FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 26, 2010 | 1:00 PM EDT

ONEONTA, NEW YORK – Dr. Otto L. Louis Sonder Jr., American ’47 has entered the Omega Chapter. Fraternity Headquarters learned of his passing Friday afternoon, April 23, 2010. He passed away at his home in Oneonta, New York at the age of 85.

Dr. Sonder is credited with orchestrating the merger of Alpha Gamma Upsilon Fraternity into Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity. The merger was a quiet affair. Dr. Sonder was the faculty advisor for the Alpha Gamma Upsilon Chapter at Lycoming College (Williamsport, Pennsylvania). Lycoming College became the Gamma Rho Chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi and was the first to be chartered in 1965. In 1966, Alpha Gamma Upsilon chapters at the Detroit Institute of Technology, Indiana Institute of Technology, and Eastern Michigan University were chartered as chapters of Alpha Sigma Phi. The merger was not completed, however, until Lawrence Institute of Technology was reaccredited and its fifty-five-year-old Alpha Gamma Upsilon chapter chartered in 1968. The Old Gal gained five chapters from the merger.

Following the merger Dr. Sonder served as the Gamma Rho Chapter Grand Chapter Advisor from 1961 to 1974. In 1974, Otto moved to Oneonta, New York to work with Hartwick College. Soon after arriving to Hartwick, Dr. Sonder became acquainted with Alpha Sigma Phi. The Beta Xi Chapter was established at Hartwick in 1935. He again took on the role of advisor and served Beta Xi as the Grand Chapter Advisor starting in 1974 until his retirement in 2006. Brother Sonder’s service to the Old Gal totals more than 45 years.

In 2006, the 49th Grand Chapter in Charlotte, North Carolina created the Dr. Otto L. Sonder, Jr. Advisor of the Year Award. The award is given annual to an advisor who displays exceptional passion, commitment, and drive for a chapter or colony. 

“The award named in his honor is a testament to his unwavering commitment. Brother Sonder played such an important role in our history and for nearly 40 years, the history of our chapter at Hartwick. His contributions both in and out of the classroom touched the lives of thousands. He will be missed,” said Gordy Heminger, President and CEO of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity.

Dr. Sonder was a 1967 recipient of the Delta Beta Xi Award and received the Evin C. Varner, Jr. Distinguished Service Award in 1996, the Fraternity’s highest honor.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Otto's memory may be made to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Atonement, 1 Center St., Oneonta, NY 13820; Alpha Sigma Phi, Beta Xi (Local Chapter), 71 Spruce St., Oneonta, NY 13820; Alpha Sigma Phi, Education Fund (National), 710 Adams St., Carmel, IN 46032-7541; Hartwick College, Attn.: Alicia Fish, Director of Donor Relations, Oneonta, NY 13820; Lycoming College, 700 College Place, Box 165, Williamsport, PA 17701; and DePauw University, Attn: Jason Petrovich, Executive Director of Development, 300 E Seminary St, PO Box 37, Greencastle, IN 46135-0037.

MEDIA CONTACT
Gordy Heminger, President and CEO
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Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity, Inc. was founded at Yale University in 1845, and currently recognizes 76 chapters and colonies across the country. The Fraternity aims to be the co-curricular organization of choice for discerning young men through the provision of an enriching brotherhood experience and a full range of character and leadership development opportunities. The national headquarters of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity is located in Carmel, Indiana.