THE ALUMNI NEWSLETTER OF TAU KAPPA EPSILON, OMEGA CHAPTER
THE OMEGA OMEN
Albion College, Albion, Michigan -- Spring 2015
Published By the Omega Chapter of TKE Alumni Association Since 1931
Frater Towne ‘97
Receives Leadership
Award From TKE
International
It is not surprising to all of
us at Omega Chapter, that
Frater David Towne ‘97
was recently recognized and
honored by the Office of the
Grand Chapter for his many
years of leadership and
volunteerism for the
brotherhood of Tau Kappa
Epsilon. In February 2015,
Frater Towne received the
Grand Prytanis Key
Leader Award for his
exceptional service as a key
leader in the fraternity.
Jeweled Officers for 2015 Now Leading Omega Chapter
The fraternal leadership at the Omega Chapter of TKE is now in the capable
hands of 8 new Jeweled Officers and committee chairs for 2015. Newly installed
Jeweled Officers are: Spencer Gust ‘16,
Ω1787
(Prytanis); TJ Sanders ‘17,
Ω1796 (Epiprytanis); Tim Langholz ‘16,
Ω1789 (Crysophylos); Erik Brink
‘16,
Ω1783 (Histor); Tyler Becker ‘16,
Ω1782 (Grammataeus); Brandon
Marino ‘16,
Ω1790 (Hegemon); Chris Lerma ‘17,
Ω1793 (Hypophetes); and
Chris Herweyer ‘17,
Ω1799 (Pylortes).
TKE and My Life Beyond Albion
An Essay by Frater Alex Hicks ‘16
April 21, 2013 was certainly what I would like to consider a milestone in my
life. After two whole months of waiting, working, and learning throughout the
entirety of the member education process, I was finally initiated into the
Congratulations to Frater
brotherhood of Tau Kappa Epsilon. It was something that I knew—from the
Towne, and a BIG thank you moment I signed my bid—I wanted to see through to fruition. Finally, that day
for all of his dedication from came. After those two months of hard work that I and the other brothers of my
the collegiate and alumni
potential new member class put in, we finally saw the day that we could call
Fraters of Omega Chapter!
ourselves Fraters. (Continued on Next Page)
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THE ALUMNI NEWSLETTER OF TAU KAPPA EPSILON, OMEGA CHAPTER
I was taught the three essential
elements of Love, Charity and
Esteem, and am constantly
reminded of what that means to
The moment I signed my name on me in my daily life whenever I
the scroll, I knew that I was ready
look upon our letters. Now, after
to bear the responsibilities
having the experience of
that came with holding that title. I
contributing to the progress we
was ready to become a leader. I
have made within the house, I feel
was ready to become a man. I
as though I have a good
was ready to become a Brother.
understanding of handling
Now that I’m midway through my leadership, and can even offer
collegiate career and the home
some guidance and wisdom to the
stretch is readily approaching, I’ve new member classes
learned to genuinely appreciate
that have followed me, so that
what TKE has done for me in the
they can be equipped with the
year and a half that I’ve been a
same knowledge that I have. I
Frater.
hold my brothers personally
accountable for their fraternal
responsibilities, just as I would
expect them to do of me. They
make sure that I am keeping up
with my studies, and will
undoubtedly make time for me if I
ever have anything I’d like to get
off my chest.
That is what I believe sets TKE
I recognize what it can do for me
apart from any other organization;
in my future endeavors. In the time the moment you become a part of
I’ve been in the house, I’ve had the this fraternity, the growth process
fortune of bearing leadership
begins. You become a part of
positions where my potential was
something bigger than yourself.
challenged and assessed, and I was You will become a man, whether
finally able to show my brothers
you were expecting to or not, and
what I was capable of.
the experiences you have within
Even as a potential new member, I the fraternity will ensure that.
was forced to manage my time
By the time that I graduate from
efficiently, and learned how to
Albion College, I am certain that I
balance academic, extracurricular, will be a better person than I was
and fraternal obligation.
before I had TKE.
TKE and My Life Beyond
Albion
(Continued from Previous Page)
Frater Alex Hicks ‘16
In fact, I’m already a better
person for being a Teke. After I
enter the professional world, I
know that I will have the abilities
necessary to succeed and be the
best man I can be, and I will
always have TKE to thank for
that. I will be able to wake up in
the morning and remember that I
am a brother in the Fraternity for
Life.
So, will TKE play a role in my
life beyond Albion? Long story
short, absolutely.
Yours in the bond,
Frater Alex Hicks ‘16, Ω1785
(Frater Hicks is a junior from
Detroit, MI majoring in
Sociology. He was the recipient of
this year’s Dr. John L. Seaton
Memorial Scholarship Award,
given annually to a collegiate
Frater of Omega Chapter who
has excelled in academics, and
contributions to the campus
community and fraternity.)
