhood — to compete on behalf of Sigma Chi. Everyone played a role, whether it was in wrestling, softball, basketball, or any of the other 25 sports we competed in.”  

“Competing pulled us together and really enhanced the brotherhood.”  

Beyond the Greek competitions, he says his best memories were of road trips that Sigma Chi brothers would take on weekends, Away Weekend, spring and winter formals, and the Christmas party every year.”   

He says that Sigma Chi’s impact has lasted long past those great memories. “It’s had a very positive impact on my career,” he says. “I was fortunate to enter the wireless business in its infancy, and had more responsibility than a person my age normally should have. My Sigma Chi experience was invaluable, helping my career when other people my age didn’t usually have that amount of leadership or managerial experience. That had a tremendous positive impact on my career.” 

He says that he gives back to the chapter because of all the alumni who gave of their time, talent and treasure to give him such a great Sigma Chi experience. “I am paying back what they did,” he says. “Now I’m an empty nester and have time to devote that I did not have before. I owe it to the Actives in the house to do for them what our alumni did that benefitted me. I am paying back what others did, and if you could go back in time and talk to the alumni who were so involved with our Chapter in the ‘80s, they would point to Alumni who provided their time, talent and treasure to them so they could succeed too.”   

“Something I’ve learned in the past ten years is that Alumni set the tone between a good and great chapter. Chapter officers really respond well to alumni involvement, just like I did when I was their age. They need good role models.” 

You can give time, talent or treasure, and there is a need for all three. Time invested in mentoring is important for any college student. I know that I benefited from it. Talent is crucial for training chapter officers, especially the treasurer as he manages finances for the entire house. Treasure helps to underwrite alumni communications, and helps connect us to other alumni and network.” 

“When alumni are active, the chapter does very well. When we lost the charter, the primary reason I was told was that the alumni were not as active, as they have been now that we’ve rechartered. Bottom line: Alumni participation generates better outcomes.” 

Without Sigma Chi, I wouldn’t have been as successful from a professional perspective as I might have been.   

For more information on getting involved in giving mentoring, or giving back your time, talent or treasure, you can email Dennis at doconnell.cc@gmail.com