Category Archives: ATO Alumni News

To Mars By A Bomb – The Secret History of Project Orion with General Ed Giller ’40

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GillerI’m constantly amazed at the interesting things that our alumni have done over the course of their careers. Retired Major General Ed Giller ’40 is up near the top of the list… from fighter pilot during WWII to a nuclear arms negotiator with the Soviets in the 70’s, he had some extraordinary experiences. I just came across this documentary titled “To Mars By A Bomb – The Secret History of Project Orion (Nuclear Propulsion)” where Ed is interviewed for his role as the Liaison Officer while assigned to the Air Force Special Weapons Center in Albuquerque, NM for Project Orion. Project Orion was a secret project funded by the Air Force during the late 50’s/early 60s which was a study of a spacecraft intended to be directly propelled by a series of explosions of atomic bombs behind the craft (nuclear pulse propulsion) that could take as many as 100 people to Mars. If you’re into this sort of thing, you may find this video interesting. Ed is interviewed about 3/4 of the way through.

Here’s a link to an article that we posted containing an original interview with General Giller ’40 a couple of years ago.

Retired Brigadier General Frank Blazey ’42 gives keynote address on Memorial Day

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FrankBlazeyJust came across this article about Retired Brigadier General Frank E. Blazey who initiated in Gamma Zeta in 1942 who gave the keynote address at a Memorial Day event in Hendersonville, NC a couple of weeks ago. Based upon his initiation year, he must be about 91… that’s pretty impressive. Congrats General Blazey!! – http://www.hendersonvillelightning.com/news/4002-take-time-to-honor-veterans-and-those-who-gave-all.html

Congrats Steve Weissenstein ’83 – Inducted into Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame!

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wiseprofile-298x198This past month, Steve Weissenstein ’83, head coach of the Glenbrook South women’s basketball team, was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. In 26 years as a head Titans basketball coach (17 with the girls and nine with the boys) he owns a career record of 443-291.

Here’s a quote from one of the articles about Steve…“A great friend of mine, Rob Judson (Gamma Zeta ’80), was the boys coach at Glenbrook South, and he helped me get a teaching and coaching job at the school,” Weissenstein said. “When he left to become a college coach in 1989, I decided to throw my hat into the ring and got the job. I was very blessed to have learned so much from Rob, as he is an amazing coach (currently an assistant at Indiana). There is no way I would have become a head coach without his tutelage, guidance, and support.”

Congrats Steve!!

Weissenstein credits Ashley for career achievement

Weissenstein inducted into Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame

 

Bill “BB” Barry ’77 honored at All Stars Project of Chicago at Partners with Youth Benefit Luncheon

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Congrats to Bill “BB” Barry ’77 who was recognized today at the All Stars Project of Chicago Partners with Youth Benefit Luncheon as one of two Partners With Youth Award Winners. The luncheon, due in no small part to BB’s leadership and support raised over $500,000. Thanks to the many Gamma Zetas who attended, sponsored or donated. Hope more can join in next year. Very cool program and event!!

Some pics from the luncheon…

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BB with brothers John, Bruce “Carp” and Larry. Dan “Dog” also attended but slipped out before pictures. Carp “80” and Dog “84” are Gamma Zetas

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Jimmy Kowalczyk ’16 and John Aymond ’80

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Mark Faber ’75 and Bill Rolander ’83 with BB