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THE ALUMNI NEWSLETTER OF TAU KAPPA EPSILON, OMEGA CHAPTER
Ditzler Inauguration Event Launches New Vision
for Campus/Community Partnerships
Homecoming
Weekend and Class
Reunions
• Mark your calendars for
Albion College
Homecoming weekend,
Hundreds of Albion College alumni, trustees, administration, faculty,
beginning Friday, October
students, Albion community leaders and representatives from over 50
16. TKE will host the
colleges and universities, gathered on the campus Quad for the September
annual alumni open house
12,
2014
inauguration of our 16th president, Dr. Mauri Ditzler. Since
before and after the football
officially taking office, Dr. Ditzler has taken the lead on a new strategic
game on Saturday, October
approach in developing plans to help strengthen the campus and Albion
17.
community connections. In addition, he has been traveling nationwide to
elevate engagement with Albion College alumni. TKE was represented at • Class Reunion information
for years 1960,
1965,
1975,
the inaugural ceremonies by Frater Zach Kribs ‘15,
Ω1771
(pictured
1985,
1995
and 2005 is
above, le!) who served as one of the student speakers at the event.
posted on www.albion.edu/
Participants in the alumni procession representing each graduating class
alumni/events/homecoming/
included Frater Tom Brown II ‘56, Frater James Royle ‘63, Frater
class-reunions
C. Robert Maxfield, Jr. ‘63, Frater William J. Rafaill ‘70 and Frater
Jim Anderson ‘83.
Help Us Reconnect with “Lost” Alumni
The Office of the Grand Chapter and Omega Chapter Alumni
Association are seeking assistance to help locate lost alumni. If you are in
contact with Omega Chapter alumni Fraters (and those from other
chapters), please encourage them to visit www.tke.org/lost to update their
their contact information. In addition, please forward this copy of The
Omega Omen to alumni Fraters who may have dropped off our distribution
list. Thank you!
In Memoriam
The following alumni Brothers in the Bond have entered into the Chapter
Eternal: Frater William Dalrymple ‘62 on October 17,
2013; Frater
Jerry Gervais ‘52 on August 20,
2014 in Muskegon. Frater
Gervais was a long-time teacher, coach and junior high school principal.
Tau Kappa Epsilon, 1968
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THE ALUMNI NEWSLETTER OF TAU KAPPA EPSILON, OMEGA CHAPTER
THE GAUS REPORT
Dear Fraters of Omega Chapter and friends of TKE,
By my calculation this is my 25th year as a member of Omega Chapter’s Board of Advisors (BOA). Over
the 25 years I have seen a lot of changes and cycles but it truly is interesting to note that over the long
term, “the more things change, the more they stay the same”. The issues today are not so different than
the issues we saw 25 years ago.
This past January, as with every January in the last few years, we started the semester with a Planning
Meeting with as many Chapter and Board members as possible. The last few times we’ve held the
meeting in a classroom on campus (in either Olin Hall or Norris Center). The Board Vice Chair,
Frater Jerry Johnson ‘93, facilitates the meeting while yours truly takes notes.
The primary focus of the planning meeting is the Key Result Areas and Goals (aka: KRAs). These are
the metrics used by TKE Headquarters to measure a chapter’s performance in specific areas. These
measurements are shown in a ‘dashboards’ manner with the colors red, yellow, and green used to visually
show a chapter’s status toward a given goal. The KRAs for the 2015 academic year cover such areas as:
Money owed to TKE Headquarters ($), Initiates (#), Philanthropy ($), Service (hours), Risk
Management (#s trained), Attendance at TKE Provincial Education Conferences (#s attending), and
Alumni Attendance (# of alumni participating in events).
The bulk of the meeting covered Rush and finances, arguably two key components of a sustaining
chapter. The latter included an expanded discussion on more than just money owed to TKE
Headquarters, but also money owed by active members to the chapter.
In my opinion, the January 2015 meeting was time well spent. The actives of the chapter were engaged
and thoughtful and we had a good discussion. I am forever grateful to the alumni who came all the way
to Albion on a Sunday afternoon to participate in the meeting (and to the one who joined us via Skype)!
I think I can speak for all that it is our hope that the chapter achieves their goals by the end of the
semester.
If you are interested in supporting Omega Chapter by being a part of the Board of Advisors, please
contact me via email at: [email protected] for more information. The Board meets four
times during the academic year (twice each semester).
Yours in the bond…forever. I love this fraternity!
Frater Jim Gaus ‘81,
Ω1160
Life Loyal Teke
Chairman, TKE Omega Chapter Board of Advisors
TKE/Ω: Better Men for a Better World
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THE ALUMNI NEWSLETTER OF TAU KAPPA EPSILON, OMEGA CHAPTER
Fraternity Life in the Ω House
Collegiate and alumni Fraters of Omega Chapter collaborated together for a productive goalsetting meeting held on campus in January 2015, led by the Board of Advisors (BOA).
