Episode 4 of Season 4 features Gary Powers, Jr. Gary is an author, historian, and speaker specifically on The Cold War, and his father, Francis Gary Powers, who was a U2 pilot for the CIA. Foundation CEO Steve Mitchell interviewed Gary in early 2023. The first part of their conversation focuses on Gary’s father, who was shot down in a U2 spy plane over the former Soviet Union in 1960, taken prisoner for almost two years, and ultimately freed in a prisoner exchange.

In the second half of their conversation, Steve and Gary talk about Gary’s SAE experience and life lessons learned. Gary described himself as shy and introverted when he entered his freshmen year at California State University - Northridge. He said he found a connection with the brothers of SAE’s California Nu chapter and that joining the fraternity changed his life.

Tune in today for this conversation that serves as a history lesson and also focuses on taking your own path, learning from failure, and not taking no for an answer.

This episode is also available on YouTube. Click here to watch this interview.

Episode 3 of Season 4 features Stan Strom, Director of Planned Giving at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, SAE Alumnus, Province Upsilon Archon, and national pie baking champion.

Stan attended Arizona State University, where he became an SAE in 1979. Over his 44 years as a member, Stan has served in almost every volunteer role available. In addition, he is a former staff member for the fraternity.

Throughout this time, Stan has learned and embodied the true meaning of membership for life and has made it his mission to bring that lesson to the next generation of SAEs.

Foundation CEO Steve Mitchell interviewed Stan in early 2023, and the two spoke about everything from lessons learned, the best piece of advice Stan was ever given, and all things SAE, from re-establishing an Alumni Association to the Levere Memorial Temple. Tune in today for this conversation that focuses on being a member for life, giving back to SAE and your community however you can, and rising above when faced with adversity.

The second episode of season 4 features Les Ireland, Strategic Consultant, SAE Alumnus, Vice Chairman of the SAE Foundation Board of Trustees, and Executive Sponsor of SAE’s brand-new initiative, Career Connect.

Les grew up in Maryland and attended Towson State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing. Currently, Les advises both public and private companies on marketing, operations, and commercial strategy. Les has worked with companies throughout his career to build, launch, relaunch, and expand their brand.

Foundation CEO Steve Mitchell interviewed Les over Zoom earlier this year. Tune in today for this conversation that focuses on creating your personal brand, developing your leadership style, and leveraging your experiences and lessons learned to showcase the value you bring to an organization.

Once you’ve finished the episode, head over to the SAE Portal to sign-up for SAE Career Connect as a Career Mentor or Mentee. Successful alumni and undergraduates are already registered and waiting to be matched with Career Mentors and Mentees. Click here to sign in.

The first episode of season 4 features Kyle Ranally, SAE alumnus and Senior Director, Strategic Initiatives Insights Lead for the NBA. Kyle grew up just outside of Cleveland and attended Ohio University, where he was a journalism major. Initially, he was interested in writing about music and sports, but midway through college, he developed an interest in social sciences, especially after an internship with CNN doing research and analytics. Ten years post-graduation and several jobs later, he’s jumped into a new role with the NBA, where he is tasked with researching the organization’s strategic initiatives. Kyle attributes his success to having a passion for his work. His current role pairs his love of sports with his professional passion for research and insights. Additionally, Kyle believes that being part of a supportive community plays an important role in an individual’s ability to be successful.

Foundation CEO Steve Mitchell interviewed Kyle over Zoom last month. Tune in today for this conversation that focuses on identifying your passion, aligning your personal and professional interests into a fulfilling career, and the importance of community, networking, and building relationships.

Across the realm, brothers share their passion for Sigma Alpha Epsilon in many different ways. Some are more prominent than others whether it's by wearing a hoodie on campus or an alum who has an SAE license plate cover. Others might just carry a True Gentleman card in their wallet. All in all, it shows unapologetic pride for Sigma Alpha Epsilon. In what ways do you show unapologetic pride for SAE? Eminent Supreme Recorder Chris Hancock and Senior Director of Member Education and Development Spencer Long join Cody Delmendo to talk about the meaning of unapologetic pride and what it means for brothers across the realm in our final episode of Season 3. 

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The fourth episode of season 3 features SAE alumnus and the 33rd Governor of North Dakota, Doug Burgum. Foundation CEO Steve Mitchell interviewed Governor Burgum over Zoom earlier this year. Governor Burgum grew up in a small town of just 400 people in North Dakota. He attended North Dakota State University, where he became a member of the North Dakota Beta chapter. After graduating with a degree in university studies and attending graduate school at Stanford University, Governor Burgum decided to jump into the tech world and started Great Plains Software in 1983. Microsoft acquired Great Plains in 2001. In addition to building this successful start-up and running for office, Governor Burgum was also a senior vice president for Microsoft and started several other businesses - A real estate development firm and a venture capital firm.Tune in today for this episode, which focuses on the lifelong significance of fraternal membership and the importance of values-based leadership. Governor Burgum says that lessons learned as an SAE through leadership opportunities, friendships, and the True Gentlemen are assets and have guided him throughout his professional career.

