In the Summer of 2017, our Zeta Pi Chapter of Sigma Pi Fraternity saw a “changing of the guard” in Chapter Directors, as Bob Van Acker handed the role over to Rob Pankau III. This post is meant to share the story of our most recent alumni leader as well our chapter leadership’s history over the years.

By Michael W. Hoskins

You might describe Brother Bob Van Acker as a man who inspires change and jump-starts leadership within our Sigma Pi fraternity chapter. Not to mention that he’s the type of guy you just can’t help but want to sit and chat with over a drink.

Those attributes based on reliability, selflessness & friendship are what have made Bob such a pivotal person for our chapter — from the time he joined the fraternity in the mid 90s and ushered in a new era, to his time as sage and during his recent alumni service as chapter director.

Moral of the story: When Bob puts his mind to Sigma Pi, good things happen for our fraternity.

His start with the chapter came at a time when there were less than a dozen guys, and interestingly his roles as sage and chapter director more than a dozen years later led to a significant expansion in brothers each time his roles changed — the same number of guys, in fact.

“There is a tad bit of irony in that,” the 39-year-old says during an interview in mid-2017.

Initiated in 1996 as part of the nine-man Psi Pledge Class, Bob came in just as the chapter’s active membership was shrinking and only had 11 brothers at the time. Within a year of his initiation due to both his pledge class and the next Fall’s large Alpha Alpha class, the chapter expanded to about 30 guys.

Bob served as sage in 1999, before graduating and taking Omega status in Spring 2001 with a bachelor of arts in communications. After his graduation Bob remained actively involved in the alumni and undergraduate activities through the years and a recognized and popular face through all generations of alum and undergrad brothers, as well as many others regionally and on the National stage.

He became chapter director in April 2013, our 10th in a line of 11 to date as one brother (Bob’s successor, Rob Pankau III) served twice in that position. By examining both Sigma Pi national records and tapping into brothers’ memories, here’s a rundown — as much as it can be documented and truly known — of those who have served as Chapter Director for Zeta Pi since its founding in 1986:

  • Vince Chrisman (Founding Chapter Director in March 15, 1986)
  • John Pearson
  • Bryan Mahlmiester
  • John Zielke (until Feb 1995)
  • Jeff Fox (Feb. 95-June 96)
  • Chuck Surinck (June 96-Jan. 2009)
  • Pete Knoll (early 2009)
  • Brett Westen (Early 2009-Fall 2009)
  • Rob Pankau III (Fall 2009 – Nov. 2010)
  • Mike Long (Nov. 2010 – April 2013)
  • Bob Van Acker (April 2013 – July 2017)
  • Rob Pankau III (July 2017 – )

As to his achievements in the CD role, Bob says his role was to serve as a guiding force whenever possible and both encourage and advise the undergraduate chapter.

In the years before he took over, there was a wave of brothers serving briefly in that role. The chapter shrunk in size and also both gained and lost a house on campus, and Bob came in at a time where alumni leadership was clearly needed. But as his style, Bob doesn’t take credit for the growth and success in the ensuing years and said it was a mutual partnership with past CDs, other alumni and the undergraduate chapter.

“None of this is about me, it’s all on the chapter,” he says. “I was there as a guide, to provide a solid foundation and empower them to see that they have the power to do all of this themselves. They did all the work.”

At times, Bob says he felt like a bad guy in having to scold or offer disciplinary advice — especially when it came to suggesting that the undergraduate chapter suspend or strict men from the roster, due to conduct or not paying dues. But it comes with the territory, and he hopes the brothers eventually learn and understand.

Aside from his fraternity volunteerism, Bob has worked in the banking and mortgage loan imaging industry and has done all of this with pretty consistent work travels. He and his wife live in Troy, Michigan.

Now, Brother Rob Pankau III has taken over as Chapter Director as of mid-2017.

Rob graduated and took Omega status in 2005 with a BA in communications. And this isn’t his first time in this role, as he served briefly from Fall 2009 to Nov. 2010, just before joining the Grand Council Executive Committee as Grand Herald. He has also served as an educational consultant at the fraternity’s executive level, treasurer of the Sigma Pi Historical Society, and as Greater Detroit Province Archon working with various chapters and alumni clubs in the region. Rob lives in Oakland Twp with his wife (a Gamma Phi Beta alumnus) and family, and is employed at GM.

Here’s to both Bob and Rob, and all those who’ve gave back as chapter directors by helping empower and guide the undergraduates. Our chapter and experiences in Sigma Pi wouldn’t be the same without you gentlemen through the years.

Share