Written for The Argo by Suzanna Cook

On Tuesday, October 18th, the Kappa Sigma fraternity hosted their annual Light Up Lake Fred event, co-hosted by the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority. Attendees gathered behind the Lodge, where paper lanterns were distributed to be decorated in honor of those lost to cancer. After heartfelt speeches by President Andrew Montemurro, Grand Scribe Dillon Kaplan, and Lisa Hensle, participants descended to the beach where brothers helped disperse lanterns into Lake Fred. The result was a stunning vision of glittering lights reflected across the rippling water, inspiring tears in witnesses moved by the sentiment. 

Kappa Sigma began this tradition in honor of their brother Steven Hensle. During his time in the Xi-Rho Chapter of Kappa Sigma at Stockton University, Hensle served as Vice President of Recruitment. He was also active on Stockton’s campus as a TALON and was known by his friends and family as an inspiring man who had a talent for bringing people together. Hensle passed away in 2017 after a long battle with brain cancer, making him the first and only brother to join the chapter celestial. 

All proceeds from Light Up Lake Fred are donated to the Ulman Foundation. The Ulman Foundation is a nonprofit organization that operates with the goal of supporting young adults who have been diagnosed with cancer. “In my opinion, this is really important to protect the honor he brought to our fraternity as well as bring our brothers closer together,” said President/Grand Master Andrew Montemurro. “When (Steven) found out he had cancer he started trying to get more help, and the Ulman foundation was the first one that he thought of. Since then we have always partnered with them and donated all the profits from this event. I think right now we have around $1,250. I hope all of that goes to research and help for those who need it,” said Montemurro.

Greek life events can be found on Ospreyhub. Keep an eye out next semester for Kappa Sigma’s annual “Polar Plunge!”