Features

Iota Chapter celebrates 100 years of Brotherhood

Issue: Spring 2023

The University of Denver Zeta Beta Tau and Phi Sigma Delta merged brotherhood recently achieved an accomplishment that few other chapters have reached – 100 years!

Over the weekend of October 6 to 8, the brothers of Iota Chapter at the University of Denver (DU) hosted their centennial celebration. Iota was founded in 1920; brothers and guests were thrilled to be able to mark this moment in history, finally, after a two-year delay due to the pandemic. Master of Ceremonies was 50-plus year Chapter Advisor and Past International President Stephen P. Ehrlich, Esq., Iota (University of Denver) 1970.

Dozens of brothers and guests helped honor this occasion over a weekend’s worth of events, including International President Jonathan D. Frieden, Phi Epsilon (University of Virginia) 1994; Fraternity Chief Executive Officer Libby Anderson, CAE; Zeta Beta Tau Foundation Chief Executive Officer Faron A. Lewitt, Psi (University of Alabama) 1997; Brother Richard M. Sapkin, Iota (University of Denver) 1983, former university trustee; University of Denver Chancellor Jeremy Haefner; past president of ZBT National Housing Gregg F. Witt, Iota (University of Denver) 1977; DU Associate Director, Fraternity and Sorority Life Christopher Miofsky; and many prominent Iota Chapter alumni alongside undergraduate brothers and guests.

“The 100th celebration was a huge success. My thanks to Brothers Gary Berz and Don Reisfeld along with the rest of the reunion committee,” Past International President Ehrlich said.

Brothers and guests enjoyed a wide variety of events over the weekend.

  • Thursday: Happy hour
  • Friday: Morning golf outing, registration and lunch reception at Del Frisco’s Grille, DU hockey game followed by dessert reception and hours of the Iota Chapter house. At the reception, Brother Aidan E. Vaughey, Iota 2023, then-Chapter President, gave a hearty welcome to the alumni and guests. Miofsky from the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life gave an informative overview of Greek Life at DU. Brother Edward (Ned) Porges Ed.D, Iota 1962, reflected on the history of the Chapter house. Brother Porges lived in the facility first in 1959. Iota’s oldest alumnus, Brother Dr. Joseph S. Szyliowicz, Iota 1953, was introduced to the Brotherhood.
  • Saturday: Campus tour, hiking at Matthews/Winters Park, tennis rounds, city tour, brewery visit and in the afternoon alumni vs. undergrad touch football. The official celebration was a shared dinner, and the 100-year Iota logo was made into a sheet cake.

At the dinner, Iota Chapter’s oldest alumnus shared additional remarks.

“When I graduated from DU in 1953,  our Fraternity brothers gave each graduating senior a great gift, this distinctive mug. And, I have always kept it on my desk as a reminder of my time in the Fraternity and the University of Denver,” Brother Szyliowicz, 1953, said.

Brother Ehrlich was honored for his service to the chapter – an astounding 56 years.

“Steve, you are the ZBT and Iota ‘G.O.A.T.’ (Greatest Of All Time), the best of the best, as an educator and fraternity advisor. Fraternity is for a lifetime and may our friendship live forever. Congratulations and thank you for 56-plus years of dedication and leadership,” Brother Reisfeld said in the tribute.

Many years of effort went into this event and many dedicated volunteers helped in planning.

Brother Donald I. Reisfeld, Iota 1976, produced a nostalgic video presentation as well as many of the materials for the event. Brother Prescott (Scott) J. Adams, Iota 2012, led a memorial ceremony at the dinner. Welcome and invocation were given by Walter L. Sutton, Ph.D, Iota 1967.

Members of the Reunion Committee included Gary L. Berz, 1970, Stephen R. Blank, 1975, Richard C. Goodman, 1978, Brother Porges, Brother Reisfeld, Robert S. Peters, 1976, Jay B. Reano, 1976, Kyle J. Leigh, 2009, Bruce H. Balonick, Esq., 1970, and Brother Ehrlich.

Congratulations to all brothers and friends of Iota Chapter!