Category Archives: Profile

Catching up with Senator Alan Dysert ‘73

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Alan DysertWell… Alan isn’t exactly a Senator but he’s doing the next best thing… playing one in a movie.

Alan, I just saw the Youtube video preview posted on Facebook of your movie project “The Senator: Islandcare is Born” (check out http://youtu.be/dk-IuudzmAk and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ce7nTkjn-Y&feature=youtu.be ).  It looks like a lot of fun.  Can you tell us a little bit about the project… where it stands now and where and when we might be able to see the final product?

I finished shooting it as of 2 weeks ago and have been editing as we went along. I just have some musical transitions to write and then start locking in the whole piece. The rough edit is done. It has been great fun. I wrote, directed, produced ( as well as played the Senator). For once I wanted to do a project that I wanted to do- the way I wanted to do it. The only way I could do that was to finance it myself. I have served as executive producer, producer or director on many different projects- but that was all hired gun stuff. I already owned the equipment and the studio- so all I had to do was gather up my crew (that already worked with me ) and the funniest actors that had ever passed through the door of The Actor’s School. It is way over the top comedy. I like that. I kind of did this one for me. It’s a bucket list thing. In the end it will be a comedy series – instead of film- but there will be a film version for film festivals. I was a comedy guy before I did All My Children- but people only know about the soap. This goofy stuff is more of who I am.Continue reading→

Do you know Frederick C. Philbrick ’11??

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filbrickOn September 29, 1975 William D. Krahling, Interim Executive Director of Alpha Tau Omega received a letter from Peggy Betts Richardson. This letter explained that Peggy’s uncle, Frederick C. Philbrick and aunt, Edna Betts Philbrick had left a significant bequest in memory of Frederick to the ATO Foundation. This resulted in the establishment of the Frederick C. Philbrick Scholarship to benefit Gamma Zeta ATOs which has awarded thousands of dollars to Gamma Zeta undergrads over the last thirty five years. The current value of the Philbrick endowment is over $75,000 and we’ll be awarding another $3,300 to a Gamma Zeta undergrad again this year. This was a wonderful gesture by the Philbricks and I’m certain that the recipients of these scholarships over the years have been extremely grateful.

Gamma Zeta has six other scholarships that we award each year, two in honor of Bob Simonds and at least one each in honor and memory of Matt Heldman, J.D. Sinnock, Rich Clausing and Dave Timson. The Gamma Zeta endowment totals nearly $500,000 and we award over $20,000 each year in scholarships. All of these other guys and their stories are well know to us but Fred C. Philbrick remains a mystery.

Here’s what we know. ATO records show that he initiated to Gamma Zeta in 1911. He appears listed as a Freshman in the 1912 Illio Yearbook in the house roster but not in the picture. There isn’t a single mention of him in the Illio or the Daily Illini archives after that. There is no mention of him in the Palm or the Gamma Zeta Newsletters that we could find. There were a couple of hits on his name on the internet but certainly no explanation for his large gift to ATO. All we really have is the brief letter from his niece that is included below.

Why would a guy who very likely only spent one year as an active member of Gamma Zeta donate that much money over 60 years later? We’d love to know more about this brother and what motivated him. If you have any information at all that you can share, please pass it on!

Bill Forsyth ’86: Former Chief Illiniwek Sharing Opinions Based on Lifetime Experience

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bill forsyth chiefBill Forsyth, a Gamma Zeta alumnus graduated in 1986, served as Chief Illiniwek from 1984 to 1986. The Chief was banished from the university’s sporting events six years ago. He encourages you to read this article (http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/05/07/wisch-return-of-chief-illiniwek-proposed-and-ignored/) which discusses a “common sense compromise” put forth by the Council of Chiefs. If you agree, he suggests that you:

1. Forward it to any and all Illini you know, and;
2. Email the Chancellor (pmwise@illinois.edu) and the Board of Trustees (UIBOT@illinois.edu) voicing support for this “common-sense compromise.”

As the return of the Chief being brought up and ignored, a recent interview with Forsyth was conducted to reveal some of his personal experience serving as the Chief as well as his view on this particular issue. Click here to read the story.Continue reading→

Ed Ptacek ’51 on How Being a Leader in ATO Builds Confidence

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Ed Ptacek 2013Ed spent many years in the Information Technology industry. His work involved marketing/sales, as well as executive management and consulting. He lives in Solana Beach, CA with his wife Claudette. He has a son in Seattle, and a daughter nearby in Southern California, along with three grandsons ages 5, 11, and 23.

What were some of the best times at Gamma Zeta in the 1950’s?
I especially remember the Gamma Zeta Homecoming Decorations, the Spring Carnivals, which we staged with different Sororities, and many IM Sports. You played whatever contests you could. Some of us would even play water polo, ping pong or horseshoes — anything for those points! Of course, I have to mention the fellowship we enjoyed at Bidwell’s (no longer around) and Kam’s. There was no drinking in the House in those days , which led to our fair share of 35 cent quarts at these upscale establishments.Continue reading→

Gerry Kostelny ’72: Successful Real Estate Developer and ATO Team Leader

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kostelnyGerry Kostelny: Successful Real Estate Developer and ATO Team Leader

Gerry Kostelny (Gamma Zeta ’72) has been involved in the commercial real estate business throughout his career. He is the founder and CEO of InSite Real Estate, a national owner, developer, and operator of commercial investment real estate.

