President's Letter: Looking Forward to 2027!
As 2026 comes to an end, I would like to share some important information with you. We are privileged to have such an outstanding group of friends and brothers within our alumni association. With the holiday season on the horizon, I encourage everyone to connect with fellow members and express our gratitude. Please invite your friends to our upcoming events and contribute to the continued vibrancy of our brotherhood. I have observed that some familiar faces have been absent from our recent gatherings, so let's make an effort to reconnect with our old friends.
Remaining Events in 2026
On November 19th, Coach Brian Dutcher will be speaking at SDYC. RSVP soon on our website, as spaces are limited. Additionally, we are organizing our annual Holiday Party on December 19th, so Save the Date and stay tuned for further details. These events have been popular and fun, and we aim to continue that tradition. Let us commence the holiday season with laughter, joy, and the company of cherished friends.
Personal Update
On a personal note, this year has been challenging due to an unexpected health issue. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, a situation some of you may relate to, either personally or through friends and loved ones. Over the last year, I engaged in a series of medical opinions on the best course of action. I chose to confront it directly and underwent prostate surgery this summer. I opted for the DaVinci Robotic surgery. It was an intense experience, and I am still amazed that I was able to return home the following day. My recovery is progressing well, and I am feeling almost back to normal. I am eager to return to devoting more time and energy to our Alumni Association. I am sharing this as a Public Service Announcement (PSA) to encourage you to monitor your PSA levels annually.
ΣΑΕ - Brotherhood For Life
In October, I had the honor of attending one of my pledge brother's daughter's wedding in Napa. The highlight of the weekend was spending time with my closest friends and pledge brothers from Cal Theta, Fall '83 (pictured below). It is remarkable to consider that we met 43 years ago, yet when we reunite, it takes no time to fall back into our youthful humor and thoroughly enjoy each other's company. We had a wonderful evening celebrating the joyous occasion and reminiscing about the strong bonds of friendship from our brotherhood in ΣΑΕ. I was grateful to be present—happy, healthy, and amongst my dearest friends.
Are You A Current Member of The San Diego Area Alumni Association?
We need to continue to cultivate new members not only locally, but from all across our nation. San Diego is such a melting pot, and there are thousands of alumni in San Diego, but they have no connection to our group. As an "area alumni association", our goal is to invite alumni from all chapters from across the nation. To that end, we cordially invite you to become a member of the San Diego Area Alumni Association.
Our membership program has been enhanced to offer an array of benefits across different membership levels. The levels now include the Neophyte Club (for first-time new graduate members), Phoenix Club, Lion Club, Minerva Club, and Phi Alpha Club. Notably, the Lion, Minerva, and Phi Alpha Clubs come with exclusive benefits such as complimentary access to a variety of events and luncheons. For further details, please visit our website and consider joining us.
Your membership plays a vital role in supporting our events, providing scholarships, and offering benefits to local undergraduates, while also keeping you updated on news and events within our community. Explore our membership program at www.saesd.org/membership.
We are excited about our plans for next year, packed with our core events! Quarterly luncheons are being planned. March brings the celebration of Founders Day. Summer will be a blast with gatherings such as Padres games. Last year, we had an unforgettable time in the tower suite at Petco Park! And let's not forget the Holiday party, where we celebrate the season with our spouses and significant others. I'm eager for us to dive deeper into local chapter mentoring at UCSD and CSUSM, and to ramp up our philanthropic efforts with local charities and community projects. Let's make it an amazing year together!
Third Thursdays Are On Tap for 2027
We plan to implement “ΣΑΕ Third Thursdays” as part of our social program. This alumni engagement initiative is a fantastic chance for Brothers to gather on the third Thursday of each month in various locales and cities across the Realm. Whether you're new to the city, a seasoned resident, eager to expand your professional network, or simply excited to meet fellow ΣΑΕs, Sigma Alpha Epsilon is here to offer you a lively space to celebrate Brotherhood every third Thursday. Our ΣΑΕ network is powerful and influential, and we're confident that attending these casual gatherings will bring immense value by strengthening personal and professional connections, deepening the Bonds of Our Beloved Order. With this initiative, we aim to attract more Brothers to our events and expand our membership base. We're currently on the hunt for fresh venues for the inaugural “Third Thursday” of 2027, so stay tuned for more details (typically held from 5-7 pm, rotating among local craft breweries, restaurants, or bars).
In Closing
Strong alumni associations are essential for the health and success of our fraternity. These associations not only offer a platform for ΣΑΕ alumni but also extend help and support to our undergraduate chapters. We are proud members of one of the most robust alumni associations nationwide, contributing to the presence of two thriving chapters in San Diego. This achievement is a direct result of the unwavering support we receive from each and every one of you year after year. Your continued membership and active involvement are greatly appreciated. I eagerly anticipate our upcoming gatherings. Thank you for your dedication and support!
Kip Barton
President, San Diego Area ΣΑΕ Alumni Association
Email: president@saesd.org
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