Continuing a Legacy of Service
Fraternity and sorority life has a major impact on the experiences of many at Valparaiso University. Even for students not among the roughly 30% directly involved in these organizations, the leadership and influence of fraternity and sorority members shape many opportunities available to everyone. Beyond campus life, these students play key roles in community service and develop as servant-leaders, becoming valuable assets well after graduation.
“The way I explained it to my parents was that it’s a ‘gateway for getting involved,’” said Trevor Henckel ’25, president of Sigma Phi Epsilon (SigEp). “You join the fraternity-sorority community and start going to events because you have to. But eventually, you go not because you have to, but because you want to. And then you end up leading those clubs and organizations. It helps the campus thrive.”
From their home on the south end of campus, SigEp members can see the results of their service at Hilltop Neighborhood House, a child care and education center, food pantry, and community garden, founded by a former fraternity member in 1995. Today, SigEp members remain heavily involved in fundraising, volunteering, and supporting the organization’s mission in various ways, including building the outdoor playground and organizing multiple events throughout the year.
One major event hosted by Trevor and his brothers is the annual SigEp Splash, a fundraiser featuring water-based competitions between campus organizations and a t-shirt sale, with all profits benefiting Hilltop House. The funds raised have increased significantly over the past few years, from $1,351 in 2022 to $1,775 in 2023, and a remarkable leap to $4,300 in 2024. Trevor attributes this success to increased community support, including sponsors covering the cost of the t-shirts.
Some of the funds raised through SigEp Splash cover behind-the-scenes needs at Hilltop House, but the majority goes toward bringing holiday magic to the children. Each year, kids in the program write wish lists, and Santa and his “elves” (who look more like college-aged men than the ones on Hallmark cards) deliver gifts to all the children.
“The smiles on the kids’ faces when they open their presents and ask Santa questions—it’s awesome,” Trevor says. “It’s genuinely one of the most fulfilling things I’ve experienced in college and in SigEp.”
For those running Hilltop House, SigEp’s consistent support has been a major help in their efforts to serve the community.
“They’ve turned their philanthropic passion into action,” says Amy Osburn, vice president and director of Hilltop Neighborhood House. “Their support has made a lasting impact on not only Hilltop programs but also the entire Valparaiso community. Hilltop is so grateful for our SigEp neighbors! They’ve been amazing ‘big brothers’ to the thousands of children we’ve served over the past 29 years.”
“It gives you the ability to be part of something bigger than yourself,” Trevor adds. “We could just sit apart from the community and do our own thing, and I’m sure some people would be fine with that. But the vast majority of people in the chapter want to get out there and apply their talents and skills to something that’s helping others.”
