A MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDATION BOARD
Greetings from the board of directors of the Mu Chapter of Sigma Pi Educational Foundation! The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation that is entirely dependent upon tax-deductible contributions from Pi house alums. Our board is comprised solely of volunteers, and the overwhelming majority of contributions to the Foundation go directly to benefit the undergraduate brothers.
In looking back on the accomplishments of the Foundation over the past 17 years, it is fair to say that the vision of the original founders, Bert Harrop ’62 and James Keane III ’57, has been and continues to be realized. Due to the generous support of many Sigma Pi alumni, the Foundation has become a positive influence on the culture of the Pi house by facilitating leadership opportunities, funding educational improvements within the Pi house, sponsoring speaker and career programs, and providing both needs-based awards and scholarships recognizing academic achievement, all while promoting a brotherhood that is diverse, empathetic, community-minded, and success-driven. We look forward to continuing this legacy of contributing to the growth and well-being of our undergraduate brothers and making their time as members of Mu Chapter memorable and rewarding.
Some of the more prominent past contributions of the Foundation over the years have included the following:
- Contributed $100,000 to the Dick Cahoon Tech Center in the Pi house;
- Sponsored undergraduate participation in the College Mentors for Kids, in which Sigma Pi brothers mentored underserved local school children to guide their educational path toward acceptance into college.
- Provided over $150,000 to fund the construction of the Learning Commons, where undergrads can study and attend classes and lectures remotely via the video conferencing facilities; and
- Funded WiFi modernization in the Pi house, allowing undergrads access to top-of-the-line high-speed internet.
Our current programs provide direct financial support to the undergrads, as well as sponsoring educational and career growth:
- Most recently, the Foundation initiated the Greek Affordability Fund awards, granted to those undergrads with financial need and who have shown a commitment to leadership in Mu Chapter, Cornell, and the Ithaca community. To date, the Foundation has awarded more than $65,000 in GAF grants.
- Since the Foundation’s organization, we have awarded annually the David Harrop Memorial Scholarship, endowed by Bert Harrop in memory of his son, a Mu Chapter alum. This $2,000 scholarship recognizes the rising senior who has demonstrated academic achievement, leadership within Mu Chapter, and commitment to the greater Cornell community.
- For many years, the Foundation has sponsored the Sigma Pi in NYC career day, where alums host undergrads in their offices in the city, culminating with a speaker-focused dinner at the Cornell Club. This is truly a signature event that allows undergrads to interact with alums who provide career advice and connections.
- The Foundation also sponsors events at the Pi house, including a speaker series and career day. The most recent speaker was Dr. Niki Moore, Cornell’s first female athletic director. These events are easily accessible to all the undergraduate brothers and contribute to a well-rounded education outside of the classroom.
We are grateful for the continuing financial support of Mu Chapter alums, without whom none of these successes would be possible. We hope to build on these successes and increase our support of our undergraduate brothers, to enhance their experiences while at Sigma Pi at Cornell, and thereafter.
Fraternally,
The Mu Chapter at Sigma Pi Educational Foundation Board of Directors
https://musigmapifoundation.org/donate/