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They did it again! How our Sigma Chi undergraduate brothers
from Alpha Upsilon keep recruiting and initiating great young men
Alpha Upsilon Consul Spencer Biles may’ve said what every alumni brother hopes for the new pledge class 39 of whom were just initiated October 10th, 2025: “They’re definitely one of the most respectful and well-mannered that I’ve seen in a long time.”
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During fall rush, 40 men went through pledgeship under Magister Jacob Aaron. And another successful initiation kept our total number of Sigma Chi brothers at USC above 200.
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They range from Pasadena to Newport Beach, the Bay Area to New York, from Mexico City to Colorado. And elsewhere. But their new home is right there at the chapter house.
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Initiation ceremonies also featured a large number of alumni, including dads and brothers of the candidates, making for an even more special moment as the pins go on.
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The number in the pledge class is roughly the same as recent cycles of 45, 46 and 50. The still-fledgling rush year under the University Park Interfraternity Council, wholly independent of the USC administration, drew more than 700 potential new members – another strong year.
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“They’ve been doing a good job,” Biles said. “As far as registration and getting people out, they’ve done a good job.” It underscores yet again that the fraternity system at USC can function very well without the university administration.
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“I think that everyone’s excited and understands the importance of maintaining who we are on the Fraternity Row,” he said. “This is all I’ve ever known and I love the house...At the end of the day, it’s about the brothers in it.”
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Sure, they have a high GPA. But Biles says it’s more than that. “Men possessed of good morals. Everyone in this class is fantastic. You can tell they were raised well. Exactly what we look for.”
I mean, who wouldn't want to join Alpha Upsilon? The brothers recruited and initiated another great class.
Ben Feldman's unlikely road to USC
Raised in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia, for the first seven years of his life, Ben Feldman’s story unfolds like a cross-country journey of curiosity, ambition, and achievement. He and his family lived in North Carolina, Washington, New York, and most recently, Florida, which helped to shape Ben’s adaptable and grounded perspective. His high school experience was equally dynamic, split between Bellevue High School in Washington and Horace Mann in New York City. A varsity basketball player and honor student who was recognized both academically and for community service, Ben developed a strong work ethic early on. Supported by a loving family, Ben is one of three triplets. His brother and sister recently graduated from the University of Miami and the University of Colorado, respectively, adding even more pride to the family legacy. “We definitely kept our parents busy,” said Ben.
USC was the only west coast university that Ben applied to, and while it may have been unexpected, his decision to become a Trojan proved to be life-changing. Drawn by the university’s stellar academic reputation and robust real estate curriculum, one of the few in the country, Ben saw a clear pathway to a career inspired by his family’s background in development. The weather, athletics, and vibrant campus life sealed the deal. A 2024 Spring Admit, Ben started his college journey abroad in Paris, an experience he is grateful for and remembers fondly.
He describes his USC experience, as a culture of shared ambition and mutual support. Joining Sigma Chi expanded and deepened this feeling. As an AU Sig, he found himself among brothers who motivated one another not only to succeed but to become better men. Being part of that environment raised his own standards and brought out his best self. Some of his most lasting memories are found in the everyday rituals: shared meals on the porch, workouts and sauna sessions with his senior year roommates, and late night Ace tournaments on the backyard sand court.
For him, it was never just about the activities but the brothers who made those moments unforgettable. Serving as Consul stands out as one of the most remarkable and beneficial experiences
2025 Exemplar Award winner Ben Feldman says AU Sigs not only help each other to succeed but also to be better men. He took a curcuitous route to USC and Sigma Chi. Serving as Consul stands as a most beneficial experience.
of his time at USC. Leading the chapter while living with 30 to 40 close friends taught him lessons in responsibility, humility, and connection that he will carry forward for the rest of his life. "The relationships I built with fellow brothers and alumni are more than friendships. They are lifelong bonds."
Now, as he looks toward the next chapter, Ben is heading to New York City to join J.P. Morgan in their Global Alternatives Division, focusing on Real Estate Acquisitions. He credits the brotherhood of
Sigma Chi for helping him prepare for this journey, not only because of the practical advice and professional network it provided but because of the core values it instilled.
Working hard, being kind, and lifting others up are the principles that define Ben and will continue to shape his future. As he steps into this new stage of life, one thing is clear. The experiences, values, and friendships gained through Sigma Chi and the Trojan Family have given Ben a foundation that will last a lifetime.
