Though his undergraduate days are far behind him, the love Cal Stuckeman ’37 has for Sigma Chi has never waivered.
Sometimes referred to as “Mr. Alpha Chi,” he has both an academic building and the Sigma Chi fraternity house named in his honor. This distinguished alumnus exemplifies the pride and respect that every Alpha Chi feels while proving that age is no excuse to be involved with the chapter.
“I think it’s important that the alumni have an interest in the boys and the chapter to keep them doing the right things,” he said. “That’s why I make sure to always be there and stay active.”
In the fall of 1932, Cal, a Pittsburgh native, was initiated as a Sigma Chi at Penn State. As an undergraduate, he worked in the engineering building that, at the time, was right next to the Sigma Chi house. That combined, with some hometown connections, prompted Cal to pledge the fraternity.
“I knew one guy from Pittsburgh who was a member and a fine fellow. I liked him, so I pledged,” he explained. “Plus, the house bill was 50 bucks a month. That’s all I could afford!”
He has fond memories of playing sports and games with his brothers, and wishes he could relive the Sunday mornings of going to church as one big group.
“In those days everybody went to church on Sunday morning, and our fraternity was close to the chapel near Schwab Auditorium,” said Cal. “Everyone got up together, walked to church together, and came home together.”
Being “right in the middle of things” makes him the most proud when he looks back at his undergraduate years. Cal takes satisfaction in the fact that the Sigma Chi brothers came from every aspect of Penn State culture.
“We had a great group of boys who were pretty good students and active in the university,” he said. “It was a requirement for everyone to be involved with something. There were people on the football team, managers of sports, and active in the politics of the university.
Thinking about that makes me proud.”
Since graduating and departing from that “great group of guys”, Cal has never left them behind. Today he is one of the top five most generous donors to Penn State, and a major contributor to the Alpha Chi Chapter. He is a retired president and chairmen of The Precise Corporation, a machine and measuring tools manufacturing ompany.
Cal’s wife, Eleanor, whom he met at Penn State, passed away in 2002. Together they made plans for an integrated learning architectural center that came into fruition in 2008 with Cal’s $20 million donation to the university. The Stuckeman Family Building stands today on campus helping architecture architecture and landscape architecture students hone their craft.
During a ceremony in September of 2007, the Sigma Chi house was given the name H. Campbell Stuckeman Chapter House
after Cal’s $250,000 contribution to its renovation.
“I was amazed and shocked,” he said of the honor. “I had no idea that they were going to name it after me. I was so happy and proud.”
To this day, Cal keeps up with the chapter very closely. He does his best to make sure that the brothers stay out of trouble and keep a good academic record.
“The officers of the fraternity did a super job of selecting new members and they’ve done a good job keeping the house in great shape. They’re all friends, and it’s easy to tell,” Cal explained.
The rewards and benefits of being a Sigma Chi have prevailed throughout his whole life as an alumnus, and Cal really believes in the connection of integrity one Sigma Chi has with another. This onnection can be seen both in fraternity-related functions and day-to-day affairs.
“When I first moved to Milwaukee, I heard that the Sigma Chi alumni group of that area was having a dinner. I happened to go and, golly, I met a few people that helped me get organized into a new town and new city,” he said. “The brotherhood stretched beyond Penn State.”
Cal encourages current brothers to keep their grades up and future brothers to examine the possibilities that Sigma Chi provides. He remains extraordinarily humble given the extraordinary opportunities he’s provided to Sigma Chi and the Penn State community. Mr. Alpha Chi really does live up to his name.