Author Archive: Alpha Tau Omega - Gamma Zeta Chapter

Larry Austermiller ‘61 and Dan Blaho ‘90 connect in Tbilisi, Georgia

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Dan and Larry and a couple of Dan's boys in Tbilisi

Dan and Larry and a couple of Dan’s boys in Tbilisi

Note… Larry Austermiller ’61 noticed in a Gamma Zeta News item that Dan Blaho ’90 was working and teaching in Tbilisi, Georgia (that’s the country of Georgia… think Black Sea, not Lake Lanier). Coincidentally, Larry’s son and family are working there as well. So, when Larry took a visit to his family this August/September, he decided to look up his ATO Gamma Zeta brother on the other side of the world. Here’s Larry’s report…

Had not had a chance to connect with Dan Blaho here in Tbilisi, Georgia due to our mutual schedule issues. Learned this A.M. our grand daughter was going to a soccer practice at school where Dan is the new “Director”. Picked out from crowd who I Continue reading→

ATO Gamma Zeta Networking Lunch 9/5/14 with Dr. Michael Terry ’93

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Doc Terry shows his Stanley Cup Championship Rings

Doc Terry shows his Stanley Cup Championship Rings

On September 14, 2014 over 40 Gamma Zeta’s gathered at the Chicago Club to hear Dr. Michael Terry ’93 share his experiences from ATO, an exciting career and most recently as team Doc for the Chicago Blackhawks.  Thanks to Doc Terry for taking the time.  Thanks also to Cary McMillan ’80 for hosting us at the Chicago Club.  See pictures from event.

CMAC ’80 and Brez ’80 visit the house

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10687185_287745838097955_6150919225518306654_nLast weekend Neil Bresnahan and I attended some basketball and football festivities. In between we stopped by Gamma Zeta and met Worth Master, Jimmy K …

The last time I had been in the House it was a disaster. Well Neil and I were shocked how great it looked on Saturday am. The Living rooms have returned to greatness… The lower level study rooms have been Continue reading→

RGS Golf Outing wrap up…

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Chris Crawford '96 and Eric Handley '97

Chris Crawford ’96 and Eric Handley ’97

Note: Steven Spychalski ’96 and Matt Massucci ’96 started the R. Gregory Swedo Foundation in memory of their Gamma Zeta brother Greg Swedo ’96 who was tragically killed in a hit and run accident in November 2000. The foundation funds scholarships honoring the schools Greg attended, Fremd High School and the University of Illinois. Here’s a wrap up sent in by Matt regarding this August’s golf outing…

We wrapped up another successful R Gregory Swedo Foundation (www.gregoryswedo.com) Golf Outing in August (our 13th event). We had an impressive roster of golfers, sponsors, volunteers, and families at this year’s event. There were over 160 golfers, 15+ volunteers, and another 20+ families at this years Golf Outing & BBQ. We raised nearly $11,000 for the RGS Foundation! In the 13 years of the event, we’ve now raised over $200,000 and have awarded 9 scholarships.

As usual, there was a strong Gamma Zeta presence – over 30 golfers (and representing 15 of the foursomes). Gamma Zeta’s also were responsible for nearly half of the corporate sponsors (Hirewell, Sayers, William A Randolph, Energy.me, CMC Advisory Group, Brian Welch / State Farm, and Scott Augustine / Derse). Unfortunately, its been several years since a Gamma Zeta has won the event, but John Bucklar’s (96) team did finish second after winning a four-way shoot out. We had ATOs ranging from 95s to 2013s. It was a great event, and we’d love to get an even bigger turn out next year. Next year’s event is already on the books – 8/15/2015.

Matt Massucci ‘96

Gamma Zeta’s Moms, Alumni and Undergrads team up to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

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Dante Ciccone '02 and cousin Danica

Dante Ciccone ’02 and cousin Danica

We recently received a nice thank you and acknowledgement letter from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society addressed to our undergraduate president Jimmy Kowalczyk for ATO’s donation of $6,360. This donation is a direct result of the silent auction that our undergraduate members coordinated at Mom’s Day last spring. THANKS to all of our ATO moms who participated in that event and made generous donations.

Also, Dante Cicone ’02, Joseph Patrevito ’02.5 and Justin Ross ’02 were all members of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Poker Run Organizing Committee for the fourth strait year and played key leadership roles in assuring the success this past August of the event that raised a record $87,000 for the society. In their four years of leadership, they have raised $245,000… $21,000 of that has come directly from Gamma Zetas. Charlie DeFranco, Christian Barron and Parker Pevitz, ATO Gamma Zeta undergrads volunteered and helped support Dante, Joe and Justin on the day of the event.

LLS helps blood cancer patients live better, longer lives.

  • in the 1960s a child’s chance of surviving leukemia was 3%, today, 90% can expect to survive into their adulthood
  • since the 1960s Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients rates have more than doubled to 88%

Amazing breakthroughs are happening every day from the support from the money raised at events like the Poker Run.

This was a great example of ATO Gamma Zeta parents, alumni and undergrads coming together to support a great cause. We hope to build upon this fantastic example in the years to come and do it even bigger next time.

Awesome job guys!!

Chris Kenessey ‘97 climbs for Dwankhozi-Hope

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chris kenesseyThis past August Chris Kenessey ’97 set out to climb to the summit of the tallest mountain in Europe, Mt. Elbrus. Not impressed yet? Mt. Elbrus towers 18,510 feet above the earth, which is over 4,000 feet higher than our own Mt. Rainier.

Still need some convincing? How about this: Chris is climbing to raise money for Dwankhozi Hope. This is the THIRD mountain he has climbed to support DH. His first two expeditions raised $11,000 to help construct school buildings, and this latest fundraiser raised another $11,000 for Dwankhozi Hope! With this being his third mountain climb fundraising expedition, he’s raised over $20,000 total for Dwankhozi! Great work Chris!!!

I survived the attack without the attack

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Tom McGarrity '77

Tom McGarrity ’77

I SURVIVED THE ATTACK WITHOUT THE ATTACK

by Tom McGarrity ’77

… last fall I had a very lucid, vivid and powerful dream. It had to do with the atmospheric dome collapsing on the earth and my needing to hold up the dome in order that we not all suffocate from lack of oxygen. During that night and for the next few days I felt noticeable discomfort with my breathing. that was the night before my dear friend, Florence, entered the hospital for the last time. and in the end, it was her lack of oxygen that led her to the celestial realm. I couldn’t help but tie the dream and her departure together. But later in the year I began having considerable trouble with my respiratory system.Continue reading→