It’s All Part of Being a Proud Terp: Greg Schaub ’82

Today there is twice the amount of Texans enrolling at UMD than there was in 2000. And UMD says that it is thanks, in part, to Gamma Chi alumnus Greg Schaub ’82. UMD has awarded him the 2020 Legacy Award in recognition of him boosting the university’s presence in his adopted state of Texas through networking events and a student scholarship that he and his wife Patti created. He’s also served on the UMD Alumni Association Board of Governors, as well as currently serving on our own Gamma Chi Education Foundation as a board member.  

Greg says it’s all about being a proud Terp and a proud Sigma Chi, and echoing President John F. Kennedy’s famous saying, “Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.”  

“I think about that in the context of Maryland, and I wish more alumni would ask that question,” he said. “Ask how you can get involved and help, because there are definitely areas where no matter what your background, temperament or interests are, you can make a difference.” 

We reached out to Greg to talk to him about how Sigma Chi prepared him for leadership, and the importance of giving back.  

Gamma Chi: Tell us about pledging to the chapter. What led to that decision?  

Schaub: A couple of classmates from my McNamara High School, Jeff Hines ’81 and Joel Hagberg ’83, had already been initiated into Gamma Chi. They recruited me and two roommates.  

Gamma Chi: Tell us about the house in the ’80s. 

Schaub:  The chapter was very much on the rise. We had a good mix of brothers in each class, and we were fortunate to have a number of outstanding guys who participated in events and took great pride in promoting Sigma Chi around campus. We also had tremendous guidance from our chapter advisor Paul Buckley. He was a high school teacher and track coach, so I think he understood how to motivate us. While I was in the house, we won the Peterson Outstanding Chapter award along with the All Sports trophy.  

Gamma Chi: How many of those brothers do you keep in touch with today? 

Schaub: It’s amazing how many of us still talk regularly. I’m in regular contact with Jeff Hines ’81, Joel Hagberg ’83, Kurt Jones ’83, Stuart Axenfeld ’83, Chris Harmon ’84, Dennis O’Connell ’82, Scott Werber ’86, and one of my best friends, Tom Burton ’84.  

Gamma Chi: Tell us about your life after graduation.  

Schaub: I met my wife Patti ’82 at Maryland. We have three grown children and three grandchildren. My career has been mostly in financial-related sales and has taken me from Salisbury, Maryland, to Austin, Texas, and later to Dallas, Texas, where I retired from JP Morgan Chase after 20 years. Today I have a small consulting business that is focused on advising Fintech companies. We split our time between Dallas and Washington, D.C.  

Gamma Chi: What kind of lasting impact has Sigma Chi had for you? 

Schaub: On campus, people identified us based on their image of Sigma Chi, so it made you more conscious that you were part of something bigger than yourself. And, for all the fun and social aspects, there were equally impactful lessons that we learned about organizational structure, upholding standards and always sticking together.  

Gamma Chi: Tell us a little bit about your recent Alumni Excellence Award. Why is giving back so important? 

Schaub: I’ve lived in Texas for almost 25 years, but I’ve never lost the passion and love for all things Maryland. I’ve never viewed my alumni activities as anything other than an excuse to immerse myself back into a happy place. The school and Gamma Chi, in particular, has produced so many great people.  

There’s an impermanence to all stages in life, so if I could say one thing to the active Gamma Chi brothers, it would be this: Cast an eye to the years ahead and know that the skills and talents that you see around the chapter today will be the same qualities that allow you and your brothers to accomplish great things and lead amazing lives.