The New York Iota Chapter recently gathered at their 44th Annual Alumni Banquet to honor and celebrate 44 years at Fredonia and honor the legacy of alumnus Sean June, a cherished member of their fraternity who passed away in December 2023 after a courageous battle with cancer. Sean was posthumously awarded both the prestigious Sigma Phi Epsilon National Career Achievement Award and the inaugural Michael Milano Alumni Excellence Award, recognizing his exceptional accomplishments, service, and lasting impact on the fraternity and beyond.
Sean’s career and academic journey were remarkable, underscoring his commitment to engineering, teaching, and innovation. After graduating from Fredonia, he pursued advanced studies, ultimately earning a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering. His professional career took him to IBM, where he worked as an Advisory Thermal Engineer. He went on to teach at Western Carolina University and Christian Brothers University, where he taught many students and young engineers. In 2022, he was appointed Director of Eastern Kentucky University’s newly established Manufacturing Engineering Program, marking a significant milestone both for him and the institution. Beyond engineering, Sean was a man of many talents—he earned his pilot’s license and was also a gifted musician, finding joy in his creative pursuits.
Sean’s journey, however, began at Fredonia, where he became an integral part of Sigma Phi Epsilon. His dedication to the fraternity and his role as Alumni and Volunteer Corporation (AVC) President made a lasting impression on his brothers. His leadership was particularly vital during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, when his guidance and steady presence helped steer the fraternity through unprecedented times. Those who knew him fondly remember his humility, humor, and willingness to tackle difficult conversations—qualities that made him both approachable and admirable. Despite an incredibly demanding schedule, Sean always found time to give back to his fraternity, serving as a mentor, friend, and source of inspiration.
In a heartfelt ceremony, the fraternity came together to celebrate Sean’s legacy. Current AVC President Sean Murphy presented the Career Achievement Award in Sean June’s honor, while Chapter Counselor Noah Frederick awarded the inaugural Michael Milano Alumni Excellence Award. Both awards reflect Sean’s extraordinary contributions and dedication to Sigma Phi Epsilon and to the engineering field. Both of these awards will be sent to Sean’s family.
The ceremony was also marked by personal tributes from NY Iota alumni and friends, David Mazzone and Alex Anderson, who shared stories from their college days and their enduring friendship with Sean. They painted a picture of a man who, even in the face of immense personal and professional responsibilities, remained deeply committed to his friends, family, and fraternity brothers. Additionally, Sean Murphy conveyed sentiments from another close friend, Ken Mammoser, who said Sean “embodied our cardinal principles perfectly.”
As the New York Iota Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon remembers Sean, they hold his example close, inspired by the legacy he leaves behind—a legacy of excellence, kindness, and service that will continue to resonate within the fraternity and beyond.