Based upon the successful and fun Homecoming activities from last weekend, we thought that we’d start encouraging classes to begin planning for NEXT year’s Homecoming now. So, MARK YOUR CALENDARS for Saturday, October 25, 2014. – Illini vs. Minnesota. We’ve never heard of a group who has gotten together who has not had a great time. The only complaint that it Continue reading
Gamma Zeta ATO Internship Program
Matt Massucci ’96, Partner and Co-Founder of Hirewell has graciously agreed to oversee our Gamma Zeta undergraduate internship matching program again this school year. We launched the first ATO Internship program last spring, and made some great progress. The program kicked off late in the year, but was still able match up four undergrads with local companies. MB Financial, Belmont Bank, TJM Development, and Hirewell all brought on current Gamma Zetas as interns. The investment is modest – your company will spend no more than $2000 – $3000. This is an excellent way to build your company’s talent pipeline, and identify entry level hires.Continue reading
Michael “Cone” Barrett ’80 invites you to the Ringside for Mercy’s Sake annual gala on October 19, 2013
Dear ATO Brothers:
I’d like to invite you to the annual Ringside for Mercy’s Sake annual gala on October 19, 2013 at the Chicago Downtown Marriott. For 22 years Ringside has raised critical funds to ensure that Mercy Home for Boys & Girls continues to care for more than 700 of Chicago’s most at-risk youth annually, including 135 boys and girls that live at our two campuses in Chicago. We have about 100 live-in boys at the original campus on West Jackson Blvd and about 35 girls at the old Walgreen’s mansion in my old Beverly neighborhood. As Chairman of Mercy Home Ambassador Board, their mission is one I have gotten to know well and believe strongly in as it provides a nurturing home, opportunity for an excellent fully-funded education, and means for personal growth for kids in need. Mercy Home is 100% privately funded, so events like Ringside are critical for Mercy Home to continue its mission. Continue reading
Chapter Eternal – Robert Wiley Lavender ‘54 – 1932 – 2013
Robert Wiley Lavender, age 81, of Douglas, died Thursday, September 26, 2013, at Holland Hospital after a lengthy battle with lung-related issues.Robert was born on February 10, 1932, to parents, Earl and Sears Lavender of Christopher, IL. He served his country in the U.S. Army from 1951-1957. Following his service he attended the University of Illinois and graduated in 1954 with a degree in journalism. He was a member of the ATO fraternity. Robert was a partner at Grant/Jacoby, Inc., a Chicago-based advertising agency, focusing on business-to-business clients until he retired in 1995.
In 1980, Robert moved to the Douglas area, where he spent most of his summers. He was known fondly along the lakeshore as “The Muffin Man,” because of his legendary blueberry muffins, which he baked most weekends. Besides cooking, he enjoyed traveling and reading. For many years, he volunteered his cooking skills at the Lincoln Park Community Shelter, which was supported by his church, Church of Our Saviour in Chicago. His children dedicated the Robert Wiley Lavender memorial kitchen in his honor four years ago.
Robert was a “subway alumni” of Notre Dame, never missing an opportunity to support his favorite football program. He is survived by his wife, Linda (Moy); three children, Robin (Datu Ramel) Lavender, Missy Lavender and Tim Lavender (Nancy Sonego); seven grandchildren, Elle, Clay, Greg, Wiley, Fallon, Caroline and David; seven nieces and nephews; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ronald (Kathleen) Moy, Nora (Joe) Healy, and Donald (Susan) Moy.
A memorial service celebrating Robert’ s life will be 11 a.m. Saturday, October 19, 2013, at All Saints Episcopal Church, 252 Grand St., Saugatuck, with Rev. Corwin Stoppel officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery.
Memorial gifts in Robert’s honor may be sent to Lincoln Park Community Shelter (lpcsonline.org), Mission of Our Lady of the Angels (missionola.com), All Saints Episcopal Church or Notre Dame University. Please visitdykstrafuneralhome.com to sign an online registry or leave a memory.
Bob Simonds’ 47 raises over $54,000 for ALS research
On September 22, Bob Simonds, Gamma Zeta ’47 led thousands of walkers along the Chicago lakefront as the family chairman for this year’s Les Turner Foundation ALS Walk4Life. The 2013 event has raised over $700,000 for ALS research and it was Bob and his team that led the way from the very start. Bob’s team was the #1 team with over $54,000 raised and Bob was the #1 individual fundraiser at over $36,000 raised alone. Within those numbers are over $10,000 from Gamma Zeta undergrads from their Mom’s Day event last spring and over $10,000 from Gamma Zeta Alumni and the event last weekend at the Soldier Field Illini vs. Washington football game.Continue reading
Bob Simonds ’43 Surpasses $60,000 Goal for Les Turner ALS Foundation Fund Raising
ALS has put Bob Simonds ’43 in a wheelchair unable to walk, talk or eat on his own but he didn’t let that stop him from achieving an incredible goal of raising over $60,000 for ALS research this year. Bob initially set a “stretch” goal of $50,000 which was significantly higher than last year’s achievement. However, with strong contributions of over $11,000 from Gamma Zeta undergraduates and their Mom’s Day fund raiser last spring and over $11,000 from Gamma Zeta Alumni from the program initiated by John Aymond ’80 at the Illini vs. Washington football game at Soldier Field in September, he raised the bar again to $60,000. Andy Daniels, ATO Tulane ’75 (our own Stu Daniel’s son and grandson) agreed to pitch in another $1000 to put Bob over the top if he could get to $59,000.Continue reading
Over 150 ATOs, Family and Guests attend Illini vs. Washington Football Game in Soldier Field
When 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
Gamma Zeta ‘57’s Gather in Williamsburg, Virginia
The 57’s and sometimes guys from classes around them are probably the most dedicated reunion goers of all of our alumni. They gather nearly every fall for a reunion at rotating sites around the country. This 2013 event was in Williamsburg, Virginia on September 13, 14 and 15. This year, the group was all honored with their ATO Gold Certificates signifying over 50 years of membership in Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity.
Gamma Zeta ‘54’s Hold Mini Reunion in Chicago
Four Gamma Zeta ‘54’s met in Chicago for a mini-reunion prompted by the Illini vs. Washington football game in Soldier Field on September 14. Ed Ptacek, (San Diego), Brig Young (Aspen, Colorado), Dick Young (Geneva, IL) and Waldo Peterson (Wisconsin Dells). They were joined by Bill McCarty at the football game on Saturday and had brunch with Dane Luhrsen ’77 and his dad Paul Luhrsen, Illini Sigma Chi ’54 on Sunday morning at the Drake in Chicago.
Join Gamma Zeta Alpha Tau Omega Illinois Linkedin Subgroups
We’ve created Linkedin “Subgroups” across a number of industries and career path as a way to identify Gamma Zetas who have expertise in each of these areas. You are encouraged to join those groups that are appropriate for you and to use these groups to identify support when needed. Here are the groups that have been created and links to join:
First, please join the main Gamma Zeta ATO Illinois Illinois Linkedin group – http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Alpha-Tau-Omega-University-Illinois-96736/aboutContinue reading