Over 150 ATOs, Family and Guests attend Illini vs. Washington Football Game in Soldier Field

soldier field 2When the University of Illinois announced the football schedule for this fall that included a game in Chicago’s Soldier Field between the Illini and the Washington Huskies, John Aymond ’80 saw an opportunity. First, to get a bunch of Gamma Zeta’s together in Chicago which is always fun and second to help Bob Simonds ’47 raise money for ALS research. However, John didn’t stop there. Through his involvement with the Greek Council Board of Advisors (basically an alumni advisory group of the IFC) he turned this into a giant Greek Reunion at Soldier Field to watch the Illini play Washington in football.Continue reading

Intramural All Points Competition is Back!!

RuboAfter a 38 year absence, the Intramural All-Points Competition will return to the University of Illinois Campus this fall. Any alumni who graduated prior to about 1980 will remember how much fun and exciting this competition was. Fraternities were awarded points for participating, competing in and winning intramural sports throughout the year and a giant trophy was awarded to the winner each spring. Thank Dr. Don “Rubo” Rubenstein ’80 for nudging the IFC and the Division of Campus Recreation to bring this great tradition back. A personal commitment from Rubo to fund a giant trophy for the winner probably helped.Continue reading

A “Call to Action” from former ATO Worthy Grand Chief and Gamma Zeta Worthy Master Bob Simonds ‘47

Bob SimondswbadgeBob Simonds ’47 blood runs about as “blue and gold” as it gets and he needs our help.

  1. Click on this link – http://www.alswalk4life.org/gammazeta, pull out your credit card and make a donation to ALS research in Bob’s name.
  2. Join Bob and his team at the 12th Annual Les Turner ALS Walk4Life at Soldier Field on September 22. (please email luhrsen@gartner.com if you can make it so we can order you a Bob Simonds Team T-Shirt and let you know where to meet).

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Matt Dixon ’11 – Giving the Gift of Education

Matt Dixon with his 8th Graders in DCHow did you get interested in Teach for America? Can you provide a little background on TFA?
Teach For America is a national corps of recent college graduates and professionals who commit to teach for two years in urban and rural schools in an effort to close the achievement gap and reach public educational equity. The program also works to develop corps members into life-long advocates of the educational equity movement who can affect change at various levels – from classrooms to courtrooms. This year, more than 9,300 corps members are teaching 600,000 students in 43 low-income communities across the country as nearly 24,000 Teach For America alumni are working from inside and outside the field of education to create the changes needed to close the achievement gap.Continue reading