• The Annual Pig Roast event, held on March 28, was another
huge success, raising over $1,600 for St. Jude’s Children’s
Research Hospital.
• Tekes celebrated the annual Greek Week festivities and
competition in April, paired with Kappa Alpha Theta.
• Plans are underway for another chapter house clean up and
basement renovation. Alumni volunteers are needed. Dates
will be announced on the Omega Chapter TKE Facebook
page or for more information, please email Frater David
Towne, Chapter Advisor at [email protected].
• This year’s William C. Prout, Jr. ‘59 Scholarship Award
was presented to Frater Alex Hicks ‘16 and Frater Zach
Kribs ‘15. Both Frater Hicks and Kribs were recognized and
honored for their academic achievements, service and
fraternal contributions.
• The 2015 Red Carnation Ball was held in April in
downtown Detroit. The annual formal event was enjoyed by
all collegiate Fraters and their guests, as well as alumni
attendees.
Welcome New
TKE Brothers
The Alumni Association of
Omega Chapter welcomes the
fo$owing new Fraters who were
recently initiated into the
Brotherhood of
Tau Kappa Epsilon:
Andrew Altop
Andrew Malecki
Tyler Moylan
Finn Powers
Zak Kohanov
Cary Luke
Heath Hammond
Zach Baguzis
Jake Terberg
Nick Merucci
Elliot Drake
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THE ALUMNI NEWSLETTER OF TAU KAPPA EPSILON, OMEGA CHAPTER
Paige Beliveau ‘Takes
the Reins’ as New
Sweetheart of TKE
The new Sweetheart of TKE is pictured above
with Frater/Prytanis Spencer Gust ‘16;
Upper Right -- Paige shows off her equestrian
ski$s at a recent competition.
Omega Chapter’s new Sweetheart Paige Beliveau ‘16 is a top of
her class Psychology major with an interest in criminal justice.
Making the Dean’s List each semester, her grades and work ethic
are both top notch. This passion for psychology has landed her an
internship this summer at a correctional facility in Boston, near her
hometown of Newburyport, Massachusetts. She will be helping
with inmate evaluation and parole assessment -- great experience
for a potential future career.
Apart from her major, Paige is a member of the Gerald R. Ford
Institute of Public Policy and Psi Chi National Honor
Society In Psychology. She is also a point rider for both the
Albion College Equestrian Dressage and Hunt Seat teams, and
recently competed at a national level for dressage, scoring top in
the region. New Recruitment Efforts Bring Positive Results
14 New Fraters Initiated Into Omega Chapter
By
Frater
Justin
Van
Blaricom
‘16
Ω1786,
2015
Rush
Captain
After two slow years, Omega TKE came back strong and motivated for recruitment in 2014‐15. With the help of
Albion College Greek Life Coordinator Jon Collier and a professional consultant from Phired Up Productions, the
chapter developed an entirely new game plan. Prospective members were consistently evaluated for desired qualities
and their relationship with the chapter. Bids were extended in a targeted, deliberate manner -- a departure from the
high-volume approach of recent years.
The chapter's commitment to its plan paid off: in April, 11 of the 16
men who received bids in spring semester were
welcomed into the Bond of Tau Kappa Epsilon. This gave the chapter a total of 14 initiates for the year and brought
Omega's scroll to 1,811 members since its founding. Among Albion fraternities, TKE had by far the highest bid
acceptance rate and the highest pledge class cumulative GPA. These results are consistent with the chapter's longterm strategy for membership growth and quality, and enthusiasm is high for next year.
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THE ALUMNI NEWSLETTER OF TAU KAPPA EPSILON, OMEGA CHAPTER
Music Has Kept the Omega Chapter House
Rockin’ for Almost 90 years...
Since our chapter was charted at Albion in 1926,
the Omega Chapter House has always had its
own connection to music on campus. In-house
jazz combos, barbershop quartets, classical
musicians, marching band participants, singers
and choral groups have added a lot of musical
energy to the chapter house. House musicians
have also contributed to award-winning campus
music competitions and entertainment programs.
Over the years, TKE musicians have also been
recognized for their individual achievements
both during and beyond their collegiate years.
Music has long been a part of the brotherhood of
our fraternity. Here’s a look at Omega Chapter’s
history of music in the house...
