Check out Matt Pell’s ’13 very cool invention for archery training and support him via his Kickstarter page here –
Author Archive: Alpha Tau Omega - Gamma Zeta Chapter
First Gamma Zeta Illini Football Player – James Branch 1897
Throwback Thursday – Now that the Illini have reported to Fall football camp, did you wonder who the first Gamma Zeta Illini football player was?… well you came to the right place – James M. Branch, a 5’11” 178lb end from Seymour, IN. He lettered in 1894, 1895 and 1896. I think that he was Gamma Zeta’s first I Man too. He’s pictured with the 1895 Illini team, second row, third from left.
Gamma Zetas help raise over $100K at LLS Poker Run/Boating for a Cure event!!
Mike Ciccone (left) and Tim Wentink (middle) 00.5’s enjoying the evening
Gamma Zetas are Gold Level Sponsor of LLS Poker Run/Boating for a Cure event. This past Saturday August 8 was the 5th Leukemia, Lymphoma Society Poker Run/ Boating for a Cure event that ATO has been a Gold Level Sponsor. Their generous donation and volunteer work helped raise over $100,000 at this year’s event.
Dante Ciccone ’02 was the Co-Chair. Justin Ross ’02 and Joe Patrevito ‘02.5 were on the organizing committee of this very cool event.
A special thank you to the undergraduates Matt Stemper, Mike Weinstein, Austin Okuno, Joe Binkowski and Gaetano Urgo who volunteered their time at a this year’s event. Also thanks to the ATO Moms who donated over $5,000 at last spring’s Mom’s Day auction which was contributed to this event!!
Tim Wentink ‘00.5 lost his father Ken Wentink of Leukemia and has been an active participant in the Poker Run since 2010. The Wentink Family graciously gave $3,000 this year to help support the cause to beat blood cancers.
It’s not too late to donate to help beat blood cancers here.
Dante Ciccone 02
ATOs Gold Sponsor
Gamma Zeta ’57s and ’58’s to Celebrate their 80th birthdays
The Gamma Zeta 57’s and 58’s have probably been our most prolific reunion goers. They’ve gotten together at least 15 times since 1987 and will be together again on October 15-18 in Scottsdale to celebrate their 80th birthdays. What an incredible example of brothers for a lifetime that they have set for all of us!! Thanks to Bill Dietrich Gamma Zeta ‘58 for sharing these great pictures.
ATO National Congress 2015 – Gamma Zetas take home awards!!
Last night, Saturday, August 8 Gamma Zetas attended the closing banquet of the 2015 ATO National Congress in Indianapolis. We’re very proud to announce that our chapter was awarded True Merit Honorable Mention status, our first True Merit mention of any kind since 2007. Earlier in the week, Gamma Zeta received Excellence Awards in Campus Involvement & Leadership Development, Communications, Recruitment and Scholarship. Outgoing Worthy Master, Jimmy Kowalczyk ’16 won the National Storm Strap Award and our Board of Trustees were recognized with the Upper Alpha Award. This is a huge step forward for our chapter and recognizes an incredible amount of work and an outstanding year for the chapter. We’ll share more about what went into these awards in upcoming newsletters but wanted to let everyone know about this recognition right away. Congrats and great work to all!!
Gamma Zetas attending included Board of Trustees members John Aymond ’80 and his wife Ginger, Dane Luhrsen ’77 and Dave Krug ’95 and his wife Simona, Board of Trustees Chairman Jack Klues ’77 and his wife Beth, undergraduates Mitchell Talbot ’17 (current Worthy Master) and Jimmy Kowalczyk ’16 (outgoing Worthy Master) and Mark Wilhelmi ’79 and his wife Marcie.
Illini Golf Classic – September 21,22 – Olympia Fields
On September 20/21 The Illini Tour Professionals will be hosting the Illini Golf Classic at Olympia Fields in support of the Illini Golf Program. Gamma Zetas have their name all over this one starting with Illini golf coach Mike Small ’88. Just a quick look at the hole sponsors I also see Bill Barry ’77, Cary McMillan ’80, Mark Everett ’79, O’Brien Steel i.e. Mike O’Brien ’84, Brotschul Potts LLC i.e. Ryan Potts ’99, Cozad Asset Management, Inc. i.e. Stu Meacham ’78 and Belmont Bank i.e. Bill McCarty ’79. I’m sure that I’m missing some. Great work guys in supporting Illini’s top sports program and Coach Small! Here’s a link if you’d like to attend or participate in some way.
http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/2015/6/29/mgolf_illiniclassic.aspx?path=mgolfless
Stew Daniels honored at 1950 ATO Congress
Throwback Thursday – ATO Congress – Starting today, ATO national will be holding their national Congress in Indianapolis celebrating 150 years of ATO. Several of our undergrads and a handful of alumni will be there for the closing banquet on Saturday evening. Gamma Zeta is no stranger to Congress. This picture is from the 1950 Congress where Stew Daniels ’21 is recognized for 25 years as Executive Secretary of ATO. Stew Daniels Jr. ’47 is also pictured along with their family.
Marketing position from Mark Mele ’06
Mark Mele ’06 has passed on this job description listed in the link below for for an open marketing position at his company. If any Taus who recently graduated or who have relevant work experience and interested in a marketing position in medical devices, Mark would be interested in talking with them. He will be available in Chicago on Monday to meet and discuss in person for whoever would want to meet. The position requires some experience in marketing or sales and relocation is an option. The company is NuVasive, a pure play spine company located in San Diego, CA.
Here’s Mark’s contact info. Please reach out to him quickly if you are interested.
Mark Mele
Senior Product Manager, TL Posterior |NuVasive, Inc.| Speed of Innovation
direct. 858-909-3361|fax. 858-909-3461|mobile. 858-531-9747|email. mmele@nuvasive.com
7475 Lusk Blvd.|San Diego|CA|92127
Congrats Ben Rear ’12 and Leah Seiler!!
Last night in Champaign, Ben Rear ’12 married Leah Seiler. Congrats Ben and Leah!! Leah is the daughter of Dave Seiler ’77 and granddaughter of John Seiler ’54 so the wedding brought together three generations of Gamma Zetas. Too bad that Leah’s great grandfather Rex ’21 who was also a Gamma Zeta couldn’t be there or it would have been a four generation gathering! Leah’s brother Cam who is an ATO from Purdue was there. Pictured are first row Dave Seiler ’77, Dane Luhrsen ’77, Don Armstrong ’77, John Seiler ’54. Second row Cam Seiler (Purdue), Hisham Alhreish ’12, Ben Rear ’12, Dale Jarosz ’12 and Stu Meacham ’78
