.png){kind=logo}
SWEETHEART PROFILE: RACHEL GRODE 2022
When she says she loves her Sig brothers, she means it.... literally
We like to say Rachel Grode loves her Sigma Chi brothers - literally. When she was crowned Alpha Upsilon Sweetheart of Sigma Chi, her two brothers Jake and Joe were also in the Sig house.
​
When chosen as Sweetheart, she said, ”I’m so thankful to be apart of this wonderful house alongside my two brothers. I’m the luckiest sister in the world.”
Rachel, of course, was also the head Trojan cheerleader (Song Girl Captain), a proud Kappa, a busy journalism major and much more.
“When I walked into the Sigma Chi house, I was greeted with kindness, excitement and belonging that really enhanced my college experience.”
​
What did being Sweetheart mean to Rachel? “It meant extending my USC community. I was introduced to so many bright and driven young men who I am grateful to call friends. I also know that in any given situation, the USC Sigs are there for me and have my back.”
​
Rachel has a lot of fond memories with the Trojan Sigs. “I enjoyed sending the boys snacks and pizza on days of their parties and serving as a ‘big sister’ of sorts.”
​
​“I am currently finishing my final semester at UCLA School of Law where I am specializing in Media, Entertainment, Technology and Sports. I still make it out to the Coliseum for as many USC Football games as possible! Fight On Forever!”
SWEETHEART PROFILE: MARY MCCLUGGAGE 2010
Our Sweetheart was also the Rose Queen and, well, she's also Kerry's daughter
Mary McCluggage was President of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority at USC in 2009, and was beyond thrilled when crowned the Sweetheart of Sigma Chi at the Alpha Upsilon chapter in 2010.
Then she told her dad: Super Sig Kerry McCluggage. “My Dad was excited and a bit shocked, too!” Mary says reflecting back on that memorable year.
Kerry, as darned near everyone knows, has been a leader among AU Sig alums for years and now as President of the Trojan Sig Foundation and leading the Four Pillars Capital Campaign to build our new chapter house. Then Mary got to share the news with her brother Matt McCluggage, another Sig from USC. It was big Sigma Chi news in a very special Sigma Chi family.
Mary’s term as Sweetheart will always be a highlight for her. “One memory that stands out is the weekend that I was announced as Sweetheart for the year,” she says. “We were in Las Vegas and had the time of our lives throughout the whole weekend!”
Then, as her tenure grew, true friendships developed. She “truly loved getting to know the two pledge classes that joined the house throughout the year and to provide some support and fun for them throughout their pledge terms.”
​
But wait. There’s more. Mary became a finalist for International Sweetheart of Sigma Chi and went to Grand Chapter with a bunch of AU Sigs hoping to win it all for USC. “I had a LOT of fun being nominated,” she says. “And while I was not selected, the group of Sigs who came from USC with me also had a blast!”
Before she ever even got to USC, Mary became the 89th Rose Bowl Queen in December 2006. Her crowning earned a lot of media attention at just 17 years old. Now, Mary and her husband Ryan Keith have three children with another one on the way. She also has successful career with Ascension, the second largest health system in the Country, for more than nine years in a variety of strategic roles.
In a full life, her year as Sweetheart will always stand out.
