From its earliest years, Sigma Phi Epsilon has counted on each member to contribute to the success of the Fraternity and society in general. The distinction of “Fellow” is reserved for undergraduate brothers who successfully complete a 500-hour or 60-day service learning project before graduation. “A Fellow is a servant leader, a brother who has applied his skills and talents in an effort to improve a community in a very meaningful and sustainable way,” said Scott Dudis, Ohio State ’09, before recognizing two brothers with the distinction at Conclave.

Michael Paciero, Lawrence Tech ’15

An architectural engineering student at Lawrence Tech, Michael Paciero has a passion for sustainable development projects. He also has a passion for preserving his home state of Michigan. In pursuing his Fellow project, he sought to combine these two interests.

Serving as project lead for a group of four students and a Lawrence Tech faculty member, Paciero applied for and won a $25,000 Ford Foundation grant. With the grant’s backing, he led a 50-man team
of chapter brothers and friends through
a sustainability-focused deconstruction project. In this method, a building that would otherwise be torn down and sent
to a dump in scraps is instead analyzed for the value of its individual parts. Then, using a specialized method, the building
is carefully deconstructed to preserve all usable parts of the structure. With these parts intact, developers are able to design and construct new buildings, furniture and interior finishes.

While the focus of the project was deconstruction, Paciero also used the opportunity to educate his team about blight in Detroit and how it affects the city’s residents. The team had the opportunity to interact and build relationships with local residents impacted by the challenges. The increased awareness motivated many of his chapter brothers to further engage in the city’s revitalization and participate in other service opportunities in the metro-Detroit area.

Today, Paciero and his team
are continuing to work on the deconstruction process, and
they are seeking additional
funding to design and build a
prototype house in Detroit that will utilize the project’s salvaged materials.

Alex Beckett, Stetson ’14

After learning about the living conditions of the impoverished population of southwest Cameroon, Alex Beckett wanted to do two things: make a tangible difference in the lives of the Cameroonian people and inspire his brothers to see their own potential to do good.

Beckett learned of the nonprofit Mission of Hope. The group was operating in Cameroon and sought to provide hope through healing in the country. They utilized an innovative approach to medical aid, clean water solutions and opportunities for education to give underprivileged families a chance at a better future.

Beckett’s conviction and passion for the cause was well received by his Stetson brothers. With the help of his chapter, Beckett launched a fundraising campaign and raised over $15,000 toward the cause.

After two years of fundraising, five chapter brothers accompanied Beckett on a journey to Taiyor, Cameroon. The team worked alongside local residents to clean a contaminated reservoir and redirect a stream that served as the main source of water for the town. In the evenings, they provided medical service to over 150 town inhabitants, including many children afflicted with malaria.

Despite differences in language, culture and living conditions, Beckett and his Stetson brothers found a connection through the universal language of the human experience—empathy—which transcended all differences.