Maury Nunes ’70, Passionate About Sigma Chi Because of History, Friendship

Why did you join Sigma Chi as an undergraduate?

When I was an Undergrad, it seemed to me that the best opportunity for social life and the way to associate with the best people on campus was to join a fraternity. I was lucky enough that in Army ROTC, a Cadet Captain named Jim Visceglia noticed me and changed my life by inviting me up to the House for a Rush function. From then on I was hooked on Sigma Chi, not only because of the Brothers and the facility but also because of the history. To me, Sigma Chi was a way to connect with the history of the United States from before the Civil War through the present in a way that I never had before. That added plus put Sigma Chi several notches above the other 4 or 5 houses that I rushed.

What is the funniest memory from your Sigma Chi days?

There are many, but the wit of the late William Loren Sharron ‘68 and that of Eric “the Red” LeSchander ‘68 stand out as consistent bright lights.

What is the single fondest memory you have shared/will share with your children and grandchildren?

Presiding over my first Chapter Meeting as Consul with an altered candelabra.

How do you stay connected with your brothers as an alumnus?

I stay connected mostly by email and by attending events from time to time as well as by coming back to the Chapter House for occasional homecomings and other events. I also belong to the Washington Area Alumni Chapter, but I believe I am the only Phi Phi active there.

Have you visited Penn since graduation? Why or why not?

I’ve been back many times. My son is a 2006 grad, though he joined Phi Kappa Sigma to my disappointment.

What about your membership in Sigma Chi makes you the proudest?

I am a Life-loyal Sig and I believe that Sigma Chi is and always has been the best fraternity in the world.

How would your life be different today if you had never joined Sigma Chi?

That would be speculation of the most intense kind. I can say that Sigma Chi was the focal point of my undergraduate life and made the greatest difference in my maturing from a 17-year-old freshman in the fullest sense of that word to be ready for the responsibilities of adulthood.

If you could go back and relive one moment from your Sigma Chi years, what would it be and why?

The game of football we played on our knees in the second-floor hallway in which the entire house was involved in my Junior year stands out.

Where has life taken you since graduation? What’s new in your life today?

To summarize 41+ years is tough. I married my high-school sweetheart, Janie Chargar, in August after graduating and we had two children together and stayed married for 32 years until her untimely death from cancer in 2002. Since then I remarried another widower, Ruth Warsoff, a nurse and we just celebrated our 5th anniversary. I worked briefly in public accounting and then in the family business before going to Georgetown Law where I worked my way through school with a local brokerage firm and an electric utility. In 1977 I opened my own law practice representing privately held businesses and non-profits and still do that. Since 1990 I have been teaching part-time at Catholic University’s Law School and since 1998 at

Georgetown, initially in its Law School and in its MBA Program since 2003. I’ve been somewhat active in Metro DC GOP political circles and as a result, I have served for 8 years on the Board that oversees licensing of commercial activities in Virginia, with 6 years as Chair of that Board. I’ve written 5 books on business and legal subjects and dozens of published articles. I still play racquetball and squash as well as bicycling regularly. In fact, Ruth and I met on a Bike Vermont trip in Maine in 2005. I still play poker, but about as poorly as I did at Penn.

No doubt I have my regrets, too, and wonder still if I might have accomplished more with my life if I had been able to see the future with less emotion and made better decisions accordingly, but there is no doubt that one decision that I would never change was the decision to join Sigma Chi.

Who do you stay connected with in your alumni years? Are there any brothers you’ve lost touch with whom you’d like to reconnect?

I’m still connected with Bill Schmidt ‘69, Charlie O’Neill ‘69, Tom Farrell ‘68, George Morriss ‘69, and Gary Eames ‘70. I have also heard from Kevin Munroe ‘71 and definitely owe him a reply. Among older alumni, I stay in touch with Murray McComas ‘58 and Jon Greenawalt ‘61 as well as younger Alums Mark Kocent ‘82, Ron Woodmansee ‘82, and other Trustees, as I am privileged to serve as pro bono counsel for the Chapter. I would like to get back in touch with Frank Polidora ‘71.

Why would you encourage other brothers to engage with Sigma Chi in their alumni years?

There is no better way to preserve the spirit of youth than to stay connected with Sigma Chi.

Reconnect with Maury at man.apc@verizon.net.