1931
1950’s
Early 1950’s Jazz combo, rehearsing in the Erie Street Omega Chapter House
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THE ALUMNI NEWSLETTER OF TAU KAPPA EPSILON, OMEGA CHAPTER
1950’s
1960’s
Early 1960’s Greek Sing Competition in Goodrich Chapel
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THE ALUMNI NEWSLETTER OF TAU KAPPA EPSILON, OMEGA CHAPTER
Frater Lefkowitz ‘11 Shares His Passion for Music
Greetings Fraters of TKE Omega Chapter ,
I ask that you think for a moment about everything
that goes into your daily routine. Next, I ask that you
think about how often during that routine you listen
to music. What kind of music is it? How often do you
listen to it? Why do you listen to it? I doubt anyone
has the exact same answers. That’s expected, but
important. These are the questions I have to think
about when trying to find the best way to advocate for
classical music. Though I’ve had a wonderful time
spending most of my years as a performer, I now find
myself in the position of an advocate for classical
music. So much that I’m currently pursuing a degree
in musical arts administration at Florida State
University.
I can’t say my opinion isn’t biased. Classical
music has played such a large role in my social
and academic lives. This certainly wasn’t any
different at Albion College, where I was
involved in at least three music ensembles,
private lessons, as well as Phi Mu Alpha.
(Continued on next page...)
(Above): 1962 musical rehearsal in the Erie Street chapter
house; (Right): Early 1960’s Teke musicial quartet preparing for
a campus competition.
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THE ALUMNI NEWSLETTER OF TAU KAPPA EPSILON, OMEGA CHAPTER
Passion for Music: (Continued from page 8):
So the question remains -- how do I get people who
haven’t had this exposure excited about music?
Many of you without realizing it may have already
had this exposure. How many times were you at a
choir, band, or jazz concert to support your Fraters?
Quite a few of you may remember the reason you
went in the first place was to support your Brother,
but perhaps you really got into the music. A prime
example is attending “Jazz at Cascarelli’s” on a
Saturday night. Sure, it was often crowded and the
acoustics in that place aren’t the best, but I hope
for those who’ve attended can agree that there’s
something relaxing about enjoying some pizza and
a cold beer while you see your friend tear it up on
that tenor sax solo. I am sure that’s not the only
example that’s on your minds, but I’m positive
there’s at least one. See? You’ve been exposed at
least once without maybe even realizing it. It’s
definitely possible you may not have enjoyed the
music, but doesn’t talking about it now get you the
least bit interested in trying it again?
Of course it doesn’t have to be the same kind of
event. If you went to a choir concert, then go to a
jazz performance. If you saw the marching band,
then go see your local orchestra. There are so many Annual Interfraternity Quartet Sing
opportunities where Albion has opened the door
Champions, 1950’s
for you, and I encourage each of you to try them
out. Music is such a passion of mine and I plan on
continuing in advocating it in every way I can.
Honestly that level of interest wouldn’t be as near
as is today without my time at Albion. More
importantly, I wouldn’t be where I am now without
the support of my Fraters.
I wish you all the best my Fraters, and hope you
remember to fill your day with music in whatever
way you want.
Yours in the bond,
Frater Garrett Lefkowitz ‘11, Ω1726
Chamber Music Coordinator,
In 1969, the Tekes sponsored a LIVE
Tallahassee Youth Orchestra
concert
at Kresge Gym. Tickets were only
M.A. Candidate, Florida State University
$4 per couple!
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THE ALUMNI NEWSLETTER OF TAU KAPPA EPSILON, OMEGA CHAPTER
1980’s
The Teke House experienced positive
growth in recruitment and membership in
the early 1980’s, that also included four
consecutive Greek Week “Songfest”
victories. Musicians in the house helped to
create and direct award-winning “serious”
and “funky” musical routines that are still
remembered by alumni Fraters today.
(Right): Tekes concluding one of their lively
award-winning “funky” Songfest performances
in Kresge Gym, 1982
1990’s
(Le*): Fraters John Hill ‘91,
Jason Raddatz ‘91 and John
Schoelles ‘92 along with Tom
Holtgreive ‘92 (below)
provided live musical
entertainment in the old
“Keller”.
In 1990, Frater Dan
Vukmirovich ‘92 (le*) and fellow
Teke musicians (above) rocked
Kresge Gym during a Greek Week
competition.
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THE ALUMNI NEWSLETTER OF TAU KAPPA EPSILON, OMEGA CHAPTER
Music Has Kept the Omega
Chapter House Rockin’ for Almost
90 years...
2000’s
Throughout his college years, Frater Thomas Wiseman ‘11
(above with “Brit Briton”)
participated in the
Albion Marching Britons; Frater Connor Sweeney ‘11
(above, right) was a lead singer with the campus
choral group Euphonics.
SAVE THE DATE...
TEKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME!
TKE Alumni Outing
at Comerica Park
Tigers vs. Orioles
Sunday, July 19,
2015
at 1:08 p.m.
For Ticket information and details visit:
Facebook.com/TKE.Omega and AlbionTKE.com
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