Evanston, Illinois | February 6, 2026 – Sixty-seventh Grand Consul, Order of Constantine Sig and Significant Sig Dennis Santoli, WESTERN RESERVE 1967, entered the Chapter Eternal on Jan. 25, 2026. He was 79. Santoli was born Feb. 12, 1946. He majored in history at Western Reserve University and earned his law degree from Georgetown University. Professionally, he spent more than 30 years founding and leading insurance companies that underwrite liability risks for health care facilities. Prior to his retirement in 2016, Santoli was president and CEO of the Campania Group and president of Hanover Healthcare. He also retired from the U.S. Army Reserve with the rank of major.
Santoli served in leadership roles for several cultural and educational institutions, such as on the boards of Casa Italian Cultural Center, Language School and Museum in Washington, D.C., and as executive director of the Blue and Gold Education Foundation in Vienna, Virginia. At Case Western, he was an Alumni Admission Ambassador and member of the college’s visiting committee. His Fraternity service began with his initiation into the Beta Alpha chapter of Sigma Chi at Western Reserve University on Feb. 1, 1964.
Santoli served as recruitment chairman, Quaestor and Pro Consul. After graduating, he later was the Eastern Virginia province Grand Praetor for six years and president of the Northern Virginia Alumni Chapter from 1997 to 2002. Santoli also was a member of numerous Fraternity committees, including the Legal Affairs, Chapter and Member Accountability, International Balfour Selection, Investment, Budget, and Non-Student Initiation committees. In addition, he was a past chairman of the Sigma Chi Leadership Institute. His volunteerism earned him several Certificates of Appreciation and Grand Consul’s Citations over the years.
Santoli was elected Grand Consul in 2011 and made it a priority to promote Sigma Chi’s values and ideals throughout his tenure, according to his inauguration speech. Leadership development education and opportunities expanded under him. Misconduct investigations and outcomes switched from group discipline to individual accountability. And, under his leadership, most notably, an emphasis was placed on the Ritual.
“From my first awakening as to the true meaning of the White Cross, the teachings contained in the Ritual have guided and tempered my actions,” Santoli said at the 2011 Grand Chapter. “(Friendship) is the most important of the Three Great Aims. Friendship embodies the bonds of our brotherhood, and true friendship is derived from our Ritual, the Ritual which unites us in one heart and mind even though we are different in our temperaments, talents and convictions. The Ritual defines the motives and ideals which make us Sigma Chis.”
Santoli swiftly appointed and tasked a Ritual Committee with the objectives of training and certifying skilled practitioners of the Ritual. Province and chapter Ritual trainings were established. And, annual Ritual certification became a requirement for a chapter to qualify for a Peterson Significant Chapter Award.
After leaving the Fraternity’s highest office in 2013, Santoli joined the Risk Management Foundation board of directors and quickly became its chairman. He served in that role until his death.
Santoli was married to his sweetheart, Cynthia, and blended together they had four children. Two of his brothers, Michael, WESTERN RESERVE 1969, and Order of Constantine Sig David Santoli, CASE WESTERN 1985, also wear the Sigma Chi badge. Santoli was well known for his love of Italian culture, wine and food; his spirit of generosity; and his passion of paying forward the many blessings he received throughout his life.
As a tribute to Brother Santoli’s enduring legacy, we invite you to honor his memory with your support of the Dennis R. Santoli Ritual Renaissance Educational Initiative — a fund established to advance the educational components of Sigma Chi’s Ritual certification and training. To donate online, please click here.
All Honor to His Name.
Sigma Chis Remembering the 67th Grand Consul
“Dennis — the moment always starts the same. A smile bigger than the room; a warm embrace; a friendly exchange of pleasantries. There is no better greeting. Dennis was generous in all things, but mostly in his ability to give energy in the form of love to everyone he greeted. His dedication to Sigma Chi was beyond reproach. Regarding his care for his family and friends, I am not sure I have met his equal. I am a better person for having been lucky enough to be his friend. Also, he would hate hearing these kind things said about him. Always humble, as if everyone gave this much of themselves. Truly an inspiration in so many ways.” – 74th Grand Consul Ryan Temby, RUTGERS 1990
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“For my entire life, my brother Dennis represented all that is noblest and best in the Fraternity. When I was born in September 1963, Dennis was already a freshman at Western Reserve University working on founding the Beta Alpha chapter. Through him, I learned about the Seven Founders, their virtues and Sigma Chi’s high ideals. Because of him, I wanted to become a Sigma Chi. Because of him, I am a Sigma Chi. His impact on the Fraternity — whether in Cleveland, Virginia, the Praetorial College, the Executive Committee or the Risk Management Foundation — was profound and will be lasting. He was a true, loyal and generous friend. He was firm but fair in his business dealings, striving at all times to do what was right and just. He had a powerful intellect and loved to read, travel and learn about the world around him. I have always done my best to follow his example. I am a better man because of him, and I believe that Sigma Chi is a better Fraternity because of him, too.” – Order of Constantine Sig David Santoli, CASE WESTERN 1985
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“Dennis served with distinction as the chairman of the board for our Fraternity’s insurance company, where his leadership was defined by a rare combination of deep knowledge and unwavering fairness. He was a loyal and dedicated brother who remained even-handed in every decision, always keeping the best interests of our community at heart. Above all, his kindness and commitment to the spirit of brotherhood left an indelible mark on Sigma Chi. He will be deeply missed.” – Order of Constantine Sig Ted Pitt, WESTERN 1971
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“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Brother Santoli, a mentor with whom I had the privilege of working closely with for more than a decade. During my 20 years with RMF, Dennis served as our longest-tenured chairman, providing principled leadership that profoundly shaped the Foundation’s mission and impact. His generosity of spirit and lifelong service will continue to guide our work, and we are forever grateful for his enduring legacy.” – Risk Management Foundation Executive Director Steve Davidson, BIRMINGHAM-SOUTHERN 1996