Chapter Eternal – Hal McReynolds ’63

Posted on September 21, 2015September 21, 2015 by Alpha Tau Omega - Gamma Zeta Chapter

Chapter Eternal – Sorry to share the sad news from Kathie McReynolds that that Hal D. McReynolds ’63 ATO died on July 9, 2015. this summer. Hal graduated from U of I in 1965 and continued on at Loyola University in Chicago and receive a Doctoral degree in Anatomy. He taught at the Dental Schlool of Loyola University but resigned from Loyola in 1987.. He then went into business until he retired in 1996..

He was a loyal member of ATO and always enjoyed visiting Gamma Zeta when in town. During his retirement, he suffered for 8 years with Lewy Body Dementia which includes Parkinson’s Disease. It would be wonderful if some of his ATO brothers would make a donation to the Lewy Body Dementia Association (http://www.lbda.org/ ) in his honor. It is the second most common form of dementia next to Alzheimer’s Disease.

Hal and I married in 1966 and we have 3 grown daughters and 7 grandchildren. Our family misses his smile and laughter about his experiences at ATO and U of I. We hope that some of our grandchildren will follow in his footsteps to U of I and ATO.

Sincerely his wife,

Kathie Yeast McReynolds “64 AXO, graduated in 1966 from U of I
http://www.hjfunerals.com/…/2015/07/10/hal-david-mcreynolds/

Gamma Zetas help raise over $100K at LLS Poker Run/Boating for a Cure event!!

Posted on August 10, 2015August 10, 2015 by Alpha Tau Omega - Gamma Zeta Chapter

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

Posted on August 10, 2015August 10, 2015 by Alpha Tau Omega - Gamma Zeta Chapter

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.

Congrats Ben Rear ’12 and Leah Seiler!!

Posted on August 2, 2015August 2, 2015 by Alpha Tau Omega - Gamma Zeta Chapter

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

Brandon Peele’s ’98 – The 21-Day Purpose Challenge

Posted on July 29, 2015July 29, 2015 by Alpha Tau Omega - Gamma Zeta Chapter

Brandon Peele ’98 asked me to share the following…

The 21-Day Purpose Challenge, is a free 3-week purpose discovery curriculum. Currently we have over 1,000 purpose challengers signed up from 40+ countries. It’s designed for a general audience, so I think it would be perfect for anyone looking to create more meaningful work, select a major, internship, etc. Here is a link to more information and to sign up for this free program.

Brandon Peele (GZ ’98)
Purpose Coach at The EVR1 Institute
Global Purpose Advocate at PlanetPurpose.org

Joint BOT/Exec Committee meeting held at Rolling Green Country Club

Posted on June 24, 2015June 26, 2015 by Alpha Tau Omega - Gamma Zeta Chapter

Thanks to our BOT Chairman, Jack Klues ’77 for hosting our summer joint BOT/Exec Committee meeting at his beautiful Rolling Green Country Club in Arlington Heights last night. You would be proud of your undergrad team who came prepared with thoughtful and thorough job descriptions and SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely) for each of their roles. We’re getting this year off to a great start. Great job guys!! and THANKS Jack for hosting!!

Three Ring Circus at the Alpha Gamma Delta house furnished by Charlie Caudle ’41

Posted on April 30, 2015April 30, 2015 by Alpha Tau Omega - Gamma Zeta Chapter

Charlie Caudle ’41

Throwback Thursday – The link previously posted about Joe Hagerty ‘17.5 being the “Greek Crush of the Week” reminded me of previous versions of Greek “society” columns that used to appear in the Daily Illini. For today’s “Throwback Thursday”, check out an old column from the DI called YOURSELF AND OTHERS from March 12, 1940 which includes a fun item mentioning Gamma Zeta Charlie Caudle ’41. Charlie also was the editor of another similar column called the Campus Scout. This occurred quite a bit before my time but I do remember the buzzer systems at the sororities. Are they still around??

Here’s What They’re Doing!

Posted on April 23, 2015April 23, 2015 by Alpha Tau Omega - Gamma Zeta Chapter

Throwback Thursday – Check out this page from a 1950 Rush Brochure. Pretty impressive list of activities!

Mom’s Weekend at Gamma Zeta

Posted on April 15, 2015April 15, 2015 by Christopher John Donohue

Mom’s Weekend Auction

Mom’s weekend has been a tradition at U of I that dates back to 1922 and I am happy to inform you all that it is still very much in full swing.

This past Saturday, the undergraduate brothers of Gamma Zeta gathered together with their mothers to celebrate this sacred holiday and keep the tradition going.

At 11 am, everyone convened in the front rooms for a lunch-in, where various forms of beverages and barbeque were served. Following lunch, all the brothers and their mothers participated in the annual Mom’s day auction which was hosted by your very own, brothers Jack Polancich ’15 and George Adams ’15. Items that were sold included an ATO inscribed box of cigars, an ATO bean bag set, and several gift baskets–just to name a few. The auction raised a whopping $5,650, all of which will go towards the Leukemia and Lymphoma society.

After the auction, the moms of Gamma Zeta were able to spend some quality time with not only their sons, but with the other moms of Gamma Zeta as well. Parents don’t always get a chance to casually interact so it was a great time for them to finally get to know one another.

Brothers Tom Wolfe ’16, Jimmy Kowalczyk ’16, Sal Fratto ’16, and Gage Callahan ’17 with their moms

By the time dinner came around, everyone was pretty well acquainted. The dinner was held at a local bar and grill called ‘Cowboy Monkey’. Everyone who attended had nothing but good things to say about it–marking a great end to a great day!

A big thanks goes out to all the moms who sacrificed time out of their lives to come down and visit!

Founders’ Day Dinner

Posted on April 14, 2015April 23, 2015 by Alpha Tau Omega - Gamma Zeta Chapter

This past Monday, Gamma Zeta got together and organized a celebration dedicated to the founding of our chapter–an event that occurred over 120 years ago this past March.

Brothers dressed business casual as they came together to eat a home-cooked, family style meal. The bread, salad, pasta, meat, and desserts were all brought to each table in courses and everyone passed each of the separate dishes around the table to one another–creating a type of brotherhood meal that Gamma Zeta hadn’t seen in years.

Overall, it was a great moment for everyone to celebrate our history and look back on all that Gamma Zeta has accomplished.

Following the Founders’ day dinner, our friend and fellow Gamma Zeta, Norm Bilsbury, paid a visit to his old stomping grounds.

All the brothers gathered round as he gave some lasting words in regards to Gamma Zeta and its history. “One for all and all for one” he said and, after acknowledging how cliche it was to say, said that he was proud that this type of brotherhood–the type that’s willing to sacrifice for not only the entire group, but for the individual as well–still exists within Gamma Zeta today.

Aside from that though, he was also willing to share some career advice as well. He informed us all of a new organization on campus that helps students start their own businesses.

As always, he was very well spoken and informative and we were more than happy that he took the time out of his day to come see us.