The Alpha Upsilon chapter finished the 2024-25 school year seventh among all Sigma Chi chapters coast to coast in raising donations to the Huntsman Cancer Foundation.
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The final calculation: $140,340.67.
The Huntsman Cancer Research Foundation, named for its founder Brother Jon Huntsman, Sr., is the international philanthropic initiative for Sigma Chi. The money specifically goes toward researching an end to women's breast cancer.
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"We are the generation to end cancer," is the motto. Sigma Chi's pledge of $20 million is by far the largest Greek philanthropic endeavor ever.
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The Huntsman family, including brother Jon Huntsman, Jr., continues to donate millons of dollars back to Sigma Chi to support the Horizons Leadership Summits for several weeks each summer in the Utah mountains.
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Undergraduate brothers go through intense leadership training and inspiration that alter the trajectory of their lives.
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Congrats to our AU philanthropists.
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The 2024-25 Sweetheart Paulina Gibson, Kappa, is rolling up her sleeves to help the USC Sigs with philanthropy
More than $140,000 is raised
at Alpha Upsilon for Huntsman
Cancer Research placing us
among the very top in the nation
Inaugural alumni mentoring event
kicks off adding value to being a Sig
The intrinsic value of Sigma Chi was on full display April 22nd when nearly 70 Sigma Chi brothers kicked off the inaugural alumni mentoring initiative organized by Brother Dan Vogelzang (AU 1978).
“The undergraduate brothers really appreciated the alumni who attended,” said outgoing Consul
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2024 Consul Teddy Dobos
Teddy Dobos, “and their willingness to take time out of their busy schedules to network, mentor and just talk shop.”
“We had a great time,” Dan said, “and everyone enjoyed it.”
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The mixer was held at The Lab Gastropub over on Figueroa and sponsored by the Trojan Sig House Corporation. Dan serves on that board.
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The goal each year is to connect undergrad upper classmen with Sig alums to discuss career options, life and anything else that comes up. The ultimate aim is to demonstrate to undergrads that Sig alums have their backs, that we’re there for them in offering guidance, insight, and perhaps a few professional introductions.
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Bob Vogelzang (AU 1981) said, “It was nice from my perspective to see all of the alumni” mixing with undergrads. “I think that they were very interested in talking not only just about mentoring, internships, and opportunities as they’re meeting with alum but also what’s going on at the house.”“Given that it was the first alumni career event to occur in recent history,” said Teddy, “it’s definitely a tradition we should continue going forward.”
With Alpha Upsilon’s storied history of achievement, it’s wise to harness those Sigs to inspire and catapult our undergraduate brothers. After this successful inaugural event, plan on attending each year.
“A huge thank you to the Trojan Sig Housing Corporation for coordinating this event,” said Teddy.
200!
With another good spring rush, the number of Sigma Chis
at USC will set a record unmatched in our 136-year history
No one has ever heard of the Alpha Upsilon chapter having 200 total members including pledges. But, according to 2024-25 Consul Teddy Dobos, the undergraduate brothers may reach 200 with a good spring rush now underway.
The boys from the chapter when it started in 1889 as the first fraternity at USC never could have imagined.
The house itself holds about 60 guys. That means 140 or so are living out, underscoring a greater need to get the new chapter house to reality because there is very strong demand to be an AU Sig.
“We plan on breaking the house record of over 200 active brothers” once the new pledges are initiated, said Dobos. He’s quick to add that rush standards remain very high “ensuring our new brothers also meet these standards and are positive additions to the house.”
The chapter is also in a tight race for the top spot again in the nation raising donations for the Huntsman Cancer Research Foundation. So far, the AU Sigs have raised $111,567 putting them just about $50,000 behind the Utah Sigs where the Huntsman facilities are based. But they are closing in on their goal of $125,000. AU is the defending champion. So, alums who have not already pitched it, to help with a good cause.
Dobos says the undergrads continue to work with the Trojan Sig Foundation and the Four Pillars Capital Campaign to build the next generation chapter house.
The current Sweetheart is Paula Gibson, a Kappa. She’s majoring Business Administration with a minor in the Entertainment Industry. As she said on Instagram, she enjoys the beach, concerts, snowboarding and “spending quality time with the brothers of Sigma Chi.” And Dobos says, “we aim to work closely with her throughout our philanthropic efforts.” Welcome, Paula.
The new 2025 Executive Board will be selected in April.
“In terms of sports,” says Dobos, “we are proud of the Sigma Chi brothers playing waterpolo, football and volleyball.”