Alpha Pi Sigma Fraternity Brothers Reconnect at Reunion
Although they met decades ago, one group of Saint Louis University graduates share a lasting bond that continues to shape their lives long after graduation: membership in the Alpha Pi Sigma fraternity.
“I consider my Sigma association one of the strongest true brotherhoods I’ve ever been associated with,” said Greg Kowalski (PC ‘67). “Even today, the camaraderie is strong and sincere.”
Kowalski, along with Rick Kamykowski (PC ‘73), Duane Mazzacavallo (PC ‘65, GRAD CSB ‘68), Sam Bryne (PC ‘69), Pete Hafner (PC ‘65), Sam Digirolamo (PC ‘67, LAW ’79) and Jack Meinzenbach (PC ‘65, GRAD CSB ’68), recently organized a reunion at SLU to nurture those connections.
“Our reunions have enabled me to get to know alumni and their wives from classes before and after me,” said Mazzacavallo. “I wouldn’t have had that opportunity to get to know them without the Sigma connection.”
Thirty-four graduates from the Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology classes of 1957 to 1979 attended, visiting SLU’s hangar at the St. Louis Downtown Airport in Cahokia Heights, Illinois, enjoying lunch at Pappy’s Smokehouse and touring the Sinquefield Science and Engineering Center.
Even today, the camaraderie is strong and sincere.”
Greg Kowalski (PC ‘67)
“The initial meet-and-greet was like opening gifts on Christmas morning,” said Kamykowski.
“Seeing fraternity brothers from Parks whom you haven’t seen in years and sharing
old stories from those days was like going back in time.”
Organizers said their goal is to hold reunions every three to four years. Previous
gatherings were held in St. Louis in 2017 and 2021, and in San Diego in 2024.
SLU's Alpha Pi Sigma chapter was founded at Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology in 1943. While there have been some changes since — the fraternity was deactivated in 1988 and Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology became part of the School of Science and Engineering in 2022 — its bonds have endured. As the School of Science and Engineering prepares to celebrate the centennial of the founding of Parks Air College in 2027, plans for another Alpha Pi Sigma reunion are already in motion.
The fraternity brothers also created the Alpha Pi Sigma and Parks College Endowed Scholarship in 2021, establishing a legacy that will help future generations of Billikens.
“With more than $120,000 raised, SLU awards two $2,500 scholarships annually, one in aerospace engineering and another in aeronautics,” Kamykowski said. “Most of our contributions have been from Alpha Pi Sigma members who have been unable to attend our reunions but still want to memorialize the college and fraternity.”