Mu Chapter Sigma Pi Kitchen Naming for Pat

3/10/20 UPDATE:   This is Pat's Last Year!

All...I just got word that this is very likely going to be Pat's last year employed at Sigma Pi.  Looks as though the undergrads are making a move to some corporate meal provider.  Can't say I agree with the direction (although Pat was looking to retire in a year or two) but these are and have been decision left to the undergraduate leaders. 

With this news I couldn't help but think what a show of support this floundering fundraiser could be if we only got into gear.  Sure is a 100K in a future...does not appear so....but some significant participation can be!   We only have 19 brothers out of the 250 so participating.  That's less than 8% and that's embarrassing. 

$182 was the mark but if you can't reach that just donate what you can.  Can we get our percentage of support up to 50% or even 75% ?!?! 
If you have already donated....Thank You!  If in light of the news you can up the ante that would be amazing.  For those who haven't yet please get on board, add your name to the roster and let's make a statement as part of this send of for our friend and Pi House staple for the last quarter century....Pat Spirawk

So please do what you can and please share this.  The email list I got from the alumni logs is only so good and is surely a large part of the blame in our slow gains.  Putting the link below so you can drop it anywhere to get your cohorts on board.

Thank you all!
Best
Matt Pens '00

gofundme Pat Spirawk Site 
gf.me/u/xqifwk






I fired Patrick Sprawk! 

From ’94-’98 the Pi house kitchen experienced as much turmoil as the rest of the organization. Choices for cooks were few and we had high expectations. 

After the fire, we had Scooter the tugboat captain, then Dolly a female acquaintance of the famous Dolly, and eventually Patrick.  In house meetings, we debated their merits and shortcomings and our capacity to manage them. At the end of their trial periods, we voted to fire each and continue searching.  I had to deliver that message in person.  

Today, Patrick and I joke that I fired him once, because I hired him twice and he’s been our beloved chef for 20+ years.  Admittedly, we have wanted more than champagne chicken at formal events and the challenge has been keeping his performance at a level that matches our expectations. But I consider this more of a management failure on our end than a performance failure on his. 

In truth, Patrick has been much more than a cook. He helped me find work, sell a car and negotiate the non-academic hazards of student life.  I know he has touched every one of our lives in significant ways, which  is why we voted to make him an honorary brother. 

We now have an opportunity to acknowledge Patrick in a much more meaningful way. The recent renovation of the kitchen & dining facilities has created new and binding ways for the brotherhood to collaborate that does not revolve around alcohol and risky behavior.   We have raised over $505,000 against our fundraising  goal of $650,000 with over 200 alumni contributing. The brothers from the 70's and 80's got to name the new dining room after Dolly as they have raised the most funds for the project.

WE can name the kitchen after Patrick; and we only need to raise $100,000.

Now, I have two sons and a start-up; I know well this chapter of life that's short on time and money. But, I know that NOW is the time to make this happen for three reasons.

First, Patrick will not be around forever and it's better to acknowledge people while they're around.

Second, the need is now; the project is complete and it's time to pay the builder.

Third, we are the group with the lowest participation rate on this project and now we have a meaningful reason to change that.

From '98 to '10 there are 227 of us that thrived on Pat's cooking for an average of three years.

So, I am challenging myself and EACH OF US to pledge 50 cents per day to this project, for each of our three years.

Just 50 cents per day.... $182 each year... 50 cents X 227 brothers X 365 days X 3 years = $124,282.

Please stand with me in honoring our cook ...our Friend....OUR BROTHER....Patrick Spirawk!

Jevo,
Liviu Victor Rusu '98

Once you've donated, please make sure to make your comments and help us add the brother's not on the list on this list so we can as a team make this reality.  Add names, guilt away your brethren and together we can finish the play on this huge improvement to 730 University Ave and leave our mark on its legacy.