Tell us about your family.
I have been married to my wife, Carolyn, who plays an active role in our company, for 20 years and have 5 children: Katie – Iowa ’03, a real estate lawyer for our company; Dan – Illinois Gamma Zeta ’05, a member of our company’s industrial property team; Carrie – Illinois Gamma Phi Beta ’07, a lawyer for the Intercontinental Exchange; Tom – Illinois Delta Tau Delta ’12, a member of our company’s retail property team; and Elizabeth – a high school sophomore at Benet Academy.Continue reading→

Jack Klues ’74: A Leading Media Executive and Committed ATO

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jack kluesWhat direction has your career taken since your Gamma Zeta days?
I have worked in the advertising agency business since graduation from the University of Illinois in 1977. I was first hired by Leo Burnett as a Client Service account trainee starting in the Media Department. I never left Leo and Media operations even though my career did require several changes of business cards over the last 35 years. I stayed in Media rather than becoming an Account Executive. About 15 years ago, I led the “spin off” of the Leo Burnett Media Department to a global Media Agency called Starcom. Two years later, I was asked to also oversee and integrate a rival agency brand named Mediavest. Today, SMG is the largest Media agency in US and the world. After being acquired by the French based holding company, Publicis Groupe, I took on additional responsibilities in managing all of its Media and Digital agency businesses which we call Vivaki (a combination of SMG, Continue reading→

Following the Fascinating Career of Maj. Gen. Edward Giller ’40, Who Got His Start at ATO

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Giller Edward B Maj Photo 3By Dane Luhrsen ’77

Just do a simple Google search on Major General Edward B. Giller ’40 and you’ll find an enormous amount of information about his amazing life and career. I first read his bio and thought, “why hasn’t there been a movie made about his life?” Then I realized that the only guy who could possibly play the lead was John Wayne and he has passed away. I tried to ask some questions that hadn’t been asked before that might be of interest to the ATOs.

How are you doing now… How are you feeling?
Well, I’m still here. I’ll turn 95 this year so that’s pretty good. My wife of 69 years, Mildred, passed away late last year and that was difficult. I have five children and they all get along and watch out for me. My youngest daughter, Penny lives in Albuquerque and she checks in on me and helps me with the computer. We have a large home here and I’ve decided to stay. I have a service that comes in and takes care of my needs and the house twelve hours a day and that works well. I was involved in an automobile accident last year which set me back so I have to use a walker. As long as I take things slow and careful, I can get around pretty well. I’m not in pain and I feel pretty good all things considered.Continue reading→

Rex Sherman 1941

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Rex w CertificateJohn Aymond 1980 and I visited Rex Sherman in Pekin, Illinois this afternoon (April 6, 2013) to present him with a certificate of membership in the Diamond Circle “In affectionate appreciation of his seventy-five years of membership, services and devotion to Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity”. We had a great time and I know that Rex appreciated meeting us. He said that he was honored to receive the Diamond Circle Certificate from ATO. We took him to lunch at Applebee’s in Pekin. Rex said that it was the first time in two years that he had been out of his home. He really seemed to enjoy getting out for some fresh air, a change of scenery and a good cheeseburger.Continue reading→

Nine rings and counting – Gamma Zeta Bill Small ’63

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austermiller and smallGamma Zeta Bill Small ’63 and his sons, Mike ‘88 and Andy ’92, also Gamma Zetas, have won 9 Big Ten Championship Rings between them. With Mike still going strong as the Head Illini Golf Coach coming off his 5th Big Ten Championship in a row this summer (2013), Bill predicts the Small’s will pass by Phil Jackson’s total of 11 Championship rings before it’s all over. Here’s catching up with Bill Small.

Where did you grow up and can you tell us a little bit about your parents and family?

I was born in Peoria on 9/3/1941.  I grew up in Roanoke, 25 miles east of Peoria on Rt.116.  My father worked at Caterpillar 41 years and my mother was a homemaker.  I had one sister who was 4 years younger who graduated from ISU and has lived in California since 1970.

During high school, you transferred to Aurora West.  Aurora was traditionally a hotbed for high school basketball.  Was basketball behind the transfer? Continue reading→

Dick Murphy ’65: San Diego’s Judge to Mayor

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dick murhpyDick Murphy ’65 served as Worthy Master at Gamma Zeta. Since those days he had a fascinating and varied career: from a Pentagon official in the White House to a California Superior Court Judge to Mayor of San Diego. His book, “San Diego’s Judge Mayor”(available at Amazon.com) chronicles his life journey and lessons learned, including his ATO Illinois experience.

What was the impact of your leadership as Worthy Master on the chapter?
In my opinion, the most significant contribution that I made was to bring unity to disparate factions among the brothers.

Continue reading→