Eric Berger ‘87 ([email protected]) says that he decided to pledge to SAE while working at the law school dining service with Ken Brunetti ‘86, who talked up SAE during their shifts working together.
He soon decided that it was where he belonged. He remembers it being made up of “laid back good guys who enjoyed wall ball. We had great winter beach parties and Paddie Murphy parties which were really well-attended.”
He says another one of his best memories was of a late-night party. “Late one night we were having a party and ran out of grain alcohol, so we filled the empty bottle with water. Someone complained that the grain alcohol punch was too weak, so I poured water into the punch from the grain alcohol bottle. The person said that it was much better and went away happy!”
He says that SAE – and rush especially – prepared him for life. “We had a very short period of time to make a positive first impression that determined success or failure, which is more real world than anything else in college.”
He says that giving back is crucial.
“There is an assumption that nothing changes,” he says, “That the House and SAE will always be there for the next generation no matter what. However, the reality is that without alumni financial support SAE might simply fade away. It is expensive to maintain an older home while providing a meaningful fraternity experience. Tuition and fees have skyrocketed, which puts a lot of financial pressure on the students and their families.”
“SAE was an important part of my college experience and I trust that it has also been for those who came after me. The House was always short of funds and there were always unexpected expenses. Now that I am in a position to help, even if it’s just a little bit, I have always wanted to do so.”