TG Talk is brought to you by the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Foundation and Fraternity and is an opportunity to engage with staff, volunteers, undergraduates, and notable alumni. Join us for discussions on all things SAE, including chapter operations, alumni engagement, university relations, ritual, and values. Additionally, TG Talk is a speaker series. We feature guest speakers focusing on leadership, professional development, and current events. As True Gentlemen, we must always strive to rise above. One of the ways we do that is by continuously learning.

If you have ideas for upcoming topics, questions, or if your chapter has exciting news to share with the Realm, connect with us at [email protected]. You can find the podcast by searching for TG Talk on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or the Anchor app.

The third episode of season 3 features retired Air Force General Richard B. Myers, SAE alumnus and President of Kansas State University. Foundation CEO Steve Mitchell interviewed President Myers over Zoom earlier this year. President Myers grew up just outside of Kansas City, Kansas, and studied mechanical engineering at Kansas State University. He is a member from the Kansas Beta chapter and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force shortly after graduating. Throughout his 40 year military career, President Myers had many assignments, most notably Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President Bill Clinton and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President George W. Bush. As someone who had no interest in joining the armed forces when he started college and then worked his way up to be the highest-ranking member in the U.S. military, President Myers has an interesting perspective on what it takes to succeed.

Tune in today for this episode, which focuses on the importance of excelling in your current role, whether that be student, professional, volunteer, or otherwise, to be successful in the future. President Myers says, “We can tell you what it’s going to take to be successful tomorrow, and that’s to be the best at what you’re doing today.” Additionally, President Myers discusses following the guidance of the True Gentlemen, self-reflection, working to improve each day, and taking responsibility for mistakes you’ve made.

Across the realm, many chapters will be transitioning back to campus life we knew before the COVID-19 pandemic this fall. In this episode, Cody Delmendo (Eastern Illinois '15), his new co-host Gage Wolt (North Dakota State '18), and this month's guest Seth Crawford (University of Houston '18) discuss the three discussion points to help undergraduates transition back to returning to campus for the next school year. The three goals highlight making the most of being an active member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, chapter standards academically, socially, and utilizing new recruitment methods, and reviving chapter traditions.

TRIVIA QUESTIONS:

1. Which founder was the first-ever president of SAE and which founder designed the badge?

2. What chapter & university raised $100,000 for Movember in 2019?

The first episode of season 3 features Vincent Marsala, SAE alumnus and Superintendent for Turner Construction Company. Most recently, he oversaw the construction of LA’s brand new So-Fi Stadium. So-Fi Stadium is home to the LA Chargers and LA Rams and will host Super Bowl LVI in 2022, the College Football Championship in 2023, and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the Olympics in 2028. Foundation CEO Steve Mitchell interviewed Vincent over Zoom earlier this year about his unique journey. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, enlisting shortly after graduating from high school. Following his service, he studied civil engineering at Cal State Poly-Pomona, where he became an SAE in his mid-twenties. In addition to his work with Turner Construction, Vincent is active in several professional associations and his local community. He serves as a mentor for ACE Mentor Program of America, Inc., which supports high school students interested in architecture, construction, and engineering. He is also the southern California liaison for Veterans Resource Group at Turner Construction, is a lecturer for USC’s Master of Business for Veterans program, and was the Keynote Speaker for Cal State Poly-Pomona’s Veteran Future Forward event.

Tune in today for this episode which focuses on the importance of goal setting, self-reflection, and getting out of your comfort zone. Vincent attributes his success to saying, “I want to be that guy,” and then finding a way to make it happen. Vincent also discusses the importance of his SAE membership, how it positively changed his life and encourages brothers to take advantage of their membership and all that it offers. We also asked him about all of the extraordinary aspects of So-Fi Stadium, from technology to infrastructure.

Are you an upcoming senior or recently graduated alum? Are you uncertain of what’s next after your undergraduate career? Join Jeremy Bellman (University of New Haven '19), Cody Delmendo (Eastern Illinois '15), and Manager of Alumni Engagement, Ryan Gibbons (Tennessee Tech '16), as they discuss how to best navigate life after college and the best tips and strategies to prepare you for success in your career.

The three discuss their experiences after graduating from college that includes applying for their first job as a post-graduate, relocating to a new home that takes them out of their comfort zone, and how they stayed involved with Sigma Alpha Epsilon.